Weather: ESE force 3/4, veering SSW 3/4 by afternoon with rain showers
Forty five Pink-footed Geese flew north at dawn, we expect this to be a feature over the next few weeks as they have been ever since they wintered on the Dee. Three other 'grey' geese seen were Greylags, while Eiders numbered 6 including 4 males.
Brent Geese are still here (250 estimated), they will be preparing to leave in the next 2 weeks. Of more local origin are the 3 Mallard on the pond, 2 male and a female.
The Chiffchaffs keep coming in small numbers with a couple of Goldcrests, but more White Wagtails than the last few days, 14 arrived today.
Meadow Pipits continue to filter through as they always do in March, about 80 were estimated. For a change a couple of Grey Wagtails came to the island and finches moving through were 7 Goldfinch, 4 Siskins and a Chaffinch. Again a single male Wheatear represented the species.
Highlight of the day was the first record of Sandwich Tern this year, we will soon start getting used to the familiar call though the spring, summer and autumn period. An adult Gannet was seen, also 12 Little Gulls, 23 Red-breasted Mergansers, 120 Scoter, 5 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Guillemots. Amongst the waders there were 300 Sanderling, also 120 Turnstone,
11 Purple Sandpipers and a Bar-tailed Godwit.
At least 5 Blackbirds are here.
Other potential breeders present today included 10 Wrens, 8 Rock Pipits, 3 Robins and 2 Pied Wagtails. The numbers of Linnets ready to breed are building up, 18 seen today.
Ringed: 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Robin, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldcrest
Photos AEH, thanks also to Ollie Bradley-Baker for 3 of these
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