31st January. The Red-breasted Goose remained with the mobile Brent Goose flock, being seen on local arable fields, Tennyson's Sands and the New Saltmarsh. A raft of 400 Eider were offshore, with parties taking off and flying south into the Wash in the first two hours after dawn with 55 Red-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver also moving south. As is typical of strong north or north-westerly winds, a spate of Kittiwakes involved 220 moving south. Other than these and four Goosander south, Storm Corrie was pretty unproductive for seabirds. However, the increased tide height in the evening produced a high number of waders for the time of year; notably 8000 Knot and 4300 Dunlin, with 800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3000 Oystercatcher, 1400 Grey Plover and 500 Sanderling. seven Snow Bunting flew over to Tennyson's Sands again mid morning.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - the highlight of yesterdays Big Garden Birdwatch.
Photo:Kev Wilson
30th January 2022. The Red-breasted Goose dropped into Tennyson's Sands at 0918 and again at 1050 with the mobile Brent flock. At least 31 Snow buntings were along the beach at the north end and two Lapland Buntings were mobile. Offshore, moving south 116 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and 283 Eider with another 30 Eider settled offshore. Around were two Woodcock, two Merlin and six Stonechat.
Snow Bunting. Photo: Nige Lound
Merlin. Photo: Nige Lound
Stonechat. Photo: Nige Lound
29th January 2022. Continuing the run of dry days but with gale force winds from Storm Malik making viewing difficult. The Red-breasted Goose remained with the flock of 450 Brent Geese, dropping into Tennyson's Sands again periodically during the day and showing very well from the hides. Also Marsh Harrier here. Up to 18 Snow Bunting were along the beach and 12 Corn Bunting at pre-roost in the lone sycamore by the Visitor Centre Car Park late afternoon. A Slavonian Grebe was on the sea.
Red-breasted Goose. Photo: © Graham Catley
Red-breasted Goose. Photo: © Graham Catley
Marsh Harrier. Photo: © Graham Catley
January 28th. The Red-breasted Goose made a brief appearance on Jackson's Marsh around 0900 with a party of Brent Geese but then they moved off south, possibly to the farmland. Around were single Merlin and Peregrine and 14 Snow Bunting.
Peregrine Falcon 28th January 2022. Photo; Nige Lound
January 27th. A Red-breasted Goose arrived with the Brent Goose flock. Seen initially on local fields then showing very well on Tennyson's Sands on and off from early afternoon. Presumably the bird seen recently further into the Wash, this is only the second record for the Reserve, following one in 1985. Also, up to 17 Snow Buntings have been regular visitors to the Tennyson's Sands lagoon in recent days, seemingly coming in to drink. Offshore, 130 Red-throated Divers moved south.
January 26th. Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 900 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 6 Redwing and 16 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Redshank; and on the Mere a Snipe and 2 Water Rail.
January 25th. Around, including birds trapped, was a Brambling.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a new Brambling; and 4 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Robin.
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| Brambling, ringed 25 January 2022. Photo - George Gregory |
January 24th. Birds around included 4 Woodcock, a Snipe, 2 Buzzard, a Stonechat, 10 Corn Bunting and 12 Snow Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 450 Dark-bellied Brent Goose; on the Mere 4 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Barnacle Goose, 80 Shoveler and 3 Water Rail. Offshore were 2000 Eider. Heading north were 2 Goosander.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a new Blue Tit; and 7 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and 2 Goldfinch.
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| Barnacle Geese, 24 January 2022. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Red-throated Diver, 24 January 2022. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Grazing pony in West Dunes, 24 January 2022. Photo - George Gregory |
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Mick Briggs, resulted in 3 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Brambling and a Blue Tit; and 10 retraps: 7 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.
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| Muntjac, 23 January 2022. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
January 22nd. Frozen start, gradually thawing.
Birds around included 111 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 450 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Snipe, a male Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzard, a Redwing, a Mistle Thrush and 22 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Barnacle Goose, 23 Curlew and a Cetti's Warbler.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Kyle Campbell, provided just a new Chaffinch; and a retrap Great Tit.
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| Sanderling, 22 January 2022. Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
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| Gadwall, 22 January 2022. Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
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| Snow Buntings flying, 22 January 2022. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Roadside Pond frozen over, 22 January 2022. Photo - George Gregory |
January 21st. Around were 120 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, 11 Corn Bunting and 12 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 43 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 650 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Croftmarsh 2 Buzzard. Flying north was a Hen Harrier. In off the sea came a Fieldfare.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 5 new birds: 2 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, a Chaffinch and a Great Tit; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch.
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| Buzzards, 21 January 2022. Photo - Nige Lound |
