March 19th 2010

My garden was full of breeding activity with a female Dunnock demanding more attention, Blackbirds gathering nesting material and displaying Sparrowhawk’s overhead this morning which reminded me of a need to be careful not to mention some of our breeding species as we still suffer from egg collectors in the county so don’t intend to add to the problem. If I do unintentionally – don’t ask for details – I don't do polite.
Met with Dave, Colin, Mo and Terry at Brandon Marsh to collect my flight tickets then a walk around the marsh was very productive with new for the year 3 Little Ringed Plover flying in, plus 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 22 Snipe, 2 Kingfisher, calling Willow Tit, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Buzzard, 30+ Redpoll and 6 Reed Bunting before the rain came. No sign of any Chiffchaffs and Sand Martins that were on site today.
Mo and Terry had been at the pond earlier and took this fine shot of a Kestrel while enjoying an influx of Chiffchaff with 8 recorded.

Kestrel by Terry Southgate

Richard