March 30th

At last the wind had dropped and in calm, cloudy conditions we walked out on to the Marsh. Birds we saw included 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 17 Chaffinches, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Mallard, 1 Green Sandpiper, 34 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Skylarks, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Kestrels, 1 Great Spotted and 2 Green Woodpeckers, 19 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Gadwall, 1 Willow Warbler singing and 2 Mediterranean Gulls flying E calling.

Male and female Gadwall

Derek Smith was also out this morning at the other end of the Marsh and walked from Shuart along the embankment to the Green Wall and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose flying E, 2 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Merlin at Shuart, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 6 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 34 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler (138th) and 18 Chiffchaffs.