Early February 2017

February 10th. Around the reserve were 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Snipe, 3 Goldeneye, 350 Lapwing and 13 Golden Plover. On Croft Marsh were 15 White-fronted Goose and a Barnacle Goose.

February 9th. The highlight of the day was an adult Mediterranean Gull on the beach in the morning.

February 8th. Around were 783 Brent Goose, 3 Goldeneye, 200 Lapwing, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Woodpecker, a Coal Tit, 6 Eider and a Fieldfare. An evening watch by the Visitor Centre produced single sightings of Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and Hen Harrier.

February 7th. On the reserve were 110 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 45 Corn Bunting, 300 Lapwing and a male Brambling. A Barn Owl was hunting over the Old Saltmarsh.

February 6th. The highlights of the day were 2 Brambling and a Green Woodpecker.

February 5th. Notable species for the day include 2 Grey Partridge, 3 Woodcock, 11 Corn Bunting, 96 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Redwing, 2 Barn Owl, a Common Buzzard and 13 Red-throated Diver. A group of 4 Snow Bunting were confiding on the Millennium Ridge.
Snow Bunting on Millennium Ridge, 5th February 2017
Photo - Rob Watson
Sunset, 5th February 2017
Photo - Rob Watson
February 4th. Around were 10 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 150 Wigeon, 800 Brent Goose, a Peregrine, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Song Thrush and a Short-eared Owl.

February 3rd. A beautiful sunny day.
 On the reserve were 1200 Brent Goose, 2 Hen Harrier (male and ringtail), a Merlin, 5 Kestrel, a Peregrine, 60 Corn Bunting, 209 Curlew, 150 Redshank, 400 Dunlin, 12 Turnstone, 41 Shelduck, a Water Pipit, 140 Skylark, 50 Rock Pipit, 10 Redwing, a Coal Tit and 6 Black-tailed Godwit. An hours seawatch mid-morning produced 8 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Red-throated Diver, a drake Eider and 40 Wigeon. The evening gull roost yielded a stunning adult winter Mediterranean Gull, 5000 Black-headed Gull and 800 Common Gull.
Good numbers of Skylark on the reserve today, 3rd February 2017
Photo - Richard Doan
February 2nd. Around were 500 Brent Goose, 150 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 800 Lapwing, 250 Golden Plover, a Sparrowhawk and 6 Yellowhammer.
 Winter Aconites are beginning to flower in the Orchard and Snowdrops are in abundance.
Sparrowhawk from Jackson's Marsh hide, 2nd February 2017
Photo - Richard Doan
Winter Aconites in the Orchard, 2nd February 2017
Photo - Richard Doan
Snowdrops in the Orchard, 2nd Febuary 2017
Photo - Richard Doan
February 1st. Notable species for the day include 80 Corn Bunting, 2 Hen Harrier (male and ringtail), a Water Pipit and a singing Song Thrush.