Birds and Moths

 of Burnham-on-Sea

Birds

2004 Sightings

December2004:

• 24th December: A single White-fronted Goose was seen from Burnham today.
  
  

• 18th December: In and around the Brue Estuary and off Burnham seafront today there were 16 Avocets up river. Also 63 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 350 Curlew, 500 Dunlin, 250 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 40 Knot, 3 Grey Plover, 250 Lapwing, 1 Little egret, 1 Brent Goose and 2 Little Grebes.

November 2004:

• 28th November: There are still 5 Chiffchaffs at Apex. There was a female Red-breasted Merganser on the Brue Estuary this morning.
  
  

  
  
  Black-headed Gull, Apex, 28th November 2004.
  
  

• 27th November: Still quiet. 
  
  

  
  
  Common Scoter corpse, Berrow, 27th November 2004.
  
  

• 21st November: Very little to report, there were 5 Chiffchaffs at Apex, 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Common Sandpipers on the Brue.
  
  

• 19th November: Three Eider were present on the Parrett Estuary off Burnham this morning.
  
  

• 16th November: A Little Auk was reported today on the Brue Estuary.
  
  

• 14th November: There is still a Common Sandpiper on The Brue Estuary.
  
  

• 13th November: The Dartford Warbler was seen again today. A Woodcock was found in a Berrow Garden having hit a window (it is dead).
  
  

  
  
  A deceased Woodcock, Berrow 13th November 2004.
  
  

• 12th November: A Dartford Warbler was seen in the coastal scrub at Berrow today.
  
  

• 7th November: At Berrow today there was a Short-eared Owl over the dunes. Also here there was a Common Scoter, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 20 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Golden Plover, 8000 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 23 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstones and 7 Pintail.
  

October 2004:

• 30th October: The bird of the day will probably be best forgotten about, the discovery of yet another swift at Berrow this morning, but unfortunately it did not linger long before heading south west. It did however appear to be a good candidate for a PALLID SWIFT.  Other birds at Berrow included an adult Little Gull, a couple of Brambling and 5 Redpolls. There were also 2 Black Terns on the Parrett Estuary this morning.
  
  

• 29th October: Despite the strong winds, heavy cloud cover and rain, there was quite a bit moving today. The highlight was a Woodlark which flew south at Berrow. There was also an adult Mediterranean Gull on the beach here. Counts of birds moving south included 1600 Starlings, 400 Chaffinches, 129 Greenfinches, 8 Meadow Pipits, 4 Reed buntings, 22 Wood Pigeons, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Siskin, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Blackbirds, 2 Fieldfares, 10 Skylarks, 2 Brambling and 10 Jackdaws.
  
  

• 28th October: Strong south-easterly winds persisted all day. On the Parrett Estuary there was a Black Tern at high tide. While on the Brue Estuary there were 9 Teal, a Shoveler and a Common Sandpiper. There were large numbers of birds on the move including 2000 Starlings, 500 Chaffinches, 200 Greenfinches and 300 Wood Pigeons. But the biggest surprise of the day was the sighting of two separate Common Swifts which flew south during the morning.
  
  

• 24th October: Good overhead passage at Berrow today. The following are all flying south unless stated: 37 Wood Pigeons; 19 Skylarks; 16 Meadow Pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; 3 'Alba' Wagtails; 7 Jackdaws; 2700 Chaffinches; 2 Brambling; 19 Linnets; 1000 Greenfinches; 1055 Starlings; and 1 Reed Bunting.
  
  

• 16th October: The Rose-coloured Starling was far more obliging today, being on show for most of the day. The only other report of note was a Dartford Warbler in coastal scrub at Berrow.
  
  

• 15th October: The Rose-coloured Starling was seen on telegraph wires outside the post office at Berrow.
  
  

• 13th October: A Black Redstart was found at Berrow School this afternoon, and another possible was seen in a Burnham Garden.
  
  

• 11th October: A very brief look at Apex this morning saw Burnham's first Garganey for many a year. The Rose-coloured Starling put in a brief appearance at Berrow.
  
  

  
  
  Garganey, Apex, 11th October 2004. © P. Gay.
  
  

• 10th October: Strong easterly winds all today. Overhead migration took while to get started today and mostly birds were flying south-east, totals for the morning were 530 Redwings, 145 Fieldfares, 16 Song Thrushes, 160 Starlings, 17 Meadow Pipits, 21 'Alba' Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, 300 House Martins, 150 Chaffinches, 6 Greenfinches, 30 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Swallows and a Yellowhammer. Also 5 Lapwings flew south and surprise of the day were a flock of 17 Greylag Geese which flew south past Burnham. On the Brue Estuary this evening there were 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Little Stint, 1 Ruff and a Spotted Redshank.
  
  

  
  
  Curlew Sandpiper, Brue Estuary, 10th October 2004.
  
  

• 9th October: There were a few Redwings and Fieldfares flying east today at Berrow.
  
   

• 8th October: The Rose-coloured Starling was present off and on all day at Berrow. Overhead passage here included 156 Jackdaws and 46 Carrion Crows.
  
  

  
  
  Rose-coloured Starling, Berrow 8th October 2004. © P. Gay
  
  

• 7th October: A Black Tern was present at Apex this morning. Late in the afternoon a juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING  was discovered at Berrow Village. It was only found because the finder's new dog needed to be let out for a pee, just as the starling flew over his house.
  
  

  
  
  Juvenile Rose-coloured Starling, Berrow, 7th October 2004.
  
  

• 3rd October: The first Redwing of the autumn was seen at Berrow today. Otherwise similar fair to the last couple of days. On the Brue Estuary there was 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints, 1 Spotted Redshank, 800 Dunlin, 75 Turnstone, 750 Redshank, 4 Ruff, 1 Arctic Tern and an adult Mediterranean Gull. There was also a sprinkling of visible migration with Swallows, Meadow Pipits and 1 Yellow Wagtail flying south.
  
  

  
  
  Arctic Tern, Brue Estuary, 3rd October 2004.
  
  

• 2nd October: At Berrow this morning there were 4 Little Stints amongst the Dunlin flock, 30 Sanderling and a Common Scoter on the sea. While at the Brue Estuary there were 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff and the Arctic Tern was still on Apex.

September 2004:

• 30th September: This morning there were 2 Arctic Terns flying around Apex. While on the Brue Estuary there were 9 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 350 Dunlin, 70 and 500 Redshank. At Berrow a very quick look at a very small proportion of the small waders flock revealed 2 Little Stints and a Curlew Sandpiper.
  
  

  
  
  Little Stint, Berrow, 30th September 2004.
  
  

• 20th,21st,22nd September: Despite a constant westerly gale there has been very little reported, other than about 4 Manx Shearwaters.
  
  

• 19th September: On the Brue Estuary this morning the number of Curlew Sandpipers has increased to 33. Also here was a Spotted Redshank and 2 Ruff. At Berrow there were 2 Little Stints, 144 Sanderling, 110 Knot, a Grey Plover and a Manx Shearwater.
  
  

• 18th September: Over this mornings high tide, the wader roost on the Brue Estuary contained at least 16 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Little Stint, 500 Dunlin, 750 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank and a Black-tailed Godwit. Also here a Sandwich Tern flew east and 2 Little Grebes were on the small ponds.
  
  

• 15th September: The wind is still strong, but the sky is crystal clear. A brief watch this morning from Burnham saw just 4 Manx Shearwaters and a Gannet. While at Berrow there was a Great Skua.
  
  

• 14th September: The forecast was for gale force westerly winds, but the wind did not turn until 0900. Watching from Burnham in the first couple of hours of daylight produced just 5 Manx Shearwaters, a Black Tern and an Arctic Tern. Once the wind had swung due west things picked up considerably. Totals included the second Long-tailed Skua of the year, 6 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 4 Leach's Petrels, 1 Storm Petrel, 19 Gannets, 15 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Sandwich Terns and 3 Common Terns all seen from Burnham.
  
  

• 13th September: The wind is still stuck on south-west. At Berrow first thing there was a Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper, also presumably the same  Great Northern Diver as yesterday flew south. An evening sea-watch from Burnham produced just 8 Manx Shearwaters, a Gannet, a Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern.
  
  

• 12th September: Another windy day, but still from the south-west. Off Burnham in the morning there were 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Manx Shearwater and 2 Fulmars. But the surprise of the day was a Great Northern Diver which flew north here.
  
  

• 11th September: The wind slowly increased in strength today, but remained a south westerly all day. At Berrow in the morning 2 Common Scoter were on the sea while 2 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Grey Wagtail flew south. An evening sea-watch produced 2 Arctic Skuas and a single Manx Shearwater off Burnham.
  
  

• 9th September: Surprise bird of the day was an African Golden Weaver in a garden at Berrow.
  
  

  
  
  African Golden Weaver, Berrow, 7th September 2004.
  
  

• 5th September: Not much to report, the highlight being a Whinchat at Berrow.
  
  

• 2nd September: Yesterday seven fire appliances battled to extinguish a fire in the shore reedbed at Berrow. This area has been completely destroyed. The reedbeds have been devoid of any water since mid July, despite heavy rain throughout the period. Water levels were high at the end of June and drainage can be the only explanation for this lack of water, which will undoubtedly have aided the fire's spread. The two photos of the bird ringing ride, show the difference. Bear in mind that last year was hot and dry, while this year has been wet and windy.
  
  

  
  
  Two shots of the same place! Left 24th August 2003, right 2nd September 2004.
  
  

August 2004:

• 30th August: Strong winds persisted throughout the day with the occasional blustery shower. The August run of rarities continued with an exceptionally close juvenile LONG-TAILED SKUA, which paused briefly on the sea a few metres off Burnham Seafront before heading low inland. Other seabirds seen from Burnham included 3 Arctic Skuas, 4 Manx Shearwaters and 6 Fulmars. The White-winged Black Tern was reported throughout the day, but was rather elusive. On the Brue Estuary there were 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Swift over Apex in the evening.
  
  

• 29th August: A juvenile WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN was discovered this evening on the banks of the Brue Estuary, but promptly flew off inland before any other observers had arrived. Local knowledge paid off though as it was immediately rediscovered at Walrow Gravel Pits, Highbridge. It stayed here for about an hour before heading back towards the coast. Also today, a Great Skua passed Burnham and a Swift over Highbridge.
  
  

  
  
  White-winged Black Tern, Highbridge, 29th August 2004. ©Paul Bowyer.
  
  

• 24th August: Another fine summers day with gale force westerly winds and heavy downpours. Watching from Berrow at lunch time there were 10+ Fulmars, 7 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Gannets, 3 Black Terns, 1 Little Tern, 4 Common Terns passing on the sea. On the beach Black-tailed Godwit numbers have increased to 50 with a single Bar-tailed Godwit amongst them and 175 Knot. There were two Wheatears on the Golf Course.
  
  

• 22nd August: On the Brue Estuary this morning there was 600 Redshank, 41 Turnstone, 30 Dunlin, 34 Ringed Plover, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpipers. While at Berrow there was 13 Black-tailed Godwits and 163 Sanderling.
  
  

• 21st August: A small fall of warblers at Berrow included a Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroats and Blackcaps.
  
  

• 17th August: A brief visit to look at the wader roost on the Brue Estuary this morning came up trumps. An excellent adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was discovered amongst 200 Dunlin, 100 Turnstone and 600 Redshank at high tide. Only two other observers were able to see the bird before the tide dropped, and subsequent searches proved fruitless.
  
  

• 15th August: Limited birding today with the early onset of persistent heavy rain. The only birds of note were 8 Tree Pipits and 7 Yellow Wagtails flying south.
  
  

• 14th August: Early morning at Berrow there was still one Curlew Sandpiper, 350 Ringed Plover, 500 Dunlin, 9 Whimbrel, 63 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 4 Knot, 157 Oyster Catchers, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, a Peregrine and 3 Common Scoter on the sea. Overhead passage saw 13 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. On the Brue Estuary later in the morning there was an adult Curlew Sandpiper, 800 Redshank, 500 Dunlin, 130 Turnstone and a Common Sandpiper.
  
  

  
  
  Curlew Sandpiper, Brue Estuary, 14th August 2004.
  
  

• 13th August: Strong westerly winds in the evening produced a CORY'S SHEARWATER which passed north at Berrow, also 10-25 Fulmars. The wader flock included an adult Curlew Sandpiper and 14 Black-tailed Godwits.
  
  

• 7th August: A very warm day today, with light south-easterly winds. There was no fall of birds despite early fog. Only 12 birds were trapped and ringed this morning. But there was some interest with an unexpected Wood Sandpiper which flew south at Berrow and a Nightingale in the bushes also at Berrow.
  
  

• 3rd August: One Greenshank flew south at Burnham this morning.
  
  

• 2nd August: Today's highlight was a flock of four Crossbills which flew south this morning whilst I was processing the moth trap. Also the three Little Terns are still at Berrow.
  
  

• 1st August: A beautiful, calm and sunny morning. Wader numbers on the Brue included 770 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 800 Dunlin, 75 Turnstone and a Common Sandpiper. There were also 9 Little Egrets here today. The morning tide at Berrow produced 190 Sanderling, 800 Dunlin, 3 Little Terns (all were ringed), 4 Common Terns and a Juvenile Mediterranean Gull.
  
  

  
  

July 2004:

• 31st July: Coverage today was solely at Berrow, but over both high tides. Only one Little Stint could be located amongst the small wader flock which comprised of 700 Dunlin,197 Sanderling, 95 Ringed Plover. The Mediterranean Gull 78T which has been seen here in July for three of the last four years has returned. Also there was a Yellow-legged Gull in the evening amongst the gull flock.
  
  

• 30th July: The two Little Stints were still present this evening at Berrow. Other wader numbers included 750 Dunlin, 114 Ringed Plover, 84 Sanderling, 78 Oyster Catchers, 2 Knot and a Whimbrel.
  
  

• 29th July: At Berrow this evening there were two adult summer Little Stints, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and about a hundred Sanderling over the high tide.
  
  

• 27th July: The Brue estuary produced the autumns first Spotted Redshank today.
  
  

• 25th July: A single Manx Shearwater was seen from Burnham in the evening.
  
  

• 18th July: Still very quiet. Waders are increasing at Berrow, with 110 Sanderling, 50 Dunlin, 6 Whimbrel, 87 Oyster Catchers and 17 Curlew.
  
  

• 3rd July: Strong westerly winds again!! Seawatching from Burnham this morning produced a Storm Petrel, about 300 Manx Shearwaters, 10 Gannets and a Fulmar.
  
  

• 1st July: The discovery of a Gull-billed Tern at Wall Common, Steart in the morning prompted local birders to venture out, hoping it may cross the river to our side, but it didn't. These tern photographs were taken late in the evening, when it was rediscovered at Stolford. The bird has a metal ring on it's right leg. There was a first summer Mediterranean Gull at Burnham. 
  
  

  
  
  Gull-billed Tern, Stolford, 1st July 2004

June 2004:

• 23rd June: The weather started windy and became progressively windier. Heavy showers and strong winds made observation difficult, there were however about 300 Manx Shearwaters, 26 Gannets, 3 Fulmars, 2 Kittiwakes, 1 Sandwich Tern and a "commic" Tern seen before the tide dropped. In the early afternoon there were 60 Kittiwakes and 7 Common Terns.
  
  

• 21st June: Birds are starting to return from their breeding grounds, with 125 Redshank back on the River Brue today. At Berrow there was a very unusual sighting of a drake Goldeneye, which is not a common bird on the sea here, let alone in the month of June. There was also a Common Scoter here.
  
  

• 20th June: The only sighting of interest was a Little Tern at Berrow this morning.
  
  

• 17th June: The wind increased during the night and a little more cloud in the morning meant there were about 750 Manx Shearwaters off Burnham. Also seen today were a Guillemot, a Storm Petrel, an Arctic Skua and a Kittiwake, all off Burnham.
  
  

• 9th-16th June: I haven't been slow in updating the site, there just hasn't been anything worth reporting!!
  
  

• 1st-8th June: There has been virtually nothing to report birdwise this month, hot and sunny is about all you can say. Most of the waders have departed, just 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 30 Sanderling and a Whimbrel at Berrow on the 5th.

May 2004:

• 29th-31st May:  Not much to report over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Still 50 Sanderling on the beach at Berrow.
  
  

  
  
  Lesser Whitethroat, Berrow, 31st May 2004.
  
  

• 23rd May 2004: The warm weather continues. Today's highlights were all from Berrow where there were 6 Gannets, 6 Common Scoter and a Sandwich Tern.
  
  

• 16th May: Wader numbers at Berrow today included 70 Sanderling, 24 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit.
  
  

• 15th May: Hot and sunny, and not a lot to report. There were 6 Gannets sat on the sea at Berrow early morning. A Buzzard flew south over our house late morning.
  
  

• 16th May: At Apex this morning there was a single Spotted Flycatcher and a Stock Dove flew over.
  
  

• 8th May: Strong north-westerly winds again today. Seawatching from the dunes at Berrow for two hours over high tide produced yet more skuas. There were 8 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Great Skuas and 3 Fulmars. On the beach were 25 Whimbrel, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Sanderling and 50 Dunlin.
  
  

  
  
  Bar-tailed Godwits, Sanderling and Whimbrel, Berrow, 8th May 2004.
  
  

• 7th May: The only noteworthy sighting was a Brent Goose seen from Berrow flying up channel.
  
  

• 5th May: The wind remained strong throughout the night, swinging slightly to the north-west. A seawatch this morning from 0530-0720 BST produced 15 Pomarine Skuas, including a flock of eight. While this evening there were 3 Pomarine Skuas, a Great Skua, a Fulmar and a flock of 18 unidentified Skuas which were thought to be Pomarines.
  
  

• 4th May 2004: Strong westerly winds persisted all day, but all observations were from this evening when strong sunshine made viewing conditions difficult. There were 3 Pomarine Skuas, 3 Arctic Skuas, 1 Great Skua and 5 Skua sp. (probably poms) offshore at Burnham. Also here 3 Gannets, 1 Kittiwake, 10 Arctic Terns, 1 Little Tern, 6 Fulmars and a Merlin.
  
  

• 3rd May: There was no sign of yesterday's Kentish Plover, despite several observers searching. There were 74 Whimbrel on the beach at Berrow this morning, also here 500 Dunlin, 65 Ringed Plover, 17 Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Knot, 1 Turnstone, 23 Sanderling and 3 Little Terns. As the day progressed the sunny spells became more prolonged and the wind increased from the west. Watching from Burnham Seafront this evening there were 5 Pomarine Skuas lingering offshore, 2 Arctic Terns flew east, a single Kittiwake and 3 Gannets flew south.
  
  

• 2nd May: A much brighter day today after the initial fog had cleared, and yet another good bird. A male KENTISH PLOVER was discovered at Berrow on this evening's high tide. This morning's efforts here produced 7 Yellow Wagtails flying north, 1 Whinchat, and wader counts of 17 Whimbrel, 19 Knot, 18 Bar-tailed Godwits, 600 Dunlin, 100 Ringed Plovers, 82 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone and 2 Little Terns this evening.
  
  

  
  
  A male Kentish Plover, Berrow, 2nd May 2004 © James Packer.
  
  

• 1st May: The weather remains damp. The Red-rumped Swallow is still present this morning at West Huntspill, showing very well. Bar-tailed Godwit numbers at Berrow have increased to 95. There were 40 Swifts circling our house this evening.
  
  

  
  
  Red-rumped Swallow, West Huntspill, 1st May 2004

April 2004:

• 30th April 2004: The weather was damp and dreary all day, with the wind in the north. There were plenty of hirundines at Apex this morning with 100 Swallows, 100 House Martins and 30 Sand Martins, also 3 Swifts. At Berrow 43 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen on the beach. Late in the evening a rarity was discovered just one and a half miles south of our recording area in the form of a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW. It was present over the Huntspill river at West Huntspill and was seen to go to roost.
  
  

• 25th April: Another fine spring morning with plenty of bird activity. Very similar numbers of common migrants at Berrow to yesterday. Additions were a male Redstart, the first Swift of the year, a Cuckoo, a Wheatear and 3 Gannets flew south. Waders numbers were 2 Grey Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 27 Whimbrel and 11 Bar-tailed Godwits. Visible migration saw 5 Redpolls, 3 Tree Pipits and 35 Swallows north and a Grey Wagtail south.
  
  

  
  
  Whimbrel, Berrow, 25th April 2004.
  
  

• 24th April: The day dawned calm, clear and sunny, and as the sun rose the temperature soared. The birds seen at Berrow this morning were as good as the weather, a fine male Marsh Harrier flew north, 5 Pink-footed Geese eventually flying south and 4 adult summer plumaged Little Gulls flew north. There were plenty of Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers singing in the reedbed and a Lesser Whitethroat, several Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps and a Grasshopper Warbler in the scrub. Waders seen include 31 Whimbrel and 23 Bar-tailed Godwits. While fly-overs included a Tree Pipit, 2 Redpolls and and trickle of Swallows and House Martins all heading north.
  
  

  
  
  Sedge Warbler, Berrow, 24th April 2004.
  
  

• 18th April: Not much change this morning in either birds or the weather. A Common Sandpiper on the golf course pond was new, and Sanderling numbers increased to 88 at Berrow. Two Ravens were seen at Burnham where there was also a White Wagtail. In the evening from 1700-1830 BST there was an exceptional influx of Skuas. Watching from the dunes at Burnham 2 Pomarine Skuas flew low north, but Arctic Skuas were difficult to count accurately at least 26 left high to the north-east, while 23 flew south including flocks of 8 and 9 birds. There were also at least 10 Skua sp, too far out to be sure. Other birds involved were actually very few, just 3 Gannets and 45 Kittiwakes.
  
  

• 17th April: Rain overnight soon cleared to bright sunshine with a stiff westerly breeze. From Berrow there were 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Kittiwakes and a Fulmar out to sea. Waders included 5 Whimbrel, 8 Grey Plovers, 45 Sanderling, 60 Ringed Plover and 50 Dunlin. While migrant wise there were 3 Grasshopper Warblers, at least 7 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat. There were 35 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows over Apex early afternoon and a Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets and 75 Redshank on the Brue.
  
  

  
  
  Little Egret, 17th April 2004
  
  

• 16th April: At Apex this morning there was a Sedge Warbler, 45 Sand Martins, 7 Swallows and a House Martin around the lakes.
  
  

• 13th April: Berrow saw the spring's first Sedge Warbler today. The Grasshopper Warbler was still present.
  
  

• 12th April: A walk along the beach from Burnham to Berrow this morning was generally quiet. But there was a singing Grasshopper warbler (seen briefly), and a Reed Warbler in the reedbed. A count of singing male Cetti's Warblers came to at least ten. There were only 6 Snipe flushed from the marsh.
  
  

• 10th April: A few more migrants have started to arrive, and with today's efforts concentrated on the Brue and Apex, a single male Redstart was the highlight. Also 1 House Martin, 10 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 4 Willow Warblers and 5 Chiffchaffs were seen. While on the river there were 150 Redshank and 3 Spotted Redshanks.
  
  

• 6th April: An hours seawatch this morning from Burnham seafront in strong westerly winds produced 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 7 Sandwich Terns and 2 Common Scoter.
  
  

• 5th April: Off Burnham seafront this morning there was a single Kittiwake and a Swallow flew north. While a 3/4 hour seawatch this evening from Burnham produced 200 Kittiwakes, 1 Arctic Skua and a Fulmar.
  
  

• 4th April: At Berrow this morning, 3 House Martins flew south and there were 6 Willow Warblers in the bushes.
  
  

• 3rd April: The only report today came from the Brue and Apex, where 15 Sand Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Spotted Redshank and 2 Little Egrets were seen.
  
  

• 1st April: A male Siskin paid a visit to our garden this evening in the damp, dreary weather. 
  
  

  
  
  male Siskin, Burnham, 1st April 2004

March 2004:

• 30th March: A quick ten minute walk at Apex this morning produce our first two Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs and 8 Sand Martins.
  
  

• 29th March: A single Tree Pipit flew over this morning.
  
  

• 21st March: Strong overnight winds and very high tides promised much this morning, but there were only 2 Kittiwakes and an Auk sp (looked like a Razorbill, but a bit too far away) hanging around in the Parrett at first light. Later in the morning there was an Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, a Little Gull and about 60 Kittiwakes off Burnham. While on the incoming tide this evening there was 150 Kittwakes, an Auk sp (not even going to guess on this one) and a Red-throated Diver which was lost from sight high over Burnham.
  
  

• 20th March: A blustery southwesterly wind did not help viewing or enthusiasm this morning. The only birds of note were 8 Wheatears at Berrow and one on the banks of the Brue, where there were 120 Redshank, 12 Wigeon and 14 Teal. As the day progressed the wind increased and swung due west, and as the tide came in there were 250 Kittiwakes, 3 Common Scoter and two fine second summer Mediterranean Gulls all just off the seafront at Burnham.
  
  

• 19th March:  2 Sand Martins were at Apex today.
  
  

• 18th March: Damp, drizzly conditions at dawn produced a small fall of migrants. The first Sand Martins of the year were seen at Burnham this morning when seven flew east, also here was a singing Chiffchaff and still at least 15 Blackcaps outside my house. Further north, at Berrow there were 20 Wheatears on the beach, two more Chiffchaffs and 45 Snipe in the reedbed. The evening sunshine at Apex saw another 3 Sand Martins over the lakes and at least 10 Chiffchaffs feeding amongst the daffodils.
  
  

• 13th & 14th March: Saturday morning dawned clear, sunny and calm after heavy overnight rain. Surprisingly the conditions had deposited about 750 Kittiwakes into the Parrett estuary, they spent long periods sat on the sea, but were seen climbing high on several occasions as if trying to regain their bearings. Also here were 27 Gannets out to sea. There are still plenty of Blackcaps around with at least 25 seen, but Fieldfare numbers have dropped away to about 50 birds.
  
  

• 8th March: Around Apex and the Brue Estuary today there were 2 Spotted Redshanks, 100 Redshanks, 1 Little Egret, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests and about 10000 Dunlin in the Parrett Estuary. While at Berrow the Siberian Chiffchaff put in another brief appearance.

February 2004:

• 28th & 29th February: Winter has returned, but we have had no significant snow here over the last few days. Birds were on the move today as 150 Golden Plover flew south- west this morning. Good numbers of birds are gorging themselves on Sea Buckthorn at the moment with about a thousand Fieldfares, 75 Redwings, 25 Song Thrushes and at least 30 Blackcaps, all around the Golf Course.  I seem to be finding too many dead birds at the moment, this one was a road casualty.
  
  

  
  
  A Lapwing found dead at Berrow, 29th February 2004
  
  

• 15th February: The first Jack Snipe of the winter was found today at Berrow (once a guaranteed Berrow bird) also around was a singing normal Chiffchaff.
  
  
  

  
  
  Reed Bunting at Berrow, 15th February 2004
  
  

• 14th February: A very pleasant spring day today with a touch of interest about. Several good birds were seen, a Woodlark flew south over my house, a Hen Harrier flew north over another observer's house, a Short-eared Owl was in the reedbed and the Siberian Chiffchaff was in and around a third observer's garden all day. Other birds of note included 15 Skylarks and a Siskin all flying south. 

January 2004:

• 31st January: A stormy day produced just 30 Kittiwakes.
  
  

• 25th January: Another very pleasant day for being out and about. Fieldfares are present in good numbers, with probably 1400 spread along the coast, but only small numbers of Redwing. The Yellow-browed Warbler showed well today with one Chiffchaff late morning/early afternoon. Over the high tide at Berrow there were 2 Little Stints amongst 6000 Dunlin, 1000 Knot, 18 Sanderling and 54 Snipe in the reedbed. Yet another tideline corpse today, this time a Little Auk. 
  
  
  

  
  
  A Little Auk wing and some Fieldfares at Berrow 25th January 2004
  
  

• 24th January: Most of the interesting birds were seen from the seafront at Burnham today. 2 Bewick's Swans flew across the Parrett Estuary towards Steart, there were also 2 Brent Geese, 3 Spotted Redshank and the Avocet flock was up river again.
  
  

• 18th January: Today was a glorious spring like day with hardly a cloud in the sky and not a breath of air blowing. Birdwise the highlight was 8 Siskins which flew north.
  
  

• 16th January: Yet another Atlantic depression swept through during the night, strong winds continued for most of the morning, but the skies were clear all day. A one and half hour sea-watch this morning was to say the least disappointing, just 25 Kittiwakes and a 1st winter Little Gull were seen, although the 15 or so Avocets were just about visible up river again.
  
  

• 15th January: Good views again today of the Yellow-browed Warbler, and at the same spot there was 5 Goldcrests, 6 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs. On the beach at Berrow the only birds of note were 25 Sanderling. Amongst the tide wrack I found an adult summer Guillemot corpse, a recent victim of the persistent westerly gales.
  
  

  
  
  Adult Guillemot corpse, Berrow 15th January 2004
  
  

• 10th January: The Yellow-browed Warbler was showing well again today. Also recorded in the Parrett Estuary from Burnham were 100 Teal, 1000 Wigeon, 1 Brent Goose and about 15 Avocets which were up river towards Huntspill, and too far to accurately count.
  
  

• 3rd January: The Black Redstart and Yellow-browed warbler were both showing well today. At least 16 Blackcaps and 7 Chiffchaffs were found at various points on the Golf Course. Large numbers of Corvids came into roost at the LNR end of the dunes, including 250 Jackdaws, 250 Carrion Crows, 75 Rooks as well as 400 Fieldfare and 30 Redwings.   
  
  

  
  
  Female and Male Blackcaps at Burnham, 3rd January 2004
  
  
  
  Goldcrest at Burnham, 3rd January 2004
  
  

• 1st January:  The New year dawns cold and clear with a Northwesterly gale, the Yellow-browed warbler is still around, and  Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs are scattered along the whole of our coastal strip. A very quick look out to sea before hitting the sales produced a flock of about 60 Kittiwakes.