Mid January 2019

January 17th. 5 Bewick's Swan were feeding on fields to the west of the Steeping River and went into roost on Tennyson's Sands from Harveys Hide at 16:25. A Jack Snipe was flushed in the west dunes. On Tennyson's Sands were 250 Brent Goose and a Black-tailed Godwit; and on Jackson's Marsh were 110 Wigeon, a drake Pintail and a Grey Heron. Highlights from a 40 minute morning sea watch included a juvnile Glaucous Gull (which flew in from the north before heading west) and 780 Herring Gull south. Also around the reserve were 41 Whooper Swan, a Sparrowhawk, 45 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 2 Hooded Crow, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Fieldfare, a Redwing, a Mistle Thrush and 2 Rock Pipit. 3 Goosander flew south.

January 16th. 5 Bewick's Swan went into roost on Tennyson's Sands from Harveys Hide at 16:30. Also on Tennyson's Sands were 65 Wigeon, a Pintail, a Grey Heron, a Water Rail, 152 Lapwing and 3 Snipe. 39 Whooper Swan were feeding on the fields to the west of the Steeping River. Other highlights from around the reserve include 350 Brent Goose, 200 Golden Plover, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow, a Coal Tit, a Treecreeper, a Rock Pipit, a Brambling and 35 Corn Bunting.

Merlin, 16th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Male Chaffinch, 16th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Female Chaffinch, 16th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

January 15th. 42 Whooper Swan and the 5 Bewick's Swan were feeding distantly on fields to the west of the Steeping River again. Also around the reserve were 150 Brent Goose, a drake Goldeneye, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 3 Hooded Crow, a Treecreeper, 9 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 2 Stonechat and 3 Corn Bunting. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew in off the sea and then flew west. Going south were 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and 3 Mistle Thrush.

Fieldfare, 15th January 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound

Hooded Crow, 15th January 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound

Hooded Crow and Carrion Crows, 15th January 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 14th. Highlights from around the reserve today included 54 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 350 Brent Goose, a Goldeneye, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Woodcock, 14 Snipe, a Kingfisher, a Barn Owl, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Rock Pipit, 2 Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer and 60 Corn Bunting. Out from The Wash viewpoint in the evening were a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Merlin. Offshore were 27 Eider, a Common Scoter, 7 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Crested Grebe. 3 Goosander flew west in the morning.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Kingfisher, 14th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Blackbird, 14th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Blue Tit, 14th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

January 13th. A Long-eared Owl was seen on Gibraltar Road at 19:15. 42 Whooper Swan and 5 Bewick's Swan (2 adults) were feeding on fields to the west of the visitor centre. The Bewick's Swans roosted on Tennyson's Sands again from 16:35. Also around the reserve were a Sparrowhawk, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Coal Tit, a Treecreeper, 11 Fieldfare and 2 Rock Pipit. 2 Hooded Crow were on the beach out from Mill Hill; 77 Eider were offshore; and a Lapland Bunting flew south mid morning.

January 12th. The family group of 5 Bewick's Swan (which included 2 adults) went to roost on Tennyson's Sands from Harvey's Hide at 16:22. 55 Wigeon, a drake Goldeneye and a Black-tailed Godwit were on Jackson's Marsh; and 3 Snipe were on Tennyson's Sands. A Hooded Crow was on the beach and 20 Eider were offshore. Also around the reserve were 14 Fieldfare, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit and 20 Corn Bunting.

January 11th. The Black Redstart was seen briefly near the Visitor Centre in the morning and 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) roosted on Tennyson's Sands again in the evening. Also on Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, 12 Snipe and a Kingfisher; a drake Pintail and a drake Goldeneye were on Jackson's Marsh; and 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach. Other highlights from around the reserve included 30 Whooper Swan, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine Falcon, 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 16 Fieldfare, 5 Rock Pipit, 2 Siskin and 60 Corn Bunting. Offshore were 16 Eider, a Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye and 3 Great Crested Grebe. A Marsh Harrier flew west and a Lapland Bunting went south.

Redshank, 11th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Early January 2019

January 10th. The 5 Bewick's Swan went to roost on Tennyson's Sands again in the evening and 2 Hooded Crows were on the beach out from Mill Hill. Also around the reserve were 1000 Pink-footed Goose, an Eider, a Goldeneye, a Red-breasted Merganser, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 160 Golden Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Snipe, a Merlin, 3 Rock Pipit and 50 Corn Bunting. In the plantation were 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, a Brambling and 3 Siskin. A Great Skua went north and a Lapland Bunting went south.

Goldeneye, 10th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

January 9th. A Waxwing was seen from Mill Hill briefly in the afternoon before flying north. Birds around included 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 1200 Pink-footed Goose, an Eider, 5 Goosander, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Hooded Crow, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, 6 Fieldfare and 2 Rock Pipit. Going north were 7 Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver; and south a Red-necked Grebe, 9 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.

Bewick's Swans, 9th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

January 8th. The Black Redstart remained around the Visitor Centre, as did the drake Goldeneye on the Mere and 2 Hooded Crow on the beach. Also seen were 2200 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 6 Snipe, an Adult Mediteranean Gull, a Kingfisher, 3 Rock Pipit and 74 Corn Bunting. The 5 Bewick's Swan flew in to roost on Tennyson Sands at Dusk. Going south were 7 Eider, 30 Red-throated Diver, 3 Guillemot, a Puffin and a Snow Bunting.

Black Redstart, 8th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Black Redstart, 8th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

January 7th. Best of the sightings from around the reserve today were 59 Whooper Swans, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Woodcock, 2 Merlin, a Chiffchaff and 2 Siskin. A Goldeneye was on the Mere; 3 Hooded Crows were on the beach out from Mill Hill; and a Slavonian Grebe was on the sea. On Millenium Ridge were 437 Brent Geese (including 11 Juveniles and 1 Pale-bellied Adult) and 90 Eider. A Marsh Harrier flew South.

January 6th. The Black Redstart was still around the Visitor Centre. Birds around included 3000 Pink-footed Goose, 220 Brent Goose, 56 Whooper Swan, a Pintail, 4 Goosander, 3 Woodcock, 2 Snipe, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, a Treecreeper, 16 Fieldfare and 6 Yellowhammer.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, yielded 2 new birds: a Chaffinch and a Greenfinch; and 8 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Goldfinch.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 6th January 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

January 5th. The Black Redstart remained around the Visitor Centre. Around were 300 Brent Goose, 50 Whooper Swan, a Chiffchaff and a Snow Bunting. Offshore were 80 Eider and 6 Red-breasted Merganser and a Guillemot. On the Mere were a Goldeneye and a Water Rail; and on Jackson's Marsh a Pintail and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

                                                           Guillemot, 5th January 2019

                                                           Video - Stuart Ainsworth

                                                                       

Snow Bunting, 5th January 2019

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Snow Bunting, 5th January 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

January 4th. The Black Redstart was still around the Visitor Centre and a second winter Glaucous Gull was seen briefly from the Wash View Point late in the afternoon. Birds around included 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 200 Brent Goose, 59 Whooper Swan, an Eider, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, 3 Mistle Thrush and 82 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 5 Pintail, a Guillemot and 10 Fieldfare.

Black Redstart, 4th January 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

January 3rd. Highlights from around the reserve today were 600 Pink-footed Goose, 60 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow and 40 Corn Bunting. A Black Redstart was discovered around the Visitor Centre in the afternoon.
 Seawatching highlights from today were a Great Northern Diver, Little Gull, 11 Velvet Scoter and 60 Common Scoter.

January 2nd. Around were 120 Brent Goose, 700 Pink-footed Goose, 50 Whooper Swan, 7 Velvet Scoter, a Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, a Goldcrest, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 4 House Sparrow and a Yellowhammer. On Tennyson's Sands was a Pintail. Flying south were 2 Goosander and a Guillemot.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, provided 3 new birds: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Robin.

January 1st. Birds around included 49 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 2300 Pink-footed Goose, 330 Brent Goose, 2 Grey Heron, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 500 Golden Plover, 300 Lapwing, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 4 Hooded Crow, a Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 2 Coal Tit, a Treecreeper, a Stonechat and 35 Corn Bunting. On the Mere was a Goldeneye; and offshore were 5 Goosander, 14 Velvet Scoter, a Razorbill and a Guillemot. Going south were a Kittiwake and 4 Siskin; and north a Gannet.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced a new Greenfinch; and 2 retraps: a Greenfinch and a Goldfinch.

Late December 2018

December 31st. A juvenile Iceland Gull  and a Mediterranian Gull flew south late in the afternoon. Around were 49 Whooper Swan, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Brent Goose, 2 Hooded Crow, a Brambling and 30 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Kingfisher; and on Jackson's Marsh 63 Wigeon, 2 Pintail and a Black-tailed Godwit. Offshore were 14 Velvet Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, provided 3 new birds: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 3 Great Tit and a Blue Tit..

Great Tit with unusually brown-tipped remiges, ringed 31st December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

 December 30th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 42 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Velvet Scoter, a Grey Heron, a Buzzard, a Water Rail, 350 Lapwing, 11 Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, 3 Hooded Crow, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Fieldfare and 23 Corn Bunting. Flying south was a Peregrine.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 11 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit and 5 Greenfinch; and 5 retraps: 3 Great Tit and 2 Blue Tit.

December 29th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 A Waxwing was seen at the Hump briefly before flying north. Around were 48 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Brent Goose, 2 Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, 400 Lapwing, 19 Snipe, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Rock Pipit, a Bullfinch and 15 Corn Bunting. Going north were 22 Red-throated Diver, a Guillemot, 12 Fieldfare and 15 Redwing; south 20 Red-throated Diver, 8 Ringed Plover, a Kittiwake and 14 Siskin; and west 8 Fieldfare.

Common Snipe, 29th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont.

Common Snipe, 29th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont.

December 28th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3200 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Brent Goose, 5 Bewick's Swans, a Hen Harrier, 350 Lapwing, 3 Goldcrest and 2 Coal Tit.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 3 new birds: a Blue Tit and 2 Greenfinch; and 6 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Coal Tit.

Coal Tit, retrapped 28th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

December 27th. Around were 3000 Pink-footed Goose and 400 Lapwing.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 9 new birds: 3 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit and 4 Greenfinch; and 10 retraps: 5 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 27th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

December 26th. Foggy morning.
 Birds around included 50 Brent Goose and 300 Pink-footed Goose.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 6 retraps: 3 Goldfinch, a Coal Tit and 2 Great Tit.

December 25th. Around were 150 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 110 Eider, a male Hen Harrier, 6000 Oystercatcher, 7000 Knot, a Woodcock and a Merlin. Going south were 120 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing and 3 Brambling. .

December 24th. Soggy start, slowly drying out.
 Birds around included 600 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Brent Goose and a Woodcock.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 4 new birds: 2 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch; and 8 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and 4 Great Tit.

December 23rd. Rain for much of day.
 Around were 12 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 600 Pink-footed Goose, 50 Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 7 Redwing and 5 House Sparrow.

December 22nd. A Waxwing was discovered by the roadside next to the Plantation before flying south. Birds around, including those trapped, were 46 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan, 75 Brent Goose, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 400 Wigeon, a Pintail, a Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, 1500 Lapwing, 2 Kingfisher, a Hooded Crow, a Stonechat, a Coal Tit, a Brambling and 45 Corn Bunting, On the sea were 100 Common Scoter, 14 Velvet Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, 20 Red-throated Diver and 10 Red-breasted Merganser. Heading south were 10 Red-throated Diver, 55 Fieldfare, 44 Redwing, 2 Siskin, a Redpoll and a Lapland Bunting.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 7 new birds: a Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, a Brambling and a Greenfinch; and 3 retraps: a Coal Tit, a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

Waxwing, 22nd December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Waxwing, 22nd December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Brambling, ringed 22nd December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing Control:
Blackcap ringed GPBO 2 August 2018, controlled Plaisance, Charente-Maritime, France 25 September 2018.

December 21st. Intermittent rain.
 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) were found on the fields west of the River Steeping. Around were 53 Whooper Swan, 70 Brent Goose, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, 200 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, 106 Fieldfare, 64 Redwing, 4 Rock Pipit and 40 Corn Bunting. On the sea were 100 Wigeon, 2 Eider, 120 Common Scoter, 11 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Great Crested Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe. Flying south were 83 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 3 Red-throated Diver, 128 Fieldfare and 16 Redwing; and west 25 Fieldfare.

Bewick's Swans, 21st December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont.

Mid December 2018

December 20th. A Waxwing was around the Plantation in the morning. Birds around included 48 Whooper Swan, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 300 Lapwing, 500 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Hooded Crow, a Coal Tit, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit and 22 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 40 Snipe. Going south were 175 Wigeon, a Goosander, 20 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 375 Fieldfare and 29 Redwing. On the sea were 3 Eider, 140 Common Scoter, 8 Velvet Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe and a Razorbill.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 5 new birds: 3 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Blackbird; 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch; and a control Goldfinch.

Blackbird, 20th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Great Black-backed Gull, 20th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 19th. Some rain in morning,
 Around were 46 Whooper Swan, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 1000 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, a Hooded Crow, 25 Fieldfare, 2 Rock Pipit and 20 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Grey Heron and a Water Rail. Heading west were 62 Fieldfare.

December 18th. Moderately strong south-easterly wind, with rain in afternoon.
 Birds around included 51 Whooper Swan, a Grey Heron, 80 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Hooded Crow, a Coal Tit, 11 Redwing, 3 Water Pipit, a Bullfinch and a Corn Bunting. Flying south were 2 Brent Goose, 5 Eider, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Common Scoter.

December 17th. Around, including birds trapped, were 57 Whooper Swan, 2600 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, 4500 Golden Plover, 250 Lapwing, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 3 Hooded Crow, 4 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Tree Sparrow, 3 Rock Pipit, a Bullfinch, 6 Brambling and 45 Corn Bunting. Over Tennyson's Sands was a Water Pipit; on the Mere was a Kingfisher; and offshore were 40 Wigeon, 120 Common Scoter, 8 Velvet Scoter, a Guillemot and a Great Crested Grebe. Going south were 25 Chaffinch and 7 Brambling.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 4 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Tree Sparrow, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Great Tit and a Blue Tit,.

Long-tailed Tit, 17th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Tree Sparrow, ringed 17th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Honeycomb in the West Dunes, 17th December 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

December 16th. Birds around included 54 Whooper Swan, 70 Brent Goose, 850 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Pintail, a Goosander, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 600 Golden Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, 3 Hooded Crow, 5 Goldcrest, a Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, a Tree Sparrow, 9 Rock Pipit and 60 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler; and on the sea were an Eider, 150 Common Scoter, 4 Velvet Scoter, a Slavonian Grebe and 2 Guillemots. Heading south were 50 Teal, 11 Shoveler, a Brambling and 5 Siskin.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded a new Chaffinch; and 4 retraps: 3 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Corn Bunting, 16th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Stonechat, 16th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Coot, 16th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 15th. Increasing south-easterly wind.
 Around were 44 Whooper Swan, 100 Brent Goose, 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Pintail, 150 Common Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, a Hooded Crow, and 35 Fieldfare.

December 14th. Birds around included 26 Whooper Swan, 90 Brent Goose, 1720 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Barn Owl, 2 Hooded Crow, a Chiffchaff, 145 Fieldfare, 26 Redwing and 56 Corn Bunting. On the Mere were 2 Water Rail and 6 Snipe; and on the sea were an Eider, 200 Common Scoter and a Velvet Scoter. Flying north were 8 Red-throated Diver and a Snipe; and south 4 Eider, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Great Crested Grebe and 5 Red-throated Diver.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 2 Greenfinch; and 6 retraps: 5 Great Tit and a Blue Tit.

Common Snipe, 14th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Common Snipe, 14th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 13th. Moderately strong south-easterly wind.
 Around were 25 Whooper Swan, 500 Pink-footed Goose, 90 Brent Goose, 150 Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Woodcock, 2 Chiffchaff, 70 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and 32 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail, a Grey Heron and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

Blackbird, 13th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Chiffchaff, 13th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 12th. Birds around included 50 Whooper Swan, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 16 White-fronted Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 900 Golden Plover, 450 Lapwing, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, 2 Rock Pipit, and 2 Corn Bunting.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a new Greenfinch; and a retrap Blue Tit.

Pink-footed Geese, 12th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Ringing Recovery: Marsh Tit ringed Cottam PS, Nottinghamshire 11 July 2018, found dead GPNNR 25 September 2018.

December 11th. Around were 3 Tundra Bean Goose, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, a Shag, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, a Merlin and 2 Yellowhammer. On the Mere was a Kingfisher. Going north was a Pomarine Skua; and south were 2 Great Northern Diver.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 4 new birds: a Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch and a Greenfinch; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Coal Tit and a Dunnock.

Shag seen on Cowbank Drain, 11th December 2018.
Photo - Kev Wilson

Early December 2018

December 10th. Around were 500 Pink-footed Goose and a Redwing. Heading south was a Water Pipit.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 3 new birds: 2 Goldfinch and a Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Great Tit.

December 9th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind, with rain until early morning. A Great White Egret was seen briefly, first on Jackson's Marsh and then Tennyson Sands before flying off.
 Birds around included 30 Whooper Swan, 400 Pink-footed Goose, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, 3 Redwing and a Blackcap, Offshore were 9 Velvet Scoter and 2 Great Northern Diver; and on the Mere 62 Gadwall. Flying south were 400 Lapwing.

December 8th. Strong south-westerly wind, with some rain in afternoon.
 Around were 400 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Fieldfare and 300 Lapwing. 2 Chiffchaff were in the plantation. Highlights from Mill Hill were 2 Great Northern Diver on the sea.

December 7th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, with rain until early afternoon.
 Birds around included 37 Whooper Swan, 400 Pink-footed Goose, 250 Wigeon, and Eider, 200 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Grey Heron, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 8 Snipe, a Hooded Crow, a Merlin, 47 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 8 Rock Pipit and 2 Corn Bunting.

Snipe, 7th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 6th. Around were 35 Whooper Swan, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 24 Brent Goose, 11 Velvet Scoter, 300 Common Scoter, 2 Hooded Crow and a Brambling.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 4 new birds: 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, 7 Great Tit and a Coal Tit.

Coal Tit, retrapped 6th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Tiny Toadstools on a Corsican Pine Cone, 6th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

December 5th. Rain for most of day.
 Birds around included 36 Whooper Swan, 1600 Pink-footed Goose, a Grey Heron, 2 Hen Harrier (a male and a ringtail), a Water Rail, 8 Snipe, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, a Water Pipit and 16 Corn Bunting.

December 4th. Freezing start, slowly thawing out.
 Around were 40 Whooper Swan, 1600 Pink-footed Goose, 200 Brent Goose, 100 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Grey Heron, a Buzzard, a Water Rail, 400 Golden Plover, 900 Lapwing, a Woodcock, 5 Snipe, a Merlin, 47 Fieldfare, a Stonechat, a Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting. Heading north were 11 Velvet Scoter; and south 8 Siskin.

Corn Bunting, 4th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Robin, 4th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Reed Bunting, 4th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 3rd. Rain from mid morning.
 Birds around included 32 Whooper Swan, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, a White-fronted Goose, 65 Brent Goose, a Great Northern Diver, a Red-necked Grebe and 200 Lapwing. Flying south were a Bullfinch and a Lapland Bunting.
 A brief, rain-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in a new Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

December 2nd. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, with some light early morning rain.
 Around were 38 Whooper Swan, 2800 Pink-footed Goose, 160 Brent Goose, a Pintail, 11 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Red-throated Diver, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Hen Harrier, 3 Water Rail, 800 Lapwing, a Woodcock, 12 Snipe, a late Sandwich Tern, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine Falcon, 3 Hooded Crow, 2 Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, a Blackcap, a Treecreeper, 38 Fieldfare, 14 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, a Brambling and 11 Corn Bunting. Going south were 4 Whooper Swan, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Northern Diver.

Little Egret, 2nd December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 1st. Birds around included 46 Whooper Swan, 3000 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, a Great Crested Grebe, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff, 18 Redwing, 2 Rock Pipit and 2 Brambling.

Grey Heron, 1st December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Teal, 1st December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont