Tuesday 31st March

Counts from the evening hight tide 125 Curlew, 41 Bar-tailed Godwit, 22 Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 21 Sanderling, 18 Redshank, 17 Turnstone, eight Dunlin, eight Grey and seven Ringed Plover, seven Knot and five Greenshank.  

Elsewhere 18 Sandwich Tern, six Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver were offshore and migrants included six Chiffchaff, three Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.

Other Wildlife: The first two male Orange-tip of the year were on the wing with at least a dozen Peacock, also emerging for the first time the hoverflies, Spring Epistrophe E. eligans and Common Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus.

On the beach the leaf beetle Prasocuris phellandrii, the rove beetles Bledius spectabilis and Cafius xantholoma and in rock pools, that were recently part of Warren Point, Painted Goby Pomatoschistus pictus, new for the Recording Area, and a European Sting Winkle Ocenebra erinaceus. 

European Sting Winkle Ocenebra erinaceus - Kevin Rylands

Monday 30th March

Counts from the evening high tide included 100 Curlew, 36 Bar-tailed Godwit, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Redshank, nine Knot, seven Grey and six Ringed Plover, seven Dunlin, four Red-breasted Merganser and two Greenshank.

Elsewhere eight Sandwich Tern, four Great Crested Grebe and two Red-throated Diver were offshore. 

Other Wildlife: The lack of birds on site were compensated with a variety range of insects, mainly in sheltered areas. On the wing were nectaring Gooden's Nomad Bee Nomada goodeniana near Langstone Rock, Empis femorata dancefly and the hoverfly, Smudge-veined Clubtail Neoascia podagrica, with a Dark-edged Beefly searching for solitary bee nests to deposit eggs by the Entrance Bushes, 

Gooden's Nomad Bee Nomada goodeniana - Alan Keatley

Smudge-veined Clubtail Neoascia podagrica - Alan Keatley

Empis femorata - Alan Keatley

Elsewhere an Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni on nettles, the water scavenger beetle Cercyon unipunctatus on the beach and a click beetle Agrypnus murinus under a log. 

Cercyon unipunctatus - Alan Keatley

Agrypnus murinus - Alan Keatley

Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni - Alan Keatley

As water levels drop a lesser water boatman Corixa punctata appeared out of place and struggling on mud near the Main Pond. It can at least fly to the pond, an option unavailable to the stranded tadpoles. 

Corixa punctata - Alan Keatley

Sunday 29th March

Counts over the evening tide included 42 Bar-tailed Godwit, 34 Turnstone, 31 Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Grey and six Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 10 Knot, seven Dunlin, five Greenshank and four Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere a redhead Goosander flew S over the Main Pond and offshore there were 30 Kittiwake, 20 Gannet, 12 Common Scoter, 12 Sandwich Tern, three Manx Shearwater and single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver.

Saturday 28th March

Counts from the estuary included 118 Curlew, 46 Bar-tailed Godwit, 46 Turnstone, 12 Grey Plover, nine Knot, eight Dunlin, five Greenshank and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese. 

Elsewhere seven Sandwich Tern, four Great Northern Diver and two Common Scoter were offshore, three Wheatear were on Warren Point and at least 12 Chaffinch called overhead. 

Other Wildlife: A stiff NW wind meant flying insects were restricted to sheltered areas, these included the first Early Nomad Bee Nomada leucophthalma for the Recording Area, found in Skipper Meadow.

Early Nomad Bee Nomada leucophthalma - Alan Keatley

Also on the wing the muscid fly Phaonia subventa and the brown lacewing Micromus paganus with the ground beetles Bembidion quadrimaculatum and Paranchus albipes under logs. 

Phaonia subventa - Alan Keatley

Paranchus albipes - Alan Keatley

Bembidion quadrimaculatum - Alan Keatley

Friday 27th March

Counts from the estuary included 41 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Grey and six Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, nine Knot, five Greenshank, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a drake Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere 17 Common Scoter, eight Manx Shearwater, five Sandwich Tern, three Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver were offshore, the first Willow Warbler of the year was in the Entrance Bushes, a Swallow was over the estuary and the Red-legged Partridge was still present. 

Year List addition:
119. Willow Warbler

Thursday 26th March

Migrants on site included six Chiffchaff and three Wheatear, with a few Chaffinch and a lone Swallow overhead. 

Wheatear - Dean Hall

Counts from the estuary included 47 Sandwich Tern on Bull Hill on the dropping tide with 37 Bar-tailed Godwit, 35 Redshank, 12 Grey and two Ringed Plover, 11 Knot, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, eight Dunlin, five Greenshank and four Red-breasted Merganser at high tide

Elsewhere the Red-legged Partridge was on Warren Point and offshore at least 30 Sandwich Tern before moving to the estuary, 17 Common Scoter, 11 Great Northern and six Red-throated Diver.

Other Wildlife: The sunny start encouraged some insect activity despite the windy conditions but things slowed down in the later showery weather.  New emergences for the year included Small Sallow Mining Bee Andrena praecox near the Entrance Bushes and a male Trimmer's Mining Bee A. trimmerana on the beach.

Trimmer's Mining Bee Andrena trimmerana - Alan Keatley

Small Sallow Mining Bee Andrena praecox - Alan Keatley

Also noted on the wing for the first time this year, the dung fly Norellisoma spinimanum and the hoverfly Melanostoma scalare. At ground level in the dunes, bugs included Cymus claviculus and Nysius huttoni, beetles included Dune Scarab Aegialia arenaria and Phylan gibbus and spiders were represented by Dysdera crocata, a woodlouse spider and Arctosa perita, the Sand-bear Spider.

Nysius huttoni - Alan Keatley

Phylan gibbus - Dean Hall

Dune Scarab Aegialia arenaria - Dean Hall

Sand-bear Spider Arctosa perita - Alan Keatley

Dysdera crocata - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 25th March

A 30 minute seawatch early morning saw at least 50 Manx Shearwater feeding in the bay or passing S, the first of the year. Also offshore three Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver. 

Counts from the estuary included 43 Sandwich Tern late afternoon after seven over high tide, 36 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Sanderling, 11 Grey and six Ringed Plover, nine Knot, eight Dunlin and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose. 

 

Elsewhere the first Swallow of the year flew over The Bight, with two Wheatear in Wryneck Plain and a third on Warren Point.

Year List additions:
118. Swallow
117. Manx Shearwater

Tuesday 24th March

Little on show in the estuary at low tide, although 24 Curlew, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, three Ringed Plover and two Dunlin were on the mudflats and four Sandwich Tern fished the channels. The stiff southwesterly kept birds in cover elsewhere around the reserve.

Other Wildlife: A change to overcast weather resulted in no butterflies and bees on the wing except for a few Buff-tailed Bumblebee and a Red-tailed Bumblebee searching for a nest hole.

Red-tailed Bumblebee - Alan Keatley

Along the beach were a few ground beetles; including Clivina collaris and Acupalpus dubius, plus a few Psylliodes marcida flea beetles and a Lined Click Beetle Agriotes lineatus.

Clivina collaris - Alan Keatley

Lined Click Beetle Agriotes lineatus - Alan Keatley

Acupalpus dubius - Alan Keatley

The tiny leaf-litter ant at just 3mm, Temnothorax nylanderi was found near the station.

Temnothorax nylanderi - Alan Keatley

Monday 23rd March

The second Spoonbill of the year, an immature, was in the estuary early morning before flying north. It returned later to roost on Finger Point before being flushed north by a boat. 

Spoonbill - Lee Collins

Spoonbill - Dave Jewell

Also in the estuary 118 Curlew, 32 Bar-tailed Godwit, 24 Sanderling, 15 Grey and five Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin, 11 Knot, six Greenshank, six Sandwich Tern, two pairs of Red-breasted Merganser and the regular Pale-bellied Brent Goose and Whimbrel.

Elsewhere single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver were offshore, four Chiffchaff were in song and Long-tailed Tit and Stonechat were nestbuilding. 

Other Wildlife: Increasing numbers of insects are visiting the flowering sallows, mostly droneflies and Honey Bee along with Yellow-legged and Chocolate Mining Bee.

Yellow-legged Mining Bee Andrea flavipes - Kevin Rylands

Other bees included the first Tree Bumblebee, Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee and males of Sandpit Mining Bee Andrena barbilabris. At least seven Peacock and two Comma were also on the wing and hundreds of Sand Crocus were in flower, looking at the cloudy forecast most will likely stay closed until the weekend.

Sand Crocus - James Marshall

Sunday 22nd March

The first Red Kite of the year flew N over the Dune Ridge at 10.58 with a light northerly passage of Chaffinch and Lesser Black-backed Gull. On site a Red-legged Partridge was again on the Golf Course.

Counts from the estuary included 130 Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 128 Curlew, 40 Bar-tailed Godwit, 24 Sanderling, 17 Grey and four Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, 13 Knot, nine Greenshank, five Sandwich Tern, four Continental (sinensis) Cormorant and the Whimbrel. 

Year List addition:
116. Red Kite

Saturday 21st March

Two Sandwich Tern were in the estuary with counts over high tide included 132 Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 123 Curlew, 43 Bar-tailed Godwit, 25 Sanderling, 17 Grey and four Ringed Plover, 17 Knot, 15 Dunlin, 12 Teal, nine Greenshank, two Red-breasted Merganser and the Whimbrel.

Elsewhere a lone Wheatear by the seawall early morning soon moved on and two Red-legged Partridge were on the Golf Course.

Stonechat - Dave Jewell

Year List addition:
115. Red-legged Partridge

Other Wildlife: At least half a dozen Peacock were on the wing in a good spring for the species. The sunny conditions also brought out a couple of Common Lizard on the Golf course and a Sand Lizard on Warren Point. 

Portland Spurge - Kevin Rylands

Friday 20th March

The first two Wheatear of the year made landfall, other migrants were still largely absent, although a Sandwich Tern was offshore. Also offshore 14 Great Crested Grebe, seven Common Scoter and three Great Northern Diver.

Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 125 Curlew, 106 Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 42 Bar-tailed Godwit, 38 Redshank, 25 Sanderling, 17 Knot, 15 Dunlin, 14 Grey and a Ringed Plover, nine Greenshank, seven Red-breasted Merganser and the wintering Whimbrel. 

Year List addition:
114. Wheatear

Thursday 19th March

Little change around the Warren with migrants still absent, excepting the Blackcap in the Entrance Bushes. Counts from high tide included 42 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, c40 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Grey and two Ringed Plover, 17 Knot, 15 Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 12 Teal and six Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere 20 Common Scoter, 19 Great Crested Grebe, a Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver were offshore and a Swan x Greylag hybrid flew past the seawall with two Canada Geese.

Skylark - Dean Hall

Other Wildlife: The warm early spring weather saw increasing insect activity with first appearances from Comma, Garden Bumblebee, Common Carder Bee, Hairy-footed Flower Bee, Ichneumon sarcitorius, Marmalade Hoverfly and the moth Early Longhorn Adela cuprella. Also on the wing  at least eight Peacock, Buffish, Chocolate and Yellow-legged Mining Bee.

Comma - Dean Hall

Peacock - Dean Hall

Elsewhere the water beetle Agabus bipustulatus was in a puddle on the main track and various beetles were on the beach including the ground beetles Bembidion lampros and Syntomus foveatus, the clown beetles Hypocaccus dimidiatus and H. crassipes, the water scavenger Helophorus grandis and the darkling Phaleria cadaverina.

 Agabus bipustulatus - Alan Keatley

Hypocaccus dimidiatus - Alan Keatley

Helophorus grandis - Alan Keatley

 Bembidion lampros - Alan Keatley

Syntomus foveatus - Alan Keatley

Over 100 Sand Crocus were in flower behind the Visitor Centre, along with the first Early Forget-me-not. 

Sand Crocus - Dean Hall

Wednesday 18th March

The first migrant Blackcap of the year was singing in the Entrance Bushes, with four Chiffchaff and the Cetti's Warbler also in good voice with several resident species nest building. 

Counts from the estuary included 110 Curlew, 62 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 41 Bar-tailed Godwit, 38 Redshank, 25 Sanderling, 18 Grey and three Ringed Plover, 17 Knot, 13 Dunlin, 12 Teal, five Greenshank and five Red-breasted Merganser. 

Elsewhere seven Great Crested Grebe and three Common Scoter were offshore and a flock of 12 summer plumaged adult Black-headed Gull in off late afternoon. 

Other Wildlife: The first Brimstone of the year was around the Entrance Bushes to Main Pond area, one wanderer or possibly two, also on the wing at least five Peacock.The bright sunshine also brought out a minimum 30 Sand Crocus by midday.

Sand (Warren) Crocus - Alan Keatley

Sand (Warren) Crocus - Dave Jewell

Several beetles were found stranded on the beach, swept along by drifting sand, including a new ground beetle for the Recording Area, Bembidion biguttatum, a relatively common species.

Bembidion biguttatum - Alan Keatley

Also, on the beach a Strawberry Root Weevil Otiorhychus ovatus, Marram Weevil Philopedon plagiatum, a water scavenger beetle Helophorus brevipalpis. a rove beetle Anotylus rugosus and a mud beetle Heterocerus fossor, a nationally scarce saltmarsh specialist. 

 Heterocerus fossor - Alan Keatley

In Marram were the ground beetle Clivina fossor, a 16-spot Ladybird and the ground bugs Scolopostethus affinis and Trapezonotus arenarius.

Clivina fossor - Alan Keatley

Scolopostethus affinis - Alan Keatley

Tuesday 17th March

Increasing signs of spring with five Sandwich Tern offshore and 34 Pale and 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese arriving in off and heading up the estuary. Also offshore 12 Great Crested Grebe, nine Common Scoter and five Red-throated Diver.

A colour-ringed Golden Plover was present over the high tide along with 176 Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 48 Redshank, 39 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Turnstone, 25 Sanderling, 19 Grey and three Ringed Plover, 14 Knot, seven Greenshank and five Dunlin.

Other Wildlife: A Common Seal was in the estuary. 

Monday 16th March

Counts from the estuary and afternoon high tide included 108 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 74 Curlew, 42 Bar-tailed Godwit, 28 Redshank, 23 Sanderling, 22 Turnstone, 17 Grey and five Ringed Plover, 15 Knot, nine Teal, eight Greenshank, three Red-breasted Merganser and a Dunlin. 

Elsewhere six Great Crested Grebe, three Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver were offshore with two Chiffchaff and the Cetti's Warbler in song. 

Other Wildlife: Overcast conditions saw few insects on the wing but on the beach there were several Black Marram Weevil Otiorhychus atroapterus and Dune Scarab Aegialia arenaria with single Marram Weevil Philopedon plagiatum and the rove beetle Xantholinus linearis. 

Black Marram Weevil Otiorhychus atroapterus - Alan Keatley

A range of other invertebrates found elsewhere, including a flightless female Dotted Border moth, the springtail Orchesella villosa, the planthopper Eurysa lineata, a Bristly Millipede and the flightless wasp Callitula pyrrhogaster.

Dotted Border - Kevin Rylands

 Eurysa lineata - Kevin Rylands

Orchesella villosa - Alan Keatley