10th February. A Red-breasted Goose was again with the Brent flock this morning. Dropping in to Tennyson's Sands lagoon around 0800 and remaining until around 0930, after which the flock was mobile between the lagoons and local fields. Very good views have been achieved from Harvey's Hide. Also around; 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Hen Harrier, Merlin, Short-eared Owl, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, at least 1 Bearded Tit and 2 Water Pipit. A Fieldfare and 5 Song Thrush appeared to be new arrivals. 11 Water Pipits were recorded, with 9 going to roost late afternoon.
9th February. After an absence of Snow Bunting for a few days, a flock of 19 were seen at the south end of the beach this afternoon. Two Song Thrush were in song and two Great Spotted Woodpecker were drumming. Two Rook flew south, 15 Redwing arrived from the east and headed inland and a Redpoll sp was mobile around the West Dunes.
Ringing Control. Goldcrest ringed Gibraltar Point 25th April 2021, controlled North Ronaldsay 24th May 2021 and still present on 28th May 2021.
8th February. Some light 'vis-mig' this morning involved 152 Starling, 3 Siskin, 8 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Skylark and singles of Rock Pipit and Meadow Pipit south prior to 0900. Quiet offshore except for 900 Eider and a Med Gull south. In the dunes 3 Stonechat and 2 Woodcock were seen and on the estuary 2200 Lapwing with 2000 Golden Plover. A good selection of Birds of Prey included 2 Merlin, 3 Buzzard, a Peregrine and a male Hen harrier.
Ringing Control: Blackcap 1CY female ringed Limburg, Belgium 1st September 2021, controlled Gibraltar Point NNR 13th October 2021.
7th February. Notable sightings today included two Bearded Tit, seven Black-tailed Godwit and a Cetti's warbler on Tennyson's Sands and a Chiffchaff at Sykes Farm. Two Siskin flew south over the East Dunes and six Corn Bunting were around.
6th February. An early morning sea-watch was generally pretty routine except for a Great Northern Diver close in south and a Puffin flying south, then returning north 20 minutes later. Three water Pipits were located on the north saltings with other highlights being Lapland Bunting, Jack Snipe, Peregrine and 130 Linnet.
5th February. Just records from the sea today where a Marsh Harrier flew north distantly and 3 Kittiwake, 2 Velvet Scoter, a Fulmar and a Great Northern Diver flew south.
4th February. A fairly typical spread of winter birds including hen Harrier, Merlin, 3 Woodcock and Water Pipit. 9 Snow Bunting remained on the beach and 34 Ringed Plover was a good count for this period.
3rd February. At least 1200 Eider offshore this morning with single Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter and redhead Goosander south. The Goosander in the company of a redhead Red-breasted Merganser - not an unusual occurrence this winter. Again, two Lapland Buntings around with singles of Water Pipit and Yellowhammer. A short-eared Owl showed well at dawn. A Red Deer along the flood bank was a bizarre sighting - after consulting the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Mammal Recorder, this must be considered an escapee.
2nd February. A calm and mild morning with little change in bird numbers. Noticeable however was a drop in Brent Goose numbers over the last couple of days, with the Red-breasted Goose no longer present. A Barnacle Goose remained on Croftmarsh with five Black-tailed Godwits also there. A Water Pipit was on the Freshwater Marsh, an alba Wagtail flew south and a Lapland Bunting was mobile.
1st February. Strong north-west winds again increasing through the day. The local Eider flock involved 900 birds on the sea, then flying south into the wash early morning on the ebb tide. Red-throated Divers and Red-breasted Merganser numbers remained static but a pair of Velvet Scoter and a male Goosander were new in and flying south. Two Lapland Buntings flew south together and a single Siskin also headed south. At least 8 snow buntings continue to frequent the beach but a Merlin was pursuing the flock ! Good numbers of waders were arriving on the evening tide before dusk including 730 Sanderling and 1850 Grey Plover.
