04/03/2022

 It didn't bode well as I made my way to the sea watch hide early this morning with the fog blaring. Ever the optimist I stared into the fog, after an hour of seeing very little I conceded defeat and had a wander around the lighthouse area.

At West Beach 6 Redwing appeared out of the Gorse, then flew off high NE, the next patch of Gorse a Chiffchaff appeared and flew off high towards the trapping area, then a Song Thrush appeared  followed by a couple of Blackbirds all flew off high NE.

One of six Redwing at West Beach

Song Thrush with a singing Dunnock at West beach

Firecrest, Lighthouse Garden

Firecrest, Lighthouse Garden

The Lighthouse garden hosted at least 2 Firecrests, with Stonechat and Black redstart nearby.

One eyed Fox at the old Lighthouse

By the time I'd got my domestic stuff done the rain had set in so I drove down to Dennis's Hide and was pleasantly surprised to find a few Gulls on the islands to look at. I was pleased locate 2 1w Caspian Gulls, also 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls(passage migrants or return breeders). There were at least 8 Goldeneye present also 3 Black-tailed Godwits.

1w Caspian Gull on Burrowes Pit

                                                   1w Caspian Gull on Burrowes Pit

Robin with nesting material late afternoon by the screen hide ARC

Late afternoon in the drizzle at the ARC an Avocet on the old Cormorant island and a Robin nest building were the only notable sightings. At the other of the ARC the 4 Cattle Egrets dropped into the roost very early, while opposite the gate entrance the red head Smew could be seen on the New Diggings.