Friday 30th March. Its very much the same.

Over the last week the weather being warm still and sunny has meant work has gone mad, but on the dog walks not a great deal of change.

A trip to Castle Water with Frank had to be aborted from the Winchelsea Beach end due to cattle blocking the stile.

So the next day went in from the viewpoint which was very quiet. At the hide the usual ducks and geese but in far fewer numbers, still loads of Gulls

Herring, Common, Black Headed, Mediteranean, Lesser Black-backed, and (Greater Black-backed not in picture)

 Marsh Harrier also present.

Marsh Harrier

The Cormorants are busy nesting.

Around the reserve Sandwich Terns are increasing in numbers.



Sandwich Terns



At Harbour Farm Pools Advocets have arrived and the Ruff are still around but I haven't found the Little Ringed Plover yet.



Ruff

On the beach at least half a dozen Bar Tailed Godwits

Bar-tailed Godwit

Highlight of the week was the Short-eared Owl west of Harbour Barns last friday, by the time I had the camera out it was heading off towards Dogs Hill.

Short-eared Owl

The next day it showed again even better than Friday - but didn't have the camera, so went back on Sunday and despite spending an hour in the area it didn't show.

Back home plenty of Chiff Chaffs now calling, also a pair of Bullfinches visited the garden again.

Bullfinch (female)