December 31st. Frozen start, then misty.
On Tennyson's Sands early morning were 2 Bewick's Swan. Birds around included 400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a male and a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, a Chiffchaff, 2 Redwing, a Water Pipit and 2 Bullfinch. Going south were 14 Fieldfare, 24 Redwing and a Snow Bunting.
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| Bewick's Swans, 31 December 2020. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Sunrise, 31 December 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Visitor Centre, 31 December 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Merlin, 31 December 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
December 30th. Around were 40 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Merlin and 58 Fieldfare. On Tennyson's Sands were 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Blue Tit; and 11 retraps: 3 Great Tit, 7 Blue Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 30 December 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
December 29th. Some early morning rain.
Birds around included 230 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 5 Stonechat, a Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 3 Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were 350 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.
December 28th. Around were 450 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 60 Pink-footed Goose, 600 Wigeon, 110 Red-throated Diver, a Buzzard, a Merlin, 4 Stonechat and 2 Siskin. Heading south were 660 Common Scoter.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber resulted in a new Blackbird; and 15 retraps: 5 Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Dunnock.
December 27th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
Birds around included 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.
December 26th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
Around were 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 670 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard and a Chiffchaff. Flying south were 15 Eider, 70 Red-throated Diver, a Black-throated Diver and 16 Great Crested Grebe.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber provided 4 new birds: 2 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and a Great Tit; and 4 retraps: 2 Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.
December 25th. Brief light early morning snow, then quite sunny.
Birds around included 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 8 Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: 2 Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and 6 Great Tit.
December 24th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind, with spells of rain and sleet.
Around were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3000 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Bean Goose, 3 White-fronted Goose, 2000 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, an Iceland Gull and 2 Snow Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a Black Swan.
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| Iceland Gull, 24 December 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
December 23rd. Increasing north-easterly wind, with foggy and rainy spells.
Birds around included 15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Goldcrest, 4 Fieldfare and 3 Stonechat. On the Mere was a Black Swan.
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| Black Swan, 23 December 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
December 22nd. Around were 400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3600 Pink-footed Goose, 1400 Lapwing, 2000 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, a Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker and 7 Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber yielded 4 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 2 Greenfinch; and 11 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.
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| Short-eared Owl, 22 December 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Water Rail, 22 December 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
December 21st. The winter Solstice - the shortest day. Moderately strong mostly southerly wind, with rain in morning.
Birds around included 55 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 1600 Lapwing. Offshore were 3 Great Northern Diver.
