It has really been bouncing between seasons. Looking back over the last 3 weeks. After what seemed a late Winter blast on the 2nd, with the large snowfall, the following week showed signs of Spring on the way, ok temperatures were only nudging double figures, but a trip to Selsey had some Spring movement. It was overcast but with a light Easterly wind, and a clear movement of passerines visibly migrating from the continent. Over 400
Meadow Pipits were seen arriving in small groups, a few
Pied Wagtail, and a couple of
Skylark. The highlight were 3
Wheatears seen flying in from the sea, although not stopping for closer views. Wheatears are one of the earlier migrants and I think 11th March is probably the earliest record for me. The action hadn't stopped
2 Eider, 8 Pintail, 2 Teal , 2 Shoveler, 1 velvet Scoter, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 7 Red-throated Divers and
c90 Common Scoter were seen as well as
2 Great Skua and then a
Merlin flew in off the sea, probably following the movement of Meadow Pipits. The most bizarre sight was a small passerine picked up heading in to the shore (assumed to be a Meadow Pipit), but about 20 yards form the beach it was pounced on by a Black-headed Gull, it was a
Robin, which was obviously a migrating continental bird and oh so close to making it. Later that day I saw
Red Kite, Sparrowhawk , Buzzard and Goshawk.
Instead of the steady progression towards Spring the next weekend we had the mini-beast from the East. Being snowed in again on Saturday and Sunday rather curtailed any activities. A snowy surprise when 7 Golden Plover flew over (after the first one two weeks ago again in the snow) , Brambling numbers reached 20, and over 50 Redwing and a few Fieldfare were present.
The snow melted away as quickly as it came and this week was another attempt to improve temperatures although today when I visited the coast again it was probably a balmy 8c. The visibility was poor this morning although another Wheatear was braving this, the highlight this morning probably being 4 Scaup (3 males) that flew East with 4 Shoveler.
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| The Bramblings should be moving North soon, so another picture before they go. |
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| A bit of a blurry shot through the window but this Redpoll has good Mealy credentials, but it disappeared quickly. |
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| 2CY male Sparrowhawk. |
