Late February 2021

February 28th. Frosty, misty start.

 Around were 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

February 27th. Birds around included 350 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 5800 Dunlin, 3750 Grey Plover, 2680 Bar-tailed Godwit, 13000 Knot and 2 Lapland Bunting. Heading north-west were 1200 Pink-footed Goose.

February 26th. On Croftmarsh were 584 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, an Egyptian Goose and 150 Wigeon; on the Mere 2 Pochard; and on Tennyson's Sands 10 Avocet, a Water Rail, a Great Crested Grebe and 2 Cetti's Warbler. Flying north were 87 Pink-footed Goose; and south a Great Crested Grebe and 5 Red-throated Diver. Around were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk and a Green Woodpecker.

February 25th. Offshore then south was an early Sandwich Tern. Also offshore were 200 Red-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver; and also south went 8 Pink-footed Goose, a Mediterranean Gull, a Red-necked Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe and a Lapland Bunting. Birds around included 616 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Woodcock, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff and a Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were 9 Avocet, a Water Rail and a Great Crested Grebe; and on Jackson's Marsh an Egyptian Goose, 30 Wigeon, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Marsh Harrier.

Egyptian Goose, 25th February 2021
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Marsh Harrier, 25th February 2021
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
 

Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 25th February 2021
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Returning Avocets, 25th February 2021
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Pale Brindled Beauty, 25 February 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

February 24th. Moderately strong southerly wind.

 On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Pochard and 2 Pintail. Around were 900 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, an Avocet, a Woodcock, a Sparrowhawk and a Barn Owl. Flying south were an Avocet, 10 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch and 2 Siskin.

February 23rd. Increasing southerly wind.

 Birds around included a Buzzard.

February 22nd. Around were 550 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Woodcock and a Merlin.

February 21st. Some morning light rain.

 Birds around included 563 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 White-fronted Goose, 500 Lapwing, 2 Woodcock, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzard, a Barn Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Stonechat, 2 Redwing and 7 Corn Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 120 Wigeon; and on the Mere 2 Pochard.

Peregrine, 21 February 2921.
Photo - Nige Lound