Seven members of IWNHAS joined Dave Fairlamb of Natural Links for an Ornithology Group outing to the Yar Estuary on 16 March, with 41 species of birds seen or heard in total.
Good numbers of wildfowl for mid-March, both on Rofford Marsh and the estuary, with at least 180 Teal and 240 Wigeon, along with 5 Shoveler, 11 Shelduck, Mute Swans and a few flocks of Brent Geese. We had close views of 2 Greenshanks and with Redshanks alongside it gave a good opportunity to compare the two species. Several Curlews were feeding in the saltmarsh, with at least 6 seen and a flock of 35 Black-tailed Godwits were actively feeding on the intertidal mudflats, some beginning to sport their summer plumage. Other waders included Oystercatchers and a single Grey Plover.
Shelduck Greenshank
Cetti’s Warblers were in song, proclaiming territories around the marsh and the hedgerows and woodland edge held at least 8 Chiffchaffs, along with Blackbirds, Greenfinches, Wrens, Robins, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Dunnocks and Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming and a Water Rail `sharming’ as we returned past Rofford.
Other birds seen included Moorhens, Coots, Grey Heron, Cormorants and Little Grebe.
Dunnock Water Rail
Dave Fairlamb
16 March 2025
