Some paths and bird watching hides are open but access is restricted. Please take note of any signage on site.
The Visitor Centre, cafe and toilets are severely flood-damaged and will be closed for some time.
Beach Car Park (North Car Park) is open. From this car park there is access to the hides on Tennyson Sands and on Jackson's Marsh. Mere hide is open but access beyond, along Mill Pond Road to Mill Hill viewpoint, is closed due to flooding. There is no access to Fenland Lagoon hides due to serious footpath damage. The West Dunes are closed due to the presence of cattle.
The Main Car Park (Visitor Centre Car Park) is open from dawn until dusk. From this car park there is access to the beach, to the East Dunes and to Mill Hill viewpoint.
Please note that the road to the Visitor Centre, immediately before The Hump, is prone to re-flooding as water seeps out from the surrounding dunes.
December 20th: Increasing south-westerly wind, increasing cloud.
Due to limited access, most records were from Croftmarsh, where there were 3200 Golden Plovers and 500 Lapwings. Around were 30 Fieldfares.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 11 new birds and 29 retraps. The new birds were 5 Greenfinches, 4 Goldfinches and 2 Blue Tits. The retraps were 14 Greenfinches, 5 Goldfinches, 4 Blue Tits, 3 Great Tits and singles of Robin, Dunnock and Chaffinch.
December 19th: Quite strong south-westerly wind, mostly clear.
Around were a Ring-necked Parakeet and 32 Black-tailed Godwits.
December 18th: Strong southerly wind, mostly cloudy.
Birds around included 200 Pink-footed Geese and 1000 Lapwings.
December 17th: Light south-westerly wind, clear and sunny.
The late Swallow was still around Sykes Farm. Also around were a Chiffchaff, a Brambling, a Short-eared Owl and 2500 Lapwings. South went 6 Whooper Swans. Across the River Steeping were 177 Pink-footed Geese and 6 Whooper Swans. Over Croftmarsh was a Common Buzzard.
A disappointing ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 7 new birds and 13 retraps. The new birds were 4 Greenfinches, 2 Goldfinches and a Lesser Redpoll. The retraps were 6 Greenfinches, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Blue Tits and singles of Great Tit, Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
December 16th: Moderate south-westerly wind, cloudy, some rain.
The presumed-same late Swallow was around Sykes Farm. Other notables were a Short-eared Owl, 11 Corn Buntings, a Brambling, 4 Redpolls, 2 Redwings and a Coal Tit. A Merlin headed south.
December 15th: Increasing south-westerly wind, partly cloudy.
Birds around included a late Swallow around North Car Park, 2 Redwings, A Green Woodpecker and a Woodcock. At sea a Great Skua flew north, and a Black-throated Diver and 2 Harbour Porpoises were offshore.
A disappointing ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in only 5 new birds and 19 retraps. The new birds were 4 Greenfinches and a Goldfinch. The retraps were 13 Greenfinches, 2 Great Tits and singles of Robin, Blue Tit, Dunnock and Chaffinch.
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| Despite being pumped dry once, Gibraltar Road near the Yacht Club has reflooded due to sideways seepage of flood water, 15 December 2013. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Drying out Bird Observatory, 15 December 2013. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Drying out Bird Observatory, 15 December 2013. Photo - George Gregory |
Around was a Woodcock.
A weather-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was disappointing. The only new bird was a Brambling, while the retraps were a Blue Tit, 3 Greenfinches, a Coal Tit and a Dunnock.
December 13th: Moderate south-westerly wind, cloudy, rainy morning.
Birds around included a Water Pipit, a Chiffchaff, 47 Black-tailed Godwits, 1050 Lapwings, 600 Golden Plovers, 2 Redwings, a Song Thrush, a Green Woodpecker and a Woodcock.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE RESERVE IS STILL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
December 12th: Moderate south-westerly wind, damp start, cloudy.
Around were a Chiffchaff, 2 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares, a Woodcock and a Green Woodpecker. Flying west over Croftmarsh were 5 Bewick's Swans.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE RESERVE IS STILL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
December 11th: Moderate south-westerly wind, damp, cold, foggy morning.
Birds around included 1200 Pink-footed Geese, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrushes, a Water Rail, 2 Woodcock, a Redwing and 2 Fieldfares.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 26 new birds and 54 retraps. The new birds were 17 Greenfinches, 5 Goldfinches, 2 Chaffinches, a Goldcrest and a Siskin. The retraps were 21 Greenfinches, 13 Blue Tits, 12 Great Tits, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Goldfinches and singles of Coal Tit, Dunnock, Robin and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE RESERVE IS STILL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
