Late February 2018

February 28th. A bitterly cold day with temperatures below freezing and persistent heavy snow showers.

An arrival of Woodcock was evident with at least 23 birds present, all on the west side of the reserve, several birds seen coming in during the morning and afternoon. On Tennyson's Sands were 2-3 Water Pipit, 8 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 1+ Bearded Tit (heard only) and 2 Ringed Plover. Jackson's Marsh held 34 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Pintail, 3 Pochard, a Black-tailed Godwit and 180 Wigeon. At Sykes Farm were 3 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare and a pair of Bullfinch. The evening gull roost count from the Wash Viewpoint yielded 3263 Black-headed Gull, 2320 Common Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1766 Herring Gull and 116 Great Black-backed Gull.   

Song Thrush and Redwing- 28th February 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson

Robin - 28th February 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson

Fieldfare - 28th February 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson

Snowy scenes from the reserve.
Photo's - Richard Doan

February 27th. A Kingfisher was fishing on the River Steeping in the morning. Around the Wash Viewpoint were 13 Corn Bunting and a male Hen Harrier on the adjacent saltmarsh. The Plantation held a Green Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing and a Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 male Pintail, 120 Wigeon and 54 Pink-footed Goose. A Water Rail showed well on Tennyson's Sands from Fenella Hope hide. 

Distant male Hen Harrier from the Wash Viewpoint, 27th February 2018.
Photo - Richard Doan

Kingfisher feeding on the River Steeping, 27th February 2018.
Photo - Richard Doan

Snipe on the Mere, 27th February 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

February 26th. On the water bodies were 3 Goldeneye, a Water Pipit, 200 Pink-footed Goose and 500 Golden Plover. In the Plantation were 2 Bullfinch, a Siskin and 10 Redwing.

Mill Pond road in the snow, 26th February 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson

February 25th. Around were 5 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 2 Bullfinch, 17 Corn Bunting and 2 Goldeneye. Offshore were 19 Red-throated Diver and a Red-breasted Merganser.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25th February 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

February 24th. On Croft Marsh were 80 Pink-footed Goose, 800 Golden Plover and 350 Lapwing. Around were 3 Corn Bunting, a Water Pipit (in flight over Jackson's Marsh), a Treecreeper, 2 Common Buzzard, a House Sparrow, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Goldcrest.

February 23rd. Around were 600 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Golden Plover, 8 Redwing and a Bullfinch.

February 22nd. Highlights of a morning walk down Millenium Ridge were 3 Ringed Plover and 500 Brent Goose. 5 Eider flew South.

February 21st. 3 Snow Buntings were the highlight of a quiet day on the reserve.

Mid February 2018

February 20th. Birds around included a House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow,3 Bullfinch, 450 Lapwing and a Pochard. The male Hen Harrier was seen going to roost about 1600hours. Among a Brent flock of 176 was a bird ringed as a juvenile at Terschelling, Netherlands on 030412 and sighted at Gibraltar Point on 21 occasions since!

February 19th. Birds around included 12 Redwing and 2 Siskin.

February 18th. Around were 2 Woodcock, a Treecreeper, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Song Thrush and a male Hen Harrier

Winter Aconites in the Orchard, 18th February 2018.
Photo - Richard Doan

February 17th. The highlight of the day was a Woodlark over Mill Hill in the morning. Other birds around included 3 Rook, a Treecreeper, a Goldcrest, a Water Pipit, 600 Pink-footed Goose and 10 Redwing.

 The evening bird watching event 'Roosting Birds of the Wash' was productive with great views of a male Hen Harrier, Merlin chasing a skylark, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and 20 Corn Bunting.

February 16th. Birds around were 4 Water Pipit, 5 Redwing and a Treecreeper.

February 15th. Croft Marsh held 600 Pink-footed Goose, 1500 Golden Plover and 600 Lapwing. In the Plantation were 2 Bullfinch, a Goldcrest and 10 Redwing.

February 14th. Notable birds for the day include 2 Water Pipit, 3 Bullfinch, 10 Redwing and a Treecreeper.

February 13th. Around were 2 Water Pipit, a Treecreeper, 16 Redwing, 600 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Bullfinch. The first Avocet of the year returned to Tennyson's Sands.

February 12th. Bird included 300 Lapwing, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 1200 Golden Plover, 3 Common Buzzard and 2 Short-eared Owl.

Snowdrops in the Orchard, 12th February 2018.
Photo - Richard Doan

February 11th. Croft Marsh held 770 Pink-footed Goose, 75 Wigeon and 300 Lapwing. Other birds around were 80 Common Scoter, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Bullfinch, a Woodcock, 300 Brent Goose and a Water Rail.

Early February 2018

February 10th. Around were 2 Water Pipit, 3 Song Thrush, 300 Golden Plover and 2 Stonechat.

February 9th. Bird around included 8 Redwing, a Treecreeper, 250 Lapwing, 2500 Golden Plover and 2 Water Pipit.

February 8th. Offshore were 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Eider, 60 Red-throated Diver, a Black-thoated Diver and a Razorbill. Around were 520 Curlew, a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Water Pipit, 60 Rock Pipit, a Treecreeper and 15 Corn Bunting.

Water Rail from Fenella Hope Hide, 8th February 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Treecreeper, 8th February 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

February 7th. Around 600 Pink-footed Goose, 500 Lapwing, 2 Stonechat, 2 Water Pipit and 2 Goldeneye.

February 6th. The Glaucous Gull was again present at Greenshank's Creek. Around were 2 Stonechat, 3 Fieldfare and 600 Pink-footed Goose. 

Glaucous Gull at Greenshank Creek, 6th February 2018.
Photo - Nigel Lound

February 5th. Birds around the reserve today included 650 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Stonechat, a Bullfinch and a male Hen Harrier.

February 4th. Highlights from a morning seawatch from Mill Hill included 190 Common Scoter, 95 Red-throated Diver, 1000 Herring Gull and a 2CY Glaucous Gull. Birds elsewhere on the reserve included a Merlin and a Barn Owl.

Stonechat, 4th February 2018
Photo - Paul Johnson

Goldfinch, 4th February 2018
Photo - Paul Johnson

Grey Squirrel, 4th February 2018
Photo - Paul Johnson

February 3rd. Morning WeBS count produced 5000 Knot, 2800 Dunlin, 800 Sanderling, 2000 Oystercatcher, 50 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plover, 250 Curlew and 100 Redshank. Other birds around were 2 Snow Bunting (Millennium Ridge), a Lapland Bunting, 17 Corn Bunting 2 Stonechat, a Green Woodpecker and a Barn Owl. On Croft Marsh were 800 Pink-footed Goose and 500 Lapwing. Offshore were 7 Eider, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Red-throated Diver and a Razorbill.

February 2nd. A Bittern was seen in flight past Jackson's Marsh hide heading northwards. Croft Marsh held 2 White-fronted Goose, a Barnacle Goose and 500 Pink-footed Goose. Other birds around include 2 Water Pipit, a Common Buzzard and 300 Lapwing.

February 1st. Overnight frost.
In the Plantation were 2 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush and a Treecreeper. On Croft Marsh were 5 White-fronted Goose, 807 Pink-footed Goose and a Barnacle Goose.

Pink-footed Goose, 1st February 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Whooper Swans, 1st February 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Late January 2018

January 31st. A scrutiny of the goose flock on Croft Marsh revealed 750 Pink-footed Goose, a Barnacle Goose and 5 White-fronted Goose. Around were 2 Goldcrest, 10 Redwing, a Treecreeper, a Short-eared Owl (from Visitor Centre car park at 1715hrs), 2 Woodcock, 500 Golden Plover and 450 Lapwing.  

January 30th. About were 18 Redwing, a Woodcock, 2 Stonechat, a Common Buzzard, 2 Snow Bunting, a Pintail, 500 Lapwing, 2 Goldeneye, a Siskin and 15 Corn Bunting. A Rook (scarce here!) flew west over West Dunes and 5 Whooper Swan flew south. Offshore were 160 Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe. 

Blackcap, 30th January 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson

House Sparrow, 30th January 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson

Tree Sparrow, 30th January 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson

January 29th. No records received 

January 28th. Around the reserve today included 120 Golden Plover, 300 Lapwing and 5 Corn Bunting. A Barnacle Goose was seen in flight with 185 Pink-footed Goose. 2 Short-eared Owl were hunting over the Old Saltmarsh late on.

Tufted Duck, 28th January 2018.
Photo - Keith Hudson

Goldfinch, 28th January 2018.
Photo Keith Hudson

Weasel, 28th January 2018.
Photo - Keith Hudson

Goldeneye drake, 28th January 2018.
Photo - Keith Hudson

January 27th. Strong southerly wind with rain from mid-morning.

 Birds around included 2 Stonechat, 400 Lapwing, 4 Redwing, a Water Pipit, a Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Hen Harrier, a Snow Bunting, 2 Merlin and 750 Brent Goose (including 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Brant type hybrid). 

January 26th. Overnight frost warming up mid-morning

 Around the reserve were a male Marsh Harrier, 80 Pink-footed Goose, 400 Golden Plover, a Water Pipit, 30 Corn Bunting, 2 Water Rail and 8 Snow Bunting (Millennium Ridge). A group of 3 Shorelark were seen in flight heading towards Mill Hill. 

Jackdaw, 26th January 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

January 25th. Clear and bright with cold southerly wind.

 The highlight of the day was a group of 4 Waxwing seen along the roadside. Other birds about were 40 Corn Bunting, a Merlin, a male Hen Harrier, a Green Woodpecker and 200 Lapwing. 

Waxwing in fading light, 25th January 2018.
Photo - Christine Motley

Waxwings at dusk, 25th January 2018.
Photo - Christine Motley

Janaury 24th. Strong south-west wind mid-morning.

On Croft Marsh were 50 Pink-footed Goose, 100 Lapwing and 400 Golden Plover. On Jackson's marsh were 2 Pintail and 150 Wigeon. 

Ringing Controls...

Blackbird, ringed 11 November 2017 GPBO, controlled 31 November 2017 Whitwell, Derbyshire

Goldcrest, ringed 4 October 2017 GPBO, controlled 26 October 2017 Cayeux-sur-Mer, France

Long-tailed Tit, 24th January 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

January 23rd. 

Around were 2 Stonechat, 250 Lapwing and 150 Pink-footed Goose.

January 22nd.

Birds around the reserve in the morning were a male Hen Harrier, a Bullfinch, a Yellowhammer, a singing Mistle Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Offshore were 80 Common Scoter, 8 Red breasted Merganser and 97 Red-throated Diver (south).

A late afternoon visit to the Wash Viewpoint produced a count of 580 Brent Goose, a Merlin, male Hen Harrier (into roost) and 2 Grey Partridge.  

January 21st. Frosty start.
On the reserve were 3 Bullfinch, a Woodcock, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Hen Harrier (male and ringtail), 3 Snow Bunting (Millennium Ridge), 2 House Sparrow, 21 Fieldfare, a Siskin, a Collared Dove, a Coal Tit and 2 Water Rail. Croft Marsh held 800 Golden Plover and 300 Lapwing. South offshore were 172 Red-throated Diver and 21 Red-breasted Merganser. On the water bodies were 4 Whooper Swan, a Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, 140 Lapwing, 48 Gadwall and 2 Water Rail.

Collared Dove (rare here), 21st January 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Sunrise, 21st January 2018
Photo - Nige Lound

Snow Bunting (female) on Millennium Ridge, 21st January 2018
Photo - Nige Lound

Snow Bunting (male) on Millennium Ridge, 21st January 2018
Photo - Nige Lound

Mid January 2018

January 20th. Around were 5 Snow Bunting, male Hen Harrier and 2 Bullfinch. 

January 19th. Frost overnight.
 On Croft Marsh were 800 Golden Plover, 30 Pink-footed Goose and 100 Lapwing. Around the reserve were 5 Corn Bunting, a male Hen Harrier and a Bullfinch.

January 18th. Strong winds early morning, dropping by mid-morning, sunny and bright with intermittent showers.
 Birds around were 16 White-fronted Goose, a Water Pipit, 3 Goldcrest, 10 Corn Bunting and 4 Bullfinch.

January 17th. Cold start after overnight snow, then sunny but windy.
 Around were 250 Lapwing, 1000 Golden Plover, 16 White-fronted Goose (including bird with neck collar), 2 Woodcock, 25 Corn Bunting, 2 Stonechat and a Siskin.

January 16th. Birds around included 20 Pink-footed Goose. On or over Croftmarsh were a Tundra Bean Goose (briefly) and a Common Buzzard.
 While cleaning out the nest boxes two interesting discoveries were made. In a small box were some hibernating insects, probably Drone Flies (a type of Hoverfly). In a big box were two long-dead full-grown Kestrels with non-GPBO rings.

Hibernating insects, probably Drone Flies, 16th January 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

January 15th. Rain on and off all day.
 On Croftmarsh were 16 White-fronted Goose (including one with a neck collar fitted in the Netherlands in 2013, the first British sighting from this scheme) and 100 Pink-footed Goose.

January 14th. Around were 450 Brent Goose, 300 Wigeon, a Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat, 2 Treecreeper, a Bullfinch, 2 House Sparrow and 20 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 372 Dark-bellied Brent Goose,  a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Pintail and 2 Goldeneye; on Tennyson's Sands a Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Snipe; on the Mere a Goldeneye and a Kingfisher; over Croftmarsh a Common Buzzard; and on Wainfleet Marsh 150 Pink-footed Goose. Flying south were 10 Golden Plover.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a new Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

Kingfisher, 14th January 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 13th. Birds around included 60 Pink-footed Goose, 600 Brent Goose, 3 Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Redwing, a Stonechat, a Snow Bunting and 22 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail and a Goldeneye; and on Wainfleet Marsh 4 Whooper Swan. Going south were 100 Pink-footed Goose and 1000 Lapwing (to roost)
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 3 retraps: 2 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

January 12th. Around were 184 Pink-footed Goose, 450 Brent Goose, 5 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 11 Fieldfare and a Brambling. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Pochard, 2 Water Rail and a Black-tailed Godwit; on Jackson's Marsh 2 Goldeneye; and over Croftmarsh a Common Buzzard. Heading west was a White-fronted Goose; and south a Bullfinch.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber and Richard Doan, produced just 2 new Great Tit.
 The Snowdrops have started flowering around the Plantation and Orchard.

Snowdrops, 12th January 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

January 11th. Soggy start,
 Heading south were a Waxwing and 14 Whooper Swan. A Bittern flew to the back of the Mere, where was a Water Rail. On Tennyson's Sands were 453 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a possible hybrid Dark-bellied Brent Goose x Black Brant. Birds around included 300 Pink-footed Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Woodcock, a Barn Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 4 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 2 Bullfinch and 20 Corn Bunting. Flying north were a Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Common Scoter and 2 Snow Bunting. Observed sparring were 2 male Pheasant.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 5 new birds: a Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 2 retrap Blue Tit.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose showing substantial Black Brant-type neck collar, 11th January 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 11th January 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Early January 2018

January 10th. Soggy start, then foggy, then rainy, then soggy, making recording difficult.

 Around were 2 Goldcrest.

Ringing Controls.
 Sparrowhawk ringed 1/1/2010 GPBO, controlled West Tofts, Norfolk 22/12/2017.
 Blackbird ringed 13/10/2013 GPBO. controlled King's Lynn, Norfolk 2/1/2018.
 Blackbird ringed 14/2/2015 Fairburn Ings, North Yorkshire, controlled 26/11/2017 GPBO.
 Chaffinch ringed 16/10/2017 GPBO, controlled 17/11/2017 Warrington, Merseyside.

January 9th. Birds around included 50 Pink-footed Goose, 400 Brent Goose, a Snipe, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Barn Owl, a Goldcrest and a Stonechat. Going west were 55 Fieldfare.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: a Blue Tit, a Robin and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, a Dunnock and 2 Great Tit.

January 8th. Cold start. Moderately strong north-easterly wind.
 Around were a Barn Owl, 2 Goldcrest, 60 Fieldfare and 2 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 500 Pink-footed Goose and a Barnacle Goose.

January 7th. Moderately strong north-easterly wind.
 The Bittern flew onto the Mere again. Birds around included 300 Pink-footed Goose, 1500 Golden Plover, 400 Lapwing, a Merlin, 40 Fieldfare, a Snow Bunting and 15 Corn Bunting. Offshore were 5 Kittiwake, 50 Red-throated Diver, 40 Auk sp, a Fulmar and a Gannet.

Snow Bunting, 7th January 2018.
Photo - Rob Watson

Corn Buntings, 7th January 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

January 6th. Early morning rain with increasing wind.
 The Bittern flew to the back of the Mere. Flying north were an Iceland Gull, a Slavonian Grebe, a Gannet, a Goldeneye and a Razorbill. Around were 550 Pink-footed Goose, 2800 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 8000 Knot, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin and 40 Fieldfare.

Ringing Recovery.
 Chaffinch, ringed 12 April 2016 GPBO; found dead Rhes-y-Cae, Flintshire, Wales 24 December 2017.

January 5th. Cloudy start with brief light rain, then sunny, then cloudy with rain.
 A Bittern was discovered on Tennyson's Sands. Birds around included 480 Pink-footed Goose, 2 male Hen Harrier and 40 Fieldfare. Offshore were 5 Slavonian Grebe. Going south were a Red-necked Grebe, 40 Red-throated Diver, a Guillemot, a Razorbill and a Gannet.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded a new Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 3 Blue Tit and a Greenfinch.

January 4th. Rain until late morning, then sunny and windy in the afternoon.
 Around were an adult Caspian Gull (Greenshanks Creek), a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2500 Herring Gull, a Water Rail, a Barn Owl, a Goldcrest, 50 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing and a Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Snipe. Heading south were 3 Turnstone.
 A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue from late morning, with Jenni Godber, provided 3 new birds: a Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 8 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Goldfinch, 4 Blue Tit and a Greenfinch.

January 3rd. Strong westerly wind, gradually decreasing.
 Birds around included 160 Pink-footed Goose, 160 Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, 1200 Oystercatcher, 24 Turnstone, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 78 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and a Water Pipit. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 male Pochard and a female Goldeneye. Offshore was a large Diver Spp. Flying south was a Long-tailed Duck.

January 2nd. Around were 350 Pink-footed Goose, 17 Red-throated Diver, 1100 Oystercatcher, 180 Golden Plover, 120 Sanderling, a Snipe, a Woodcock, 1000 Herring Gull, a Green Woodpecker, 81 Fieldfare and 2 Stonechat. On Jackson's Marsh were a Goldeneye, a Pintail and a Water Rail.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 2 new birds: a Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and a retrap Robin.

January 1st. Moderately strong but decreasing south-westerly wind.
 The Bittern reappeared on Jackson's Marsh mid morning. Other birds there were a Goldeneye, a Pochard, a Pintail, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher and a Water Pipit. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Water Rail and 2 Snipe; and over Croftmarsh a Common Buzzard. Birds around included 200 Pink-footed Goose, 377 Brent Goose, 500 Golden Plover, 300 Lapwing, a Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Treecreeper, 50 Fieldfare, a Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 2 Water Pipit and a Bullfinch.

Bittern, 1st January 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Bittern, 1st January 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Late December 2017

December 31st. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 On Jackson's Marsh were a Bittern and a Goldeneye. Around were 200 Lapwing and a Barn Owl.

Bittern on Jackson's Marsh, 31st December 2017.
Photo - Kevin Simskin

December 30th. Soggy start.
 Birds around included 315 Brent Goose, a Merlin, a Hen Harrier, a Goldcrest, 21 Fieldfare, a Bullfinch and a Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail and a Goldeneye; on Tennyson's Sands 5 Snipe; and on Croftmarsh a Common Buzzard and 250 Lapwing.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 5 new birds: 3 Goldfinch, a Great Tit and a Greenfinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Blue Tit.

Noisy Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 30th December 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

December 29th. Rain most of day, with fairly strong, variable and decreasing wind.
 Around were 150 Lapwing, 2 Barn Owl and 20 Fieldfare.

December 28th. Freezing start, slowly thawing out.
 On Croftmarsh were 152 Pink-footed Goose, a Common Buzzard, 400 Golden Plover and 200 Lapwing; on Jackson's Marsh 65 Shoveler and 60 Wigeon; and on Tennyson's Sands 300 Brent Goose, a Pintail, 55 Shoveler, 4 Water Rail, 17 Snipe and a Kingfisher. Birds around included 2 Barn Owl, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, 80 Fieldfare and a Water Pipit. Heading south was a Bullfinch; and west a Grey Heron.

Fieldfare, 28th December 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Starling, 28th December 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

 December 27th. Rain until noon, then quite strong north-westerly wind.
 Around were 200 Lapwing and 20 Fieldfare. An adult Mediterranean Gull flew north at sea.

December 26th. Decreasing then increasing south-westerly wind.
 Birds around included a Treecreeper, a Stonechat, 60 Fieldfare and 4 Goldcrest.

Stonechat, 26th December 2017.
Photo - Colin Casey

December 25th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 Around were 500 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Lapwing, 250 Golden Plover, 100 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, a Treecreeper, a Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, a Siskin and 2 Redpoll Spp. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

December 24th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 Birds around included 300 Golden Plover, 60 Lapwing, 3 Woodcock, a Merlin, 50 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 50 Song Thrush, a Goldcrest and 3 Bullfinch. On Croftmarsh were 4 Water Pipit. Going to roost were 12000 Black-headed Gull, 3500 Common Gull and 500 Herring Gull.

December 23rd. Slowly increasing south-westerly wind.
 Around were a male Hen Harrier, 2 Water Rail, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 70 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, a Stonechat, a Water Pipit, 3 Bullfinch and 11 Corn Bunting. On the Mere were 42 Gadwall and a Pintail; and over Croftmarsh 2 Buzzard and a Peregrine. Heading north were a Brent Goose and 3 Common Scoter; and south 100 Pink-footed Goose and a Red-breasted Merganser.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded just a retrap Great Tit.

December 22nd. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1600 Golden Plover, a Green Woodpecker, a Goldcrest, 80 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing, 10 Song Thrush, 4 Water Pipit, 5 House Sparrow and a Siskin.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 3 new birds: a Chaffinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 9 retraps: 5 Blue Tit, a Wren, a Goldcrest and 2 Great Tit.

December 21st. Around were a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, a Treecreeper and 120 Fieldfare. On Tennyson's Sands were a Pochard, 5 Water Rail and 9 Snipe.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, produced 3 new birds: 2 Goldfinch and a Greenfinch; and 17 retraps: 7 Blue Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Greenfinch and 6 Great Tit.