January 19th. A Mistle Thrush was heard singing at Aylmer Avenue.
January 18th. The highlights of a morning seawatch were 2 Slavonian Grebe, 20 Red-throated Diver and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. A group of 4 Waxwings landed briefly near the Bird Observatory. Other notable sightings for the day include 600 Brent Goose, 2 Water Rail, 5 Pintail, a Water Pipit, 3 Goldeneye and a Goldcrest.
A Fox was found sleeping on the verge by Mill Hill at 1930hrs during a night walk.
 |
| Fox sleeping on verge by Mill, 18th January 2017 Photo (with iPhone) - Richard Doan |
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore mid-morning.
January 16th. Around the reserve were 160 Greylag Goose, 37 European White-fronted Goose, 250 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, 200 Golden Plover, 4 Water Rail and 3 Goldeneye. A Tundra Bean Goose was found with the Greylag Goose flock on Tennyson's Sands this evening.
 |
| Tundra Bean Goose on Tennyson's Sands this evening, 16th January 2017 Photo - Richard Doan |
 |
| Tundra Bean Goose on Tennyson's Sands this evening, 16th January 2017 Photo - Richard Doan |
 |
| Goldeneye drake on Fenland Lagoon, 16th January 2017 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
No records received due to poor weather.
January 14th.
On Croft Marsh were 250 Pink-footed Goose, 34 European White-fronted Goose, a Tundra Bean Goose and 14 Barnacle Goose. On The Wash at high tide were 4000 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5000 Knot. Offshore were 10 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Northern Diver. Around were 200 Brent Goose, a Treecreeper, a ringtail Hen Harrier and 50 Corn Bunting.
 |
| Goose flock on Croft Marsh this afternoon, 14th January 2016 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
 |
| White-fronted Geese in flight over Croft Marsh, 14th January 2017 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
 |
| High tide from The Wash Viewpoint, 14th January 2017 Photo - Richard Doan |
 |
| High tide near Fenland Lagoon West Hide, 14th January 2017 Photo - Richard Doan |
 |
| High tide from The Wash Viewpoint, 14th January 2017 Photo - Richard Doan |
Birds around included 250 Wigeon, a male Hen Harrier, 5000 Knot, 2000 Grey Plover and 10 Ringed Plover.
It is with deepest regrets that I (Mick Briggs) must convey some sad news that I have just been made aware of - Bill Paul passed away back on January 1st, joining his late wife Ida. The Observatory Team's thoughts are with Bill's family at this difficult time.
Bill was "Ringer in Charge" at the Observatory from 1986 until 1996. He was responsible for training a lot of people during his time and some great ringers. After retiring from active ringing, Bill could often be found in the main car park with his wife Ida sampling the scenic views of the reserve and keeping a check on the latest batch of ringers travelling back from the Observatory.
I was Bill's last ringing trainee and he only ever gave me "great" advice and "great" training and I for one shall miss his words of wisdom. His talk of birds and of ringing was infectious for anybody who was fortunate enough to talk to him about such matters.
Safe travels Bill...
January 12th. Around were a Merlin, 150 Brent Goose, 46 Red-breasted Merganser, 120 Red-throated Diver, 17 Great Crested Grebe, 150 Lapwing, 3 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. Flying south were a Great Northern Diver, 20 Wigeon and 800 Herring Gull.
 |
| Merlin, 12th January 2017. Photo - Nige Lound |
 |
| Snow Bunting, 12th January 2017. Photo - Nige Lound |
