Another nice clear mild morning,the 17th produced:1 Redwing and more sightings of the Med Gulls,along with my first singing Chiffs (2).The Shoveler on Abbey Mead had increased to 13 birds.By the afternoon the wind had turned to the NE and it became overcast and cold.

March 16th,1986.Abbey Mead lake:11 adult and 3 immature Bewick`s Swans.

March 15th,1992,6 Bewick`s came down onto Abbey Mead lake during a rain storm and left after 45 minutes towards the NE.

New Hythe,11th March 2009.

I was half expecting to hear the first Chiff of the spring but no luck.There again if any had arrived it was probably a bit cold to induce them to sing.Wildfowl numbers have fallen right off now,I did`nt record any Pochard or Gadwall,although Teal are still in good numbers along the river,with at least 50 seen.On the river also were 5 Shelduck,2 Redshank and Green Sandpiper.

Birds I didn`t see were:Siskin,Redpolls,Goldcrest,Fieldfare or Redwing.I did however see a Reed Buting in the west scrub.