Mid December 2012

December 20th: Rain all day, causing flooding on the road near the Yacht Club, a rare event. Little was seen.

December 19th: Flying south were 18 Waxwings and a Lapland Bunting. On the Mere were 520 Teals. Birds around included 2 Snow Buntings, a male Hen Harrier, 300 Lapwings and 500 Golden Plovers.

December 18th: South went 25 Waxwings, a Water Pipit and a Lapland Bunting. Present were 3 Woodcocks, a Cetti's Warbler and a Hen Harrier.
Ringing at Aylmer Avenue produced a moderate catch, including 3 new Bramblings.

December 17th: Landed birds included a Purple Sandpiper, a Cetti's Warbler, a Water Rail, 25 Corn Buntings and a Chiffchaff. Heading south were 28 Waxwings and 55 Fieldfares. Offshore were 50 Red-throated Divers and a Razorbill. In off the sea came a ringtail Hen Harrier.

December 16th: At least 124 Waxwings and 2 Lapland Buntings went south. Around were a Shorelark, a Purple Sandpiper, 12 Corn Buntings, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Hen Harriers, 7 Fieldfares, a Water Pipit and a Merlin.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was reasonably productive, birds processed including 5 new Bramblings and a retrap Blue Tit at least 6 years old.

December 15th:  Milder. Flying south were 42 Waxwings. Offshore were a probable Surf Scoter (seen distantly) and a Great Skua. Other birds included a Cetti's Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Buzzard, a Water Pipit, 11 Redwings, 4000 Golden Plovers, a Lapland Bunting and a Chiffchaff.

December 14th: Windy morning, rainy afternoon. A Pintail was on the Mere. Around were 1200 Golden Plovers, 12 Snow Buntings and a Goldcrest.

December 13th: Still frozen all day. The best birds were 5 Waxwings, a Goldeneye and 2 Pintails.

December 12th: Hoar frost all day. Around were 3 Fieldfares.

December 11th: Frozen morning, foggy afternoon. The main birds recorded were 15 Waxwings, 5 Woodcocks and 3 Fieldfares.