Sunday 21 March 2010

Pagham Harbour

21/03/10
Started along Pagham harbour north wall this morning,still plenty of wigeon around in the north fields that are still partly flooded,also about 300 black-tailed godwits flying back into the harbour.Found my first two chiff chaff of the year at owl copse then three more in bushes around the visitors centre
Out on the ferry pool there was just one lonely avocet amongst the shelduck and wigeon.
After I walked back to the north wall I headed to the shingle spit to look for wheatear and soon found at least six near the shoreline.

Sunday 14 March 2010

NEW FOREST

14/03/10
Took my first trip of the year down to the New forest today.Started at Beaulieu road heath where there were at least 5 wood larks around the burnt area, and a pair of curlews displaying near Bishops dyke,then in Dennys wood I had a very close view of a woodcock that I put up. It really felt like spring in the woods with all the birds in song and many now paired up.
Next I headed up to Acres down and saw a goshawk, peregrine and some buzzards,then another birder found a hawfinch in a tree, (my first for this year)while following a pair of crossbills.
After this I then went on to Blashford lakes where there were at least 20goosander and 6 goldeneye. All in all a very good day's birding.

Monday 8 March 2010

Walberswick Marsh

7/3/10
Sunday was a much better day weather wise, with sun all day and only a light breeze.
The walk from Southwold to Walberswick took just over an hour,I then spent the rest of the morning around the reedbeds watching a few marsh harriers and another close view of a bittern in flight, but surprisingly I couldn't find any bearded tits.

Weekend at Suffolk

Minsmere 6/3/10
Stayed with family in Southwold at the weekend,and spent saturday at Minsmere, one of my favourate reserves on the east coast.I first went to the bittern hide and saw two bitterns (in flight) in less than an hour, also about 20 siskin, some that gave brilliant views due to the hide being at treetop level.
Next I went to the island mere hide where I watched up to five marsh harriers hunting over the reed beds, I was hopeing to see some male display diving, but I guess it's still too early.
Other birds around were med and common gulls, a spotted redshank and good numbers of shoveler.The only letdown was the weather with a bitter N.east wind.