Friday 23rd April 2010 - Todays Sightings

A superb sunny day on the reseve with endless blue skies tempting at least four Buzzards and two Kestrels into soaring around. Dunlins had increased to six birds on the unfenced Pool with a Ringed Plover in tow. It wasn't long before an inconsiderate dog walker had flushed them all onto the gated pools. Thank God for fencing!!
Hirundine numbers were lower today but this was compensated for by the first Swift of the year, which flew south. A drake Gadwall was on the main pool and five 'singing' Whimbrel alighted there briefly before flying off towards the beach. Six House Sparrows were in bushes around the main pool opposite Sandsifter and a Sedge Warbler was singing from the Red River ditch. Suprisingly, not a single Wheatear was seen. Other birds included Chiffchaff (3), Song Thrush (2), BH Gull (2), Magpie (2), Shelduck (10+), Canada Goose (3), Mute Swan (1), Moorhen, Mallard (8), Skylark (4), Linnet (6+) and Pied Wagtail.

May is here.....

.....so why does it feel like bloody November! More rain and cold winds on the reserve this morning and not much different on the avian front. Razorbill (at sea) and Swift (2) were the only additions to my Reserve Yearlist bringing the total so far to 98 species for 2009. The Swifts came from the east and after a quick circuit of the reserve, headed west. Much of the standing water at the north end has now gone (Where does it go??) and i only saw one Whimbrel flying over as i left at 11.30am. Two Reed and a Sedge Warbler were again in reeds at the Red River and the main pool held six Shelduck and three Canada Geese. A walk along the western edge of the reserve produced single male House Sparrow and a Stonechat. The only birds of prey were two Buzzards and a male Kestrel. Still plenty of Sklark and Linnet singing.

Tim Twiggs had a couple of hours on the reserve this afternoon and had more success with the Whimbrel, counting thirteen birds. Swallow numbers had risen to over eighty birds on the main pool and had a single House Martin amongst them. A look at the sea from the embankment produced over eighteen Kittiwake and as many Manx Shearwater. Also four Turnstone flew past. Tim has also added up his Reserve Yearlist for 2009 and is currently on 84 species, including the Collared Dove seen from the western boundary today.