31st March 2009
– A sunny and still start with high cloud moving in from mid morning.
A summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit was found roosting on Railway Pool at 7.45 a.m., and despite flying off a few times, was still roosting on the same pool by late morning. The drake Goldeneye was present on the same water.
Three Sand Martins moved north around 11 a.m., and four Fieldfares and at least tenRedwings were present along the Old Road, whilst 25 Meadow Pipits fed in the tip fields.
There were no Little Ringed Plovers early on, but one appeared by mid morning to join the three Ringed Plovers, four Redshank and four Oystercatchers. A Jack Snipe showed extremeley well in the Marsh for an hour from 9 a.m.
30th March 2009
– Anti-cyclonic conditions this week should lead to progressively warmer conditions and hopefully more visible migration (unless the weather is so good the birds pass straight over). Today started with high cloud, occasional sunny conditions and a light cool south-westerly wind, but nothing by 9 a.m. to indicate that there was much on the move, as yet.
The drake Goldeneye was present for its eighth day, along with three Shelduck and 16Shoveler, but now only six Wigeon.
At least seven pairs of Lapwings were paired up with some busy scrape forming on Railway Pool and another two pairs on Car Park Pool. There were three Ringed Plovers on Railway Pool but no Little Ringed Plovers on either pools. Two pairs of Oystercatchers flew over in persistent vocal display between them, and odd Redshanks were also present.
At lunchtime, migration had begun to swing in with at least 50 Sand Martins and singles ofSwallow and House Martin moving through. 30 Meadow Pipits and 17 Fieldfares also flew over. During the middle of the morning, a Greenshank was noted but there was slightly unusual Redshank as well, and the finder of the Greenshank did not leave his/her name for me to check the record. If whoever it was could call me, I would be most grateful.
29th March 2009
– An altogether better day, being sunny throughout and a much reduced. though still cold. north-westerly wind.
Despite the better weather, migrants were still thin on the ground and limited, essentially, to nine Sand Martins. Generally, expectation is outweighed by realisation, at the moment!
A Willow Tit was heard again on the path to River Hide, where a pair of Tree Creepers were also present. Snipe totals reached 25, and the drake Goldeneye showed well again.
At least eight aerial Buzzards were visible in the better weather.
28th March 2009
– Heavy rain and hail showers, some sunny periods, increasingly cold northerly wind. Temperatures were about 5 degrees centigrade but plummeted to zero in one of the mid-afternoon hail storm.
The cold weather clearly hindered migration, though duck numbers reflected continued departure. Wigeon had fallen to 22, Teal to six, Mallard to eight, Shoveler to 17, Pochardto two and Tufted Duck to 22. The six Shelduck and the drake Goldeneye were still present.
Two widely spaced Swallows that flew north during the morning were the only hirundines of the day. Other migrants were limited to a lone Golden Plover heading north in the morning, and two Fieldfares and four Redwings along the Old Road.
Four Chiffchaffs were recorded but might relate to previous arrivals. Still no Wheatears!
A good count of 32 Snipe included a typically elusive Jack in the Marsh.
27th March 2009
– A mostly sunny day with a cool westerly wind.
Six possibly eight Shelduck visited the Reserve together, but were quite mobile, making the final count imprecise. The drake Goldeneye remained.
A covey of seven red-legged Partridges on the tip field was the first record of this species since early last year.
Waders were similar to previous days, and migrants were limited to nine Sand Martins and aHouse Martin, ten Fieldfares and five Redwings.
A Willow Tit and eight Tree Sparrows were other birds of note.
Our apologies that the Web Site was down on Thursday and Friday / 26th and 27th March.
26th March 2009
– Overcast start some sunny intervals, westerly. The Drake Goldeneye was again present on Car Park Pool along with 87 Wigeon, 26 Shovelers, two Shelduck, twoOystercatchers, 31 Cormorants and ten Snipe.
25th March 2009
– The Drake Goldeneye was present for its third day and the Jack Snipewas flushed from the track side by Oak Hide. 14 Chaffinches at the Oak Hide feeder probably indicated some migrants amongst them.
24th March 2009
– Sunny morning, clouding over by lunchtime, light northerly wind.
Yesterday’s Goldeneye remained, best viewed from the causeway screen. Waders included three Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, two Oystercatchers and at least threeRedshanks. Singles each of Swallow and Sand Martin passed through. In more overcast conditions 21 Sand Martins paused to feed up and a single Jack Snipe showed in the Marsh.Tree Sparrows numbered six today.
23rd March 2009
– Sunny intervals with heavy showers during the middle of the day and increasingly strong westerly wind.
A male Goldeneye was new in on Car Park Pool and two Little Ringed Plovers were present on and off throughout the day.
Three Jack Snipe were visible on the shore of the Marsh, as viewed from Railway Hide looking back towards Oak Hide.
21st and 22nd March 2009
– Mostly sunny but with a variable cold north-westerly wind, with a frosty start on the 21st.
Somewhat disappointing weekend with actually relatively little by way of new birds to report. ALittle Ringed Plover paused briefly on Car Park Pool on the morning of the 21st, but was not seen again all day and then towards the end of the afternoon on the 22nd, two were present in the same place.
A few Thrushes were also on the move, with 20 Fieldfares and 10 Redwings on the 21st, replaced by 20 Redwings and a single Fieldfare on the 22nd. A few Meadow Pipits were recorded over the weekend and only a handful of Pied Wagtails were present. No Sand Martins were recorded on Sunday 22nd March, but five went through quickly on Saturday 21st.
Duck counts over the weekend included up to five Shelduck, 110 Wigeon, nine Gadwall, 14Teal, 23 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 11 Pochard and a notable 55 Tufted Ducks. The Waderswere similar to previous days with five Oystercatchers, three Ringed Plovers, 35 Snipe, a single Jack Snipe, but Redshanks jumped to ten on the 21st, with at least six on the 22nd.Common Gulls continued to move through with at least 23 on the 21st and possibly as many as 40. Up to three Chiffchaffs were noted across the Reserve, in song, and up to nine Tree Sparrows continued to visit the Oak Hide feeder.
20th March 2009
– High cloud clearing quickly to give another sunny day, with variable light winds.
The Dunlin, first found on the 18th, was present for its third day, otherwise birds were much the same as the previous days.
A Little Ringed Plover was seen on Railway Pool this afternoon, two Jack Snipe in the Marsh, and 16 Sand Martins went through.
19th March 2009
– Foggy start, clearing to sun but with an increasing, cold north-easterly wind.
The first (and earliest ever) House Martins flew north, with a single Sand Martin, at 12.05. Yesterday’s Dunlin remained, a Green Sandpiper showed well in the small pool by Railway Hide and other waders included three Ringed Plovers, five Oystercatchers and sixRedshanks. Six Tree Sparrows and a female Yellowhammer visited the Oak Hide feeder, and seven Redwing were scattered along the Old Road.
Of 22 Meadow Pipits, all but four were on the tip fields. Water Rails called or were seen on the causeway and in the Reedbed and two Chiffchaffs were in song – south-westerly pond and on the Old Road.
18th March 2009
– Misty start, slowly clearing to a warm sunny day.
36 Snipe fed around Car Park hide with a further two in the Marsh, but other waders were limited to five Redshanks and two Ringed Plovers. Three Chiffchaffs were in song and twoTree Sparrows were at the Oak Hide feeders. In the early afternoon a Swallow went through to the north-west (I think this is the earliest ever date for this species) and a Dunlinappeared on Railway Pool. A Willow Tit visited the Oak Hide feeder.
17th March 2009
– Sunny, some cloud, warm and still.
Redshanks were up to six early on and eight by the late afternoon. A Reserve record count of 54 Snipe included 38 along the margins of Car Park Pool, and the balance around Oak Hide and the Marsh. A Jack Snipe showed in the Marsh later in the day. It would be fascinating to know just how many Common Snipe there actually are hiding in the various margins. There were also three Ringed Plovers, but no sign of yesterday’s Little Ringed Plover.
A less welcome record count was 21 Crows on the crop field, with seven Pheasants and fourStock Doves.
The female Goosander was present for her 10th day and a male flew up the river. 28Jackdaw on the floods included a Nordic variety. Four Sand Martins went north throughout the day and a pair of Willow Tits on the central stream crossing was an encouraging find.
16th March 2009
– Sunny, warm light south-westerly wind.
Redshanks jumped from just a single bird over the last few days to five this morning – there was lots of display and calling from them all. A Green Sandpiper fed in the pool to the left of Railway Hide, and four Sand Martins were present for part of the morning. Only four Tree Sparrows were seen at the Oak Hide feeder. By 3.45 p.m., the first Little Ringed Plover of the year appeared on Railway Pool. Three Jack Snipe were visible together in the Marsh, along with a Water Rail.
The ferreters have caught 47 rabbits between the cottaes and the Dragonfly Pond, purely in the verges of the Old Road. 14 more were caught within the Reserve itself.
15th March 2009
– Sunny morning. Cloud slowly building with a light westerly wind.
No further Sand Martins but the first summering Chiffchaffs arrived. Two were seen by mid-morning rising to four by late afternoon – three in the horse paddock hedges and one in song along the central streamline.
Tufted Ducks were up to 50. A Kingfisher flew over the causeway for the second day in a row. Thrush movement continued with 30 plus Fieldfare, 5 plus Redwings and 40 plusStarlings moving north along the Old Road hedges. 23 Meadow Pipits was one of the best counts so far this spring.
14 Tree Sparrows visited the Oak Hide feeders and the female Goosander was present again. Three Peacock butterflies and a Comma reflected the warmer weather.
14th March 2009
– Mostly sunny but a cold strong blustery north-westerly wind got up in the morning and lasted most of the day.
In a day of widespread movement of Sand Martins through the region, the first of the year graced the Reserve. Starting with a single at 10 a.m., a dozen were present by 11.30 but only six could be found by mid-day, these lingering until the early afternoon.
Waders included five Oystercatchers, three Ringed Plovers, 67 Lapwings, 42 Snipe and a single Redshank.
Further Pied Wagtail (25) and Meadow Pipit (12) passage took place and 100 mixed Thrushes also moved north.
12 Tree Sparrows fed on the Oak Hide feeder.
13th March 2009
– Overcast and drizzly, light southerly wind.
On an early morning visit, the female Goosander was present again on Car Park Pool, with 12Shoveler and 16 Pochard. Waders were limited to two Oystercatchers and a singleRedshank with no sign of any Ringed Plovers. However, 42 Golden Plovers flew over and at least 20 Snipe were present in the wet ground to the rear of Oak Hide or in the Marsh.
Four Lesser Redpolls were feeding along the causeway and five Siskins flew over.
12th March 2009
– Still, mostly overcast and mild.
The Snipe flock in the Marsh was flushed towards the end of the afternoon (cause unknown), and included at least five Jacks and over 20 Common Snipe. Other birds of note included 37Cormorants, the female Goosander, four Oystercatchers, one Ringed Plover, aRedshank, 17 Meadow Pipits, ten Pied Wagtails and 200 Redwing.
11th March 2009
– A bright start but clouding over, although remaining mild.
Wildfowl included four Shelduck (the best count for the month) and the female Goosander. Ten Buzzards were counted either over or around the Reserve in the air, and waders included five Oystercatchers, 45 Snipe and two Jack Snipe (in the Marsh). 19 Common Gulls was another reasonable count.
10th March 2009
– Overnight rain and then showery cool light northerly winds.
Five Dabchicks were a noticeable increase on the ones and twos so far this year. 50Fieldfares were on site and a further 30 flew over with 80 Redwings. Pied Wagtail numbers built up again with at least 30, along with 10 Meadow Pipits, mostly by Car Park Hide. TheLittle Owl showed in the horse paddock for the first time in some weeks.
9th March 2009
– Sunny but blustery westerly winds
The single Jack Snipe remained on show in the Marsh where a Water Rail also showed . 36Common Snipe were spread across the Reserve. The female Goosander reappeared again and a Weasel was seen to explore rabbit burrows around the Oak Hide feeder. Thrushesremained along Old Road with 30 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings feeding by the Aero Club.
8th March 2009
– Sunny start but a cold blustery west wind brought in wintery showers from lunchtime.
The first sizeable flock of Meadow Pipits (20) was reported and Pied Wagtails numbered at least 10. More unusual sightings came in the shape of two Great Black-backed Gulls on Car Park Pool, a pair of Willow Tits on the Old Road and an non-singing male Blackcap by the cottages. 26 Snipe were mostly by Car Park Hide and a Jack Snipe showed well on the front of the Marsh for a short time in the early afternoon and, later on, three were reported. 11 Tree Sparrows fed at the Oak Hide feeder.
Wildfowl counts included three Shelduck, 204 Wigeon, nine Gadwall, 17 Teal, 18 Shoveler, 17 Pochard, 29 Tufted and a female Goosander.
7th March 2009
– Sunny start, mild, light south-westerly, slowly clouding over.
Slow changes took place during the weekend. Ringed Plovers increased to four and approximately 100 Golden Plovers put in a brief appearance east of the A452. More PiedWagtail passage occurred as eight in the morning increased to 21 by late afternoon. c.100Fieldfares, 40 Redwings and 25 Starlings fed in the fields along the Old Road.
Five attended the work party. Someone kindly left six bird boxes for us – thanks for those – and three were put up by Oak Hide in the hope of attracting Tree Sparrows to breed. Three more are having the holes enlarged for the same purpose. Two other boxes were repaired and then the larger Willows and Alder saplings were removed to the west of Railway Hide. Thanks to all those who attended.
6th March 2009
– Sunny most of the day, with a relatively light westerly.
11 Pied Wagtails were present around lunchtime, some of which were seen to depart to the north. At least one of the two Stonechats was seen around the car park in the early afternoon, though it was elusive in the morning.
Waders included three each of Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher, and a single Redshank. The usual four Tree Sparrows were at the Oak Hide feeder at lunchtime, but in the afternoon the number had increased to an impressive 14, by far the best count of the winter. 143Wigeon fed on the grass just north of the Reserve.
5th March 2009
– Sunny, cool northerly.
Yesterday’s Stonechats remain. Duck numbers are dropping but 126 Wigeon and 18Shoveler are still reasonable counts. Over 200 Black-headed Gulls, included a number that were following the plough as the crop field is turned in preparation for the new crops. NineCommon Gulls roosted with a proportion of these on the Railway Pool.
At least four Tree Sparrows were visiting the Oak Hide feeder, and seven Pied Wagtails fed in front of Car Park Hide and did appear to be migrants. Lastly, Buzzards were in display flight over Siden Hill Wood.
4th March 2009
– Sunny, cool north-westerly wind.
Two Stonechats fed around the crop field oaks, reedbed and causeway. One bird is quite dark headed and could conceivably be a first winter male but, on balance, the feeling is that they are both females.
Other birds of note included over 100 Fieldfares, Water Rail, three Oystercatchers, 23Snipe and four Redpolls, the latter including the bright male again which seems to be aLesser.
3rd March 2009
– Overcast start and progressively wetter and windier throughout the day.
Yesterday’s male Stonechat was replaced by a female, on this occasion by the oaks in the crop field. Waders included three Ringed Plovers, a single Redshank, two Oystercatchersand two Snipe.
Four Tree Sparrows were on the Oak Hide feeders at first light, and eight Meadow Pipits fed on the Railway Pool islands.
At about mid-day a moulting Dunlin was brought in by the heavy rain, Tree Sparrows had increased to at least ten and the apparently larger and brighter male Redpoll sp. was present around Packhorse Bridge.
2nd March 2009
– Sunny all day though clouding over in the afternoon.
A male Stonechat in the Marsh was a good find following an arrival on the south coast over the last few days. Waders included three Ringed Plovers, a Redshank and 20 Snipe. SixTree Sparrows and six Goldfinches were on the feeders, and six Siskins fed in the Alders nearby.
1st March 2009
– Mostly sunny and warm, light north-westerly.
Further signs of spring by way of the first Redshanks (two), Curlew and Chiffchaff of the year. At least one Redshank was about on Railway Pool for most of the day, with a second present in the morning. The Curlew was on Car Park Pool at 1 p.m., but did not linger. ThreeRinged Plovers were present on Railway Pool all day, and four Oystercatchers in the morning was the highest count of the year so far.
30 Snipe remains a good count – 20 opposite Car Park hide and 10 in the marsh – and 19Common Gulls likewise.
Other birds of note included a singing Coal Tit in the railway copse and seven Tree Sparrowsat the Oak Hide feeder.
The Coltsfoot flowers on the causeway were a good show in the sun and a number of bumblebees buzzed around in the sunny conditions.