Ringing Returns
The Black-headed Gull (Ringed: White J2049) which was on Car Park Pool on the 21st April, was ringed as a chick at Lyseren, Norway on Jun 6, 2022 and was still there on Jul 8, 2022. Lyseren is a lake 20km south east of Oslo. There have been no other sightings. This is the fifth Norwegian colour-ringed Gull to be seen at Marsh Lane.
30th April 2023
Hazy sun, though clouding over slowly from the south-west.
There was no sign of the Grasshopper Warbler in the wet field by the Mobile Phone Mast this morning, but there was a singing Lesser Whitethroat there and Willow Warbler were singing opposite the Pumping Station car park gate. There were still three Garden Warblers singing along the Old Road and more Whitethroats have begun to appear, with birds either side of the river bridge at Patrick Farm, one opposite the farm, ast least two on the Old Road and one on the bank where the trees were felled by HS2 to the west of the farmhouse.
The buildings around the farm itself held at least five pairs of House Sparrows, one each of Starling and Swallow and probably two pairs of Pied Wagtails.
A passage of hirundines up to 9 am included at least 40 Sand Martins, ten Swallows and a House Martin, though they were a mixture of birds moving north and probably some feeding on site from local quarries.
Mid morning, there Swifts were feeding over Car Park Pool before moving off to the north. A pair of Redshanks were prospecting in front of Railway Hide, there were five Little Ringed Plovers, a first-summer Common Gull, eight Common Terns, an immature Peregrine, at least three Garden Warblers and definitely last, but not least, a pair of Wheatears were seen in the old Horse Paddock on one of the HS2 mounds.
29th April 2023
Fine start, rain by 8 am, thereafter sunshine and showers, south-easterly wind.
A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling somewhere in the region of Arden Woodshavings mid morning, but could not be subsequently relocated. There was a Lesser Whitethroat singing behind Railway Hide after the first yesterday along the Old Road.
A Yellow Wagtail went over, there was a Ringed Plover and three Dunlin on the pools, together with six Little Ringed Plovers, a pair of Yellowhammers in the hedge lines north of Siden Hill Wood and the Oystercatcher in front of Oak Hide now has two chicks.
In the meantime, all three Lapwing broods still seem to be present and other counts of note were as follows: 13 Mute Swans, eight Greylags, 11 Canadas, 14 Gadwall, a pair of Teal, five Mallard, 47 Tufted, one Little Grebe, seven Cormorants, eight Moorhen, 14 Coot, the adult Mediterranean Gull, two first-summer Common Gulls (this is quite late for this species) and four Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
The Ringed Plover seemed to be one of the northern races, possibly Tundra.
With help from Graham Rowling, dead Black-headed Gulls were collected today with the unpleasant task of counting 539, bringing the total to over 650 dead to date. 12 of these were ringed, with all but one being from on site.
28th April 2023
Damp start, overcast, south, south-easterly wind
The combination of south-easterly winds and wet weather was just what was required to drift in a few migrant waders, with at least six Dunlin and three Turnstone, though the latter could not be found after 9.05.
A male Whinchat showed well in the Horse Paddock before moving further north onto the Flood Plain, but that too had gone by late afternoon. The first Swift of the year flew north over the Causeway.
Later in the day a Ringed Plover joined the six Dunlin on Car Park Pool, there was a late Redwing along the Old Road and at least three Garden Warblers were in song along the Old Road (together with one by the Back Gate).
Other records today comprised 50 Sand Martins, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, a Redshank, the adult Mediterranean Gull, the Kingfisher over the Lower Siden pools and a single Egyptian Goose.
27th April 2023
Overcast am, rain pm, south-easterly wind.
Early in the day, a male Goosander was present, having presumably roosted overnight. A Kingfisher was seen briefly on Railway Pool where there were also three Redshanks and two Little Ringed Plovers. The overcast and drizzly weather brought down feeding hirundines, with at least 100 mixed House Martins, Swallows and Sand Martins. The pale Buzzard was seen hunting along the Old Road again. Both Whitethroat and Garden Warbler were singing along the Old Road.
26th April 2023
Sunny intervals, light south-easterly wind.
A variety of warblers in song along the Causeway included the Garden Warbler first heard on the 24th, together with Sedge Warblers singing against each other at the west end, a Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaffs at either end. Both Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Goldcrest were also singing along the Causeway.
Whitethroats were heard by Railway Hide, in the gorse patch opposite the Back Gate and one along the Old Road, just south of the Car Park. Common Sandpipers were present on both pools (with a total of three), together with one Redshank and at least four Little Ringed Plovers.
The adult Mediterranean Gull put in a brief appearance, there were 76 Tufted Ducks and nine Common Terns, with a Raven over.
25th April 2023
Sunny, light north-easterly wind.
One of the Lapwing broods could not be found this morning, with predation feared. The single adult Mediterranean Gull was still on site for part of the time, together with six Common Sandpipers, six Little Ringed Plovers and five Common Terns. Two Shelduck and a Goosander were the main wildfowl of note and 40 Sand Martins, five Swallows and six House Martins were present at any one time.
Common Sandpiper from Oak Hide – “ready for trouble” – Photograph by Graham Dyer
Butterfly species remained similar to previous days.
Tufted Duck from Car Park Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
24th April 2023
Sunny spells, light northerly wind.
The first Garden Warbler of the year was in song along the Causeway, although mobile and moving up towards the crop oaks. Sadly the remaining adult Mediterranean Gull was standing guard over its dead partner.
Seven Common Sandpipers, three Little Ringed Plovers, 60 Sand Martins, ten Swallows, three House Martins and six Common Terns were the other main records in the log.
23rd April 2023
Mostly overcast, north-westerly wind.
At least seven Common Sandpipers this morning represented a good count with five on Railway and two on Car Park Pool. There were ten Common Terns, two Common Whitethroats, at least five Sedge Warblers, a male Goosander and a male Shoveler.
The brood of Lapwings on the Car Park Pool islands swam to the shore in front of the hide which hopefully give them more cover.
Sadly the Black-headed Gull deaths continue and one of the Mediterranean Gulls has died as well.
22nd April 2023
Murky start, south, south-westerly wind, clearing slightly as the day went on.
An arrival of Whitethroats overnight saw five recorded, with two around the railway area, one by the gate on the Old Road and two at Patrick Bridge, whilst new Reed Warblers saw three together in the Reedbed and one on Railway Pool. There is still only one Reed Warbler in the north Causeway Bay.
Common Tern numbers reached 12, there were three Common Sandpipers, two Mediterranean Gulls, at least five, probably six Little Ringed Plovers, three Little Egrets, three Teal, still two Willow Warblers (one on the Old Road and one on the streamline).
Other counts today were as follows: nine Mute Swans, 15 Canadas, nine Greylags, 33 Gadwall, ten Mallard, 69 Tufteds, ten Cormorants, three Little Grebes, three Little Egrets, 16 Coot, 12 Moorhen including a brood on the pool by the Car Park, seven Oystercatchers, 19 Lapwing and three broods, one of three on Car Park Pool and two times two on Railway Pool, two Common Sandpipers, a Redshank, 2,600 Black-headed Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Ravens.
As the weather improved during the day, butterflies included at least two Speckled Woods, a Green-veined White, ten Orange-tips and a Peacock.
21st April 2023
Overcast, prolonged showers, fresh north-easterly wind.
A Whimbrel over north at 11.50 seems likely to have been the bird that was present yesterday. The two adult Mediterranean Gulls put in a brief appearance and two Lapwing chicks were present on the island in front of Railway Hide. Seven Snipe were visible in the Marsh, four Little Ringed Plovers generally around the Reserve, a female Goosander on Car Park Pool and in the inclement weather, up to 100 Sand Martins, 20 Swallows and five House Martins were present.
Lastly, there were two pairs of Bullfinches seen in the Back Gate Copse.
Orange-tip – Orchid Field – Photograph by Paul Casey
Song Thrush on track towards River Hide – Photograph by Paul Casey
20th April 2023
Sunny, north-easterly wind.
Four Goosander were still present at 7 am, but soon moved off site and there were two Redpolls seen along the Old Road at a similar time.
Whimbrel – Photograph by John Coakley
Whinbrel in front of Oak Hide – Photograph by Martin Durkin
A Whimbrel was found in front of Oak Hide, just before 1 pm and, later in the day, moved on to Car Park Pool. There were plenty of butterflies again today with Orange-tips seen in a number of places and other species included Small White, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Tortoiseshell and Holly Blue.
Holly Blue on the Old Road – Photograph by Paul Casey
In the late afternoon, a pair of Goosanders returned to Car Park Pool and there was still a Reed Warbler in song along the Causeway.
19th April 2023
Sunny spells, fresh north-easterly wind.
A Red Kite flew north over Siden Hill Wood at mid-day and there were two Yellow Wagtails north over the Car Park Pool at the same time. On or around the pools there were a pair of Mediterranean Gulls, six Little Ringed Plovers, five Redshanks, six Common Terns, and a Little Egret, with three Ravens flying over.
Photographs by Stef Fraczek
Four Song Thrush chicks – Causeway
Wren – Causeway
18th April 2023
Sunny spells, light north-easterly wind.
Mute Swans from Car Park Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
Warmer weather today meant that there were plenty of butterflies seen around the Reserve with at least seven male Orange-tips, two Speckled Woods, a Small White in the Crop Field, a Green-veined White along the Old Road and Brimstone, Holly Blue, Comma and Peacock along the south side of Siden Hill Wood.
During the day there was less on view than yesterday, with seven Common Terns, a Common Sandpiper, a colour-ringed Redshank, two Little Ringed Plovers, an adult Mediterranean Gull and, unusually these days, a male House Sparrow by the entrance gate cottages.
In the evening, there were at least 16 Terns on site, including at least one Arctic, with possibly as many as four earlier. 2,600 Black-headed Gulls were counted with 2,250 on Railway Pool and the balance on Car Park Pool.
There was a Reed Warbler singing in the North Causeway Bay and five Goosanders (one male and four females) roosted on Car Park Pool.
Gadwall from Oak Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
17th April 2023
Overcast and drizzly.
Pair of Ringed Plovers in the Marsh – photograph by Martin Durkin
New in today were a pair of Ringed Plovers on Railway Pool (these appeared to be of one of the Northern races due to subdued colouring in the bill and legs), whilst the Black-tailed Godwit remains on Car Park Pool. Also, on the latter ,there was a Mallard with 14 ducklings.
At 10.45 a Greenland type Wheatear was found on the Flood Plain near Patrick Bridge and shortly thereafter, firstly one and then two Arctic Terns joined seven Common Terns feeding over Car Park Pool. A pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls put in a vocal but brief visit at 11.30.
At just after 1 pm, a Curlew flew north across Car Park Pool and a little after that, a male Channel Wagtail put in one of its brief appearances on the Flood Plain.
A good day!
Displaying Redshank in front of Car Park Hide – photograph by Tony Burbery
16th April 2023
Drizzly am., watery sun pm., increasing southerly wind.
The male Channel Wagtail put in a very brief appearance on the Flood Plain at 11.20 for about 5 minutes before flying off north. It was in the company of three Yellow Wagtails and a fourth one flew over a little later. The first Reed Warbler was singing away in the Marsh this morning in the reeds to the right, whilst two Sedge Warblers were audible from the Reedbed. Willow Warblers were limited to one down the Old Road and one in the Back Gate Copse.
The Black-tailed Godwit had relocated onto the far side of Car Park Pool and a pair of Redshanks were showing well in front of Car Park Hide.
Four Little Ringed Plovers and four Common Terns were seen today and there was a steady passage of hirundines; at 8.30 there were at least 70 Sand Martins, five House Martins and four Swallows over the Flood Plain between the north end of Car Park Pool and Patrick Bridge. By mid-morning there was a flock of 30 Sand Martins, ten House Martins over Car Park Pool, but they had moved through and further birds were dribbling through all day.
20 Linnets were feeding just east of the Concrete Road and Skylarks were in song over the Tip and the old Aeromodellers field.
Green Woodpeckers were vocal both along the streamline and around the South-west Pond. It is not clear whether these are one and the same.
A Kestrel was hovering over the fields north of Patrick Farm and the male Sparrowhawks spooked the hirundines when it flew south down the Flood Plain at about 8.30.
15th April 2023
Sunny intervals, light north-easterly wind.
Tufted Duck from Oak Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
A male Channel Wagtail put in a brief appearance on the Flood Plain this morning before flying over towards Siden Hill Wood at about 9.20. The first Whitethroat of the year was singing on the Hampton side of Patrick Bridge and there was a new Sedge Warbler present along the Old Road by the Dragonfly Pond. Four singing Willow Warblers included two down the Old Road, one in Siden Hill Wood and one along the Causeway.
A pair of Yellowhammers were in the hedge north of Siden Hill Wood and on or over the Flood Plain there were eight House Martins and a Grey Wagtail.
Gadwall attach – from Oak Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
The Black-tailed Godwit continues to feed to the right of Car Park Hide and two Egyptian Geese flew north over the Flood Plain in the mid-morning period.
Black-tailed Godwit – from Car Park Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
A pair of Pochard were new in on Car Park Pool and joined four Goosanders there.
In the early afternoon the Channel Wagtail appeared again briefly on the Flood Plain and at 3.30 a Whimbrel flew low, south, over Car Park Pool and the Reedbed, but was not re-found.
Song Thrush near South-west Pond – Photograph by Stef Fraczek
Female Gadwall from Oak Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
Common Tern – Photograph by Mark Waring
14th April 2023
Cold and wet start, slowly improving.
The Black-tailed Godwit was still on the grass to the right of Car Park Hide this morning, but there was no sign of the Grey Plover.
On the Car Park Pool islands there was a Common Sandpiper and three Little Ringed Plovers, with a further three Little Ringed Plovers on Railway Pool.
Five Willow Warblers sang today, three along the Old Road, one in the Back Gate Copse and one along the Causeway with the lone Sedge Warbler still singing away in the Reedbed area.
A few hirundines came and went during the day with four Sand Martins prior to 8 am and 50 in the evening, comprising approximately 30 Sand Martins, 15 Swallows and five House Martins.
Other counts today were as follows, one Mute Swan, nine Canadas, seven Greylags, two Shelduck, two drakeShoveler, 26 Gadwall, nine Mallard, three pairs of Teal, 58 Tufted Ducks, eight Cormorants, two Little Egrets, seven Little Grebes, seven Moorhen, 18 Coot, eight Oystercatchers, three Redshank, eight Snipe, seven Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and Bullfinches by the Back Gate.
13th April 2023
Sunshine and showers, blustery south-westerly wind.
The Grey Plover remains on site and was joined by a Black-tailed Godwit by 10 am. Both were feeding to the right of Car Park Hide and the Godwit was in partial summer plumage.
Black-tailed Godwit from Car Park Hide – photograph by Stef Fraczek
Other birds included three Little Ringed Plovers, two Shelducks, an adult Mediterranean Gull on Railway Pool where a Jack Snipe showed in the Marsh, Redshank, two House Martins and a new Blackcap in on the Causeway.
Photographs by Derry Porter
Water Rail in the Reedbed
Redshank with Gadwall
Grey Plover on the grass by Car Park Hide
Grey Plover from Car Park Hide – Photograph by Graham Dyer
Chiffchaff on Concrete Road – Photograph by Paul Casey
12th April 2023
Sunny start with an increasing south-westerly wind and rain from 11.30.
Surprisingly, the Grey Plover remains on site, again showing well from Car Park Hide this morning.
From the Flood Plain gate, there was plenty of activity with a smart Greenland type Wheatear, initially favouring the cattle feeding area before moving west of the river; there was also a male Yellow Wagtail and a number of Pied Wagtails, including a “white” that, with its dirty flanks and dark rump, was eventually confined to “probably a Pied”.
Male Wheatear on the Flood Plain – Photograph by John Hunt
A number of hirundines were feeding low over the river and this included at least four House Martins, a few Swallows and 20-30 Sand Martins. A Peregrine put in another appearance.
The male Yellowhammer and one of the male Bramblings again visited the Car Park feeders. The first winter male Goosander and three females were also present for part of the day.
11th April 2023
Sunny morning, afternoon rain, southerly wind.
The Grey Plover continued to show well from Car Park Hide this morning, now on its third day. Previous records of this species have largely been fly throughs or brief stop overs, so this lingering individual bucks the trend and is very welcome.
A male Yellowhammer came in to feed under the Car Park feeders during the morning and a Yellow Wagtail was a brief visitor to Car Park Pool in the afternoon.
In the meantime a Jack Snipe in the Marsh, to the right of Oak Hide, was on show for much of the day and other waders included four Little Ringed Plovers, eight Oystercatchers and two Redshank.
An adult Peregrine took a particularly ill Black-headed Gull from in front of Oak Hide and departed north.
Hirundines over the pools included two House Martins, four Swallows and ten Sand Martins. There was a Speckled Wood Butterfly, the first of the year, along the Old Road.
Other birds making the log were a second-summer Mediterranean Gull, one Little Egret, two Shelduck, a Sedge Warbler, four Goosanders, a male Yellow Wagtail from Car Park Hide in the late afternoon along with 23 Pied Wagtails (20 on the Flood Plain and three over Car Park Pool) and there was also a Grey Wagtail on the Flood Plain.
The inclement weather in the evening brought in far more hirundines with at least 60 Sand Martins, 30 Swallows and three House Martins. There were two Common Terns as well.
10th April 2023
Overcast, rain for much of the morning, brightening from lunchtime onwards with sunshine and showers on a fresh south-westerly wind.
Fortunately last evening’s Grey Plover remained on show today to an appreciative public. The previous days of south-easterly winds were enough to spark some decent passage today with a Dunlin on Car Park Pool, a Jack Snipe in the Marsh along with 13 Snipe, a plentiful supply of hirundines (at least 100 Sand Martins and five Swallows, with birds coming and going according to the amount of rain), a Common Tern, more Blackcaps with at least five on site today, a male Redstart on the Flood Plain, (albeit mobile and disappearing from late morning), two Yellow Wagtails there, a Red Kite over at 10.45, at least 46 Fieldfare and a Redwing also on the Flood Plain whilst, at 1.10, a male White Wagtail appeared on the Car Park Pool islands with a handful of Pied Wagtails.
Other birds included a second-summer Mediterranean Gull, four Little Ringed Plovers, four Redshank, nine Oystercatchers, two Shelduck, a pair of Goosanders and a Little Egret and the singing Sedge Warbler in the Reedbed. A Peregrine took a Lapwing in the evening. All in all a good day.
Grey Plover – Photograph by John Hunt
9th April 2023
Hazy sun, light south-easterly wind.
The day’s star bird did not appear until the late afternoon when a winter plumaged Grey Plover was found by Paul Casey to the right of Car Park Hide. Normally a species that does not linger, it was still present at dusk.
Grey Plover from Car Park Hide – Photograph by Paul Casey
Five Goosanders, including a single male, also roosted and there were two Common Terns and up to five Little Ringed Plovers.
A small number of hirundines came and went during the day with a maximum of ten Sand Martins and two Swallows. A Sedge Warbler sang at the back of the Reedbed Pool and was the first of the year. At least four Lapwings are siting around the Railway Pool islands and other records included a brief visit from an Egyptian Goose, two Redshank, nine Shoveler, a pair of Wigeon, a Kestrel and a Raven. A Peregrine took a Black-headed Gull in the late afternoon and there were three Treecreepers in the Back Gate Copse.
Peregrine – railway Pool – Photography by Stef Fraczek
8th April 2023
Sunny, light easterly wind.
The warmer weather produced some more butterflies today with a Holly Blue on the Central Streamline, a male Brimstone and a male Orange-tip around the Reedbed and three different Small Tortoiseshells in different places across the Reserve.
Three Willow Warblers were heard today, two on the Old Road and one around the Car Park and there were also three Cetti’s Warblers with birds by River Hide, in the Reedbed and along the Top Stream. There has also been a fourth bird singing by the Railway Arches.
The female Brambling spent some time feeding under the Car Park feeders, along with a pair of Collared Doves and still a few Chaffinches and Greenfinches.
Other birds of note today included a Green Sandpiper on Railway Pool early on, a male Yellow Wagtail on Car Park Pool along with three Goosanders and a Common Tern.
As the weather warmed, ten Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk were thermaling over the Car Park. Further counts were as follows, two Mute Swans, seven Canadas, 11 Greylags, two Shelduck, eight Shoveler, 19 Gadwall, a pair of Wigeon, nine Mallard, 16 Teal, 56 Tufted, three Goosanders, a Little Egret, six Cormorants, five Little Grebes, eight Moorhen, 20 Coot, eight Oystercatchers, three Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Lapwing, three Redshank, two Snipe, 2000 Black-headed Gulls, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls and at least one Common Tern.
Finally, there were two pairs of Linnets seen today, a pair around the Crop Field and a second pair at the HS2 crossing on the Old Road.
7th April 2023
Sunny, light northerly wind.
Six Blackcaps were in song today with two along the Old Road, two in Siden Hill Wood, at least one in the Back Gate Copse and one towards Bradnocks Marsh. A Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover and a second-summer Mediterranean Gull were the best birds on the pools. A smart male “Channel” type Yellow Wagtail put in a brief appearance on the Flood Plain (these are believed to be a Yellow / Blue-headed cross; irrespective, very smart birds).
A pair of Bramblings were still feeding around the Car Park feeders and other records of note included a pair of Redshanks on the Siden Hill scrapes, Treecreeper and Coal Tit in Siden Hill Wood, a Roe Deer by Patrick Bridge, at least one Willow Warbler along the Old Road and butterflies included a Comma in Siden Hill Wood, a male Orange-tip by Railway Hide, a Peacock by the Back Gate and a Small Tortoiseshell in the Car Park area. The first two were the first of the year.
Photographs by Graham Dyer
Mute Swans from Car Park Hide
Oystercatcher from Oak Hide
6th April 2023
Some sunny intervals in the morning, afternoon showers, north-westerly wind.
There were two adult Mediterranean Gulls together on Railway Pool this morning but, like many of the recent records of this species, they did not linger. Birds on or over the pools extended to a Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover and four each of Goosander, Redshank and Swallow. A Curlew flew south, there was a male White Wagtail on the Flood Plain with ten Fieldfare, a male Brambling under the feeders and two Blackcaps singing by the Horse Paddocks.
5th April 2023
Overcast, light rain and light southerly wind.
Birds of note today included a male Yellow Wagtail, one Common Tern, two Swallows, at least 66 Sand Martins, six Little Ringed Plovers, four Redshank, seven Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, two Shelduck, four Goosanders, 15 Goldfinches (a flock along the Old Road), six Pied Wagtails on the Flood Plain and a Peregrine, which flew over towards Bradnocks Marsh.
4th April 2023
Overnight frost, sunny, light south-easterly wind.
The male Brambling continues to visit the Car Park feeders and there were still 24 Wigeon on site. A Kingfisher was seen flying along the river north of the pools. Whilst on the pools or their margins, there were three Goosanders, 11 Snipe, a Little Ringed Plover, a Redshank, seven Oystercatchers and a Little Egret. Nine Sand Martins put in a brief appearance.
Oystercatcher landing – from oak Hide – Photograph by Bob Breach
Little Ringed Plover from Railway Hide – photograph by Stef Fraczek
Little Ringed Plover from Oak Hide – photograph by Bob Breach
Grey Wagtail from Oak Hide – photograph by Bob Breach
3rd April 2023
Sunny spells, light easterly. A colour ringed Curlew spent much of the day on the Railway Pool islands.
It appears to have been ringed in Worcestershire as part of a breeding survey in the county. It was first ringed as an adult male on 29th March 2022 at a place called Fleet Lane, and has subsequently been seen at Coombe Hill on the 1st June 2022 and again on the 18th March this year, before being seen back at Fleet Lane in Worcestershire on the 23rd March and then at Marsh Lane today.
Other birds making the log were two Little Ringed Plovers, three Redshanks, a Shelduck, a Little Egret, 12 Sand Martins and two male Bramblings. In addition, the male Blackcap continued to sing from the Back Gate Copse where there was also a pair of Bullfinches.
Lastly, a Brimstone Butterfly was seen in the Back Gate area at lunchtime.
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2nd April 2023
Strangely no records today. Cloudy start, soon clearing to sunny intervals with light north easterly wind.
1st April 2023
Overcast, fresh northerly wind.
A full count of birds today, care of Graham Rowling and Dave Scanlan, were as follows: two Mute Swans, 26 Canadas, 16 Greylags, two Shelduck, 11 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 35 Wigeon, a pair of Pintail on the Flood Plain (where the River Blythe has, unsurprisingly, breached its banks), 15 Mallard, 30 Teal, a pair of Pochard, 70 Tufted, 12 Cormorants, two Little Grebes, a Heron, eight Moorhen, 14 Coot (including, worryingly, a dead one in the Reedbed), nine Oystercatchers, three Little Ringed Plovers, 13 Lapwing, two Snipe, three Redshank, 1350 Black-headed Gulls (of which 52 were counted dead), 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Herring Gulls, three Bramblings, ten Linnets, at least three Sand Martins, four Collared Doves at Patrick Farm with perhaps two of these visiting the feeders, four House Sparrows (also at the farm) and a Grey Wagtail on the Flood Plain.
The first Blackcap of the year was in song in the Back Gate Copse.
A Cetti’s Warbler was singing regularly by the railway bridge in the afternoon, with a Green Woodpecker around the South-west Pond. Five Little Ringed Plovers came in to Car Park Pool at 4 pm along with a pair of Goosanders (a female and first-winter male). Lastly, there was a displaying Greenfinch over the Car Park.
Nine attended the Work Party and a quick rush out to the Islands on Car Park Pool was made in order to dig out the worst of the weeds prior to the arrival of the Common Terns.
Further weed suppression was also undertaken on the Railway Pool Islands and then after all this was done at least 75 Alders were removed from the Reedbed.
Many thanks to those who attended.