Spring Equinox
Spring starts here as the days become longer than the nights and although the temperatures are below average for this time of year there are plenty of signs of spring in progress.
Bird of the day goes to an early Swallow (Barn Swallow if you like) perched on wires near the car park at 9.40am. It's unusual to record Swallow before Sand Martin and the average date for arrival in Lancashire is the 25th March thou the trend is getting earlier.
The cooler condition won't be great for hirundines but it is delaying the departure of the Whooper Swan with a good count of 750 roosting on the reserve. Other counts included 910 Wigeon, 260 Pintail and 6 Shoveler.
Some wader counts included 87 Ruff, 81 Avocet, 70 Oystercatcher, 6 Redshank, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Dunlin.
Male Brambling showing again from the Janet Kear Hide.
The usual raptors with 3+ Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
