Grasshopper Warbler singing this morning on the opposite side of the canal from the leaning posts, single Common Sandpiper on the spit and 2 Whitethroat singing. Curlew also heard heading North but I was under tree cover. Single Redpoll and Siskin over the west end.
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls around the spit and Ramsdales for about 20 Minutes this morning before heading off west along the canal also 2 Little egret on the spit and 2 Redpoll on the rucks
This afternoon 5 x Snipe on spit, 7 x Goosander, 7 x Goldeneye, 3 x Oystercatcher, 10 x Chiffchaff, 3 x singing Blackcaps, 2 x Cettis Warbler, 3 x Willow Warbler
Having missed virtually everything this weekend and still not seen or heard a willow warbler anywhere, the best I can add is a bar-headed goose flying around the flash at 11am. Presumably the same bird that was present last year but if it is, it's the first time that I've seen it in 5 months.
-- Edited by colin davies on Monday 1st of April 2024 08:06:54 PM
The panicked alarm calls of Lesser Black-backed Gulls gave away the Osprey flying through NW at 5pm today well before it came pretty low into view, circling only once over the western end before heading off. Diabolically poor iPhone (3x zoom) photos attached.
Also six Goosanders And two Siskins feeding in Alders by Sorrow Cow Pond.
Some additional sightings from this morning
Male Wheatear on the lorry park on the South side.
Female Brambling in trees round the car park at the main entrance.
Singing Willow Warbler near the recycling centre
Swallow over the horse paddocks at the west end
Little ringed plover on the spit along with 4 Greylag geese.
At least 8 singing Blackcap and 2 females also seen
3 Singing Cettis Warbler and one male also seen in full on courtship display, chasing a female around for a good few minutes
Singing Blackcap this morning by the sharp bend where Byrom lane becomes Sandy lane. also 2 adult Mediterranean gulls flew north c. 8.30, 2 Greylag geese flew west and c. 50 Sand Martins were over the west end.
This afternoon, now 3 drake common scoter, 2 asleep together and presumably the same agitated bird off the sailing club. Also 11 wigeon still, and 4 snipe on the mini spit.
2 drake Common Scoters though not together, with a sleeping bird closer to the East Bay off Horrocks Hide and an agitated looking bird swimming around the centre of the flash off the sailing club.
Maximum of 47 Sand Martins
12 Wigeon (including five drakes) flew in around 7am
Chiffchaffs - couple heard (1 seen) near Teal hide, but really good view of one singing away only 10' up in a bush by Sorrow Cow pond.
Mandarin Duck - male - walked back along the canal to the Slag Lane end (too much mud elsewhere) and where it widens to form a sort of pond just before the marina, amongst the mallards and nesting mute swans was a male Mandarin happily swimming about. Is it always there? Couldn't see any sign of a female.
Highlights this morning 1 x singing Chiffchaff, 1 x singing Cettis Warbler, 6 x Oystercatcher on spit, 4 x Little Egret, 3 x Snipe, 2 x Willow Tit and 2 x Greylag Goose