22/03/2021

 

Chiffchaff that came in off the sea, immediately started fly catching from the DMG sluice outfall, fortunately avoiding the attention of the resident Merlin.

Resident Merlin patrolling the shoreline at DMG

Sea Watch this morning from the bottom of the DMG 07.30-09.00

Brent Goose: 213E

Teal: 6E

Common Scoter: 16E      11W

Red-throated Diver: 52E      9W       5 on

Great-crested Grebe: 17 on

Fulmar: 2E

Gannet: 84E     7W

Cormorant: c250 feeding offshore

Merlin: 1 around

Peregrine: 1 around

Oystercatcher: 17E

Kittiwake: 28E

Sandwich tern: 6E

Guillemot: 1 on

Auk sp: 10E

Chiffchaff: 1 in off

Black Redstart: 2 around

Raven: 1 around

Brent Geese passing DMG

Raven taking food back to nest at DMG

1 of at least 4 Chiffchaffs in DMG this morning 

Peregrine over DMG

A 3 hour circular walk around the reserve this afternoon saw several Marsh Harriers, Great and Little Egrets, Ruff and Redshank and Ringed Plover, as well as all the usual ducks including 6 Pintail and the feral Geese, many Reed Buntings and Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs and Bearded Tits calling from deep in a reed bed. On Burrowes the few islands were stacked with Gulls but I could only find a single 2nd cy Caspian Gull of any note. Still no Sand Martin, LRP or Garganey for me.

Great Egret at the hay fields

3 of 8 Ruff on the hay fields this afternoon