Sorry, forgot to post this the other day....
The reserve was still looking great with plenty of water around but the weather kept it much the same as January with stable wader and wildfowl numbers. A Goosander (13th) and two male Goldeneye (21st) were the only river notables although two Great White Egrets were seen flying through on both the 6th and 11th. Who knows where they had been? Singles of Turnstone, Avocet and Bar-tailed Godwit were seen along with at least four Jack Snipe (7th) and a smattering of Grey Plover and Ruff sightings.
The Bittern was seen daily until the 4th but not after. Our Gull ID day was a great success with possibly as many as 6 different Caspian Gulls and two Med Gulls amongst the commoner species. A male Hen Harrier was found on the 22nd and stayed into Marsh. A fine bird and good to see alongside the Marsh Harriers which now number at least five different individuals. Three each of Short-eared and barn Owl have been adding interest and the first couple of Buzzards of the year were seen.
Four Lesser Redpolls were still to be found and on the foreshore there were still five Corn Buntings, four Water Pipits, 15 Rock Pipits and three Black Redstarts. Chiffchaff and Blackcap were still in the woodland along with the Bullfinches and the Bearded Tits were heard again on the 9th. A flock of 45 Waxwings flew through on the 28th. A party of five tired, wary Black Swans on the 21st were worth more than a cursory glance...Last but not least a Penduline Tit made a brief appearance on the 17th....
Reed Bunting in song (Dave McGough)
10-3-13
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer