Thurs 28th. Feb

A big change in the weather this morning but much the same bird wise.

The day started off well for me with a Bearded Tit heard in the boardwalk reed bed, and after a short wait a female dropped out of the reeds onto the decking to pick up seeds.
Along the front 2 Oystercatcher were heading south and another was on the sloice rocks.

From the hide :- c100 Teal, c70 Wigeon, 12 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, c60 Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 4 Blk. T Godwits, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Buzzard.

On the walk back a single Adder was seen on the mounds along with the first Grass Snake of the year.  DW/TS/MR


At the end of February the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 109.

Wed 27th. Feb

From the hide 15:00-15:45 :- Wigeon & Teal, 18 Shelduck, 19 Blk. T Godwits, c75 Stock Doves, Lg. flock of Curlew, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier + a pair of Stonechat on the mounds. John Hall.

At the same time a Coal Tit was again in the churchyard at Gt. Holland. Matt Lonsdale. 
I hope it’s still there in the morning.

Tues 26th. Feb


It sounds like there were a lot of Adders about today but no other reports so far.

Mon 25th. Feb


Reported this morning by Ted Sewell, a Barn Owl was in the first owl box from the hide and a single Coal Tit was again in the church yard at Gt. Holland

Sun 24th. Feb

Ian Minton added two new birds to the site year list this morning when he located a Chiffchaff* & a pair of Coal Tits* in the church yard at Gt. Holland.

Sat 23. Feb

From the hide this morning :- 14 Canada Geese, c200 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 18 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, c100 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover (over), 14 Blk. T Godwits, 6 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard. IM/MM/MR. A Bearded Tit was again heard but not seen from the hide IM/MM. 

Around the site a Firecrest found by Pete Loud just before 10:00 showed on and off throughout the day, also noted were 3+ Goldcrests, 3 Stonechat, 2 Cetti's Warblers (both seen 1 behind the sluice, 1 at the Dipping pond) & the flock of 40+ Curlew.

Fri 22nd. Feb

Very foggy at the Haven today or at least when I arrived around lunch time.

John Hall had reported good views of a Cetti's Warbler from the lay-by on the B1032 but no sign of the Barn Owl, most likely because when he joined Ted Sewell in the hide it was showing well in the first owl box. Also noted were a few Wigeon & Teal, 16 Blk. T Godwits, 14 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatchers and a large flock of Lapwing.

My brief visit in the fog was rewarded with views of a Water Vole (first of the year) swimming across the brook below the raised platform.

Washing Robin