NEW HYTHE MONDAY 19TH MARCH

I think there must have been a fall of Chiffchaffs over the weekend at New Hythe. There were at least three in the first tree as you enter the small wood by the river and I saw and heard lots more around the site. These and Cetti's Warblers were certainly the sound of the day. Just inside the wood was a Gt Spotted Woodpecker, who flitted about above me, unconcerned by my presence. On the river I saw a Green Sandpiper bobbing away on the far bank, a pair of Gadwall and a Kingfisher were also seen but with a high tide pushing in there wasn't much else of note.

No sign of any Med Gulls, but there were plenty of Black-headed gulls (below) on Brooklands and Abbey Mead lakes. I think they were feeding on hatching insects, nice to see their chocolate brown heads now. Once again the gulls overhead bought a drifting Buzzard to my attention, one of three seen during the morning. Reed Bunting, Pheasant, Water Rail, Greenfinch, an abundance of Wrens and a couple of Bullfinches were all seen or heard in and around the sunken marsh area.

Over the railway line I was pleased to see my second Bee Fly of the Spring, there was one in my garden last week. This one though did rest for a minute in the now warm sun and I was able to get a picture, note the pollen on its back and legs. Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, now almost all in pairs, and a Song Thrush were also spotted here.

I drew a blank with a search for Water Voles and headed back down the river adding a single Goldcrest and lots of Grey Herons, no signs of any young in the nests yet, shouldn't be long I think. A final visit to the small wood didn't add much to my final tally of 46 species, but I sat on the bucket for a while which was nice and warm for a change. Luxury!