As predicted in our last blog post, the first 'warm' southerly airflow saw the arrival of Lancashire's first Sand Martin on the 10th March onto the reserve with 3 birds by the evening. Quite a journey from Sub-Saharan Africa, Sand Martin usually arrive before Swallow and House Martin and as long as local temperatures don't drop below 10 degrees for any extended time, they are well adapted for this early spring arrival.

At least 3 Chiffchaff singing on the reserve. Certainly one bird over wintered, as more are doing but this looks like the start of a bigger influx.

Also moving in / through a noticeable increase in Meadow Pipit and a few Pied Wagtail. Locally, on the coast, the first Wheatear has been recorded.

On the wader front, up to 90 Curlew have been dropping in, normally from midday onward. Counts include; 130 Lapwing, 28 Oystercatcher, 20+ Snipe, 3 Redshank, Green Sandpiper and Jack Snipe, the later on view around the edge of No.1 Pit Island.

Wildfowl numbers are edging back; 108 Wigeon, 41 Tufted Duck, 32 Gadwall, 25 Teal, 22 Shoveller, 10 Goldeneye and 2 Pochard.

At least 3 Great-crested Grebe, with a pair on Meadow Lake. Bittern still present, occasionally seen in the reed fringes on Meadow Lake. Cetti's Warbler singing Meadow Lake and No.1 Pit.

The usual raptors; 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.

A minimum of 3 Mediterranean Gull arriving with Black-headed Gull, regularly seen on No.1 Pit. A noticeable influx of breeding plumage Lesser Black-backed Gull and a few Common Gull.

Other sightings include Skylark, Redwing, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch.

It should be possible to see 50+ species of bird on the reserve currently, so if you are visiting the reserve and would like to know what is around and where the best spots might be or have something to report, feel free to drop into the in focus shop, based in the Lookout and we can point you in the right direction.