Northern Wheatear
                             

 

                                                                         Corn Bunting

                                                               Immature male Hen Harrier


         On the flashes and marshes were 17 Mute Swans, 17 Tufted Ducks, 21 Mallard, 9 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler and Yellow Wagtail.   Summer visitors included 10 Common Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Cuckoo, 6 Swallows and 5 Wheatears.   Also seen were 4 Corn Buntings, Song Thrush, 6 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and a Hen Harrier.

         I was unable to find the Blue-winged Teal this morning despite a thorough search.   Knowing how elusive it can be in dense vegetation, however, I think it could well be around nearby.
         After the early rain, the flashes and marshes produced 19 Mute Swans, 24 Mallard, 7 Teal, 4 Shelducks, 19 Tufted Ducks, 6 Little Egrets, a Common Snipe, 2 Curlews and 7 Redshanks.   In the dunes were 2 Cuckoos, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 6 Swallows, 10 Common Whitethroats, one Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 130 Linnets, 3 Corn Buntings, 3 Kestrels and 2 Common Buzzards.

         The Blue-winged Teal was still present, but not a lot of other birds were seen in the strong and very cold wind.   On the flashes and marshes were 7 Tufted Ducks, 11 Mallard, 4 Shelducks, 19 Mute Swans, 7 Redshanks, a Whimbrel, 11 Little Egrets and a Little Grebe.   Very little was singing and consequently the only summer visitors were 3 Common Whitethroats, 2 Wheatears, one Swallow and one Yellow Wagtail.   Three Kestrels and 3 Common Buzzards noted.

                                                                     Northern Wheatear

         The Blue-winged Teal was still present on the flashes along with 5 Teal, 8 Mallard, 15 Tufted Ducks, 8 Shelducks, 19 Mute Swans, 8 Coots, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlews, Common Snipe and a Jack Snipe.   Summer visitors were 15 Common Whitethroats, one Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 14 Swallows, a Sand Martin and a Ring Ouzel.
         Two Common Buzzards and 3 Kestrels were over the fields and a Marsh Harrier headed NW.

         Despite comprehensive searching, the Blue-winged Teal could not be found during the morning, but it reappeared in the early afternoon.   Not many changes were recorded today, the best birds being 7 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, Reed Warbler, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, a Whimbrel and a Greenshank.

                                                                 Common Redstart.

         The Blue-winged Teal remains on site, but is proving quite elusive at times owing to its skulking nature.   Other birds in the marshes included 2-3 Jack Snipe, a Whimbrel, 8 Shelducks, 27 Tufted Ducks, 21 Mute Swans and 6 Little Egrets.   Strengthening winds resulted in lower counts of some migrants, hence just one Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff , Willow Warbler, 12 Common Whitethroats, one Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear, Common Redstart and a Cuckoo.   Also seen were 2 Tree Sparrows, 6 Grey Herons, a Common Buzzard and 4 Kestrels.

         The Blue-winged Teal was still present.   Summer visitors at the south end today were 18 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 15 Common Whitethroats, one Lesser Whitethroat, one Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Sedge Warblers, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, a
Cuckoo and 6 Wheatears.   Three Sandwich Terns flew north at sea.   Also noted were 4 singing Corn Buntings, 4 Redwings, a Song Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 180 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 25 Sanderlings, 3 Kestrels, Hen Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards and a Peregrine.
         23 Twite were recorded on the realignment area and there were 2 Common Redstarts at Pye's Hall.

                                       The Blue-winged Teal seen through the long grass.

         The Blue-winged Teal was present again.   Other ducks were 20 Teal, one Shoveler, 18 Mallard, 20 Tufted Ducks, 9 Shelducks and 20 Mute Swans.   Also on the flashes were 8 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 4 Greenshanks, 3 Redshanks, one Common Snipe and 10 Coots.   Summer visitors were the first 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, Blackcap, 12 Common Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 5 Swallows, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Cuckoo.  Also noted were 3 Corn Buntings, a Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier.
         Phil Espin added 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 20 Avocets, 2 Wheatears, 20 Twite and a Cuckoo on the realignment area.

                                                                                Kestrel

                                                                     Red-legged Partridge


         The Blue-winged Teal was still present, but fewer other ducks were seen, hence only 12 Teal, 20 Mallard, 6 Shelducks, Greylag Goose and 21 Mute Swans.  Also along the flashes and marshes were 6 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, Cormorant, 2 Common Snipe, 12 Coots, Little Grebe, White Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail.   Other summer visitors were 15 Swallows, 10 Common Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers and a Ring Ouzel.    On the fields were 300 Linnets, 2 Corn Buntings, 17 Shelducks and a Common Buzzard.   113 Sanderling were on the tide-line at high tide.

                                                                       Blue-winged Teal.

         At long last I managed to obtain some photographs of the elusive Blue-winged Teal.   It is particularly prone to favouring dense vegetation and usually takes flight as soon as it sees the observer.    Other ducks today were 6 Shelducks, 12 Mallard, 60 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 37 Tufted Ducks and 20 Mute Swans.   Also on the flashes and marshes were 6 Greenshanks, one Green Sandpiper, one Common Snipe, 4 Little Egrets and a Short-eared Owl.
         Summer migrants were 2 Wheatears, 8 Swallows, one House Martin, 10 Common Whitethroats, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Grasshopper Warblers, Blackcap, Cuckoo, Ring Ouzel, 2 White Wagtails and 6 Yellow Wagtails.   Also noted were 300 Linnets, Corn Bunting, 4 Common Buzzards, Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrels.

         Incredibly, after a five-day gap, the Blue-winged Teal was flushed again in the same general area as before.   It flew from the Scrape and onto the flashes, then returned a few minutes later.   Unlike last week, it remained apart from the other nearby ducks which were 14 Mallard, 62 Teal, one Wigeon, 30 Tufted Ducks, 6 Shelducks and 20 Mute Swans.   Also on the flashes were 6 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Coots, Water Rail, Common Snipe and Greenshank.
         Warblers today were 10 Common Whitethroats, one Lesser Whitethroat, one Blackcap, one Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers and 3 Grasshopper Warblers.   Other migrants were 16 Swallows, 2 Yellow Wagtails, one White Wagtail and a Ring Ouzel.   Two Sparrowhawks left high to the NE and out to sea and another headed SW.   Also noted were 2 Kestrels, Common Buzzard, 2 Robins and 32 Sanderlings.

         A quiet WeBS count Stonebridge to Pye's Hall in cold wintry conditions.   Waders were 112 Oystercatchers, 680 Dunlin, 65 Sanderlings, 21 Ringed Plovers, one Little Ringed Plover, 9 Curlews, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Grey Plovers and 12 Avocets.   Also of note were 33 Shelducks, 5 Teal, 3 Cormorants, 8 Little Egrets, one Kittiwake, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 40 Linnets, 2 Swallows, 2 Pied Wagtails, Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwings and a Blackcap.

         A rather quiet WeBS count around the realignment area.   Waders were 7 Oystercatchers, 59 Dunlin, 24 Avocets, 42 Redshanks, one Greenshank, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, one Curlew and 3 Whimbrel.    Wildfowl were 40 Shelducks, 15 Teal, 16 Mallard, 4 Tufted Ducks and a Greylag Goose.   Also noted were 10 Little Egrets, 9 Cormorants, 2 Kestrels, 50 Twite, 33 Linnets, 4 Pied Wagtails, one Yellow Wagtail, 10 Swallows and 2 Chiffchaffs.
         On the shore, outside the count area were 160 Brent Geese, 120 Oystercatchers, 100 Dunlin and 16 Grey Plovers.

                                                                 Common Sandpiper. 

                                                                            Wheatear.

         Summer migrants at the south end this morning were 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Common Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers 2 Chiffchaffs, Sedge Warbler, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Swallows, House Martin, Wheatear, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel.   Also noted were 27 Teal, 26 Tufted Ducks, 5 Little Egrets, 260 Linnets, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Kestrels, Common Buzzard and Hen Harrier.

         Migrants between Stonebridge and the south end included Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Common Redstart, 2 Ring Ouzels, 3 Wheatears, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Whitethroats, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, House Martin, 14 Swallows, 2 Ruffs and 3 Little Ringed Plovers.   Also of note were 57 Twite, 280 Linnets, 8 Avocets and a Common Buzzard.

         Couldn't find the Blue-winged Teal today, but it may just be being elusive again.   On the flashes and marshes were 18 Mute Swans, 15 Mallard, 30 Teal, 22 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Egrets, 17 Redshanks, 2 Common Snipe,  Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine.   Also of note were 19 Swallows, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Whitethroats, 3 Wheatears, 280 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, Common Buzzard, 10 Cormorants and 8 Sanderlings.

                                                          The first ducklings of the spring.

         The Blue-winged Teal was in the company of some Teal on the flooded outmarsh before flighting back to the flashes.   It is quite wild and proving very elusive at times.   Other birds in this general area were 27 Teal, 21 Mallard, one Wigeon, 20 Tufted Ducks, 3 Shelducks, 15 Mute Swans, 9 Little Egrets, 10 Coots, 26 Redshanks, 4 Curlews and a Common Snipe.
         Summer migrants were fewer in the windy conditions, hence 4 Chiffchaffs and singles of Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear and Ring Ouzel.   Raptors were 2 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and a 3rd cy male Hen Harrier.

         The Blue-winged Teal evaded observers this morning, but was eventually relocated on the flashes in the afternoon.   Also on the flashes and marsh areas were 17 Mute Swans, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Shelducks, 13 Mallard, 50 Teal, 24 Tufted Ducks, 6 Little Grebes, 12 Coots, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 40 Redshanks and 3 Green Sandpipers.
         Summer migrants today were 3 Common Whitethroats, one Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaffs, one Willow Warbler, one Wheatear and 14 Swallows.   Also of note at the south end were 2 Redwings, 4 Twite, 3 Corn Buntings, 220 Linnets, 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, a Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl.
         The horse paddocks in Marsh Lane produced 3 Ring Ouzels and highlights on the realignment area were 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 150 Redshanks, 40 Dunlin, 50 Linnets, 5 Pied Wagtails, Common Buzzard and a Merlin.

         A stunning male Blue-winged Teal was the bird of the day.   I first found the bird at 1110 on a small pool in the dunes south of the Quad 3 look-out post.   It was with a pair of Mallard and flew onto the flashes where it was seen by notified observers into the afternoon.   Along with the Black Kite, these are two new species for the area within four days, which is remarkable after over fifty years of observations.
         The wind was even worse today, and few birds were seen in the bushes.   Over the Warren were 14 Grey Herons, 12 Little Egrets and 3 Common Buzzards, while on or over the fields were 180 Linnets, Corn Bunting, Twite, Merlin and Hen Harrier.   Birds on the flashes and marshes were 16 Mute Swans, 3 Shelducks, 24 Tufted Ducks, 25 Mallard, 70 Teal, a further 7 Little Egrets, 5 Little Grebes, 19 Redshanks, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plovers,16 Curlews and a White Wagtail.
         Also on the dunes were 2 Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear, Chiffchaff, 4 Tree Sparrows, Collared Dove, 2 Kestrels and 2 Grey Partridges.   A Red-throated Diver flew north at sea.

         A wet and windy morning and remaining very blustery in the sunny, but cold afternoon.   Birds at the south end included 4 Common Buzzards, 8 Grey Herons, 3 Little Egrets, 20 Tufted Ducks, Water Rail, 4 Green Sandpipers, Blackcap, Wheatear, 2 Corn Buntings, 30 Dunlin, 29 Sanderlings and 21 Curlews.
         Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall and on the realignment area CA and JF recorded 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 40 Twite, 4+ Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, a Swallow and a Chiffchaff.  Colin and Sheila Jennings added a Great Grey Shrike and 2 Chiffchaffs.

         Waders on the realignment area were 24 Avocets, 150 Redshanks, 25 Dunlin, 2 Lapwings, 2 Ruffs, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, one Common Ringed Plover and a Grey Plover.   Additional waders on the shore were 80 Dunlin, 12 Oystercatchers and 18 Curlews.   Wildfowl were 39 Shelducks, 20 Mallard, 12 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, a Mute Swan and a grey goose which flew south.
          Other birds of note were 12 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Cormorants, 2 Kestrels, a Merlin, 4 Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 40 Twite, one Brambling, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests and a Swallow.

                                              Some record shots of the Black Kite.

                                                                                 Twite.

         The first Donna Nook record of a Black Kite came in from SE at 1205 and wheeled over the marshes and flashes, then gained considerable height and eventually departed to the NW at 1213.   Four Swallows also passed to the north. 
         Birds on the flashes included 15 Mute Swans, 20 Tufted Ducks, 30 Teal, 15 Mallard, 14 Coots, 5 Little Egrets, 7 Redshanks and a Water Rail.   Also of note were 2 Chiffchaffs, the first Willow Warbler, Song Thrush, 11 Twite, 2 Kestrels and a Common Buzzard.

         An afternoon visit to the south end produced 2 Sand Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests and a Stonechat.   Also seen were 4 Grey Partridges, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 4 Grey Herons, 5 Little Egrets, 18 Redshanks, 20 Tufted Ducks, 20 Teal, 100 Linnets, 10 Twite, a Corn Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Mistle Thrush.

         My first Swallow flew north along the flashes at the south end.   Four thermalling Sparrowhawks eventually drifted away also to the north.   A Common Buzzard and 3 Kestrels were also noted.   On the flashes were 13 Mute Swans, 12 Mallard, 50 Teal, 20 Tufted Ducks, 12 Coots, 6 Little Egrets and 40 Redshanks.   A House Sparrow was the first since last September and a Tree Sparrow was also seen.   Other birds of note were 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Redwings, 10 Blackbirds, 110 Linnets, 5 Shelducks and 2 Grey Herons.

                                                                           Robin

                                                                           Blackbird

         An afternoon visit was made after the fog had cleared to give warm and sunny conditions in a light NE wind.   Birds on the flashes were largely unchanged with 13 Mute Swans, 50 Teal, 13 Mallard, 12 Coots, 37 Redshanks, 5 Common Snipe, Grey Heron and 3 Little Egrets.   Four Common Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel plus quite a few gulls all enjoyed using the thermals in the very spring-like weather.   Other birds of note were at least 2 Grey Partridges, at least 2 Red-legged Partridges, 150 Linnets, 7 Twite, a Corn Bunting, Wheatear, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, a single Long-tailed Tit, Song Thrush and Pied Wagtail.
         Chris Atkin was between the RAF base and Pye's Hall and recorded 3 Common Buzzards, a Peregrine, 42 Twite, 4 Bullfinches, 8 Goldcrests, 5 Chiffchaffs, a White Wagtail and 2 Wheatears.

         On the flashes and marshes at the south end this morning were 70 Teal, 12 Mallard, 21 Tufted Ducks, 4 Shelducks, 9 Mute Swans, 14 Coots, 2 Little Grebes, 5 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, 15 Curlews, 40 Redshanks and a Common Snipe.    Migrants were 8 Blackbirds, a Redwing, 5 Robins, a Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaffs.   Also of note were 2 Common Buzzards, a Peregrine, 2 Grey Partridges, Mistle Thrush, 3 Pied Wagtails and 60 Linnets.
         In the evening, Colin Smale at Pye's Hall added a Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl and a herd of 70 Whooper Swans flying north.

                                             Coots.   The first nest with an egg was found today.

                                              Black-headed Gull with Starling and Jackdaw.

         My observations combined with those of Chris Atkin, Chris Heaton and Mark Johnson.   At the north end highlights were 7 Common Buzzards, Peregrine, Merlin, Barn Owl, the first Little Ringed Plover and first Wheatear, White Wagtail, 2 Water Pipits, Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaffs, 18 Corn Buntings and 70 Twite.   7 more Chiffchaffs were present at the south end with 21 Tufted Ducks, 22 Mallard, 120 Teal, 19 Mute Swans, 12 Coots, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Little Egrets, 55 Redshanks and 2 Jack Snipe.
         At 1945, towards dusk, 2 Spoonbills flew south over my house and across to the Warren where they may have roosted.

         Drizzle and mist were hardly conducive to any good observations at the south end.   On the flashes and marshes were 17 Mute Swans, 26 Mallard, 28 Tufted Ducks, 70 Teal, 2 Shelducks, 11 Coots, 4 Little Grebes, 5 Grey Herons, 5 Little Egrets, 15 Curlews, 11 Redshanks and one Rock Pipit.   Other birds of note included 3 Corn Buntings, 30 Linnets, one Brambling, 10 Goldfinches and a Chiffchaff.

         The realignment area was visited by myself (SL) this morning and by Barry Clarkson, Mike Tarrant, Roy and Linda Harvey this afternoon.   The main counts were as follows:- 230 Redshanks, 22 Avocets, 79 Dunlin, 6 Curlews, 3 Oystercatchers, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 3 Mute Swans, 95 Brent Geese, 55 Shelducks, 24 Teal, 16 Mallard, 9 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebes and 6 Cormorants.   Also of note were 2 Water Pipits, 16 Meadow Pipits, White Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtails, 142 Twite, 31 Goldfinches, Redwing, 2 Kestrels and 2 Red-legged Partridges.