December 31st. Six Marsh Harriers came out of the roost early morning. The 4 Shorelark remained on the north beach with 4 Snow Bunting and diligent searching through the nearby Linnet flock revealed the presence of a single Twite. The 3 Long-tailed Ducks were close inshore again and a Great Northern Diver flew south. A Treecreeper was also around.
December 30th. Starting dry but then light drizzle becoming rain for much of the day. An early morning sea-watch was rewarded with both Great Northern and Black-throated Divers and a good count of 46 Red-throated Divers compared to recent figures. Two Velvet Scoter flew south and the regular 2 Long-tailed Ducks were joined by a third bird - close inshore together. A Coal Tit in the East Dunes was unusual and 7 Corn Buntings were in the West Dunes.
December 29th. A dry morning with a moderate westerly breeze. The highlights of an early morning seawatch were a Great Northern Diver, 34 Red-breasted Merganser and the regular 2 Long-tailed Ducks. Between the Haven and Croftmarsh, Lapwing numbers had built up to over 5000 with 6000 Golden Plover. Other birds around included 2 Buzzard, 6 Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, 2 Stonechat and 5 Whooper Swan that dropped onto Tennyson's Sands.
December 28th. Still breezy but mild. Good numbers of Lapwing remained, commuting between Croftmarsh and the Haven and 6 Marsh Harriers were at the roost.
December 27th. Wet and windy all day with the influence of Storm Gerritt. The only sighting made was of a Sparrowhawk!
December 26th. Another mild morning with light westerly breeze, fairly sunny and with good visibility out to sea where most of todays records come from during an hour and a half from 0830. The morning movement of Common Scoter and Eider involved about 500 and 200 respectively. There were 20 Red-throated Divers and a single Great Northern Diver, the two regular Long-tailed Ducks were joined by a third individual and in a good morning for variety at sea, a Red-necked Grebe flew south and a Slavonian Grebe arrived form the north and landed. A group of 4 Whooper Swans flew south over the sea and another group of 6 flew onto the Haven, whilst 500 Pink-footed Geese few out to Norfolk and a further 800 were around. Siskins were moving again with 23 south over the East Dunes and a Short-eared Owl was over the Old Saltmarsh.
December 25th. Pink-footed Geese were arriving all morning and settling on Croftmarsh, totaling over 2200, with a further 180 heading out to Norfolk. A group of 7 Waxwings paused in a Hawthorn on North Building Ridge early afternoon and a Green Woodpecker was along the road north of Aylmer Avenue. several parties of Siskin moved south. Other birds around included 4 Woodcock, 2 Snipe, and single Barn Owl, Stonechat and Water Pipit.
December 24th. Similar conditions to yesterday with a strong westerly wind and similar birds too at sea with a high counts of Eider and Common Scoter in a 90 minute watch. Two Great Northern Divers headed south early morning. There was no furthers sign of yesterdays Swallow, but 2 Waxwing flew south.
December 23rd. Overcast but dry with increasing westerly wind. The morning sea duck movement involved 695 Common Scoters and 438 Eider flying into the Wash. Single Whooper Swan, Scaup, Great Northern Diver, 2 Velvet Scoter and 3 Goldeneye flew south. Red-breasted Mergansers had increased again to 37 and the 2 Long-tailed Ducks were still close inshore. 4 Shorelarks remained on the beach towards the north end, with 2 Snow Buntings . Heading south were 25 Fieldfares and 16 Siskin. A Swallow over the west side during the afternoon was most unexpected!
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December 22nd. 2 Snow Buntings were with the 4 Shorelark this morning. Other birds around were 2 Waxwing and a Stonechat.
December 21st. Strong north-westerly wind. Offshore early morning were 720 Common Scoter, 31 Red-breasted Merganser, and the 2 regular Long-tailed Ducks. A Black-throated Diver flew south. 680 Golden Plover and 2300 Lapwing left the Haven and flew inland. Other birds around were 3 Woodcock.
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