Sat 23rd March 19

Pete Loud and Matt Lonsdale made an early start today with Pete having a Firecrest in the carpark bushes and a Chiffchaff in the Brook hedge between the sluice and the hide. Matt had a Firecrest along the approach road + 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare around the bushes and another Firecrest near the 5 bar gate also noted were c100 Chaffinch (over).

From the Hide :- 4 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, Teal & Wigeon, 20+ Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 7 BlkWit's, 4 Curlew, 4 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler + a pair of Bearded Tits in the reeds in front of the hide  PL/IM/TS/JH/ML/MM/MR

Pete Loud

A walk to the northern boundary produced plenty of R T Divers feeding offshore some really close in, a further Bearded Tit was heard at the start of the golf course and a male Wheatear was on the seawall near the 3rd turret & 2 Oystercatcher were on the rocks.

On the return we were alerted by Ian Minton to a Goosander* sitting on the sea close offshore from the wooden hide and as we hurried back a cracking female flew north past us at very close range. 
On the return to the carpark 3 Wheatear were on the mounds and 5 Siskin* flew over the ringing compound. At this time the carpark bushes held 3 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest & 4 Chiffchaff.

Also noted on the mounds was 1 Adder and 2 Common Lizards (first of the year).

An afternoon sea-watch from the shelter gave 100+ R T Diver, 3 Gt. Skuas, 1 Shag (adult on the sea), 1 Common Scoter (drake), 2 G C Grebe, 40+ Gannets (adults), 9 Brent.


Later in the afternoon Matt Lonsdale found a Black Redstart* in the farm paddocks and 2 Coal Tits were again in the church yard.