Mid January 2024

January 17th. A welcome relief from the fog today, but remaining dull and overcast with a chilly south-westerly breeze. Various flocks of Pink-footed Geese were on the move from first thing, mostly south or south-east. Two Tundra Bean Geese flew south, loosely following a pair of Greylags, but the Beans possible returned high north-west later. A good variety of birds were seen at sea including 20 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 150 Eider. Small groups of Wigeon were moving south with 3 Pintail, but a Pochard heading south over the sea was unusual.

Other birds around included: Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine,  4 Stonechat, Water Pipit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Black-tailed Godwit and a Woodcock.

January 16th. Fog persisting all day again, resulting in little coverage of the Reserve. However, 6 Woodcocks were flying around the west side just after dawn, 18 Corn Bunting were around the Visitor  Centre Car Park, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the Plantation with a Goldcrest and 2 singing Robins nearby at Sykes Farm.

Woodcock - photo enlarged for those who weren't able to spot it in the photo below.

January 15th. A damp and foggy day with poor visibility limiting birding opportunities. A total of 1400 Pink-footed Geese today, representing an increase on yesterday. 27 Redwing in West Dunes were probably birds that arrived a couple of days ago whilst 10 Fieldfare to the north were probably new in. Single Bullfinch and Collared Dove were also new in. Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were found persisting in their usual locations and 3 Woodcock were seen.

Collared Dove in fog, 15th January 2025. 

Photo - Nige Lound

Woodcock, 15th January 2025. 

Photo - Nige Lound

January 14th. Dull, overcast but no frost and the day becoming progressively milder with waterbodies thawing out. Some 900 Pink-footed Geese were around Croftmarsh during the day, including 200 that arrived from the north in various groups. A brief seawatch resulted in 18 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red--breasted Mergansers and 25 Common Scoter. Overland movement was limited to a few Skylarks heading south. Other birds around included 5 Water Pipits, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 4 Stonechats.

January 13th. Another cold start with a strong south-westerly wind but an indication that the thaw has commenced. Counts of waterbirds remain generally low after many left during the freeze.

Shovelers floating on ice, 13th January 2025.

 Video Kev Wilson

January 12th. A very cold, frosty and foggy morning with sub-zero temperatures again overnight and all waterbodies still mostly iced over. The fog cleared in the afternoon when 6 Woodcock and 2 Stonechat were seen on a quick circuit.

Frozen, foggy then cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.

January 11th. Frozen, partially cloudy, with light westerly wind.

 The sun broke through strongly which scuppered any sea-watching effort early on and much of the wetland was still iced over. However, 11 Water Rails were around Tennyson's Sands with 2 Cetti's Warblers there and another 3 along Freshwater Marsh. 2 Bearded Tits were mobile around the reedbeds. Birds of prey seen were 2 Marsh Harriers, a Hen Harrier and a Barn Owl.

Early January 2025

January 10th. Frozen, mostly clear, with light westerly wind.

 An arrival of Thrushes brought 80 Redwings and 20 Fieldfare to the Plantation area. A Green Woodpecker was the first of the year.

January 9th. Frozen, generally clear, with light north-westerly wind.

 The day started with a family of 5 Whooper Swans whooping from Tennyson's Sands. The regular Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff and 3 Stonechats were all still present.

Whooper Swans, 9th January 2025. 

Photo - Richard Doan

Ringing Control: Willow Warbler, ringed GPBO 29 August 2024, controlled Plaisance, Charente-Maritime, France 12 September 2024.

January 8th. Freezing, becoming cloudy, with light variable wind.

 Some movement today involved small parties of Redwings and Fieldfares moving south over Sykes Farm, with a Siskin and 360 Pink-footed Geese heading north-west. The Corn Bunting flock continues its slow increase, with 22 today. From the hides were 2 Cetti's Warblers, 130 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 5 Water Rail, 150 Golden Plover and 300 Lapwing.

Mute Swan, 8th January 2025. 

Photo - Rikki Clark

January 7th. Partially cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind.

 Today's highlights included a Short-eared Owl and a Yellowhammer.

Brent Geese, 7th January 20215. 

Photo - Rob Watson

Stonechat, 7th January 20215. 

Photo - Rob Watson

January 6th. Quite strong westerly wind, with rain for most of morning.

 Just a few reports today, including a Marsh Harrier, a Pochard, 18 Black-tailed Godwits and a Rook.

Tufted Duck, January 2025. 

Photo - Rikki Clark

Wigeon, January 2025. 

Photo - Rikki Clark

Curlew, January 2025. 

Photo - Rikki Clark

January 5th. Rain for most of day, with mostly southerly wind.

 Just 2 Woodcocks were reported at the north end of West Dunes.

January 4th. Frozen start, mostly cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.

 Six Whooper Swans roosted on Tennyson's Sands before heading off south. Bearded Tits were heard again at the Mere and a Goosander was on Greenshank's Creek before flying inland. There was little movement over the sea except for 20 Red-throated Divers and 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, whilst 65 Eider were on the Haven and up to 6 Snow Buntings along the foreshore. There was an increase of Shoveler to 152 on Tennyson's Sands, but otherwise little evidence of cold-weather movement. Overland 3 Siskins headed south. Other birds around included a Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Short-eared Owl.

Goosander, 4th January 2025. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Roosting Oystercatchers, 4th January 2025. 

Photo - Rob Watson

January 3rd. Frozen start, partially cloudy, with light westerly wind. Conditions as yesterday, becoming sunny.

 The morning wader roost held 2800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6000 Knot, 1200 Grey Plover and 1800 Oystercatcher. A Lapland Bunting was over the New Saltmarsh with many Rock Pipits, Skylarks and Reed Buntings there. Two southbound Rooks were an unusual January record. Two Bearded Tits were at the Mere and 3 Whooper Swans were on Tennyson's Sands before flying south, followed by two more. A Red Kite and two Merlins were also around.

Whooper Swans, 3rd January 2025. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Whooper Swans, 3rd January 2025. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Pochard, 3rd January 2025. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Merlin, 3rd January 2025. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3rd January 2025. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Greenfinch, 3rd January 2025. 

Photo - Paul Neale

January 2nd. Frosty start, clear, with light north-westerly wind, become sunny in the afternoon. A really good (albeit cold) winter's day with good coverage of the Reserve and a good variety of birds to be seen.

 Offshore highlights were 9 Kittiwakes, 2 Gannets, a Great Crested Grebe and 17 Eider heading south with 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 6 Red-throated Diver on the sea. Around the beach feeding waders included 32 Turnstone and 160 Sanderling, with a Merlin around the saltmarshes. 300 Brent Geese, 2 Hen Harriers, another Merlin, a Water Pipit, 8 Snipe and good numbers of Skylark, Rock Pipit, Linnet and Reed Bunting. Waterbirds around the lagoons included 600 Pink-footed Geese, 320 Wigeon, 10 Pintail and 14 Black-tailed Godwits. A few Redwing and Fieldfare were seen on the west side, with a Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper in the Plantation.

Fieldfare, 2nd January 2025. 

Photo - Nige Lound.

Redwing, 2nd January 2025. 

Photo - Nige Lound.

Sparrowhawk, 2nd January 2025. 

Photo - Nige Lound.

Ice on Mill Pond Road, 2nd January 2025. 

Photos - Kev Wilson

Sunset over Tennyson's Sands, 2nd January 2025. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Wishing all of our followers a very Happy New Year. 

January 1st. Strong but decreasing south-westerly wind, with morning rain.

 Activity by birds and birders was generally reduced by the poor weather during the morning, but rewards were had at sea: a Slavonian Grebe passed south close inshore and 6 Velvet Scoters flew into the Wash with 250 Common Scoters. Also offshore were 6 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Red-throated Divers and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers. A raft of 500 Eider was an impressive sight on the sandbanks. Other birds around included a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Barn Owl, 3 Water Pipits and a Chiffchaff.

Late December 2024

December 31st. Cloudy, with increasingly strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around in the morning were 4 Pochard, a Water Pipit and the regular Chiffchaff. In the evening, 700 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Whooper Swans and hundreds of Gulls heading in to roost.

December 30th. Partially cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind.

 The Chiffchaff was still around the Plantation, 21 Fieldfare were around the west side, while 3 Pochard and 21 Black-tailed Godwits were on the lagoons.

Lapwing and Golden Plover flocks over Croftmarsh, 30th December 2024. 

Photo - Nige Lound

Sunset, 30th December 2024. 

Photo - Guy Barton

December 29th. A fairly clear start before the fog rolled in again, making field observations difficult in the time available, then fairly clear again, then clouding over, with moderate south-westerly wind.

 Birds around (and mostly heard!) included a Cetti's Warbler, a Goldcrest and 3 Water Pipits.

Fog again, 29th December 2024.

 Photo - Kev Wilson

December 28th. A dank, dripping-wet, misty/foggy day, with light south-westerly wind. 

 A Barn Owl was hunting the marshes and 4 Little Grebes were showing well in front of the Mere Hide.

Little Grebe, 28th December 2024. 

Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Barn Owl, 28th December 2024. 

Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Herring Gull, 28th December 2024. 

Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Dunnock, 28th December 2024. 

Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

December 27th. Another dank, misty/foggy day, with light south-westerly wind.

December 26th. Damp and misty, becoming increasingly foggy through the day, remaining mild with light south-westerly wind. 

 A Chiffchaff remained around Sykes Farm.

December 25th. Very mild and dank, cloudy, with light south-westerly wind. 

 A good selection of birds recorded by one observer today: 3 Stonechat, a Cetti's Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Woodcock, 500 Wigeon, 600 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Water Rail, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 13 Black-tailed Godwits.

December 24th. Soggy start, cloudy, with light south-westerly wind. 

 Just a Brambling and a Water Pipit reported around Sykes Farm this morning.

Fox on Tennyson's Sands. 

Photos - Paul Neale

December 23rd. Mostly clear, chilly, with decreasing north-westerly wind. 

 A brief watch early morning produced the following highlights: a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Barn Owl, 35 Turnstone and 2 Redpoll, and in the afternoon: a Barn Owl, a Water Pipit, 6 Stonechat and 110 Sanderling.

December 22nd. Partially cloudy, chilly, with increasing westerly to north-westerly wind.

 Three Velvet Scoters were offshore before flying south, and a ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting the outer dunes with a Merlin. A few Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and Eider were also seen at sea whilst a small number of Linnets and Skylarks headed south. The Bittern was seen again on Jackson's Marsh.

Velvet Scoters, 22nd December 2024.

 Photo - Kev Wilson

December 21st. The Winter Solstice (the shortest day). Quite strong south-westerly wind, with rainy spells. 

 A Snow Bunting was over New Saltmarsh and the Chiffchaff remained at Sykes Farm. Other birds around included 3 Pintail, a Pochard, a Water Rail, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, a Marsh Harrier and 11 Redwing.

Mid December 2024

December 20th. Cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind and some late drizzle.

 Single Goldcrest and Sparrowhawk were noted today - no other reports.

December 19th. Mostly clear, with fresh northwesterly wind.

 A fairly quiet morning sea-watch with several Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver that landed close inshore and a Slavonian or Black-necked Grebe that flew south at speed. The north-westerly wind pushed the tide height higher than predicted which in turn pushed more waders up to the roost including 6000 Knot and 2200 Dunlin. A Merlin was also around the beach.

Buzzard scavenging dead Great Black-backed Gull. 

Photo - Nige Lound

December 18th.  Mostly cloudy, with strong but decreasing southwesterly wind.

 A Velvet Scoter was leading a flock of southbound Common Scoter early morning with the morning Scoter count up to 221. Also offshore there were 15 Red-breasted Mergansers, and 9 Pintail flew south. A flock of 850 Golden Plover came off the Haven and a Whooper Swan flew south there late afternoon.

December 17th. Cloudy, with increasing southwesterly to southerly wind.

 Today's focus was on the wader roost for the monthly WeBS count. Typically a challenge this month with reduced daylight hours and slightly challenging weather, counts of Grey Plover, Dunlin and Sanderling were below average whilst Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit were in pretty good numbers with 19000 and 1600 respectively. At sea a Velvet Scoter went south with 2 Common Scoter.

Sunrise, 17th December 2024. 

Photo - Guy Barton

December 16th. Partially cloudy, with moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Full counts of the waterbodies were made today, commencing with the overnight roost of 2000 Pink-footed Geese leaving for local fields at dawn and whilst there was no sign of the Bittern, two Bearded Tits on Jackson's Marsh were the first of this species for a while. Other highlights from the west side were a Merlin, a Hen Harrier and 4 Water Pipits.

Merlin, 16th December 2024. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Sunset, 16th December 2024. 

Photo - Nige Lound

December 15th. Cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind.

Today's highlights included 710 Lapwing, 460 Pink-footed Geese, a Great White Egret, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Kingfisher, a Water Pipit, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler and a Goldcrest.

December 14th. Mostly clear, with light north-westerly wind.

A Hen Harrier was seen from the Wash Viewpoint, 8 Corn Bunting were at the 'Hump' and a Chiffchaff was in the Plantation.

Buzzard, 14th December 2024. 

Photo - Ste Taylor

Corn Bunting, 14th December 2024. 

Photo - Ste Taylor

Chiffchaff, 14th December 2024. 

Photo - Ste Taylor

December 13th. Cloudy, with light south-easterly to south-westerly wind.

 A Bittern flew from Tennyson's Sands to Jackson's Marsh in the morning and was seen again flying back to the north end of Tennyson's Sands late afternoon. Other birds around included 2 Water Pipits.

Bittern, 13th December 2024. 

Photo - Sam Goddard

December 12th. Cloudy, with spells of drizzle and light north-easterly wind.

 Around was a Barn Owl.

December 11th. Cloudy, with light north-easterly wind.

 A generally quiet sea-watch except for a Puffin, 5 Velvet Scoters south, an increase of Red-throated Divers and an arriving Woodcock. The beach area was very busy with well over 3000 mixed Gulls feeding on a washout of Starfish and Razor Clams, and 800 waders also feeding, including Oystercatcher, Redshank, Sanderling, Knot, Grey Plover, Curlew and Turnstone. A vocal Siberian Chiffchaff moved through West Dunes early morning. Also in the dunes were at least 7 new Woodcock and 8 Song Thrushes. Other birds around included a Chiffchaff, 25 Redwing, a Water Pipit, 4 Merlin, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Hen Harrier.

Early December 2024

December 10th. Cloudy, with fresh but slowly decreasing north-easterly wind.

 A good selection of birds on the morning sea-watch, although no great numbers. Moving south were 2 Little Auks and north a Goldeneye, 32 Red-throated Diver, 4 Kittiwake, a Little Gull, 66 Eider, 60 Common Scoter and 67 Teal. A Goosander came in off and 300 Wigeon and the Long-tailed Duck were close inshore. 2 Whooper Swans had roosted overnight on Tennyson's Sands and moved south early. 2200 Lapwing were around Croftmarsh.

December 9th. Storm Darragh declining - still quite strong north-easterly wind, with occasional rain or drizzle.

 A prolonged sea-watch over the morning and into early afternoon produced the following highlights: 14 Little Auks including a flock of 4 south, a Great Northern Diver, 3 Fulmars, a Manx Shearwater, 114 Kittiwakes, 2 Little Gulls and 61 Gannets north. The Long-tailed Duck was still present.

December 8th. Storm Darragh - strong northerly wind and rainy spells, becoming continuous rain.

 A morning sea-watch in dire conditions with variable visibility produced a Little Auk and 3 Goosander heading south. The Long-tailed Duck remained offshore with several Common Scoter. Also around were  10 Black-tailed Godwits and a Stonechat.

Black-tailed Godwits, 8th December 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Teal, 8th December 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Little Egret, 8th December 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Stonechat, 8th December 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

December 7th. Rainy spells, with increasing north-westerly then northerly wind.  

 Unfortunately, by the time the wind had veered northerly, the rain precluded any chance of further sea-watching. However, an hour late morning saw a Great Northern Diver moving north and 2 Velvet Scoters head south. Both a male and a ringtail Hen Harrier were seen arriving over the sea and similarly a Merlin came in off carrying prey.

December 6th. Mostly clear, with moderate westerly wind.

 A Yellow-browed Warbler was vocal along the Gibraltar Road edge, and 15 Corn Buntings were around the Visitor Centre Car Park with a Stonechat nearby in West Dunes.

December 5th. Mostly cloudy, with rainy spells and moderate south-westerly wind.

 Offshore highlights were a Long-tailed Duck with 11 Common Scoter, a Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Divers and 259 Cormorants, with 4 Snow Buntings along the beach. Other birds around included 550 Lapwings, a Water Pipit, a Song Thrush, a Stonechat, a Chiffchaff and a Redpoll.

Ringing Control: Goldfinch, ringed GPBO 7 October 2023, controlled Grembergen, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium 22 February 2024.

December 4th. Fairly cold, damp start, partially cloudy, with light south-westerly wind, becoming foggy. 

 A Purple Sandpiper was reported along the North End beach with Sanderlings and Turnstones.

December 3rd. Mostly cloudy, with light winds. 

 The Long-tailed Duck was offshore again with 12 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye and 6 Red-throated Divers in a brief watch. 158 Sanderling were feeding along the beach and 5000 Knot were on the Haven on the falling tide. There was another light movement of Thrushes and Finches. Other birds around included 14 Corn Buntings, 3 Woodcock, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Merlin.

Ringing Control: Blackcap, ringed Limerie, Luxembourg, Belgium 17 September 2024, controlled GPBO 4 October 2024.

December 2nd. Fairly calm and mild again becoming bright.

 A 40 minute watch from Mill Hill shortly after dawn was productive at sea and with vis mig over the East Dunes. A Slavonian Grebe arrived from the north and settled offshore, followed by a Red-necked Grebe and a Black-throated Diver that both passed south. The Long-tailed Duck remained close in with Common Scoter. A single Lapland Bunting and 3 Bramblings passed overhead with a light passage of Chaffinches, Linnets, Skylarks and Rock Pipits.

December 1st. Dull and overcast with occasional light rain but mild with a south-westerly wind. 

 There was only light passage over the sea, mostly Gulls moving, but also a flock of 6 Snow Buntings went south over the sea. The Long-tailed Duck was close inshore with 8 Common Scoter. Heading south over East Dunes were 18 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings, 6 Rock Pipits and 11 Starlings. Other birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 6 Stonechats, 2 Water Pipits, 60 Linnets, a Blackcap and 2 Sparrowhawks. One of the Sparrowhawks caught a freshly arrived Starling but was quickly dispossessed by two Magpies.

Sparrowhawk, 1st December 2024. 

Photos - Kev Wilson

Late November 2024

November 30th. Overcast, quite misty start, with fresh southerly wind.

A quiet day for recording not least because of the poor visibility this morning. However, there were still plenty of Robins and Blackbirds to count with a handful of Goldcrests and several mobile Water Pipits over the west side. Around the Plantation, the two Chiffchaffs and single Blackcap remained with a Brambling, a few Redwing and a flock of 35 Fieldfare that arrived from the north. Nearby, a Yellow-browed Warbler was an excellent late-autumn find for one of the team in an isolated woodland strip off the A52.

November 29th. A fairly mild and bright morning with fresh southerly breeze. 

 An early morning sea-watch produced some good birds: a Long-tailed Duck was on the sea close in again, 4 Little Gulls, a Goosander, a Goldeneye 2 Slavonian/Black-necked Grebes and a Black-throated Diver went south, with a Great Northern Diver veering out south-east. Various Red-throated Divers, Eider, Common Scoter and Wigeon flocks were also moving, and some Starlings were arriving off the sea. 2 Hen Harriers were hunting the outer dunes including a new ringtail (juvenile male). Vis mig involved small numbers of Skylarks, Rock Pipits and Linnets.

Marsh Harrier, 29th November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Marsh Harrier, 29th November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Golden Plovers, 29th November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Little Gull, 29th November 2024. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

November 28th. Frozen start, gradually thawing out and drying out in the sun, with light variable wind.

 Highlights of an early morning sea-watch were 20 Pintail and a Goosander heading south. On the lagoons were up to 10 Water Rails, a Great White Egret, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a Kingfisher. Other birds around included a Red Kite, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Woodcock, 2 Stonechats and 10 Corn Buntings.

Red Kite, 28th November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Buzzard, 28th November 2024. 

Photo - Nige Lound

Brent Goose, 28th November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail, 28th November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Stonechat, 28th November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

November 27th. Rain until early afternoon, then clear with light northerly wind. 

 The heavy rain delayed any serious recording until early afternoon at which point attention turned to the sea in the hope that the residual northerly wind might produce some interest. There was a good movement of Kittiwakes, with many small flocks totaling 496 in around 3 hours. A Long-tailed Duck was settled offshore with another heading north. Other birds around included a Merlin and a Great White Egret.

November 26th. Another mild day, remaining dry with sunny spells and with a light south-westerly wind. 

  The sea was quieter this morning except for a Slavonian/Black-necked Grebe that landed distantly. Finches were moving south in small numbers again, including 10 Bramblings and a Twite, and there were more Thrushes, with several small flocks of Fieldfares moving south. A male Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper and a Bullfinch were around the Plantation, with a Water Pipit calling over Sykes Farm. The highlight of the day was a Bittern seen on Tennyson's Sands in the afternoon.

Bittern, 26th November 2024. 

Photo - Rob Smith

Marsh Harrier with prey, 26th November 2024. 

Photo - Rob Smith

Water Rail, 26th November 2024. 

Photo - Rob Smith

 November 25th. Mostly cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind.

  The strong south-westerly wind produced a good variety of birds offshore and some overland vis mig that has been lacking for a while. The highlight was a Black-necked Grebe close inshore and in front of 5 Great Crested Grebes, a Red-necked Grebe arrived from the north and settled on the sea, and a Long-tailed Duck flew south close in. 25 Great Crested Grebes and 13 Red-throated Divers were also recorded, mostly moving south in an hour. Among the small parties of Starlings, Chaffinches, Siskins and Linnets moving south were 8 Bramblings and 2 Redpolls.

Storm Bert casualty, 25 November 2024.
Photo - George Gregory

November 24th. Storm Bert - strong winds and rain.

  An hour's sea-watch early on produced small numbers of Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Pintail, Common Scoter and Red-throated Diver.

November 23rd. Storm Bert - strong winds and rain.

  Three Woodcock were the only birds recorded during the very rough conditions.

Fox, 22nd November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Whooper Swans, 22nd November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Marsh Harrier, 22nd November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Brambling, 22nd November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

Leucistic Blackbird 22nd November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

November 22nd. Cold, quite cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind. Most water-bodies frozen over.

 Eight Whooper Swans left their roost on Fenland Lagoon and headed south early morning, while 3000 Pink-footed Geese left their roost on Croftmarsh and 1500 Starlings passed through early, presumably from a local roost. Offshore highlights were a Skua sp, a Mediterranean Gull and another 12 Whooper Swan south. A Peregrine caught an incoming Blackbird over the sea, the regular male Hen Harrier seemed to be hunting in tandem with one of the local Marsh Harriers and another Marsh Harrier was seen later predating a Little Egret. Both Barn and Short-eared Owls were seen. 3 Cattle Egrets flew south over New Saltmarsh towards the Wash. Its been a fairly poor year for Mistle Thrushes but one was present today and even broke into song briefly. Other birds around included a Water Pipit, 4 Corn Buntings and 2 Woodcock.

Whooper Swans, 21st November 2022.

                                                               Photo - Paul Neale

Teal, 21st November 2022.
Photo - Paul Neale

Teal, 21st November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Mallards, 21st November 2024. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Sanderling, 21st November 2024. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Turnstone, 21st November 2024. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Stonechat, 21st November 2024. 

Photo - Paul Neale

November 21st. A cold morning with a light westerly breeze. 

 Highlights of an hour sea-watch prior to 0900hrs were single Little Auk and Black-throated Diver, with a few small groups of Whooper Swans passing through. Another Little Auk was seen at sea later, a Snow Bunting was on the beach and a Common Sandpiper was on the River Steeping Haven. Also around were a Merlin, 5 Stonechats, 190 Linnets and 1400 Herring Gulls.

Snow Bunting, 21st November 2024. 

Photo - Nige Lound

Beach scene with Gulls, 21st November 2024. 

Photo - Nige Lound