BIRDS
Although 2003 was the best ever year so far with 70 species, 69 have been recorded so far this year .
Even more encouraging is that no less than 5 new species have been recorded for the first time. These were Little Owl, Tree Sparrow, Kittiwake, Greylag Goose and Golden Plover.
This brings the site list up to 81 species since 1997.
23 species bred on the site this year, the best record so far.
On a sad note the Lesser Whitethroats did not return for the first time since 1998.
Hopefully they will return if the habitat is maintained and it could possibly be their wintering grounds rather than their breeding grounds where the species is in trouble.
The other absence this year was the lack of large birds of prey such as Buzzard and Osprey following last year’s good run.
