30th March 2022

 Weather:  SE force 2, misty, E 4 with some rain by mid-morning and cooler than of late

The star bird of the day and a first for the year was a male Ring Ouzel which was found as it landed on the path past the bungalows and the SK paddock. It ducked under the fence into the paddock and members spent the next few hours searching the island trying to re-find it. There were a few sightings but frustratingly it failed to be caught for ringing or even photographed. Two Wheatears and Goldcrest were down on the island but finches were limited to 3 Goldfinches and 2 Redpolls, with another House Sparrow, this time a female, however another male Blackcap was ringed following the one yesterday.

 The drake Eider was still present as were the 4 Goosander.

The Brent count was 234 plus a dark-bellied and 6 Wigeon were here today, also single male Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser. Four Mallard and 4 Shelduck completed the wildfowl. Nine Purple Sandpipers roosted the tide and about 150 Turnstones did the same, although Oystercatcher numbers were not notable today.

 

Apart from the Blackcap, ringed today were a Goldcrest, a Robin and a Meadow Pipit, which showed well how distinct they are from the now regular Rock Pipits on the island, 2 of which were retrapped.

 

  The increasing numbers of Little Egrets are always an impressive site around the islands.

 

 Photos JE, PSW, SRW