OMG3GND+3SEO

Sunday 6^th March. Ok, so there was some snow flurries at Carsington, so 6 people decided that home is more attractive than the journey to Carsington for my March Beginners bird walk, especially if they were coming from Staffs.     

Probably true, but a sad decision because those that did make the trip saw 3 Great Northern Divers, including 2 seen from the end of Stones Island drifting north in formation. They were that close if one had flapped its wings it would have hit the other. Marvellous, and no one had a camera. 

Anyway, 36 was good count for a cold day. (That explains the 3GND!)

Monday 7^th... The web had reported that a Sand Martin had been seen in Gloucester, which spurred me into some painting action.

The Sand Martin bank built by the volunteers has seen only one visiting pair in 4 years, and I suggested that painting the bank sand colour might be more attractive than grey breeze blocks. As all else had failed we decided to go ahead with the idea, and I volunteered to do the painting. So armed with a large tin of Masonry paint and some nice weather, I duly spent Monday doing a make-over.  Mind you, I was not encouraged by the full-time Ranger who said a nice flock wallpaper with Sand Martin pattern would have been better!

Tuesday 8^th  Together with Chris and Tony, we set off for a day at Slimbridge. Did the obligatory search for the Penduline Tit site at Gloucester, and missed again – for the 3^rd time!  Mind, you we did see a Chiffchaff, so all was not lost.

44 birds at Slimbridge was rewarding, and although none new for my 2016 list, it was great to see a pair of Cranes, and then shortly after 3 more...5 in one day, in the wild... not bad.

Wednesday 9^th  Did another of my Osprey talks this time to a church group in Duffield, and despite the small number in the audience it generated a good number of questions. Everyone empathises with Ospreys!

Friday 11^th March  As far as I can recall this had to be the best birding day so far for 2016. Chris, John and I headed off to Parkside on the Wirral for an exceptional high spring tide. With hi-tide at c1.00pm, we and a couple of hundred other birders were ready from noon for the progressively rising tide, and to see what was flushed out to provide lunch for the raptors. And we were not disappointed. On arrival, everyone was pointing to a Great White Egret, close to a good number of Little Egrets, so ideal for comparing size.  

   The warm sun produced soaring Skylarks galore, and I spotted a cute Stonechat sitting on a reed bush.

But the raptor parade was what everyone wanted. First a Hen Harrier arrived (with a second bird later) and spent it’s time patrolling up and down the reeds, with the occasional drop for clearly a successful meal. Then the first of 3 Short Eared Owls. One sat on the marsh, with the Hen harrier passing right above...oh for a camera - again! (That’s the 3SEO!)

Third raptor was a speedy Merlin, which I picked up right out on the water’s edge and a Buzzard loafed around over the adjacent park.

Brilliant day – warm, satisfying, good birding camaraderie, and 5 additions to my 2016 list, making 138 to date...that’s the highest ever for 11^th March, so the year progresses well!!