Monday 1st April 2013

An unexpected arrival considering the continuing cold and blasting easterly wind was the site's 16th record of Hoopoe, the earliest ever and the first since 2004. It was on Warren Point but unfortunately proved very flighty and elusive. Other migrants included the first Black Redstart of the year around the shore of the Bight, 13+ Wheatear and eight Chiffchaff, with 75+ Meadow Pipit overhead. Elsewhere the first Yellow-legged Gull of the year headed NE with 143 Lesser Black-backed and 80+ Great Back-backed Gull, a Red-throated Diver and 12 Sandwich Tern were offshore and counts from the estuary included 205 Dunlin, 170 Brent Geese, 130 Curlew, 74 Grey Plover, 47 Knot, 27 Sanderling, 18 Teal and five Wigeon.

Hoopoe 01/04/13 © Dave Stone

Wildlife News - A Small Tortoiseshell on the wing was the long awaited first butterfly of the year.