RXwildlife Sightings

As fog cleared c11.00, Linnets & Meadow Pipits streaming east, an adult male Marsh Harier spiralled up over Hog Hill and the Pink-footed Goose emerged from the mist E of the Pools.
Cliff Dean

Now that the fog has finally lifted its been good to see whats around.
On Flat Beach Flood
6 Avocet
29 Dunlin
11 Golden plover
17 Redshank
30+ Lapwing
20+ Ringed plover
7 Shelduck
6 Weatear
Plus Skylark,Meadow pipit,Stonechat and Linnet

At Ternery Pool
1 Drake Garganey (morning only)
750+ Black Headed Gull
350+ Sandwich Tern
120 Oystercatcher
3 Avocet
Plus Snipe,Ringed plover and Redshank

Castle Water produced some good Birds including:
1 Little Ringed Plover
2 Green Sandpiper
Seven species of Gull including 400+ Commonand 3 Little
5 Scaup
18 Shoveler
34 Greylag and 45 Tufted Duck
Also 2 Swallow at the Hide.

Harbour Farm highlights include:
44 Corn Bunting (in flight over Lime Kiln Cottage)
209 Linnet perched on wires
Grey and Red Legged Partridge

Sam

On Ternery Pool, a splendid male Garganey was present this morning, along with three Avocet and over 350 Sandwich Tern, while an additional six Avocet were present on Flat Beach.

Thursday March 31st 2005
Powdermill Reservoir: 41sp
0845-1230; 8/8 thick fog

The dense fog doesn’t make too much difference in the woods, where the birds are singing anyway, but species on the reservoir, in open country or above the treetops are beyond visibility.
In addition, the water level is right up, rendering the banks inaccessible, and a few anglers are out in boats.
The only summer species to have arrived in reasonable numbers is Chiffchaff (17) and there were 2 early Willow Warblers. The only Blackcap was not in the woods, but in gardens nearby. The most numerous species, dispersed widely in the woods, is Chaffinch.
Wren, Robin, Goldcrest and Dunnock have increased since last month (the latter occupying brambles between Scots Pines) while Great, Coal & Blue Tit numbers have remained similar. Long-tailed Tits have become more reticent as have Marsh Tits (a couple of vociferous pairs but only 1 male in song).
It was hard to see wildfowl, but at least 13 Tufted Ducks and 5 Teal were present, and 2 pairs each of Little & Great Crested Grebes.
I saw no winter thrushes.
A single nervous male Hawfinch seemed attached to an open area of oaks deep in the woods – a site where I’ve not previously seen them.

Cliff Dean