12th March 2015

Weather: SSE force 5, mist around the estuary

The south easterly ignited the start of spring proper today with a varied selection of birds species appearing for the first time this year which were Starling (73), Greenfinch (2), a Chiffchaff (above) and a male Mallard back on the island pond. Another first showing was a Short-eared Owl that flew across the sands and landed on a small Spartina clump for a short time, while both Merlin and Peregrine were also noted today. Moving through this morning were over a 100 Meadow Pipits, 25 Redwings (bottom right), 7 Chaffinches, 5 Pied Wagtails, 3 Wheatears (below) and a Skylark down in one of the paddocks. The female Stonechat continues on Middle Eye (bottom left). A brilliant start to the early spring.

 Ringed: 2 Redwing, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Chiffchaff     [ 17-8 ]
 (DB,AEH, et al) Photos AEH