Female Garganey still on Ramsdales scrape this morning also 3 Common Sandpiper on the shore at the sailing club and 2 Swift over the south side. 3 Goosander on the spit and Redshank at the west end.
1:35pm to 3:40pm
Drake common scoter still on the flash, also eight swallows hawking low overhead in the rain. Adult and, I think, a 4CY great black-back out near the sailing club. Two very vocal ravens flew overhead. Reed warblers singing either side of the path at Tom Edmondson Hide, plus the usual Cetti's.
Decent few hours this morning!
The 2 Avocets were present until 7.38 when they flew off heading North. Ian's Caspian gull from yesterday was again on the spit until 8.20 at least. Female Garganey from Ramsdales hide, associating with a pair of Teal. Brambling heard calling twice from near the sailing club, sounded to be heading east. Redshank on the flooded fields at the west end. Pair of Linnet on the rucks.Sedge warbler at the west end.
Grasshopper Warbler singing this morning on the opposite side of the canal from the leaning posts, single Common Sandpiper on the spit and 2 Whitethroat singing. Curlew also heard heading North but I was under tree cover. Single Redpoll and Siskin over the west end.
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls around the spit and Ramsdales for about 20 Minutes this morning before heading off west along the canal also 2 Little egret on the spit and 2 Redpoll on the rucks
This afternoon 5 x Snipe on spit, 7 x Goosander, 7 x Goldeneye, 3 x Oystercatcher, 10 x Chiffchaff, 3 x singing Blackcaps, 2 x Cettis Warbler, 3 x Willow Warbler
Having missed virtually everything this weekend and still not seen or heard a willow warbler anywhere, the best I can add is a bar-headed goose flying around the flash at 11am. Presumably the same bird that was present last year but if it is, it's the first time that I've seen it in 5 months.
-- Edited by colin davies on Monday 1st of April 2024 08:06:54 PM
The panicked alarm calls of Lesser Black-backed Gulls gave away the Osprey flying through NW at 5pm today well before it came pretty low into view, circling only once over the western end before heading off. Diabolically poor iPhone (3x zoom) photos attached.
Also six Goosanders And two Siskins feeding in Alders by Sorrow Cow Pond.
Some additional sightings from this morning
Male Wheatear on the lorry park on the South side.
Female Brambling in trees round the car park at the main entrance.
Singing Willow Warbler near the recycling centre
Swallow over the horse paddocks at the west end
Little ringed plover on the spit along with 4 Greylag geese.
At least 8 singing Blackcap and 2 females also seen
3 Singing Cettis Warbler and one male also seen in full on courtship display, chasing a female around for a good few minutes
Singing Blackcap this morning by the sharp bend where Byrom lane becomes Sandy lane. also 2 adult Mediterranean gulls flew north c. 8.30, 2 Greylag geese flew west and c. 50 Sand Martins were over the west end.