Early April 2023

April 10th. Rain until early afternoon, then further rainy spells. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow and 2 House Martin; and on Croftmarsh a Mediterranean Gull. Birds around included a Snipe, a Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff and 3 Blackcap.

Mediterranean Gull, 10th April 2023. 
Photo - Kev Wilson

April 9th. Around, including birds trapped, were 95 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Woodlark, a Sedge Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and a Siskin. Going south were a Red Kite, a Buzzard and a Swallow; and north a Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Robin, 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Blue Tit; and 6 retraps: a Wren, a Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock.

Woodlark, 9 April 2023.
Photo - Rob Watson

Goldcrest, ringed 9 April 2023.
Photo - George Gregory

April 8th. The male Black Redstart was still around the Visitor Centre. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Barnacle Goose. Birds around, including those trapped, were 32 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pink-footed Goose, 20000 Knot, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Marsh Harrier, a Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 5 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, a Redwing, a Brambling and 2 Corn Bunting. Heading north were a Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Swallow and a Siskin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Robin and 2 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Wren and 2 Dunnock.

Willow Warbler, ringed 8 April 2023.
Photo - George Gregory

Chiffchaff, ringed 8 April 2023.
Photo - George Gregory

Pink-footed Goose, 8th April 2023. 
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Avocet, 8th April 2023. 
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Pied Wagtail, 8th April 2023. 
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Black Redstart, 8th April 2023. 
Photo - Bethany McGuire

April 7th. A male Black Redstart was around the Visitor Centre. Around were a Pink-footed Goose, 4 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, a Barn Owl, a Peregrine, 64 Magpie, a Sand Martin, a Swallow, 12 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, a Wheatear and a Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Barnacle Goose. Flying north were 2 Egyptian Goose.

Black redstart, 7th April 2023. 
Photo - Jack Hood

Short-eared Owl, 7th April 2023. 
Photo - Jack Hood

Short-eared Owl, 7th April 2023. 
Photo - Steve Allen

Short-eared Owl, 7th April 2023. 
Photo - Steve Allen

Barn Owl pellets from a roost site, 7 April 2023.
Photo - George Gregory

April 6th. Soggy start with occasional drizzle or rain.

 The Long-eared Owl was still in East Dunes, and a Barn Owl was hunting over Old Saltmarsh. Three Cattle Egrets were briefly around the Mere and headed off north-east with a Little Egret. Other birds around were 18 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Green Sandpiper and a Sparrowhawk.

Ringing Recovery: Black-headed Gull, ringed GPNNR 29 August 2008, ring read GPNNR 3 April 2023. 

Cattle Egrets, 6th April 2023. 
Photo - Ste Taylor

April 5th. Around were 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 9 Pink-footed Goose, a Water Rail, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Barn Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Long-eared Owl (East Dunes), 8 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Wheatear and a Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Egyptian Goose and a Swallow; and on Tennyson's Sands 123 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose and a Pink-footed Goose Going south were a Great White Egret, a Red Kite, 3 Stock Dove, a Merlin and 8 Rook.

Wheatears, 5th April. 
Photo - Jack Hood
Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5th April 2023. 
Photo - Jack Hood

April 4th. Birds around included 215 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Siskin and a Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Barnacle Goose, a Pochard and a Water Rail, and on Croftmarsh a Marsh Harrier. Heading south were a Hen Harrier, 2 Red Kite, 4 Siskin and other finches.

Ringing Control: Goldcrest, ringed GPBO 21 September 2022, controlled Carreg Fawr, Gwynedd 1 April 2023.





Grey Heron, Pochard, Siskin and Goldcrest, 4th April 2023. 
Photos - Ste Taylor

April 3rd. Around were 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.

April 2nd. Birds around included 38 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Sparrowhawk, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Orchard and Gibraltar Road side), 10 Chiffchaff and 11 Siskin.

April 1st. Occasional rainy spells.

  Around were 80 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Snipe, 3 Redwing, a Firecrest (Plantation) and 3 Chiffchaff. Flying north were a Great Northern Diver and 2 Redwing.