December 10th. With the rain cleared and the wind abated, it was a good morning for birding. It was apparent that new Blackbirds were arriving and moving south and west thr9ough the dune systems. 6 Waxwing were around the west side early on whilst offshore, flocks of Common Scoter were heading into the Wash with a few Eider, Red-throated Diver and Red-breasted Mergansers. 6 Siskin, a Brambling and 2 Fieldfare headed south. A Red Kite was flying south well out to sea but then came inland over the East Dunes. 3 Water Pipits were around the Freshwater Marsh.
December 9th. Rain from the start, only clearing for a brief while in the afternoon before winds increased to near gale bring more rain. No records received today.
December 8th. Fairly mild compared to recent days and a soggy start after overnight rain, becoming foggy for a while. Today's highlights were a single Waxwing, mobile around the West Dunes and a flock of 5 Shorelarks along the beach at the north end. other birds around included 6 Marsh Harrier, 5 Stonechat, 2 Woodcock and 3 Corn Bunting.
December 7th. Contrasting with yesterday's weather, although milder, this morning was dull, overcast, with a strong southerly breeze, bringing rain from mid morning. There was great light for watching up to 800 waders feeding along the beach and a light movement of Red-throated Divers, Great Crested Grebes and Common Scoter offshore, with one Long-tailed Duck south.
December 6th. An excellent winter's day for birding. Following a hard frost and cold start, it became bright and sunny with a light breeze. Very quiet at sea, but 3 Snow Buntings and a flock of 150 Linnet were around the beach with very good numbers of feeding waders. A light movement of Skylarks, Starlings, Pipits and Finches included 2 Brambling and 5 Siskin south over the East Dunes and 3 Waxwings arrived early morning on North Building Ridge, had a quick feed and then moved on. Late afternoon, there followed a flock of 18 Waxwings on the East Dunes. Other birds around included 2 Whooper Swan, 4 Marsh Harrier, Woodcock, Water Pipit and 5 Stonechat.
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December 5th. 10 years on from the December 2013 Surge Tide.
A Long-tailed Duck was on the sea, with single Velvet Scoter flying south and Little Gull north. A Brambling headed south and 5 Redwing were along the Cycle Track. A Chiffchaff remained in the East Dunes, whilst on the West Dunes, other hardy insectivores to survive the cold snap included 4 Goldcrest and a Treecreeper.
December 4th. Cold and murky again with low visibility and regular drizzle or rain. The only sighting today was of 5 Marsh Harriers that came in to roost just before dusk as rain had cleared somewhat.
December 3rd. Cold and grey with occasional drizzle. sightings at sea included 4 Gannet, a Great Northern Diver, a Long-tailed Duck, 60 Common Scoter and 8 Pintail. 5 Snow Buntings were along the shore.
December 2nd. A grim day: cold, icy and foggy with visibility often down to 50 metres. Waterbodies were 75% frozen with few duck remaining. The Dunes were quieter with few Tits and Finches around but a Cetti's Warbler was near the Mere and a Woodcock was along the roadside. Still 77 Turnstone were feeding along Greenshanks Creek.
December 1st. Cold and frosty again with a light sleet shower in the morning and icy rain in the afternoon. Great Northern Divers remain in very good numbers locally, with four seen offshore this morning, while Red-throated Divers are in very low numbers currently. Four Goosander arrived and settled on Greenshanks Creek where many Sanderling, Turnstone and Redshank continued to feed. Other birds around included 841 Pink-footed Geese, a Pochard, a Woodcock, 3 Corn Bunting, 8 Goldcrest, 100 Starling and a Brambling.
