Saturday 14th February

A welcome springlike day saw increased activity around the bushes, the Cetti's Warbler was singing in the carpark, seemingly unfazed by the increase in visitors, with the Dartford Warbler near the Visitor Centre and at least five Chiffchaff and three Goldcrest on site. Many resident species were also in song including the Little Grebe on the Main Pond with two Chaffinch and a Siskin flying north.

Elsewhere three Great Northern Diver were offshore and the usual waders and wildfowl were in the estuary including 137 Curlew, 28 Shelduck, 12 Greenshank, 11 Teal, four Wigeon and a Great Northern Diver. 

Other Wildlife: The sunny conditions saw enough warmth for the first hoverflies of year, a couple of Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax on the Alexanders along with at least half a dozen fly species, including the first Orange-bearded Bluebottle Calliphora vomitoria of the year. 

Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax - Alan Keatley

Also emerging in the sunshine, a few Gorse Shieldbug, and with the sand drying out, the nationally scarce Dune Jumper Marpissa nivoyi and the not so rare money spider Stemonyphantes lineatus amongst the Marram and a Cucumber Spider Araniella cucurbitina lurking in Holly.

Dune Jumper Marpissa nivoyi - Alan Keatley

Gorse Shieldbug - Alan Keatley