February 25th

It is always difficult to work out whether Chiffchaffs seen at the end of February or beginning of March are newly arrived or part of the wintering population we have on the Marsh. This morning 2 Chiffchaffs seen in bushes beside the seawall seem good candidates for our first spring arrivals. Other birds seen on our walk at Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour included 7 Mallard, 10 Chaffinches, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Linnets, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 6 Skylarks, 309 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Coot, 2 Little Egrets, 45 Common Scoter, 21 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 68 Turnstone, 188 Sanderling, 68 Dunlin, 120 Oystercatchers, 26 Grey Plovers, 28 Ringed Plovers, 12 Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats and 2 Snow Buntings in the usual place on the beach by the Wantsum outflow.

Winter plumaged Grey Plovers

Sanderling and a few Dunlin