Tuesday 26th March 2013

The all too-brief highlight was the site's fifth Stone Curlew, it flew low west along the Golf Course, landing for just a few seconds before continuing westwards, the first since May 1987. Other migrants were limited to16+ Chiffchaff, four Wheatear and a Blackcap. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 400+ Dunlin, 290 Curlew, 156 Brent Geese, 76 Grey Plover, 65 Bar-tailed Godwit, 13 Teal, nine Ringed Plover, eight Sandwich Tern and three Wigeon with a Great Northern Diver flew south offshore.

Monday 25th March 2013

The first two Velvet Scoter of the year were offshore briefly in the morning before flying east. The first Osprey of the year also flew high north mid afternoon but other migrants were thin on the ground with four Wheatear and just a handful of Chiffchaff. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe, 49 Knot and 32 Sandwich Tern were in the estuary.

Wildlife News - A couple of new fungi for the recording area were found in Dead Dolphin Wood, both grow on old nettle stems Calloria neglecta and Leptosphaeria acuta.

Sunday 24th March 2013

Despite the winter conditions spring migrants were still moving through with c35 Chiffchaff and at least seven Wheatear, all mostly on Warren Point. Elsewhere a smart adult summer Little Gull was offshore with 85+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 24+ Sandwich Tern, four Shoveler and a Great Northern Diver, whilst in the estuary counts included 46 Grey Plover, 40 Bar-tailed Godwit, 32 Knot, 16 Sanderling and the Slavonian Grebe.

Saturday 23rd March 2013

From first light migrants were coming in off the sea and during the morning a site record 70+ Chiffchaff moved through with small groups feeding low down in vegetation across the site and several birds being seen leaving high to the north off Warren Point, with them were 65+ Wheatear, which also failed to linger, most rapidly continuing north or east from the spit. Other species included single Short-eared Owl and Merlin on Warren Point, the first Sand Martin and two Blackcap of the year, c120 Meadow Pipit, five Goldcrest and two Redwing with several of the Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush having a continental feel. Elsewhere two Pale-bellied Brent Geese flew in and remained in the Bight with 230 Dark-bellied Brent, four Mediterranean Gull were on site and 24+ Sandwich Tern and the Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary.

Wildlife News - Honesty is still one of the few plants to be in flower this spring. Frog Spawn is being left high and dry as the water recedes in Greenland Lake.

 

Friday 22nd March 2013

Early morning a flock of 13 Tufted Duck flew east and an adult Mediterranean Gull was offshore in a brief look in very poor conditions. Over the afternoon tide conditions hadn't improved but in the estuary there were 52+ Sandwich Tern, 320 Dunlin, 141 Brent Geese, 56 Knot, 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 46 Grey Plover, 13 Teal and a Greenshank.

Thursday 21st March 2013

The start of spring was marked by a lack of news but perhaps not surprising considering the weather.

Wednesday 20th March 2013

The Sparrowhawk continues to use the bird feeders but no other bird news was received.

Wildlife News - The Common Seal was again on Bull Hill.

Tuesday 19th March 2013

Over 100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese remain in the estuary with 12 Shelduck.

Monday 18th March 2013

There was some continuing overhead passage with 143 Jackdaw, 113 Starling, 24 Chaffinch and a Grey Wagtail heading NE along the spit but there were no grounded migrants. Counts from the estuary included c250 Dunlin, 131 Brent Geese, 52 Grey Plover, 56 Knot, 42+ Redshank, 30 Sanderling, seven Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere at least three Sandwich Tern were offshore, with two Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe.

Sunday 17th March 2013

Overhead there was a record spring passage of Chaffinch with 1750 heading NE between 9.20 and 10.40, with them at least three Brambling but they were mostly too high to check through, also overhead 412 Starling, 20+ Meadow Pipit, three Jackdaw and two Grey Wagtail. Counts from the estuary included 650 Dunlin, 120+ Brent Geese, 98 Grey Plover, 56 Teal, 45+ Redshank, 28 Sanderling, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere  20+ Common Scoter, a Tufted Duck and at least three Red-throated Diver were offshore, three Sandwich Tern flew north over the Dune Ridge and four Wheatear were in Greenland Lake.