Early April 2013

10th April: A clear out of migrants was evident early morning. Around the reserve were a pair of Marsh Harriers. Good numbers of waders came up on the recent high tides, notably Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers.

9th April: About were 36 Corn Buntings and a male Hen Harrier. On Croftmarsh were 25 Golden Plovers in breeding plumage.

8th April: The only species of note were the first Black Redstart of the year on the Visitor Centre roof, and a Marsh Harrier hunting over the saltmarsh at dawn.



Black Redstart at the Visitor Centre (Richard Doan)

7th April: The south-westerly winds spurred on the first decent passage day of the spring, with the following flying south: 2 Red Kites, 9 Common Buzzards, a Marsh Harrier, 3157 Redwings, 339 Chaffinches, 48 Siskins, 62 Linnets, 23 Rooks, 7 Bramblings, 23 Stock Doves and 8 Alba Wagtails. Grounded migrants were a 67 Woodcocks, 63 Blackbirds and 200 Redwings. The first Little Ringed Plover of the year was on Fenland Lagoon.

6th April: A steady southerly passage of passerines was evident early morning, involving 5 Rooks, 3 Tree Sparrows, 13 Siskins, 4 Greenfinches, 5 Alba Wagtails, 60 Starlings and 2 Yellowhammers. Fenland Lagoon was productive, following successful management of the water levels, with 15 Avocets, 3 Redshanks and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits present. About on the reserve were a Short-eared Owl and 27 Corn Buntings.
The first butterflies of the year were out, 2 Commas in the Plantation and 2 Small Tortoiseshells in East Dunes.



Avocet on Fenland Lagoon (Richard Doan)

5th April: Very quiet on the reserve today, the highlights being a Common Buzzard over Jackson's Marsh and a Rook south.

4th April: The only notables today were a Hen Harrier hunting over the saltmarsh in the evening, and a Mediterranean Gull on Tennyson Sands.

3rd April: About were a male Hen Harrier, a female Merlin, a Barn Owl and 35 Corn Buntings, several of the latter singing near the main car park. Fenland Lagoon held an immature/female Common Scoter. Croftmarsh produced 50 Golden Plovers, the majority now acquiring breeding plumage.



Immature/female Common Scoter (Richard Doan)

2nd April: A Redwing was in song along the Cycle Track, and a Bittern was located on Jackson's Marsh in the evening.

1st April: Singles of Siskin, Brambling and Woodcock were about. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls were discovered on the Wash.

Late March 2013

31st: The first White Wagtail of the spring flew south. Present on Tennyson Sands were 25 Avocets, 4 Pochards and a Water Rail.

30th: Highlights were 4 Woodcocks and a Water Pipit.

29th: In off the sea were 2 Marsh Harriers. High tide yielded 4470 Grey Plovers, 4500 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4000 Dunlins, 4400 Knots, 25 Ringed Plovers and 56 Turnstones.

28th: The only birds of note were a Brambling and a Coal Tit.

27th: Around were 13 Redwings, 5 Woodcocks, and a pair of Kestrels displaying over Aylmer Avenue.

26th: Another Caspian Gull flew onto Tennyson Sands at dusk. Flying north during a sea watch were a Little Gull, 3 Kittiwakes and a Fulmar.

Another 2CY Caspian Gull on Tennyson Sands (Nigel Lound)

25th: A 2CY Caspian Gull was discovered on Tennyson Sands at dusk. About were a Water Rail and a Barn Owl. Offshore 2 Red-breasted Merganser flew south.



2CY Caspian Gull on Tennyson Sands (Nigel Lound)

24th: Only a single Brambling was noteworthy.

23rd: Flying into roost on the Wash were 6000 Black-headed Gulls, 150 Common Gulls, 35 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 50 Great Black-backed Gulls.

22nd: Very quiet due to dreadful weather.

21st: 5 Kittiwakes were offshore, and a Common Buzzard came in off the sea. Meanwhile, a female Marsh Harrier flew south. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the Plantation, and 4 Yellowhammers were observed near Tennyson Sands.

Mid March 2013

20th: Very quiet, the only notables being 400 Golden Plovers on Croftmarsh.

19th: A pair of Common Buzzards were displaying over Croftmarsh. Avocet numbers built up to 25 birds. Around the reserve were 3 Siskin and a solitary Brambling.

18th: A Long-eared Owl was discovered in the East Dunes early morning. A slight thrush influx was encouraging with 10 Song Thrushes and 29 Blackbirds.
Ringing yielded 50 Chaffinches, with the majority of birds caught being adult males.

17th: Some light visible migration was evident this morning with the following going south: 50 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 26 Jackdaws, 950 Starlings, 5 Goldfinches, 12 Greenfinches, 8 Snipes and 12 Stock Doves. Grounded birds on the reserve were 4000 Golden Plovers and 7 Song Thrushes.

16th: The only bird of note was yesterday's Woodlark.

15th: The highlight of the day was undoubtedly a Woodlark flushed at Aylmer Avenue.

14th: Birds of prey were represented by a Peregine, a female Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a male Sparrowhawk, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls, and a Common Buzzard over Croftmarsh. A single redhead Goosander roosted on the Wash.

13th: Highlights were a Short-eared Owl at dusk and a female Marsh Harrier. 3 Rooks flew south early morning.

12th: About were 2 Hen Harriers, a Barn Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Yellowhammer singing near Aylmer Avenue, and a drake Eider offshore.

11th: Croftmarsh held 500 Lapwings and 300 Starlings. High tide wader counts yielded 87 Ringed Plovers, 300 Oystercatchers, 3500 Bar-tailed Godwits, 484 Grey Plovers, 80 Turnstones and 400 Dunlins.

Early March 2013

March 10th: Highlights of an afternoon seawatch were a Gannet and a Kittiwake south, and an Auk Sp and 2 Common Scoters north.

March 9th: A Treecreeper was in the Plantation and the Starling flock on Croftmarsh increased to 1000 birds.

March 8th: Today's highlights were a Siskin and a Brambling at Aylmer Avenue.

March 7th: The only notables were 2 Corn Buntings around the Visitor Centre and a party of 4 Rooks south.

March 6th: Very quiet on the reserve. Around were a Yellowhammer and a Goldcrest.

March 5th: The best birds were a Green Sandpiper, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin and a Rook.

March 4th: Unusual geese were a Black Brant and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose among the Brent Goose flock, and 23 Barnacle Geese in off the sea. Other notables were a Bullfinch, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin and a Common Buzzard.

March 3rd: Around were 4 Whooper Swans and 6 Woodcocks. The Avocet was still on Tennyson Sands.
Birds caught during a morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue included a new Siskin and 3 controls of common species.

March 2nd: An Avocet on the water bodies was the first of the year. Offshore were 60 Eiders, 100 Common Scoters, 15 Red-breasted Mergansers and 60 Red-throated Divers, on the beach a Purple Sandpiper, and on the fields 1300 Lapwings. Heading southeast were 300 more Lapwings. The Brent Goose flock contained a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a bird resembling a Grey-bellied Brent Goose. Around were 2 Redwings, 3 Rooks, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Woodcocks and 3 Lesser Redpolls.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a non-GPBO-ringed Siskin as well the usual other species.

March 1st: Waders were represented by 2800 Grey Plovers, 1000 Golden Plovers, and 750 Lapwings, including 150 southeast. Around were 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Woodcocks, a Goldcrest, a Siskin, a Redwing, a Rook, 4 Song Thrushes, 41 Corn Buntings and 5 Lesser Redpolls.

Late February 2013

February 28th: A Coal Tit was singing at Aylmer Avenue. Also around were 2 Hen Harriers, 14 Snipes and a Treecreeper. A Marsh Harrier flew north.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a modest number of the usual species processed.

February 27th: Raptors present included a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine and 3 Short-eared Owls. Other good birds were 4 Bramblings, a Siskin and a Common Buzzard.

February 26th: The best birds were 3 Bearded Tits and 2 Rooks.

February 25th: Flying to roost on Freshwater Marsh were 40 Lapwings.

February 24th: Quite windy. On the Mere were 4 Goldeneyes, and on Tennyson Sands was a Pintail. Around was a Woodcock. North of the Reserve next to Seacroft Golf Course on wires off Seacroft Road outside No. 240 were 27 Waxwings for most of the afternoon.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a Brambling, 5 Long-tailed Tits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, as well as the usual other species.

                27 approachable Waxwings (George Gregory)

February 23rd: Occasional afternoon snow flurries, which did not settle. On Tennyson Sands were 4 Bearded Tits, and on Croftmarsh the 1000-strong Brent Goose flock. Around was a Merlin. At Seacroft (just north of the reserve) were 23 Waxwings.

February 22nd: The Brent Goose flock on Croftmarsh contained an adult Black Brant. In the Plantation were a Goldcrest and a Woodcock.

February 21st: Cold and windy. On Croftmarsh were 1000 Brent Geese. Otherwise there was little around.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was quite successful, although most birds processed were retraps. The best ones were 3 Long-tailed Tits.
A Harbour Porpoise was washed up/stranded on the shore here recently.

Harbour Porpoise (Matthew Heaver)

      

Mid February 2013

February 20th: Cold. A Bearded Tit was on Tennyson Sands. Other notables were 3 Waxwings, a Lapland Bunting and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

February 19th: Frosty and foggy start. The morning was spent repairing the Heligoland trap after winter storm damage. Generally quiet, but the Brent Goose flock, about 400 strong, was again mobile.

February 18th: Still mild. On Croftmarsh were a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard, and on the water bodies 2 Pochards and a Goldeneye.
An afternoon ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced the usual species in modest numbers.

February 17th: Mild again. A Marsh Harrier was over Croftmarsh. Around were 2 Siskins. The flock of 20 Waxwings was still at Seacroft (just north of the reserve).
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was moderately successful, with 4 Long-tailed Tits and the usual other tits and finches processed.

February 16th: Mild. Around were a Snow Bunting, 40 Corn Buntings, 2 Hen Harriers, a Buzzard, 8 Woodcocks, 4 Bramblings, 3 Water Pipits and 2 Short-eared Owls. The big Golden Plover and Lapwing flocks kept mostly across the River Steeping. Flying south were 30 Siskins and west 90 Pink-footed Geese. At Seacroft (just north of the reserve) were 20 Waxwings again.
In the moth traps were 3 March Moths and 13 Pale Brindled Beauties.

February 15th: Fairly mild. On the Mere was a Bearded Tit, and on Croftmarsh were 6000 Golden Plovers and 1000 Lapwings. Other notables were 2 Jack Snipes, a Water Pipit, a Hen Harrier and 4 Goldcrests. On Seacroft Golf Course (just north of the reserve) were 20 Waxwings.
On a morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue 10 Long-tailed Tits were caught, as well as the usual other species.

February 14th: Rainy morning. Around were 10 Siskins. On Seacroft Golf Course (just north of the reserve) were 4 Waxwings.
A brief mid-day ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced just a few common birds.

February 13th: Cold and windy. The best birds were 4 Snow Buntings, a Purple Sandpiper, a Merlin, 67 Turnstones and 3 Song Thrushes.

February 12th: Cloudy but generally milder than yesterday. A Woodcock was in the Plantation. The Brent Goose flock, about 400 strong, was quite mobile. A Little Gull and 4 Kittiwakes went north, and 83 Eiders were offshore. Also present were 4 Snow Buntings, a Buzzard and 41 Corn Buntings.

February 11th: Fairly windy and fairly cold. At sea a Fulmar flew south. On Croftmarsh were 200 Golden Plovers. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose, the Black Brant x Dark-bellied Brent Goose intergrade and 27 Corn Buntings were around.

Early February 2013

February 10th: On and off light rain, making a miserable day. The only notables were 2 Goldcrests and a Water Rail.
The usual common birds were processed in a restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue.

February 9th: Frosty start then gradually milder. Brent-type geese included a Black Brant, a Black Brant x Dark-bellied Brent Goose intergrade and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Also present were 2 Bearded Tits, a Woodcock, a Rook, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Corn Buntings and 20 Siskins. Flying northwest were 600 Pink-footed Geese.

February 8th: Afternoon rain. Around were a Black Brant x Dark-bellied Brent Goose intergrade, a Hen Harrier, 3 Woodcocks, 2 Yellowhammers and a Brambling. South went a Taiga Bean Goose and 99 Siskins.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a new Brambling and a few other common birds.

February 7th: Overnight wintry shower, frosty start, slowly became a bit milder. Offshore was an unseasonal Sooty Shearwater. On Croftmarsh, oddly, were 14 Turnstones. A Mistle Thush was in song. The most notable others were a Jack Snipe and a Water Pipit.
The best birds on a morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue were 2 new Siskins.
Alan Brewster has kindly sent us his photographs of the Woodlarks seen here on January 31st.

                                               Woodlarks (Alan Brewster)

                                                    Woodlark (Alan Brewster)

February 6th: Rain on and off all day, reducing coverage. At sea 140 Kittiwakes flew south. A Goldcrest was around.

February 5th: Wintry shower overnight, then windy with sun and clouds. Heading south were 6 Siskins. Otherwise 2 Waxwings and a Water Rail were of note.
 A Song Thrush has been using a stone near the Heligoland trap as an anvil.

                                    Stone anvil and empty snail shells (George Gregory)

February 4th: Strong westerly wind still. The best birds around were 2 Waxwings, a Shorelark, a Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier. On the water bodies were a Pintail and 4 Goldeneyes.

February 3rd: Cold, strong westerly wind. Around were 2 Waxwings, 5 Woodcocks, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 10 Redwings, a Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrests and 3 Snow Buntings. A Purple Sandpiper and 52 Turnstones were on the beach, a Shag was offshore, and a Fulmar went north.
  A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced just the usual finches and tits.

February 2nd: Snow and hail from just before first light covered the ground first thing before melting through the morning as temperatures rose. There was an occasional light hail or rain shower for much of the day with intermittent cloud and periods of warm sunshine.
   At sea 710 Kittiwakes headed south, while on the reserve were 2 Coal Tits, 3 Bramblings and 6 Goldeneyes.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue by Mick Briggs from 11am until 4pm (late start again due to work!) resulted in the 17 New and 31 Retraps. Birds were thus (New/Retraps) - (0/1) Dunnock, (0/2) Robin, (4/1) Blackbird, (0/2) Blue Tit, (1/1) Great Tit, (4/2) Chaffinch, (1/2) Brambling, (7/16) Greenfinch and (0/4) Goldfinch.
  The highlight of the day was amongst the retraps which included not one but two control Greenfinches! The ring numbers were - TR96294 and TH59436. As usual if anybody knows who ringed these two, please let us know either by commenting on this post or by emailing us at mbriggs@gibobs.fsworld.co.uk
  Amongst the new Greenfinches was a bird that must have had some "cage Canary breeding" in its ancestry as it had some vivid orange feathers in the belly and chest and showed an orange hue to the leading edge of the first four primaries and two outer primary coverts. Please note that the photos don't really do justice to just how orange this bird looked!

Adult male Greenfinch with Canary DNA in its ancestry? 2nd February 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

Adult male Greenfinch with two outer primary coverts showing an orange hue along with four outer primaries.
2nd February 2013. Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

Adult male Greenfinch with Canary DNA in its ancestry? - note you can just see an orange hue to the throat feathers.
2nd February 2013. Photo - Mick Briggs

 

February 1st: Much less windy. A Waxwing and 35 Siskins flew south. Around were 3000 Golden Plovers, a Jack Snipe, 5 Redpolls, a Fieldfare, 4 Redwings, a Goldcrest and 2 Bramblings.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent (9am until 12.30am) resulted in 17 New birds and 21 Retraps, birds were thus (New/Retrap) - (13/7) Greenfinch, (2/4) Goldfinch, (1/1) Chaffinch, (1/1) Brambling, (0/4) Blue Tit, (0/2) Blackbird, (0/1) Dunnock and (0/1) Robin.

Late January 2013

January 31st: Still very windy. Heading south were 8 Pintails. Around were 2 Waxwings, 2 Woodlarks, a Water Pipit, a Goldcrest and 2 Bramblings.

January 30th: Very windy. South went 800 Lapwings. Around the feeders were 4 Bramblings. Elsewhere were 1500 Golden Plovers and 2 Goldcrests.

January 29th: Milder but a bit windy. The only notables were 5 Bramblings and a Yellowhammer.
 
Some recent recoveries came through yesterday including:

LC33559 - a 1st year male Blackbird ringed at Gibraltar Point on 13th Nov 2011 and killed by a Cat at Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy on 10th Dec 2012. A 271km movement west in 393 days. A good movement within the UK. This bird may well have been a continental bird originally caught on migration at Gibraltar Point before being killed by a Cat on its wintering grounds just over a year later.

L691894 - an adult female Goldfinch ringed at Gibraltar Point on 25th May 2011 and found freshly dead at Pruniers-en-Sologne, Loir-et-Cher, France on 19th Mar 2012. A 650km movement due south in 299 days. This is a great result! Presumably this bird was heading north or in fact breeding when caught originally and had then overwintered in France when found dead.

January 28th: Frosty start, then slowly milder but with increasing wind. The best birds were a Shorelark, a Mediterranean Gull, 8 Bramblings, 6 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares.

January 27th: Prolonged overnight rain melted almost all of the snow, but windy all day.
  Around were 24 Waxwing, a Shorelark, 55 Corn Buntings and a Buzzard. On Tennyson Sands were a Bittern, a Water Rail, a Bearded Tit and 4 Goldeneyes, and on the Mere another Goldeneye.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue from first light was quickly abandoned after two consecutive net rounds without a bird caught. The wind was picking up rapidly so it was decided to spend the day doing the annual returns to the BTO. Only two New birds were caught - a Blackbird and a Greenfinch - along with three Retraps - a Robin and two Greenfinches.
  After looking at the data for this year so far, it became apparent that after 234 processings of Greenfinches this year, we have actually handled 204 different Greenfinches at the feeding station in the month of January so far: no wonder they are getting through so much food!

Part of the Mere Enclosure where the flooding after the snow has melted stretches through the fence line into Measures - 27th Jan 2013. Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 26th: Heavy very early morning snow, then a somewhat milder day with the majority of the snow gone by late afternoon in the warming conditions. The wind switched around to WSW and was building during the day.
  On Tennyson Sands were a Bittern and 3 Water Rails. A Waxwing flew south and another 20 were around, as were 2 Snipes, 9 Woodcocks, a Goldcrest, 15 Bramblings, 20 Blackbirds, 40 Redwings and 3 Fieldfares. Late afternoon 250 Pink-footed Geese arrived on Croftmarsh.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue from 11am untill 3.45pm resulted in just 10 new birds which included 3 more Bramblings and another Fieldfare! There were also around 30 retraps, including three more Bramblings.

1st year female Fieldfare ringed on 26th Jan 2013 - the 2nd of the year.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

Our Meadow Pipit ringing area in Measures - looking more flooded and still mostly frozen - 26th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Female Brambling ringed on 26th Jan 2013, pushing us up to 28 new Bramblings for the month so far.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 25th: Cold, with increasing wind. The best birds recorded were a Woodcock, 6 Redwings, 2 Siskins, 10 Bramblings and 22 Fieldfares.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent resulted in 17 New birds and 39 Retraps. Birds were as follows (new/retraps) - (9/14) Greenfinch, (4/5) Brambling, (3/2) Chaffinch,  (1/1) Blackbird, (0/1) Fieldfare, (0/5) Blue Tit, (0/2) Great Tit, (0/2) Dunnock, (0/2) Robin. The Fieldfare retrap was the one ringed a couple of days ago, as was the retrap Blackbird. It is amazing that a Fieldfare seems to be coming to the feeding station regularly when we don't feed with apples. The four new Bramblings pushes us up to 25 new Brambling during January so far, and there is still the weekend to come.

Libary picture of Fieldfare ringed on 28th Nov 2010. Retraps of this species are wholly unexpected.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 24th: Milder, with some thawing of the snow. Around were 5 Waxwings, 25 Corn Buntings, 55 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings and 3 Redpolls.
  Below are a couple of shots of a snowbound reserve from earlier in the week.

Hebrideans wondering where all the grass has gone? 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

  

Fenland Lagoon - not quite frozen due to the high salt content  22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

January 23rd: Another cold day with temperatures struggling just a couple of degrees above zero, although it felt much warmer with the harsh ENE wind relenting at last. Cloudy all day but dry, the snow already on the ground starting to melt slowly.
  Sightings on the reserve today included a Lapland Bunting, with big numbers of Skylarks on the Millenium Ridge along with 2 Snow Buntings. There was also a Twite with the Linnet flock. A pair of Goldeneyes were on the Mere whilst there was a Water Rail on Fenland Lagoon and another on the Old Saltmarsh. Also noted were a Woodcock and a Yellowhammer.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent resulted in 30 new birds and just 29 retraps. This was one of the best results this year so far; clearly all the snow on the ground and freezing conditions have started to push birds towards the coast. The best birds ringed were an incredible 12 Bramblings, more than we have done through all of January in just one day! Is it going to be a "Big Brambling Spring" or is it just a blip due to the weather? Only time will tell. There were also 9 Greenfinches, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Goldfinches, a Blackbird and, best of the day, a Fieldfare.
  Amongst the retraps were a Coal Tit and another Brambling. Around the nets all day were 2 to 3 Moorhens which never went into a net when flushed on net rounds. There were also 2 Woodcocks flushed whilst going to and from the nets.
 

Tracks in the snow - identify that bird? 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

Lapwing on Fenland Lagoon looking like it can't wait for spring! 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson

January 22nd: Still staying bitterly cold in a fresh ENE wind, temperatures hovering around freezing point.
  Sightings today included 3 Snow Buntings, 45 Fieldfares, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Bramblings, 21 Woodcocks, a Hen Harrier, 2 Siskins (south), 65 Corn Buntings and a Shorelark (north of Greenshanks Creek). On the Mere were a Bearded Tit, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Water Rails.
  Here are some shots of the reserve today, taken by Sam Wilson whilst walking around the reserve.

Jew's Ear fungus on Elder in the East Dunes - 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

Hebridean Sheep in the East Dunes - 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

The strandline near Greenshanks Creek - 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

January 21st: More heavy snow overnight as forecast, with the brisk ENE wind creating some cracking conditions for drifts on the reserve. Cold all day, hovering around the freezing mark. Much calmer winds and just the occasional snow flurry through the day.
  Today 1000s upon 1000s of Starfishes were washed up on the beach around Greenshanks Creek, resulting in 5000 Herring Gulls, 2000 Common Gulls, 1500 Black-headed Gulls feeding amongst them. Also recorded today were 3 Snow Buntings (including 1 south), 17 Reed Buntings, 68 Corn Buntings (near Visitor Centre), 560 Skylarks (in a single flock on the saltmarsh!), 412 Meadow Pipits, 54 Rock Pipits, 12 Snipes, 2 Hen Harrier (adult males into roost), a Barn Owl, a Kestrel, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Woodcocks, 10 Red-throated Divers, 283 Curlews and 1200 Dunlins.
  No ringing today and the pictures below show why!

The cattle in the Mere enclosure waiting for their hay bales.
Photo - Paul Seymour.

The Feeding Station! - No Ringing today! Plenty of bird food disappearing though!
Photo - Paul Seymour.

Mid January 2013

January 20th: More of the same today, with a brisk cold ENE wind still blowing, staying just above freezing all day with no snow until after dark.
  The brisk ENE wind produced the following birds over the sea: 5 Fulmars and an adult Kittiwake north, an adult Little Gull and 2 Great Skuas south, a Guillemot and 30 Red-throated Divers. Other birds on the reserve included a Merlin, 60 Corn Buntings and 50 Meadow Pipits. There were also 3 Water Rails showing off and on in front of the Fenella Hope hide (the middle hide) on Tennyson Sands.
  I would just like to say a big Thank You to Richard Doan for emailing us most of the recent bird records from the 8th to the 20th January.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue resulted in just 6 new birds, including a Brambling, by 2pm, when the wind got just a bit too strong as it moved slightly to a more easterly direction. There were also around 30 retraps including a lot of Blue Tits, nearly all of which were three to four years old and one that was 7 years old. There were also two retrap Bramblings, and mid morning a Moorhen bounced off one of the nets!

Adult Great Tit, the fourth new one of the year, 20th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

Adult male Chaffinch, a really large bird, possibly continental, 20th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

2nd year male Brambling, the ninth of the year ringed, 20th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 19th: Despite the near-freezing conditions and brisk ENE wind that really went through you if you stood out somewhere exposed, ringing was carried out from 10am till near dusk at Aylmer Avenue today. Luckily there was no more snow, although some heavy snow is forecast for tomorrow.
  Around on the Freshwater Marsh were at least 8 Snipes, on the shoreline out from the Wash Viewpoint were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, and hunting over the New Saltmarsh was a Peregrine. On Tennyson Sands was a Water Rail. On Rock Ridge there were 90+ Corn Buntings. Elsewhere there were 3 Fieldfares, 7 Redwings, 5 Bramblings, a Merlin, 20+ Woodcocks and 2 Ringed Plovers.
  The Moorhen contingent on the flooded areas of Measures (which is now frozen solid enough to walk on!) again refused to go anywhere near any of the Potter traps deployed for them for the day, although 3 birds did get quite close to the feeding station nets at one point.
  A total of 20 new birds were caught at the feeding station, including 2 Bramblings, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Chaffinches and 14 Greenfinches. There were also around 45 retraps, including 2 more Bramblings and our control Blue Tit from last week. There were also a 6 year old Greenfinch, a 7 year old Chaffinch, and an adult female Great Spotted Woodpecker.

2nd year Robin, one of four that came to the feeding station at Aylmer Avenue on 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

 

Adult female Great Spotted Woodpecker retrap on 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

2nd year male Brambling on 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

The back of the Mere Enclosure. Note the flooded area is frozen solid enough to walk on, 19th January 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

The Field Station looking fairly quiet! 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

The entrance to the reserve from South Car Park - not many people going out there today! 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

Roadside Pond, 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 18th: On Rock Ridge were 20 Corn Buntings, whilst elsewhere there were 4 Woodcocks.

January 17th: The snow that fell on Monday the 14th from mid afternoon onwards was finally photographed today amidst some serious freezing fog that has been hanging around for much of the week. Daytime temperatures have only been above freezing for a few hours at a time during the week and the results are clear on the photos below.

Measures, site of Meadow Pipit catching area, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

View across Old Saltmarsh from South Car Park, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Roadside Pond, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Road through the reserve near Jackson's Marsh, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Footpath along roadside of Tennyson Sands, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Tennyson Sands, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Tennyson Sands, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

January 16th: The recent sub-zero temperatures have started to bring lots more Woodcocks onto the reserve, with a walk through Measures producing 10 birds. Still there were sub-zero temperatures for most of the day.

January 15th: No records received for today, so nothing to report, mainly again due to it being -8C for most of the day.

January 14th: Very little of note today, not surprisingly with it being -6C for most of the day.

January 13th: Slightly warmer than yesterday with periods of sunshine through the heavy cloud. A slight easterly, although nearly still from mid afternoon onwards. Just the first few flurries of light snow as the day finished, the first of 2013 with more to come?
  A Purple Sandpiper and 3 Snow Buntings were on Millenium Ridge. Sea-watching produced 125 Red-throated Divers south into the Wash, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and 5 Great Crested Grebes. Flying south over land was a Lapland Bunting. Elsewhere on the reserve were a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 7 Woodcocks, 3000 Golden Plovers, 2200 Oystercatchers, 3000 Knots, 630 Grey Plovers, 21 Turnstones, 33 Sanderlings, 6 Ringed Plovers, the over wintering Cetti's Warbler, 5 Lesser Redpolls and 10 Corn Buntings.
  Another long day's ringing at Aylmer Avenue resulted in just 10 new birds, bringing us up to a reasonable 84 new birds ringed so far this year (in some years we don't even manage 50 during the entire month of January). There were also around 60 retraps, with over 120 different finches visiting the feeding station over the weekend (exact figures will follow later). the highlights today, besides retrap Bramblings, were the first new Wren of 2013 (we usually don't catch and ring any Wrens during January).
  Much of the reserve is still under water from the torrential and persistent rain of late, as the photographs below show. This is an area we often use for a Meadow Pipit triangle (arrangment of nets for catching Meadow Pipits) and is usually dry enough to wander around it in trainers; Wellington boots will only just do the job now, though. There are several Moorhens taking advantage of this wet ground at the moment, but despite best attempts, brown bread would not draw them into some Potter traps deployed for the day. However after removing the traps, the bread was seen to be cleared up by two adults Foxes (in broad daylight!) within ten minutes of us leaving the area with failed traps.

An area of Measures that we use in September/October for catching Meadow Pipits on migration, under water from the very wet winter so far.
Photo - Mick Briggs

An area in between the Mere and the West Dunes, generally quite dry although not at the moment.
Photo - Mick Briggs

January 12th: Bitterly cold in the easterly breeze, despite the sunshine for most of the day. There was a slight frost overnight.
  Landed birds featured the Cetti's Warbler again at Shovelers Pool, and 2 Bearded Tits on Jackson's Marsh. South over the sea were a juvenile Marsh Harrier and 7 Common Scoters. On the Mere was a pair of Goldeneyes.
  Ringing today at Aylmer Avenue resulted in just 7 new birds and around 30 retraps: not the desired result really, but none the less the retraps are providing us with an accurate picture of exactly how many individual birds are visiting the feeders during the average day. The highlights were a couple of Bramblings ringed a week or so ago.

January 11th: In the West Dunes were 2 Waxwings. Otherwise 75 Redwings were notable.

Early January 2013

January 10th: Flying north-west were 170 Pink-footed Geese. In the Plantation/Orchard area Winter Aconites are now in flower.

January 9th: Bird noted included a single Waxwing, and the Cetti's Warbler again at Shovelers Pool.

January 8th: There were 2 Waxwings and a Coal Tit in the Plantation. A Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Jackson's Marsh at 1430hrs.
  In the Plantation Snowdrops are now in flower.

January 7th: Numbers of  Lapwings increased to 4500, and of Curlews to 500. Offshore were a Shag, 35 Eiders and 800 Common Scoters. Around were the Rough-legged Buzzard, a Common Buzzard and a Brambling.

January 6th: Foggy afternoon. The Rough-legged Buzzard was still present, as were a Peregrine and a Cetti's Warbler. Other notables were a Great Northern Diver offshore, 2 Snow Buntings on the beach, and 6 Gadwalls on Tennyson Sands. Pink-footed Geese on the move were 32 northwest and 94 west.
  Another ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was quite successful, the best of 54 captures being 2 Bramblings, a Goldcrest and a Kestrel.

January 5th: Around were a Rough-legged Buzzard, 3 Crossbills, 4 Woodcocks, 6 Bramblings, a Purple Sandpiper, a Merlin, 2800 Golden lovers, 2000 Lapwings, a Peregrine and 3 Song Thrushes. Heading northwest were 430 Pink-footed Geese.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue was very quiet, with 2 Bramblings and a Coal Tit being of note.

Female Brambling ringed on the 5th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

January 4th: Flying south were a Waxwing, a Crossbill and 11 Whooper Swans. A Green Sandpiper was on Croftmarsh. The best other birds were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Hen Harrier, a Water Pipit, 7 Bramblings, 8 Redwings, a Cetti's Warbler and a Woodcock.
 A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was productive, with 77 birds processed, mostly retraps. New birds included 2 Bramblings.

January 3rd: Fairly windy morning. Around were 3 Waxwings, a Water Pipit, 500 Curlews and 6200 Golden Plovers. The best raptors were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Common Buzzard, a Peregrine, a Hen Harrier and a Marsh Harrier. North went a Great Northern Diver, south a Lapland Bunting, and northwest 75 Pink-footed Geese.

January 2nd: Rain most of day. Southward movers were 250 Pink-footed Geese and 23 Siskins, and northwest 120 more Pink-footed Geese. Landed birds included 3 waxwings, a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Woodcock, a Water Pipit and 2 Bramblings.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was all too brief, being curtailed due to the arrival of persistent rain. Just a small number of Greenfinches and Goldfinches were the first birds ringed here in 2013.

January 1st: Happy New Year to everybody reading this blog! Thanks to all of you for reading this Blog throughout 2012 and hopefully we will be able to see out another year's ringing and recording, and will strive to keep you all entertained throughout the coming twelve months of 2013.
  Fairly windy. Around were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Common Buzzard, 3 Bramblings, 5 Snow buntings, a Purple Sandpiper and 6 Waxwings. On Jackson's Marsh was a Pintail, and on the Mere a Goldeneye. South went 3 Whooper Swans.
 Following the recent heavy rain, the water bodies on the reserve are at their highest levels ever.

                                High water level at Jackson's Marsh (George Gregory)

Late December 2012

December 31st: Rainy afternoon. The best birds were 10 Waxwings, a Rough-legged Buzzard and a Water Rail.

December 30th: Windy. Around were 10 Waxwings.

December 29th: Rain most of day. South went 10 Whooper Swans. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Water Pipits.

December 28th: Rainy morning, windy afternoon. Flying south were 27 Waxwings and 23 Snow Buntings. The Rough-legged Buzzard and 15 Fieldfares were around. On Tennyson Sands were a Pintail and a Goldeneye.
The persistent rain has resulted in standing water in a number of places on the reserve, including the Plantation.

                                   Flooded path in the Plantation (George Gregory)

December 27th: South went 21 Waxwings, 10 Whooper/ewick's Swans, 4 Stock Doves and a Crossbill. Around were a Rough-legged Buzzard, 7 Goldcrests, a Pintail and a Water Rail.
A prolonged ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 110 birds processed, including a Brambling and 2 Goldcrests.

December 26th: Rainy afternoon. The best birds were 12 Waxwings, 7000 Golden Plovers, a Pintail and a Merlin.

December 25th: Rainy morning. Around were 10 Waxwings, 2 Twites, a Peregrine, 5 Woodcocks, 5000 Golden Plovers, a Pintail, a Lapland Bunting, a Water Pipit, 33 Fieldfares and a Hen Harrier.

December 24th: Rain all day. Around were 8 Waxwings and a Pintail. The huge Golden Plover flock across the River Steeping was disturbed by shooters on Wainfleet Marsh.
The flooded area on Gibraltar Road has increased and has more or less joined up with an enlarged Roadside Pond.

December 23rd: Windy. On Wainfleet Marsh were 16000 Golden Plovers and 2000 Lapwings. Otherwise, the best birds recorded were a 49 Waxwings, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Bramblings, a Woodcock and 25 Corn Buntings.

December 22nd: Rain all day. A Woodcock was at Aylmer Avenue. The Golden Plover flock, mostly across the River Steeping, has increased to 10000 birds.
  The heavy and prolonged recent rain has flooded Gibraltar Road near the Yacht Club, albeit only to a few inches deep. This is on the landward side of the combined sea and tidal river defences, so is not caused by seawater, just by rain. Several times a year the road, car park and paths on the seaward side of the defences are temporarily flooded by seawater at high tides, but this is different.

                                 Gibraltar Road near the Yacht Club (George Gregory)


December 21st: The winter solstice. Around were 500 Golden Plovers. A Long-tailed Duck came in from the north and landed on the sea.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced the usual finches and tits, including many retraps.
  The World did not end today despite this being long predicted! It looks like another year's ringing coming up in just ten days' time.

Mid December 2012

December 20th: Rain all day, causing flooding on the road near the Yacht Club, a rare event. Little was seen.

December 19th: Flying south were 18 Waxwings and a Lapland Bunting. On the Mere were 520 Teals. Birds around included 2 Snow Buntings, a male Hen Harrier, 300 Lapwings and 500 Golden Plovers.

December 18th: South went 25 Waxwings, a Water Pipit and a Lapland Bunting. Present were 3 Woodcocks, a Cetti's Warbler and a Hen Harrier.
Ringing at Aylmer Avenue produced a moderate catch, including 3 new Bramblings.

December 17th: Landed birds included a Purple Sandpiper, a Cetti's Warbler, a Water Rail, 25 Corn Buntings and a Chiffchaff. Heading south were 28 Waxwings and 55 Fieldfares. Offshore were 50 Red-throated Divers and a Razorbill. In off the sea came a ringtail Hen Harrier.

December 16th: At least 124 Waxwings and 2 Lapland Buntings went south. Around were a Shorelark, a Purple Sandpiper, 12 Corn Buntings, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Hen Harriers, 7 Fieldfares, a Water Pipit and a Merlin.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was reasonably productive, birds processed including 5 new Bramblings and a retrap Blue Tit at least 6 years old.

December 15th:  Milder. Flying south were 42 Waxwings. Offshore were a probable Surf Scoter (seen distantly) and a Great Skua. Other birds included a Cetti's Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Buzzard, a Water Pipit, 11 Redwings, 4000 Golden Plovers, a Lapland Bunting and a Chiffchaff.

December 14th: Windy morning, rainy afternoon. A Pintail was on the Mere. Around were 1200 Golden Plovers, 12 Snow Buntings and a Goldcrest.

December 13th: Still frozen all day. The best birds were 5 Waxwings, a Goldeneye and 2 Pintails.

December 12th: Hoar frost all day. Around were 3 Fieldfares.

December 11th: Frozen morning, foggy afternoon. The main birds recorded were 15 Waxwings, 5 Woodcocks and 3 Fieldfares.