Titchwell Recent sightings - March 2022

March, the month of change at Titchwell as we say goodbye to our winter visitors and we start welcoming the arrival of the summer migrants.

Car Park / Visitor Centre / Woodlands

 A highlight for many of us in March has been watching the large flock of Bramblings moult into the fine breeding plumage and listening to them singing in the morning. Many have now departed back to their breeding grounds in Scandinavia, but a few are still lingering. Siskins and Chiff chaffs have also been a regular feature around the visitor centre.

Blackcap - Ben Andrews (RSPB Images)

On the 21^st March we welcomed the first of the Blackcaps back to the reserve, numbers have increased slowly since then but as you walk around you are likely to hear its beautiful song.

Another bird with a lovely song is the Song Thrush, this too has been singing away in all weathers.

Tawny owls have been heard regularly around Willow wood at the east end of the East Trail.

Reedbed

Over the past month we have completed our last winter harrier roost count and began breeding bird surveys focusing on bittern and marsh harriers.

The Marsh harriers have been very active with lots of sky-dancing and vocalising to one another as they set up territories and nesting locations.

The Bittern on the other hand has been very scarce, so far it has only been heard booming on one morning.

There is at least one Great white egret in the reedbed and can regularly be seen fishing along the open channels, viewable from the west bank path.

On the days when it hasn’t been windy, the Bearded tits can be heard pinging through the reeds and showing occasionally from the west bank path.

Within the open water of the reedbed there wildfowl including Gadwall, Pochard and Tufted duck are pairing up with one another in readiness for the breeding season.

At the end of March, the first sedge warbler arrived back from its winter in west Africa and on the 7 April the first Reed warbler of 2022 was heard in subsong.

Marsh harrier, Phill Gwilliams

Freshmarsh

We have continued to tinker with the water levels in March and into April to create the right conditions for the breeding birds as well as the migrant waders.

The wintering flock of Brent geese have been enjoying the removal of the old predator fence, grazing on the freshly grown vegetation.

During the early part of March, the deeper waters of the Freshmarsh had a several Pintail and the muddy edges were home to 20+ snipe.

As we have progressed through March and into April the Freshmarsh is going through a transition with wildfowl numbers lowering but there is still plenty of Shoveler, Gadwall and Shelduck to be seen. On the 16 March, the first Garganey of the year made a brief appearance close to Island Hide but we have not anymore since.

Wader numbers have increased as the water levels have dropped on the north-west compartment. A pair of Ringed plovers appear to be holding territory and have been observed mating with one another. Little ringed plovers returned on the 14 March after their winter in West Africa. Avocet numbers have increased to 50 birds.  A small flock of Dunlin are regularly feeding on the muddy edges. Ruff and Black-tailed godwits are increasing in number and are appearing in various stages of moult.

The first Sandwich terns of 2022 were recorded on the 11 March and appear on an almost daily basis in low numbers. Mediterranean gulls have increased to about 50 birds, with many more opting for Snettisham pits.

In front of Parrinder hide there has been small flocks of Meadow pipits and the odd Water pipit, which is moutling into is breeding plumage.

Little ringed plover, Les Bunyan

Volunteer and Tidal Marsh

A fine selection of waders have been observed on these two compartments including: Avocets, Oystercatchers, Ringed plover, Curlew, Redshank, Knot, Turnstones and bBack-tailed godwits.

Beach and Sea

On the beach Ringed plovers are searching out territories for the upcoming breeding season. Whilst on the waters edge Sanderling are busily running all over the place as they feed. Other highlights on the beach have included flocks of Bar-tailed godwits and Oystercatchers with the odd Knot and Turnstone tucked in amongst them.

The first Wheatear appeared on the beach on the 16 March and a Lapland bunting has been sighted on a weekly basis.

There has been plenty of variety on the sea including a flock of 150 Common scoter, Gannets, 6 Red-breasted mergansers, Fulmar. Eiders and Great northern diver.

Wheatear, Les Bunyan

Report your sightings

 If you are visiting why not enter your sightings on to BirdTrack. Your records support species conservation at local, regional, national, and international scale.

For more information follow the link https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdtrack