21st of April: Blakeney Point back online

Three weeks into the season and we finally have an internet connection in the Lifeboat House again.

Lots has happened since our last post. We are now properly settled in and Paul has found space in the cupboards for all of his tins.

Sandwich Tern numbers have continued to build, with tonight's roost count totaling 3,470. Previous roost counts were 1,060 on the 13th, 1,530 on the 15th and 2,880 on the 17th of April. The first Common and Arctic Terns of the year were seen on Sunday the 14th.

Saturday the 13th saw the first Sand Martins, Swallows and House Martins of the year. That same day we also saw the first butterfly of the year, a Comma. The following day a Peacock and three Small Tortoiseshells were seen, including this one inside the Lifeboat House.

Richard Porter saw a Stone Curlew on the 12th and seven Cranes flying over on the 20th. About an hour later, I saw the same seven Cranes fly over Burnham Deepdale where I was representing the National Trust at the Deepdale outdoor festival along with staff from Brancaster. Yellow Wagtails were recorded on the 14th and 15th and a Hooded Crow on the 13th. Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers have been seen most days, as have Wheatears. This morning there was a Blue Tit in the garden, although common on the mainland, Blue Tits are a rarity on Blakeney Point.

Today's seal count was 466 Grey and 156 Common. The ferry trips from Morston are by far the best way to see Blakeney Point's seals. They are also viewable on foot, from a distance, at low tide. Because of internationally important ground-nesting birds (such as the vulnerable Ringed Plover and Little Tern), dogs are not permitted in certain areas on the Point in order to prevent disturbance during the breeding season (1st of April to mid August). Dogs are permitted on the first half-mile of the Point from Cley and between the boat landing point and Lifeboat House.

- Ajay