Late January 2019

January 31^st. There was a heavy fog for most of the day which eventually cleared mid-afternoon. The juvenile Glaucous Gull was seen on the beach throughout the day; and a Hooded Crow was also seen on the beach out from Mill Hill. Despite the water bodies being mostly frozen throughout the day, 100 Wigeon and a drake Pintail were on Jackson’s Marsh; and 2 Snipe were on Tennyson’s Sands. Some other sightings from around the reserve include a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Woodcock, a Coal Tit, 14 Fieldfare, a Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, a Water Pipit, a Rock Pipit and 12 Corn Bunting.

Glaucous Gull, 31st January 2019

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Stonechat, 31st January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Visitor Centre winter scene,  31st January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Juvenile Glaucous Gull, 31st January 2019.
Photo - Andrew Chick

Glaucous Gull, 31st January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

30th January. In the afternoon, a White-fronted Goose was found with 800 Pink-footed Goose on Croftmarsh. On Jackson's Marsh were 104 Wigeon, a drake Pintail and a Snipe; on Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe; and on the Mere was a drake Goldeneye. The juvenile Glaucous Gull was seen on the beach.10 Whooper Swan and 5 Bewick's Swan were feeding on the fields to the west of the Steeping. Around the reserve were 79 Eider, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Woodcock, a Peregrine, a Coal Tit, 11 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 6 Rock Pipit, a Brambling and 10 Corn Bunting. 4 Siskin went south.

Juvenile Glaucous Gull, 30th January 2019.
Photo - Russell Hayes

First winter White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese, 30th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wigeon, 30th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Drake Pintail and Wigeon, 30th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Little Egret fishing, 30th January 2019.
Video - Jim Shaw

29th January. 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) went to roost on Tennyson's Sands from Harvey's Hide late in the afternoon. A Brambling was visiting the feeding station in the Plantation; and 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach. Other highlights included 21 Whooper Swan, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 350 Brent Goose, a drake Pintail, a drake Goldeneye, 180 Common Scoter, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, a Coal Tit, a Chiffchaff, 17 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, 2 Rock Pipit, a Siskin and 40 Corn Bunting.

Little Egret, 29th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Little Egret, 29th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Common Scoter, 29th January 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound

Brambling and Great Tit, 29th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Coot, 29th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

28th January. 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) went to roost on Tennyson's Sands from Harvey's Hide at 16:20; and in the morning 450 Brent Goose, including 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, were on Tennyson's Sands. 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach out from Mill Hill. Around the reserve were 31 Whooper Swan, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Pintail, 2 Eider, a drake Goldeneye, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, 2 Rock Pipit and 51 Corn Bunting.

Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 28th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese with a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 28th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 28th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Snowdrops, 28th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Snowdrops, 28th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

27th January. A juvenile Glaucous Gull and 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach; and 5 Bewick's Swan were feeding with 54 Whooper Swan on fields to the west of the Steeping River. Around the rest of the reserve were 600 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Hen Harrier (a male and a ringtail), a Merlin, a Peregrine and 24 Corn Bunting. On the sea were 140 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Crested Grebe. Going north were 24 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 4 Guillemot; and going south were 28 Wigeon, an Eider, 39 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet and 5 Guillemot.

26th January. 5 Bewick's Swan and a Whooper Swan roosted on Tennyson's Sands in the evening (best seen from Harvey's Hide). 2 Marsh Harrier and a Male Hen Harrier were seen from the Wash Viewpoint in the morning; and 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach out from Mill Hill. Around the reserve were 45 Whooper Swan, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 140 Brent Goose, 150 Wigeon, a drake Pintail, a drake Goldeneye, a Buzzard, 350 Golden Plover, 485 Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Snipe, a Peregrine Falcon, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Mistle Thrush, 3 Rock Pipit and 45 Corn Bunting. On the sea were 7 Eider, 120 Common Scoter, 20 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Great Crested Grebes. Going north were 12 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe and a Razorbill; and going south were 22 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Guillemot and 2 adult Kittiwake.

Song Thrush, 26th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Goldeneye, 26th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Goldeneye, 26th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

25th January. The family group of 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) was on Tennyson's Sands between 13:05 and 14:25. Also on Tennyson's Sands were a Pochard, a Water Rail, a Dunlin and 8 Snipe.  A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the beach out from Mill Hill in the afternoon and a juvenile Iceland Gull flew south toward the Wash at 16:20. Seen around the reserve were 800 Pink-footed Goose, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 300 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Snipe, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, a Coal Tit, 20 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush and 30 Corn Bunting.

Bewick's Swan family group, 25th January 2019.
Photos - Owen Beaumont

Juvenile Glaucous Gull, 25th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

24th January. 4 Hooded Crow were on the beach. 79 Eider, 150 Common Scoter, 26 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Crested Grebe were on the sea. Around the reserve were 33 Whooper Swan, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Brent Goose, 108 Shelduck, 2 Goosander, a male Marsh Harrier, 3 Water Rail, a Woodcock, 4 Snipe, a Kingfisher, 3 Coal Tit, 12 Fieldfare, 32 Rock Pipit and 50 Corn Bunting. A cream crowned Marsh Harrier flew north and 7 Fieldfare went south.

Dunlin, 24th January 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound

Shoveler, 24th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Mute Swan, 24th January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Shoveler, 24th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

23rd January. 52 Whooper Swan and 5 Bewick's Swan were on fields to the west of the River Steeping. 8 Goosander and 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach in the afternoon; and 126 Eider were on the sea out from the Wash Viewpoint at high tide. Around were 900 Pink-footed Goose, 250 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Water Rail, 2 Snipe, a Peregrine, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush, 5 Rock Pipit and 40 Corn Bunting. 5 Kittiwake were following a fishing trawler offshore. Going north were 21 Red-throated Diver, a Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and a Short-eared Owl; and going south were 68 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.

Goosanders on the beach, 23rd January 2019

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

22nd January. A ringtail Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl and a Peregrine were seen from the Wash Viewpoint in the evening; and 2 Hooded Crow were seen on the beach out from Mill Hill. The 5 Bewick's Swan were feeding in the fields to the west of the Steeping River with 57 Whooper Swan. Other highlights included 867 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, a Goldeneye, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, 150 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, a Woodcock, a Barn Owl, a Coal Tit, a Chiffchaff, 42 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Rock Pipit, a Siskin and 62 Corn Bunting.

Pintail, 22nd January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Corn Buntings, 22nd January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Coal Tit, 22nd January 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

21st January. The 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) were seen flying into roost on Tennyson's Sands in the evening. On Jackson's Marsh was a drake Goldeneye. Around the reserve were 42 Whooper Swan, 600 Pink-footed Goose, a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Peregrine.

Peregrine, 21st January 2019.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Mid January 2019

January 20th. 43 Whooper Swan and 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) roosted on The Wash overnight. On Jackson's Marsh were 112 Wigeon, a drake Pintail and a drake Goldeneye. Also around the reserve were 381 Pink-footed Goose, 230 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Water Rail, 19 Ringed Plover, 17 Turnstone, a Woodcock, a Merlin, 3 Hooded Crow, 2 Coal Tit, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mistle Thrush, 18 Fieldfare, a Rock Pipit and 24 Corn Bunting. on the sea were 11 Eider, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot. Going south were 4 Eider, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Red-throated Diver.

Winter wildfowl including Brent Geese and Wigeon, 20th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 20th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Bar-tailed Godwit, 20th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

The Moon, 20th January 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

January 19th. 3 Hooded Crow were on the beach out from Mill Hill. On the Mere were a drake Goldeneye and a Water Rail; and on Jackson's Marsh were 130 Wigeon, a drake Pintail and a Black-tailed Godwit. Highlights from the rest of the reserve include 5 Bewick's Swan, 2 Red-legged Partridge, an immature male Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe, a Merlin, a Barn Owl and a Water Pipit. A Goosander flew south.

Bewick's Swans, 19th January 2019.
Photo - David Hitchin

January 18th. 5 Bewick's Swan went into roost on Tennyson's Sands from Harveys Hide at 16:30. Also on Tennyson's Sands were 220 Brent Goose, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Snipe; and on Jackson's Marsh were 120 Wigeon, a drake Pintail and a drake Goldeneye. There was another large movement of Herring Gull in the morning with 500 going south during an hour sea watch. Also around the reserve were 3 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 2 Hooded Crow, a Stonechat, 15 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing and 40 Corn Bunting. A Peregrine flew south and a Woodcock flew in off the sea.

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 Harvey's Hide at 16:25. A Jack Snipe was flushed in the west dunes. On Tennyson's Sands were 250 Brent Goose, a female Goosander 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 seawatch included a juvenile 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  and a Lesser Redpoll flew south.

Bewick's Swans on Tennyson Sands, 17th January 2019

Video - Stuart Ainsworth 

Black-tailed Godwit, 17th January 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

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 (including 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, 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