No wooly hat, gloves not needed and a firecrest in the car park......... it seems like spring has finally arrived!
Gentle southerly breezes on Thursday 18th March finally saw the winter thermals packed away and some true spring migrants around the reserve.
Star bird amongst the arrivals was a stunning male firecrest in the car park. Also taking advantage of the southerly breeze were three wheatears in the grazing meadow, a couple of chiffchaffs around the picnic area and a no less than nineteen sand martins passing west over the reed bed. In addition there have been two handsome stonechats in the reedbed and two snow buntings along the beach, now showing signs of coming into summer plumage.
Not to be outdone by the firecrest, our marsh harriers decided to have an early spring rehearsal of their famous sky dancing courtship routine which will be seen daily once mid April arrives. Also around the reserve have been 30 plus avocets, water pipit, 2 Slavonian grebes and several velvet scoters.
With more southerlies forecast for the early part of the coming week...what next? A little ringed plover or maybe an early swallow?
Keep on birding!