Early Spring Wildlife Update

Following an unseasonal snowy start, March signalled the start of spring with the first Sandwich Tern sightings of the year. The ranger team have been busily preparing for the breeding bird season, which will be getting into full swing as we head further into April. 

Birds

Spring was heralded on 16th March when the first Sandwich Terns of the year were spotted flying over Blakeney Point by Jim Temple and Ajay. On 5th March, following the thawing of the snow, some 299 Wigeon were recorded utilising Blakeney Freshes. These have since left the site on migration to their breeding grounds further north. Notable bird sightings on Blakeney Point have included Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, ringtail Hen Harrier, Merlin, Short-eared Owl, Long-tailed Duck on 9th March, first winter Iceland Gull on 16th, five Blue Tits on 27th (very rare on Blakeney Point), Lesser Redpoll on 28th, Brambling on 31st (a spring rarity) and some “firsts of the spring” in April: six Swallows, a Sand Martin and six Wheatears on 3rd plus two Firecrests on 4th. On Friary Hills, a Chiffchaff landed at Carl’s feet on 23rd March and seven Common Buzzards were recorded flying over Blakeney Freshes on 29th. A pair of Mediterranean Gulls flew over our Blakeney Office at Friary Farm on 4th April.

On 5th March, a minimum 21 Moorhens were counted on Blakeney Freshes, which is the highest number recorded there in some time. Gamebirds have been holding territories for a while; we are pleased to have a pair of Grey Partridges on Blakeney Freshes, plus four on Blakeney Point. Shelduck are back on territory on Blakeney Point; we will be conducting a coordinated census across the reserve at the end of April. On Blakeney Freshes, Marsh Harriers were observed nest building from 6th March, with food passing witnessed on 10th and 30th. There have been regular Bittern sightings near the reedbed from 15th March onwards. We have our fingers crossed for breeding Bitterns on the reserve this year and will be carrying out monitoring work to confirm this.

Invertebrates

In the week following the heavy snow, an early butterfly was recorded on Friary Hills: a Small Tortoiseshell on 9th March. The first Bumblebee of the spring on Blakeney Point was observed on 25th March: a probable queen Red-tailed. A Red-tailed Bumblebee was also observed by our Morston Quay Information Centre on 4th April.

Mammals

A Water Vole was observed on Blakeney Freshes on 9th March. On 22nd March, Ryan spotted a tagged Grey Seal on Blakeney Point. It is believed to have been released by Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary, in Lincolnshire, having been rescued from nearby Donna Nook.

Reserve management

In early April, we will be putting up fenced enclosures to protect nesting Avocets and Little Terns on Blakeney Point, Stiffkey Meals and Salthouse beach. Ajay and Sabrina have been working with Blakeney Primary School to make Little Tern decoys, which they will be putting on the shingle ridge to attract these rare birds to nest in areas free from the risk of tidal flooding. We are taking advantage of a wet start to April, and are holding water back on the western side of Blakeney Freshes. This will enable us to top up water levels in the reedbed later in the summer to maintain suitable conditions for Bitterns.

Seasonal dog restrictions

We would like to thank all dog walkers in advance for following our usual seasonal dog restrictions on Blakeney Point. These run from 1st April to 15th August to protect rare and vulnerable ground-nesting birds – such as the Little Tern – from disturbance. Your support enables us to give our precious birds a better chance to hatch and raise their young.

Thank you

Finally, a great big thank you to all who helped with our recent spring beach clean; an impressive 98 volunteers attended. We are grateful to North Norfolk District Council for disposing of the litter. Thank you also to our Little Tern volunteers for helping us put up the breeding bird enclosures. Our Little Tern volunteers will be based near the Watch House from mid-May to help visitors enjoy their visit without accidentally disturbing any nesting birds.

Ajay Tegala,

Ranger