Late January 2022

 31st January.  The Red-breasted Goose remained with the mobile Brent Goose flock, being seen on local arable fields, Tennyson's Sands and the New Saltmarsh. A raft of 400 Eider were offshore, with parties taking off and flying south into the Wash in the first two hours after dawn with 55 Red-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver also moving south. As is typical of strong north or north-westerly winds, a spate of Kittiwakes involved 220 moving south. Other than these and four Goosander south, Storm Corrie was pretty unproductive for seabirds. However, the increased tide height in the evening produced a high number of waders for the time of year; notably 8000 Knot and 4300 Dunlin, with 800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3000 Oystercatcher, 1400 Grey Plover and 500 Sanderling. seven Snow Bunting flew over to Tennyson's Sands again mid morning.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - the highlight of yesterdays Big Garden Birdwatch. 

Photo:Kev Wilson

 30th January 2022. The Red-breasted Goose dropped into Tennyson's Sands at 0918 and again at 1050 with the mobile Brent flock. At least 31 Snow buntings were along the beach at the north end and two Lapland Buntings were mobile. Offshore, moving south 116 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and 283 Eider with another 30 Eider settled offshore. Around were two Woodcock, two Merlin and six Stonechat.

Snow Bunting. Photo: Nige Lound

Merlin. Photo: Nige Lound

Stonechat. Photo: Nige Lound

 29th January 2022.  Continuing the run of  dry days but with gale force winds from Storm Malik making viewing difficult. The Red-breasted Goose remained with the flock of 450 Brent Geese, dropping into Tennyson's Sands again periodically during the day and showing very well from the hides. Also Marsh Harrier here. Up to 18 Snow Bunting were along the beach and 12 Corn Bunting at pre-roost in the lone sycamore by the Visitor Centre Car Park late afternoon. A Slavonian Grebe was on the sea.

Red-breasted Goose. Photo:  © Graham Catley

                                                Red-breasted Goose. Photo:  © Graham Catley

Marsh Harrier. Photo: © Graham Catley

January 28th. The Red-breasted Goose made a brief appearance on Jackson's Marsh around 0900 with a party of Brent Geese but then they moved off south, possibly to the farmland. Around were  single Merlin and Peregrine and 14 Snow Bunting.

                            Peregrine Falcon 28th January 2022. Photo; Nige Lound

January 27th. A Red-breasted Goose arrived with the Brent Goose flock. Seen initially on local fields then showing very well on Tennyson's Sands on and off from early afternoon. Presumably the bird seen recently further into the Wash, this is only the second record for the Reserve, following one in 1985. Also, up to 17 Snow Buntings have been regular visitors to the Tennyson's Sands lagoon in recent days, seemingly coming in to drink. Offshore, 130 Red-throated Divers moved south.

Red-breasted Goose, 27th January 2022

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Red-breasted Goose - 27th January 2022. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

January 26th. Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 900 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 6 Redwing and 16 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Redshank; and on the Mere a Snipe and 2 Water Rail.

January 25th. Around, including birds trapped, was a Brambling.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a new Brambling; and 4 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Robin.

Brambling, ringed 25 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

January 24th. Birds around included 4 Woodcock, a Snipe, 2 Buzzard, a Stonechat, 10 Corn Bunting and 12 Snow Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 450 Dark-bellied Brent Goose; on the Mere 4 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Barnacle Goose, 80 Shoveler and 3 Water Rail. Offshore were 2000 Eider. Heading north were 2 Goosander.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a new Blue Tit; and 7 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and 2 Goldfinch.

Barnacle Geese, 24 January 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Red-throated Diver, 24 January 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Grazing pony in West Dunes, 24 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

January 23rd. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 53 Red-throated Diver, 109 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Brambling and 18 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Barnacle Goose. Flying north were 6 Red-throated Diver; and south 171 Red-throated Diver.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Mick Briggs, resulted in 3 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Brambling and a Blue Tit; and 10 retraps: 7 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

Muntjac, 23 January 2022.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

January 22nd. Frozen start, gradually thawing.

 Birds around included 111 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 450 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Snipe, a male Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzard, a Redwing, a Mistle Thrush and 22 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Barnacle Goose, 23 Curlew and a Cetti's Warbler.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Kyle Campbell, provided just a new Chaffinch; and a retrap Great Tit.

Sanderling, 22 January 2022.
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Gadwall, 22 January 2022.
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Snow Buntings flying, 22 January 2022.
Photo - Rob Watson

Roadside Pond frozen over, 22 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

January 21st. Around were 120 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, 11 Corn Bunting and 12 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 43 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 650 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Croftmarsh 2 Buzzard. Flying north was a Hen Harrier. In off the sea came a Fieldfare.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 5 new birds: 2 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, a Chaffinch and a Great Tit; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch.

Buzzards, 21 January 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Mid January 2022

January 20th. Some early morning light rain.

 Birds around included 42 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 80 Red-throated Diver, 10 Woodcock, 2 Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Fieldfare and 12 Snow Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 1000 Pink-footed Goose; and on Wainfleet Marsh 52 Whooper Swan. Going south were 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Goosander and 15 Kittiwake; and north a Great Northern Diver and 3 Kittiwake.

 A rain-delayed morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 2 new birds: a Great Tit and a Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Blue Tit.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 20 January 2022.
Photo - Rob Watson

Mute Swan courtship, 20 January 2022.
Photo - Mike Chester

Ringing Control: Goldcrest, ringed GPBO 25 April 2021. controlled North Ronaldsay, Orkney 24 May 2021.

January 19th. Around were 4 Woodcock, a Hen Harrier and 2 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 1000 Pink-footed Goose; on Tennyson's Sands 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Curlew and a Cetti's Warbler; and over Wainfleet Marsh 900 Lapwing.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 2 new Blue Tit; and 6 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

Conger Eel, 19 January 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Ringing Recovery: Blackcap, ringed GPBO 23 October 2020, found sick then released South Norwood, London 19 December 2021.

January 18th. Frozen start, gradually thawing.

 Birds around included 2 Redwing and 3 Greenfinch. On Croftmarsh were 1000 Pink-footed Goose.

January 17th. Frosty start.

 Around were 2 Woodcock, a Snipe, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Bullfinch, 21 Greenfinch, a Corn Bunting and 65 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Egyptian Goose, 21 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler; on Croftmarsh 1000 Pink-footed Goose; on the Mere 2 Water Rail; and on Wainfleet Marsh 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Heading west were 27 Pink-footed Goose.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 2 new birds: a Chaffinch and a Great Tit; and 5 retraps: 3 Great Tit and 2 Blue Tit.

Egyptian Geese, 17 January 2022.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Chaffinch, ringed 17 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

January 16th. Birds around included 750 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Long-eared Owl and a Merlin. On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Black-tailed Godwit; and on the sea a Long-tailed Duck, 870 Eider, 88 Red-throated Diver and 45 Great Crested Grebe. Flying south were 300 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 48 Common Scoter, 66 Red-throated Diver, 6 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Shag.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 2 new Goldfinch; and 2 retraps: a Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

January 15th. Foggy, wet start.

 Around were 3 Woodcock, 3 Stonechat and a Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were 80 Pink-footed Goose, 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Water Rail and 3 Curlew; and on Croftmarsh a Buzzard. Going south were 100 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Grey Heron; and east 110 Pink-footed Goose.

Barn Owl pellets from a winter roost site, 15 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

January 14th. Frozen start, gradually thawing.

 Birds around included 60 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Woodcock. On Tennyson's Sands were a Short-eared Owl, 5 Curlew, 11 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Water Rail; on Wainfleet Marsh 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose; and on the sea 650 Wigeon, 76 Great Crested Grebe and 10 Red-throated Diver. Heading south were 2 Little Gull.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 2 new Great Tit; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

January 13th. A White-tailed Eagle left its roost in a local wood and flew south-east over the reserve at 0800hrs. Around were a Whooper Swan and 2 Buzzard. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Curlew.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided just a new Blackbird.

White-tailed Eagle leaving roost, 13 January 2022

Video- Stuart Ainsworth

Great Spotted Woodpecker, January 2022.
Photo - Mike Chester

January 12th. Frosty start.

 Birds around included 176 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 50 Pink-footed Goose, 670 Golden Plover, a male Hen Harrier, 4 Buzzard, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare, 4 Stonechat, 9 Snow Bunting and 8 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Curlew, a Sanderling and a Redshank; on Tennyson's Sands 10 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Curlew and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Wainfleet Marsh 254 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Short-eared Owl. Flying south were 12 Pink-footed Goose.

 Snowdrops are beginning to flower.

Sunset, 12 January 2022.
Photo - Rob Watson

Snowdrops, 12 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

January 11th. Rain until mid morning, then soggy.

 Around were 450 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands was a Black-tailed Godwit.

Early January 2022

January 10th. Birds around included a Treecreeper. On Tennyson's Sands were 100 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a new Blue Tit; and 9 retraps: 5 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

January 9th. Frozen start, gradually thawing.

 Around were 240 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 52 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Shag, 3 Buzzard, 7 Redwing, a Stonechat and 2 Corn Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 29 Pink-footed Goose; on Jackson's Marsh 2 Sanderling and a Redshank; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, a Buzzard and a Cetti's Warbler. Going south was a Slavonian Grebe.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in a new Goldfinch; and a retrap Wren.

January 8th. Rain for most of day, with moderately strong southerly wind.

 On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Curlew.

January 7th. Frosty start, with moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around included 140 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Merlin, a Coal Tit, a Fieldfare and 8 Corn Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 89 Pink-footed Goose; on Jackson's Marsh a Redshank; and on Tennyson's Sands 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 37 Curlew and 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 27 Pink-footed Goose, a Great Northern Diver, a Red-necked Grebe and a Marsh Harrier.

 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a new Blue Tit; and a retrap Goldfinch.

Shovelers, 7 January 2022.
Photo - Andrew Pendlebury

Mallards, 7 January 2022.
Photo - Andrew Pendlebury

January 6th. Frozen start, gradually thawing.

 Around were 40 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Goosander, 1100 Grey Plover, a Woodcock, a male Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 12 Song Thrush, a Redwing, 2 Stonechat, a Water Pipit, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit and a Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 150 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard and 2 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands a Cetti's Warbler. Flying south were 130 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Golden Plover and a Merlin.

Song Thrush 6th January. Photo: Kev Wilson

Tennyson's Sands mostly frozen over, 6 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

Tennyson's Sands mostly frozen over, 6 January 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

January 5th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind.

 Birds around included 29 Pink-footed Goose, a Goosander, 3 Woodcock, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Stonechat, a Siskin and 5 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pochard, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a Grey Heron; and on Croftmarsh 90 Pink-footed Goose. Going south were 37 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Kittiwake and 2 Gannet; and north a Fulmar.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced just 2 retrap Goldfinch.

January 4th. Soggy start.

 Around were 260 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1300 Eider, 25 Red-breasted Merganser, a Great White Egret, 15000 Knot, 4000 Grey Plover, 4500 Dunlin, 3500 Oystercatcher, 600 Sanderling, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, a Coal Tit, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Redwing, a Stonechat, 3 Corn Bunting, a Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail and 7 Black-tailed Godwit; and over Croftmarsh a male Hen Harrier. Heading south were 280 Pink-footed Goose; and north a Goosander.

Buzzard 4th January. Photo: Kev Wilson

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded a new Blue Tit; and 7 retraps: 2 Goldfinch, 4 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

January 3rd. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around included 365 Sanderling, a Coal Tit, 2 Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. Offshore were 1100 Eider. On Tennyson's Sands were a Redshank and a Water Rail; and on Croftmarsh 12 Stock Dove. Flying south were a Mediterranean Gull 3 Great Northern Diver and a Siskin.

Sanderlings, 3 January 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 2nd. Increasing south-westerly wind.

 Around were a Woodcock, a Ring-necked Parakeet, a Bullfinch and a Snow Bunting. Going south were a Velvet Scoter and a Siskin. and west a Bean Goose and a Red Kite.

 A brief, wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided just a new Goldfinch. 

January 1st. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around included a male Hen Harrier, 8870 Lapwing, 3290 Golden Plover and a Woodcock. On Tennyson's Sands were 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, 2 Bearded Tit and a Cetti's Warbler; on the Mere a Water Rail; and on Croftmarsh a Grey Heron. Heading south were a Bewick's Swan and a Razorbill.

 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced just a retrap Blue Tit.