With a change in the wind direction to the south there was a flurry of spring migrants arriving at the beginning of the week.
Car Park / Visitor Centre / Woodlands
Blackcaps are dominating the spring chorus but were joined by the arrival of several Willow warblers at the beginning of the week who are passing through the reserve as they continue with their migration.
The highlight of Tuesday 12 April was the arrival of two Common redstarts, a male & female, around the dragonfly pool area.
Along the East trail a flock of 5 Ring ouzels headed west on the same morning and there was a Wheatear in the horse paddocks
Common redstart, RSPB Images
Reedbed
The Marsh harriers are very active with lots of nest building occurring and one pair food passing to each other. Whilst watching the marsh harriers early on Wednesday, a Bittern popped up from the reedbed and completed a short flight, much to our surprise as we hadn’t heard or seen one for several weeks.
Another species that has been very active this week has been Great white egrets, with at least 3 birds present and possible a further two on Thursday 14 April.
The reedbed chorus is building with a fresh arrival of Sedge warblers and a few Reed warblers.
The Pochard, Tufted ducks and Gadwall are pairing up and will soon be on nests.
Great white egret, Les Bunyan
Freshmarsh
A White-tailed eagle from the Isle of Wight reintroduction project caused a stir on Saturday over the Freshmarsh as it drifted low over the area.
There has been a peak count of 80 Avocets on the Freshmarsh and 8 Little ringed plovers, along with varying numbers of Black-tailed godwits, Ruff, Redshank, Snipe, Turnstone and Oystercatchers. A Little stint was present on 13 and 14 April.
A flock of 5 Yellow wagtails dropped onto Freshmarsh on Wednesday 13 April and an Osprey reportedly flew over the Freshmarsh later in the day.
A few lingering Brent geese continue to spend some time on the Freshmarsh and the surrounding saltmarsh.
Volunteer and Tidal Marsh
There has been a couple of Red breasted mergansers and Pintail on Tidal marsh. In terms of waders there have been Little ringed plovers, ringed plovers, redshanks, dunlin, avocets, oystercatchers and turnstones.
Beach and Sea
On the beach Ringed plovers are displaying to one another and establishing their territories for the upcoming breeding season.
Other waders on the beach include Bar-tailed godwit, Oystercatchers, Sanderlings, Curlew, Grey plover, Knot and Dunlin.
Eleven Wheatear were counted on the beach towards Thornham point on Tuesday 12 April.
On the sea this week there has been Common scoter, fulmar, 9 great northern divers and Sandwich terns.
Ringed plover, Les Bunyan
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