4th March 2011

A quiet day both in terms of weather & birds with a light southerly breeze not
bringing anything much in. 155 Brent were noted but, as usual, they split up &
were difficult to count. 49 Shelduck were in groups around the islands & 4 male
Mallard were on the main pond.
A sea watch before the tide produced 5 Red-throated Diver, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Scoter and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers but very little was seen after high tide. Oystercatcher numbers have fallen off but included the semi albino/leucistic bird roosting on Middle. 14 Purple Sandpipers roosted the tide.
A Chaffinch was trapped in the new SK trap - the first finch to be ringed this year and proving that the trap works! otherwise only the regular passerines were on the island but both Dunnock and Wren were singing. A solitary Greenfinch passed through.
(BSB,BT,CS+Dave Sullivan)