February 20th. Remaining dray and mild but with a cool south-westerly breeze increasing
A light Chaffinch movement again with several Skylark, Goldfinch, Rook, Rock Pipit and Siskin also heading south. Another 5 Siskin were attending the Plantation feeding station. Brent Geese were up to 1380 while the regular group of 49 Whooper Swans were on local fields. A Peregrine hunted ducks on Jackson's Marsh. Offshore, the highlight of a brief seawatch were 2 Little Gulls and only 4 Snow Buntings were on the beach. A very high evening tide was apparently attributed to Storm Otto, covered most of the outer ridges, limiting roosting space for waders. Nonetheless, 570 sanderling, 3580 Dunlin, 14300 Knot and 1430 Grey Plover settled. At dusk, 3500 Pink-footed Geese came onto Croftmarsh again and 30 Pipits (Rock or Water) went to roost on the Old Saltmarsh.
February 19th. Overcast, mild and still.
No evidence of overland migration in the calm conditions this morning, compared to yesterday. Red-throated Divers still exceeding 100 offshore, but nothing new of note at sea. A good day for counting common birds in the dunes - a group of 4 Goldcrests probably new arrivals, at least 3 Water Pipits were between the Freshwater Marsh and Tennyson's Sands and the evening tide roost involved around 12,000 waders of which 7000 were Knot and 1100 Grey Plover, whilst 3500 Pink-footed Geese came in to roost on Croftmarsh and 12 Whooper Swan roosted on Tennyson's sands.
February 18th. A moderate westerly breeze, but otherwise very pleasant and becoming warm for the time of year.
An excellent morning for the variety of birds, some early visible migration and a couple of scarcities. The latter represented by a group of 3 vocal Woodlarks that flew low, south past Mill Hill at 0813. Remarkably, at 0852 what must be presumed to have been the same group of 3 Woodlarks then passed Mill Hill heading south again! 2 Ravens, typically picked up on call, arrived from the north and settled at Shovelers Pool for several minutes. Other southbound migrants included a Red Kite, 25 Chaffinch, 11 Linnet, 9 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, a Redpoll, 4 Meadow Pipit, a Rock Pipit, 3 Rook, 22 Skylark and a Snipe. Offshore 5 Little Gulls and a Kittiwake flew south and a large flock of 3500 Golden Plover was an unusual sight as they also headed south and high over the sea. Other birds around included 1100 Brent Geese, 11 Snow Bunting, 2 Woodcock, a Water Pipit and the first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year.
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February 17th.
9 Little Gulls and a Gannet flew south during a morning sea watch and an evening session from the wash Viewpoint was rewarded with 2 Hen Harriers, 4 Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk, 2500 Knot, 42 Rock Pipit and 4 Stonechat.
February 16th. No records today.
February 15th. An evening roost count from Harvey's Hide was rewarded with 2500 Pink-footed Geese, 49 Whooper Swans and 44 Alba Wagtails.
February 14th. Recording much reduced today due to persistent fog. However, a Chiffchaff and a Siskin were heard.
February 13th.
Brent Goose numbers had increased to 1000. Other birds around included 16 Corn Bunting, 16 Snow Bunting and a Hen Harrier.
February 12th.
Today's highlights included 1250 Lapwing, 600 Golden Plover, 873 Wigeon, 20 Whooper Swan, 2500 Pink-footed Geese, 800 Brent Geese, 127 Red-throated Diver, 27 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Snow Bunting, 2 Water Pipit, a Grey Partridge and 28 Redwing.
February 11th. A return to milder conditions, although with a cool westerly breeze.
Still good numbers of red-throated Divers offshore, with a single Black-throated Diver again arriving from the north and settling on the sea early morning and still around mid afternoon. A probable Great Norther Diver flew high south distantly and a flock of 12 Snow Buntings were around the beach. Around 2000 Pink-footed Geese left the roost and went to feed inland. Brent Goose numbers showed another increase with just over 1000 today, many of which spent time on Tennyson's Sands mid afternoon. Numbers of Golden Plover and Lapwing were down on recent days though. Skylarks were in good numbers and good voice. Also heard, was a Green Woodpecker - new for the year. Also of note, 3 Siskin flew south.
