29th

259 Fieldfares were seen on or around the Estate and a flock of 32 White-fronted Geese flew S over New Downs before a bright, calm start to proceedings gave way to breezy and cool conditions in late morning.

28th

The Whooper Swan and one Lapland Bunting were still showing this morning, but most interest lay in some early signs of spring movement. Small numbers of Chaffinches were arriving on the Estate yesterday afternoon and this morning at least 40 were present near the trapping area. 2 Meadow Pipits flew N, with more than usual scattered about the area, a Redwing was our first since mid January and just outside the Estate the Fieldfare flock has steadily increased from around 80 ten days ago to 186 this morning.

26th

Dull and windy first thing, 44 adult Gannets flew N and a Pomarine Skua flew in the opposite direction. On land, 2 Lapland Buntings were still present and an adult male Peregrine flew low over the Estate, frightening the wits out of the local Stock Doves and Starlings.

25th

Diligent searching on a bright, sunny morning failed to locate the geese or the Whooper Swan, though 2 Lapland Buntings were showing well and a Woodcock was flushed on the Estate.

24th

A bit of marking time today, with not much happening apart from the Whooper Swan, one Lapland Bunting and the Whitefronts, although the Barnacle Geese appear to have departed.

22nd

Opening our e-mails first thing brought the astonishing news that a Swallow was seen yesterday, circling around Prince's clubhouse for an hour in mid afternoon. This morning brought the re-appearance of the geese - 49 Barnacles and 89 Whitefronts - that were showing from the bank by the gorse near the Lapland Bunting spot, with the Whooper Swan viewable in the distance and 3 Lapland Buntings coming and going with Skylarks and Reed Buntings.

21st

A warm start to proceeding was welcome after the recent frosts and highlights included a Peregrine over Worth marshes, a Grey Wagtail that flew N and 3 Lapland Buntings at their usual spot.

20th

It was a quiet day in more ways than one, as dense fog that descended just before dawn refused to budge until very late morning. There was no sign of the geese when the sun eventually showed itself, though a nice flock of 270 Wigeon was present on Worth marshes.

19th

The goose flock - 82 Whitefronts and 49 Barnacles - was alternating between the Scrape and Worth marshes again, a female Merlin was seen on the Estate and the Whooper Swan remained with Mute Swan flock. 365 Golden Plovers had joined the Lapwings on the fields and 8 Siskins flew N.

18th

The flock of 82 Whitefronts and 47 Barnacles was again very restless, oscillating between the Estate and Worth marshes and on at least one occasion flying to the shore before returning. There also appeared to have been an influx of at least 28 Reed Bunting on the marshes, 2 Merlins were hunting a luckless Skylark around Restharrow and the Whooper Swan was standing with the Mute Swans inland of the track where 3 Lapland Buntings were still evident.

17th

The goose flock - 47 Barnacles and at least 72 Whitefronts - was rather restless this morning, disappearing over the sea wall at one point, though the Whooper Swan kindly turned up again on Restharrow Scrape. Elsewhere, a Water Pipit was on flooded fields inland of the railway and 8 Bearded Tits were in reeds down by the river.

16th

46 Barnacle Geese and 82 Whitefronts were clustered around Restharrow Scrape all day, with another 34 Whitefronts flying in from the N near dusk. 80 Fieldfares flew on to the Estate in the afternoon, 2 Lapland Buntings were still showing well and 2 Peregrines were seen over Worth and New Downs.

15th

The morning was cloudy with a rather bleak E wind, but it was notable for some good wildfowl numbers. Most were on or around Restharrow Scrape, including at least 44 Barnacle Geese, 118 White-fronted Geese and 141 Wigeon. Small numbers of Fieldfares and Chaffinches also flew over or into the Estate and 2 Lapland Buntings were still showing along the Ancient Highway.

14th

This NE breeze and complete cloud were a bit of a shock to the system after so much recent warmth and sunshine, but there was some movement in the shape of 43 White-fronted Geese, including at least one flock at 19 that arrived from the north, and a northward movement along the shore of 17 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

12th

The early fog lingered until mid morning, but cleared to reveal another calm, cloudless and warm day. The 6 Whitefronts were still on the scrape and at least 2 Lapland Buntings and 7 Snow Buntings were still in situ, but most activity seemed to be coming from the vocal cords of the local Great Tits, Dunnocks and Robins, etc.

11th

5 Lapland Buntings and 6 Whitefronts were again present on a day that turned out to be gloriously sunny after early fog and frost had cleared. Otherwise, activity was slight, although 2 Siskins flew over.

10th

A beautifully sunny and calm day brought out loads of visitors, who were treated to 6 Lapland Buntings along the Ancient Highway and the Snow Bunting flock on the beach. Otherwise, a male Peregrine flew over the Observatory, a female Marsh Harrier was over Worth, where a Cetti's Warbler was singing lustily. A Yellowhammer - almost the bird of the day, they are so uncommon these days - flew over the North Stream and a Merlin was terrorising the inhabitants of Restharrow Scrape, which this morning included 6 White-fronted Geese.

9th

A Jack Snipe was flushed by a dog from the field near the sailing club and at least 3 Lapland Buntings were still present.

8th

Warm and sunny, today was more like April than February. Robins and Dunnocks were singing as if it was early spring, in more or less the same places as last year's occupied territories. The Snow Bunting flock was still present and 3 Lapland Buntings were seen in the usual spot.

7th

A walk along the Green Wall and across New Downs produced a Goldeneye and Bearded Tits calling unseen in reeds down by the river and 14 Snow Buntings were still showing well on the beach near Prince's old clubhouse. However, on returning to the Observatory there was news of an adult Whooper Swan - an uncommon bird at the Bay - on Restharrow Scrape, where there was also a female Merlin.

6th

Overnight rain cleared around dawn to leave a blustery but bright day. 2 Lapland Buntings and 16 Snow Buntings were still present, a female Marsh Harrier and a female Peregrine were tussling with each other over Worth, greatly impressing the local Teal flock, and in the shelter of the Elms 3 Goldcrests and a pair of Long-tailed Tits were enjoying what felt like spring sunshine.

5th

At least 15 Snow Buntings, one Lapland Bunting and a Jack Snipe were located in between some enthusiastic showers.

3rd

4 Lapland Buntings and 15 Snow Buntings were seen this morning, but most birds were keeping their heads down in a strong and chilly wind.

1st

It was a sunny start to the new month, if a little chilly, and highlights included 4 Lapland Buntings and 9 Snow Buntings in their usual spots, a Woodcock and a Chiffchaff.