Friday March 8

Watery sunshine when I arrived soon disappeared as the cloud became increasingly heavy through the morning. A very light westerly, but rather chilly. So pretty much a typical early March day.

For the first time this year I recorded a bird which is not annual here, my last being in 2016. In the grass close to the furthest flash stood an Oystercatcher. OK not the most exciting rarity, and it had probably just wandered from Arrow Valley Lake where they do seem to be regular, but a clear sign that Spring is just around the corner.

Oystercatcher

I had hardly had time to celebrate my good fortune when another spring migrant made itself known. A regular "hweet" call indicated the presence of a Chiffchaff. It seemed to be on the far side of the hedge but it took me ages to see it, and there was no chance of a photo. Unfortunately it did not burst into song, but the species does not occur here in winter, so I can be pretty sure it was a genuine migrant.

The flash field also hosted the usual pair of Shelducks, and about 10 or so Teal, Coots, and Lapwings.  A Little Egret stood by the furthest flash, and three Cormorants were in their favoured tree. The sedge is increasingly extensive which allows all of the above to disappear when they want to, and makes accurate counting very tricky.

Black-headed Gull

A summer plumaged Black-headed Gull dropped in, bucking the trend by showing very well indeed.

The walk back produced a mammal year-tick as two Rabbits skipped across the slope above Stapenhill Wood. Strangely, this species is usually harder to find here than Brown Hare.

When I got back to the Netherstead area I discovered that a Mistle Thrush was singing lustily, and that the pair of Tufted Ducks have relocated to the dragonfly pond.

Tufted Ducks

Things are looking up.