Sunday, 2 April 2023

Sunday 2nd April

The first Yellow Wagtail of the year was overhead, an early date, also passing through 61 Wood Pigeon, seven Chaffinch, three Swallow, two Buzzard, two Raven and a Sand Martin. Grounded migrants included seven Chiffchaff, two Blackcap, a Willow Warbler and a Wheatear.

The two Pale-bellied Brent Geese remained in the estuary with 305 Oystercatcher, 19 Teal, 13 Shelduck, 10 Redshank, six Sandwich Tern, six Bar-tailed Godwit, four Greenshank, three Dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Red-breasted Merganser and a Ringed Plover. Offshore the two immature male Eider and two Great Crested Grebe.

Wildlife News: The Sand Crocus was making the most of the weather with good numbers in flower, along with Upright Chickweed, Early Forget-me-not and various Mouse-ears. A new plant for the Recording Area was discovered around the Amusements, New Zealand Flax Phormium tenax, at least the tenth non-native plant to have self seeded from the various plantings adjacent to an SAC. Other discoveries included the non-native Slender Speedwell and Caper Spurge. Better news was the rediscovery of Henbit Dead-nettle, the first record for at least a decade, and the 3,000th species for the Recording Area since 2018. 

Henbit Dead-nettle - Kevin Rylands

The first Tree Bumblebee of the year was nectaring on sallows with several Buff-tailed Bumblebee, the two Common Carder Bee were both on Red Dead-Nettle. Also new for the year Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris and Green Shieldbug.

Common Wasp - Kevin Rylands


Green Shieldbug - Kevin Rylands

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