January 31st. A scrutiny of the goose flock on Croft Marsh revealed 750 Pink-footed Goose, a Barnacle Goose and 5 White-fronted Goose. Around were 2 Goldcrest, 10 Redwing, a Treecreeper, a Short-eared Owl (from Visitor Centre car park at 1715hrs), 2 Woodcock, 500 Golden Plover and 450 Lapwing.
January 30th. About were 18 Redwing, a Woodcock, 2 Stonechat, a Common Buzzard, 2 Snow Bunting, a Pintail, 500 Lapwing, 2 Goldeneye, a Siskin and 15 Corn Bunting. A Rook (scarce here!) flew west over West Dunes and 5 Whooper Swan flew south. Offshore were 160 Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe.
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| Blackcap, 30th January 2018 Photo - Kev Wilson |
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| House Sparrow, 30th January 2018 Photo - Kev Wilson |
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| Tree Sparrow, 30th January 2018 Photo - Kev Wilson |
January 29th. No records received
January 28th. Around the reserve today included 120 Golden Plover, 300 Lapwing and 5 Corn Bunting. A Barnacle Goose was seen in flight with 185 Pink-footed Goose. 2 Short-eared Owl were hunting over the Old Saltmarsh late on.
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| Tufted Duck, 28th January 2018. Photo - Keith Hudson |
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| Goldfinch, 28th January 2018. Photo Keith Hudson |
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| Weasel, 28th January 2018. Photo - Keith Hudson |
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| Goldeneye drake, 28th January 2018. Photo - Keith Hudson |
January 27th. Strong southerly wind with rain from mid-morning.
Birds around included 2 Stonechat, 400 Lapwing, 4 Redwing, a Water Pipit, a Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Hen Harrier, a Snow Bunting, 2 Merlin and 750 Brent Goose (including 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Brant type hybrid).
January 26th. Overnight frost warming up mid-morning
Around the reserve were a male Marsh Harrier, 80 Pink-footed Goose, 400 Golden Plover, a Water Pipit, 30 Corn Bunting, 2 Water Rail and 8 Snow Bunting (Millennium Ridge). A group of 3 Shorelark were seen in flight heading towards Mill Hill.
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| Jackdaw, 26th January 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
January 25th. Clear and bright with cold southerly wind.
The highlight of the day was a group of 4 Waxwing seen along the roadside. Other birds about were 40 Corn Bunting, a Merlin, a male Hen Harrier, a Green Woodpecker and 200 Lapwing.
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| Waxwing in fading light, 25th January 2018. Photo - Christine Motley |
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| Waxwings at dusk, 25th January 2018. Photo - Christine Motley |
Janaury 24th. Strong south-west wind mid-morning.
On Croft Marsh were 50 Pink-footed Goose, 100 Lapwing and 400 Golden Plover. On Jackson's marsh were 2 Pintail and 150 Wigeon.
Ringing Controls...
Blackbird, ringed 11 November 2017 GPBO, controlled 31 November 2017 Whitwell, Derbyshire
Goldcrest, ringed 4 October 2017 GPBO, controlled 26 October 2017 Cayeux-sur-Mer, France
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| Long-tailed Tit, 24th January 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
January 23rd.
Around were 2 Stonechat, 250 Lapwing and 150 Pink-footed Goose.
January 22nd.
Birds around the reserve in the morning were a male Hen Harrier, a Bullfinch, a Yellowhammer, a singing Mistle Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Offshore were 80 Common Scoter, 8 Red breasted Merganser and 97 Red-throated Diver (south).
A late afternoon visit to the Wash Viewpoint produced a count of 580 Brent Goose, a Merlin, male Hen Harrier (into roost) and 2 Grey Partridge.
January 21st. Frosty start.
On the reserve were 3 Bullfinch, a Woodcock, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Hen Harrier (male and ringtail), 3 Snow Bunting (Millennium Ridge), 2 House Sparrow, 21 Fieldfare, a Siskin, a Collared Dove, a Coal Tit and 2 Water Rail. Croft Marsh held 800 Golden Plover and 300 Lapwing. South offshore were 172 Red-throated Diver and 21 Red-breasted Merganser. On the water bodies were 4 Whooper Swan, a Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, 140 Lapwing, 48 Gadwall and 2 Water Rail.
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| Collared Dove (rare here), 21st January 2018 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Sunrise, 21st January 2018 Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Snow Bunting (female) on Millennium Ridge, 21st January 2018 Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Snow Bunting (male) on Millennium Ridge, 21st January 2018 Photo - Nige Lound |
