Recent Sightings
March 2008
Despite spells of wintry weather, things really began to feel spring-like on the reserve during March. At Ternery Pool, numbers of sea-birds increased steadily during the month, with a maximum of 138 Mediterranean Gull, 1000+ Black-headed Gull and 155 Sandwich Tern present on the 29th, while an influx of summer visitors included the first Wheatear (below) of the year on the 13th, the first Avocet on the 4th, the first Sedge Warbler on the 27th and the first Little Ringed Plover on the 29th In addition, up to 20+ Sand Martin, four Swallow and even a few House Martin had put in an appearance by the end of the month.
At Castle Water, a Bittern was seen on the 20th, the Long-tailed Duck was present on Long Pit throughout the month and, a Smew was on Narrow Pit on the 5th, while up to five Goldeneye were recorded. However, perhaps the most unusual sighting was of two Egyptian Goose at Castle Water on the 29th. March still saw good numbers of Golden Plover on the reserve, with over 1300 present on Flat Beach Level on the 15th, while other notable waders included a maximum of 117 Knot, six Ruff, a Purple Sandpiper and the occasional Green Sandpiper. Passerines includes several winter species, including the long staying Shore Lark, which just hung on until the first of March, up to 105 Fieldfare and small numbers of Redwing, and a maximum of 13 Bearded Tit. The overwintering Corn Bunting flock (below) reached a maximum of 34 birds on the 28th, while at Castle Water a Grey Wagtail was present on the 11th and two Firecrest on the 19th. Other interesting visitors included a Black Redstart at Narrow Pit on the 16th and Willow Warbler at Castle Water on the 27th. Raptors included up to two Marsh Harrier, occasional Merlin and most surprisingly a Hobby over the Beach Reserve on the 24th! Relatively little movement offshore during the month, including up to 500 Common Scoter, 180 Brent Goose and small numbers of Red-throated Diver and Kittiwake, with the most notable bird being a Great Skua on the 11th.
March saw a marked increase in invertebrate activity, despite the cold spells. The first guests of the Lime Kiln Cottage moth trap included a few Common Quaker (below) and Hebrew Character, typical early spring species, with the occasional Emmelina monodactyla and Light Brown Apple Moth found around the buildings. Butterfly sightings were confined to one or two Small Tortoishell, while hoverflies included familiar species such as Drone Fly and Marmalade Hoverfly. Mammal sightings during March included the two Common Seal which have been frequenting the River Mouth, several records of Water Vole, and up to two Brown Hare. The first calling Marsh Frog was heard on 31st. Plants in flower this month included Red Dead-nettle, Hairy Bittercress, Coltsfoot and Danish Scurvygrass.
