Sunday 24 March 2013

Spring Arrivals

Lade - 0800hrs - cold, overcast, e 5 - A wander around the local patch in December-like gloom delivered a couple of bright spots in the form of a splendid drake Goosander on north pit and a lone Wheatear on the beach hunkered down behind a clump of sea-kale. Apart from that it was regulation stuff with few passerines noted apart from one or two Chiffchaffs, Skylarks and Song Thrushes. The two species of grebes seemed oblivious to the weather conditions with much trilling and head shaking from the shelter of the pool within the willows, plus 3 Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard behind the `mirrors` and a flock of 50 Golden Plovers over heading inland.
RSPB - 1300hrs - From Hanson hide 3 adult Little Gulls flying amongst the Black-headed Gulls was the highlight. Also, 4 distant Smew (including a drake) near the far bank, 2 Great White Egrets and 20 Golden Plovers over. From the willow trail a Sparrowhawk overhead plus, in the bushes, a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Marsh year tick in the form of a male Blackcap (144).
From the visitor centre 4 Avocets on Burrowes were new in amongst all the usual diving ducks and gulls. Two Chiffchaffs in the bushes by the feeders and one in the back garden later on confirmed there was something of an arrival today, with others noted at the Point along with a handful of Black Redstarts (DW, MB).

No comments:

Post a Comment