A record breaking day.... more later... need to go home now!
Ok, home now, had my dinner, got a nice bottle of beer on the go to celebrate a fantastic day on the reserve.
I arrived really early this morning (about 0600) to the sound of many 'plipping' Teal, 'Teal'ing Wigeon, warming up Robins and whining Lapwings. It was great. Had the place top myself for an hour with nothing but the sounds of birds waking up on the marsh and sirens up and down the A13...
The first early birders were quickly on the scene and before 0800 the tally stood at 65 including two Marsh Harriers, three Corn Buntings, Brambling, Jack Snipe, Turnstone, Caspian Gull, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff and both Short-eared and Barn Owls. A great start to the year. As darkness fell we had passed the 80 mark and ended on 83. Most respectable given the mild conditions.
Stonechat (Lee Spence)
By 1030 the carpark was fit to bursting and between then and 1400 we did our best to find people a spaces which entailed utilizing our entrance road pavement like we did for the Slaty Backed Gull. It was manic but the team all pulled together and did a great job. Meanwhile the shop was positively bogging with people and the cafe was en route for their best day ever. With nearly 600 visitors through out onto the trails it also became our busiest non-twitch day ever for visitors! Magic!
Well done team... I think that many of today's visitors (be they regular or new) went away with a great impression of fine reserve with wonderful birdlife and a great atmosphere...
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Howard Vaughan, Information Officer
Good Day Yesterday.
Corn Buntings were a reserve first for me. Who would of thought I would see Baillions Crake before Corn Buntings!.
Snipe Flock (If thats the right terminology) was fantastic when flushed of the sea wall.
Thanks All and Happy New Year.
May all your Sandpipers be Curlew.