Saturday 30th March 2013

Nope I was wrong, winter is still here! The day started of with light snow and soon becoming a blizzard up until 0915 when snow stopped and the sun came out. A Woodcock flushed at dawn was a nice surprise as was a Yellowhammer that called a couple of times. An eared owl was seen briefly but could not be relocated. Movement offshore was quieter than yesterday with only one Great Crested Grebe and 31 Red-throated Divers heading south along with 18 of the latter species also heading north. The number of moths caught this year doubled with three Hebrew Charcters being found in the traps this morning.

Friday 29th March 2013

Despite a light dusting of snow overnight, it turned into a slightly warmer day. Seawatching was productive with 171 Red-throated Divers, 4 Gannets and 3 Black-throated Divers ( probably the best day for this species for many a year ) all heading north. A Red Kite headed south over the docks late morning spooking all the gulls in the area, this was only the 8th site record, five of which have been in March. On the non-avian front ca40 Frogs along with spawn were found in Butts Pond, could this be spring here at last?

Thursday 28th March 2013

A promising start, very little wind and birds singing, however this did not last long and the winds returned. Few new passerines about apart from a Skylark. Offshore 55 Red-throated Divers, 47 Cormorants and a Shelduck headed north, also 2 Guillemots in summer plumage were on the sea. Mid morning a Porpoise was seen in the mouth of the river.

Wednesday 27th March 2013

Winter still with us & no sign of any migrant passerines on site. Water Rail still with us & Collared Doves now have chicks. Black-throated Diver went north offshore as did 39 Cormorants, 31 Red-throated Divers, 3 Shelduck & a Great-crested Grebe. Going south 7 Barnacles, 7 Common Scoter & 4 Brents.

Tuesday 26th March 2013

Another cold day, although it did become sunny in the afternoon. A couple of us went on to the back beach to see if we could catch any of the 10 Turnstones that were about but without success. Offshore  a Little Gull, a Razorbill, a Black-throated Diver and 29 Red-throated Divers headed north. Elsewhere the birds were still scarce and those that are here are keeping their heads down.

Monday 25th March 2013

Biting NE wind. Cracking adult Little Gull crept north just off the beach. Also offshore going north 48 Red-throated Divers, 48 Cormorants, 8 Common Scoter, 3 Gannets plus 3 Common Scoter south. 10 Turnstone & 4 Sanderling were on the back beach. Tons of sand inundating parts of the reserve.

Sunday 24th March 2013

Another cold snow day with few birds about. A walk around the site produced some nice Water Rail tracks.



Great moth trapping conditions!