A week dominated by fog and rain made birding difficult and ringing for the most part impossible. A sunny Saturday was the only decent break in the bad weather, accompanied by SW winds.
6th Mark Atkinson reported a Water Rail at Rose Farm
8th, 1 Firecrest and a Grey Wagtail seen Rose Farm.
9th, John Wier had 10 Snipe on Longis pond.
10th, First migrant Chiffchaff of the spring ringed at Essex farm. Also a male Shelduck was present in Longis Bay. Justin Hart had a Woodcock at Essex Farm.
11th, An impressive movement saw 27 Pied Wagtails at Whitegates field along with 18 Meadow Pipits late afternoon. As we set up the ringing nets at Mannez reserve we had 2 Sand Martins and a very early House Martin over, the afternoon also saw our first influx of Chiffchaffs with 4 ringed.
12th, Signs of spring migration getting underway continued with a further increase in Chiffchaffs, around 20 present at Rose Farm along with 2 Redwings first thing, also a dozen Ciffchaffs around Essex Farm late afternoon. An adult female Firecrest was ringed, and finally 3 Turnstone were reported today from Braye Beach.
Our first visiting ringers/birders of the year arrive tomorrow.
Thanks to all the contributers.