The high tide wader roost comprised 2500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5000 Oystercatcher, 3200 Grey Plover, 3400 Dunlin, 500 Sanderling and 5000 Knot. Around the reserve were 12 Corn Bunting, 100 Skylark, 2 Hen Harrier, a Merlin and a Common Buzzard. The Pink-footed Goose flock contained 3 adult White-fronted Goose. Flying south offshore were 20 auk spp, 2 Guillemot, 121 Red-throated Diver, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 17 Fulmar, a Great Northern Diver, 9 Red-breasted Merganser and a Slavonian Grebe.
February 9th. Fine, dry and sunny after a cold start with a moderate southerly wind.
Singles of Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver and Red-necked Grebe were offshore. Around were a Short-eared Owl, 2 Woodcock, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, 145 Fieldfare, a Blackcap and 3 adult White-fronted Goose.
February 8th. Overcast with strong southerly wind.
Going south offshore were 110 Eider, 28 Red-breasted Merganser, 25 Kittiwake, 63 Fulmar, 19 Red-throated Diver and 5 Great-crested Grebe
February 7th. Bright and windy.
Around were 1200 Brent Goose, 700 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Peregrine, 350 Lapwing, 3 Woodcock, a House Sparrow, 120 Fieldfare, 18 Redwing, 5 Siskin and 25 Corn Bunting. Offshore were 8 Eider, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 8 Common Scoter.
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| House Sparrow at Aylmer Avenue Photo - Kev Wilson |
February 6th. Overcast with strong southerly winds.
A Marsh Harrier flew south over Jackson's Marsh at midday bearing green wing tags. Around were 1200 Brent Goose, 250 Lapwing, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Woodcock, 100 Fieldfare and 15 Redwing. On the Mere were 3 Goldeneye and 15 Little Grebe.
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| Water Rail eating Sea Buckthorn berries Photo - Garry Wright |
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| Water Rail in Sea Buckthorn bush Photo - Garry Wright |
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| Wing-tagged Marsh Harrier over Jackson's Marsh Photo - Garry Wright |
Around were 25 Siskin, a Woodcock, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 900 Brent Goose, 100 Fieldfare, 9 Water Pipit, 40 Corn Bunting and a Hen Harrier. The adult Black Brant was again with the Brent Goose flock.
February 4th. Mild with occasional sunny spells and a strengthening westerly wind. An adult Black Brant was on Croftmarsh with 1618 Brent Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose,300 Pink-footed Geese and 3 adult European White-fronted Geese. 23 Water Pipit were on Jackson's Marsh early on and 170 Red-throated Diver were offshore.
February 3rd. Beautiful sunny day.
Around were 2 Woodcock, a Common Buzzard and 2 Siskin. On Croftmarsh were 2 Water Pipit, 1100 Brent Goose, 650 Pink-footed Goose and 3 White-fronted Goose. Offshore were 72 Red-throated Diver.
February 2nd. Sunny with a cold southerly wind.
On Croftmarsh were 650 Pink-footed Goose and 950 Brent Goose. Around were a Hen Harrier, 6 Woodcock, 15 Corn Bunting, 2 Siskin and a Short-eared Owl.
A Peacock butterfly was on the wing around Sykes Farm at midday.
February 1st. Warm but windy.
The highlight of the day was a juvenile/first-winter Hobby that flew south over the Old Saltmarsh late-morning. Around the reserve were 1000 Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied x Dark-bellied Brent Goose hybrid. 600 Pink-footed Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Treecreeper, 200 Lapwing, 25 Corn Bunting and 3 Woodcock. Flying south offshore were a Guillemot and Razorbill.
The Snowdrops and Winter Aconites are now flourishing in the Orchard.
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| Snowdrops in the Orchard, 1st February 2016 Photo - Richard Doan |
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| Winter Aconites in the Orchard, 1st February 2016 Photo - Richard Doan |
