Late December 2021

December 31st. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.

 Flying south were 100 Pink-footed Goose and many of 6000 Lapwing and 2000 Golden Plover.

December 30th. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.

 Around were 2 Fieldfare and 7 Greenfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were a Pochard and a Water Rail; on Croftmarsh a Grey Heron; and on Tennyson's Sands 320 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Water Rail, 13 Black-tailed Godwit and a Cetti's Warbler. On the sea were a Long-tailed Duck and a Black-throated Diver. Going south were 45 Pink-footed Goose, 1570 Lapwing, 150 Golden Plover and a Marsh Harrier.

December 29th. Fairly strong mostly southerly wind, with rain until midday.

 Birds around included a Sparrowhawk and a Brambling. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Curlew and a Redshank.

December 28th. Rain until late morning.

 On Tennyson's Sands were 32 Curlew; and on the Mere a Water Rail. Heading south were 270 Pink-footed Goose.

Shovelers, 28 December 2021.
Photo - Andrew Pendlebury

December 27th. Soggy start.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were 29 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Woodcock, a Coal Tit, 80 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, a Stonechat, a Brambling and a Greenfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were a Curlew and a Redshank; and on Tennyson's Sands a Grey Heron. Flying south was a Buzzard.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 3 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Brambling and a Greenfinch; and 5 retrap Blue Tit.

Brambling, ringed 27 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Brambling, ringed 27 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 26th. Decreasing south-easterly wind, with rain until mid afternoon.

 Around were 6 Fieldfare. On Tennyson's Sands was a Redshank.

Mistletoe, 26 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Mistletoe, 26 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 25th. Fairly strong easterly wind.

 Birds around included 2 Woodcock, 69 Fieldfare, 94 Redwing and 2 Greenfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 137 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Going south were 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose; and west a Buzzard.

December 24th. Soggy start, then some light rainy spells.

 Around was a Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson's Sands was a Curlew; and on Fenland Lagoon a Redshank.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided just a new Goldfinch.

December 23rd. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Woodcock and 2 Greenfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Redshank.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: a Blue Tit and 2 Greenfinch; and 5 retraps: 2 Blue Tit and 3 Great Tit.

December 22nd. Around, including birds trapped, were 100 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1100 Eider and a Greenfinch. Heading south were 2 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Velvet Scoter and a Black-throated Diver, 

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 3 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Great Tit and a Greenfinch; and 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

December 21st. Soggy start to The Winter Solstice (The Shortest Day).

 Birds around included 2 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Curlew and a Redshank. Flying south were 17 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 340 Pink-footed Goose and 10 Siskin; and north 16 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Goosander and a Long-tailed Duck.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: a Blue Tit, 2 Greenfinch and a Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Goldfinch, 5 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Mid December 2021

December 20th. Somewhat damp start.

 Around were 50 Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson's Sands was a Redshank. Flying south this morning was an interesting gull showing the features of Thayer's Gull.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 5 new birds: a Great Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Greenfinch and a Dunnock; and 10 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

December 19th. Soggy, foggy start.

 On Tennyson's Sands were a Black-tailed Godwit and a Redshank.

December 18th. Damp, somewhat misty start.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in a new Goldfinch; and 7 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

December 17th. Another damp, misty start.

 Around were 100 Pink-footed Goose, a Merlin and 10 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Water Rail, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, 2 Redshank and a Grey Heron.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: a Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch and a Goldfinch; and 8 retraps: 5 Blue Tit and 3 Great Tit.

December 16th. Damp, misty start.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were 35 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Greenfinch. On Fenland Lagoon was a Redshank.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Kyle Campbell, produced 4 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit and 2 Blue Tit.

Damp, misty start, 16 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 15th. Another soggy start.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 70 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Great Northern Diver, 4 Redwing, a Coal Tit, a Goldcrest, 2 Greenfinch, 14 Siskin, 4 Corn Bunting and 25 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 174 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Water Rail, a Black-tailed Godwit and 14 Curlew; on Croftmarsh 35 Pink-footed Goose; on Wainfleet Marsh 14 Whooper Swan; and on Fenland Lagoon a Curlew. Going south were a Red-necked Grebe, a Great Northern Diver, 45 Red-throated Diver and 12 Siskin; north-west 150 Pink-footed Goose; and east a Buzzard.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 4 new birds: a Great Tit, a Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

Corn Bunting, 15 December 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Tennyson's Sands, 15 December 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Male Greenfinch, ringed 15 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 14th. Soggy start.

 Birds around included a Sparrowhawk. On Fenland Lagoon were a Redshank and 2 Great Crested Grebe; and on the Mere a Water Rail.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: 2 Blue Tit and 2 Goldfinch; and 6 retraps: a Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and a Chaffinch.

Adult male Chaffinch retrapped, 14 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 13th. Around were 147 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 880 Pink-footed Goose, a Long-tailed Duck, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, a Great Northern Diver, a Redwing, a Stonechat, a Coal Tit and a Lapland Bunting. On Wainfleet Marsh were 14 Whooper Swan, 500 Lapwing and 400 Golden Plover; and on Fenland Lagoon a Curlew. Heading north-west were 10 Pink-footed Goose; and south 7 Whooper Swam, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, a Long-tailed Duck, a Marsh Harrier, a Great Northern Diver, 67 Red-throated Diver and 38 Great Crested Grebe. 

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 4 new birds: 2 Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 6 retraps: a Blue Tit, 3 Goldfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Stonechat, 13 December 2021.
Photo - Andrew Pendlebury

Chaffinch, 13 December 2021.
Photo - Andrew Pendlebury

Long-tailed Duck, 13 December 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Great Spotted Woodpecker with unusually brown feathers in the wings, retrapped 13 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 12th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 170 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Goosander, 2 Woodcock, 2 Great Northern Diver, a Stonechat, a Goldcrest, a Bullfinch and 7 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Redshank; and on the Mere a Water Rail. Flying south were 2 Great Northern Diver, 136 Red-throated Diver, 23 Great Crested Grebe and a Siskin

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling yielded 14 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Blue Tit, 5 Goldfinch and 7 Greenfinch; and 8 retraps: 6 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

December 11th. Around were 18 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 5 Fieldfare. On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 13 Curlew. Going south were 3 Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe.

Sunrise, 11 December 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Early December 2021

December 10th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind.

 Around were 12 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 20 Snow Bunting. On the sea was a Shag. Heading south were 83 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Great Northern Diver, a Long-tailed Duck and 2 Goosander; north a Razorbill and a Great Northern Diver; and north-west 33 Pink-footed Goose. In off the sea came a Peregrine.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 6 new birds: a Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and a Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird.

  

Shag, 10 December 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Goldfinch, retrapped 10 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Goldfinch, retrapped 10 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 9th. A White-billed Diver was on the sea for five minutes, then flew south with a Great Northern Diver. A Red-necked Grebe came in from the south and landed on the sea. Also flying south were 18 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Shag, 60 Redwing and 8 Fieldfare. Birds around, including those trapped, were 8 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Woodcock, 6 Stonechat, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, a Bullfinch, a Redpoll and 18 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail and a Redshank; and on Fenland Lagoon a Redshank.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Keith Collett, resulted in 3 new birds: 2 Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, 3 Great Tit and a Coal Tit.

December 8th. Strong south-westerly wind, with some early morning rain.

 Around were 2 Redwing. Onto Jackson's Marsh went a Water Pipit. Going south were 5 Little Gull, 11 Kittiwake and 9 Red-throated Diver; and south-east 4 Fulmar.

December 7th. Increasing southerly then south-easterly wind, with afternoon rain.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 2000 Grey Plover, a Goldcrest and 3 Snow Bunting. On the Mere were 7 Pintail and a Water Rail. On the sea was a Great Northern Diver. Heading south were 11 Redwing and a Lapland Bunting.

 A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, provided 8 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, a Robin, a Goldcrest, a Wren and a Great Tit.

Dawn from Aylmer Pines, 7 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 6th. Increasing south-westerly wind, with afternoon rain.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 46 Dark -bellied Brent Goose, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Coal Tit, 2 Stonechat and 12 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Water Rail.

 A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, produced 2 new birds: a Coal Tit and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps:  a Great Tit and a Wren.

December 5th. Moderately strong but decreasing northerly wind, with occasional rain in morning.

 Birds around included 2 Song Thrush, a Stonechat and a Goldcrest. On the sea was a Slavonian Grebe. Flying north were 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 35 Pink-footed Goose; and south a Black-throated Diver.

December 4th. Some early morning rain, then soggy.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Goosander, 4 Redwing and 2 Goldcrest. On Tennyson's Sands were a Grey Heron and a Redshank. Going north-west were 9 Pink-footed Goose.

 A brief rain-delayed morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 2 retrap Goldcrest.

Goosanders, 4 December 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

December 3rd. Soggy start, with moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were 370 Eider, 2 Goosander, a Great Northern Diver, a Peregrine, a Goldcrest and 16 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail and 2 Redshank; and on the Mere a Water Rail. Heading south were 10 Red-throated Diver and 3 Red-breasted Merganser.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a new Robin; and 2 retraps: a Goldcrest and a Song Thrush.

 The Barn Owl pellets collected on 8 November, analysed by Nige Lound, contained the remains of  32 Field Vole, 8 Common Shrew and 2 Wood Mouse.

Bony remains in Barn Owl pellets collected on 8 November 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

December 2nd. Moderately strong north-westerly wind, with occasional brief snow flurries.

 Around was a Snipe. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail; and on Fenland Lagoon a Curlew. Flying south were 25 Pink-footed Goose, 313 Eider, a Goldeneye, a Long-tailed Duck, a Great Shearwater and a Peregrine; north 19 Dark-bellied Brent Goose; and north-west 34 Pink-footed Goose.

 A brief, weather-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 2 retraps: a Robin and a Dunnock.

Light snow covering on Mill Pond Road, 2 December 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

December 1st. Fairly strong westerly wind.

 Birds around included 3 Stonechat and 32 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, 16 Black-tailed Godwit and a Redshank; and on Fenland Lagoon a Redshank. Going south was a Great Northern Diver.

 A Minke Whale was stranded.

Minke Whale, 1 December 2021.
Photo - Richard Doan

Wigeon, 1 December 2021.
Photo - Andrew Pendlebury