Eleven members met at Thorley Road for a walk along the cycle path to the scrape in front of Mill Copse led by Jackie Hart. A strong south-westerly wind, near gale force in gusts, kept any rain at bay but it also meant a lot of the birds were hunkered down out of view. 43 species were seen during the course of the morning which was not bad considering the conditions. We stopped at Rofford Marsh, which had a higher water level than normal, with the highlight being a Marsh Harrier flying low over the marsh. Cetti’s Warbler, one of three heard during the morning, was present further down the path. Moving on to the Western Yar estuary there was the usual overwintering wildfowl and waders present, excluding Golden Plover, while among the flock of gulls at Yarmouth was at least one Mediterranean Gull. The species recorded during the morning were: Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Starling, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler, Coot, Mallard, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Great Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Carrion Crow, Moorhen, Jackdaw, Wigeon, Pintail, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Cormorant, Dunlin, Teal, Curlew, Wren, Robin, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Greenshank, Meadow Pipit, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting and a male Stonechat.
Jim Baldwin
