Ringing Recovery: Blackbird, ringed GPBO 16 May 2014, ring only found by metal detector Baconsthorpe, Norfolk 16 January 2023.
January 20th. Freezing again with some overnight light snow having settled in places and a couple of light sleet showers during the day.
The Raven was seen again over Old Saltmarsh, at one stage, with a Red Kite, which continued south, hunting over Wainfleet Marsh. Later, a group of 3 Red Kite arrived from the north and went south over East Dunes - a most unusual January record. Other birds of prey included 3 Marsh Harrier and 2 Merlin, including a tiny juvenile male that arrived with prey off the sea. Several Skylark headed south and the 12 Snow Bunting were around the beach, being flushed at one stage by 2 Foxes. A flock of 30 Greenfinches was a good number for recent times.
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January 19th. Yet another frozen start, remaining cold and with a very light snow shower in the evening.
A Waxwing was seen along Mill Pond Road before heading off south late morning- there are few berries remaining here now. A Raven flew over the Plantation early afternoon and remained around the south end, being quite vocal for a while early afternoon. The 2 Tundra Bean Geese remained with the Pink-footed Goose flock. Other birds around, including birds trapped, were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk and a Brambling.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Kevin Armstrong, resulted in 3 new birds: a Blue Tit, a Brambling and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, 3 Robin and a Great Tit.
January 18th. Another frozen start, temperatures remained little above freezing all day..
Birds around included 4000 Pink-footed Goose, a Snipe, a Barn Owl, 25 Redwing (including 18 south), 41 Fieldfare south, a Stonechat and 12 Whooper Swan. There were 70 Skylarks around the outer dunes and marshes and a male Goosander flew south offshore.
A late morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Kevin Armstrong, provided 7 new birds: a Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, a Chaffinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: 3 Blue Tit and a Robin.
January 17th. Frozen start, slowly warming up a bit.
The only signs of cold-weather movement were a few parties of Fieldfare heading south and a handful of new Redwing grounded. Poor visibility at sea but 7 Kittiwake were seen passing close south. Around were 4000 Pink-footed Goose, 30 Whooper Swan, a Short-eared Owl and a Water Pipit.
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January 16th. Increasing then decreasing north-westerly wind, with some mid morning rain.
Offshore, 63 Kittiwake headed south and a Razorbill went north. Birds around included 3300 Pink-footed Goose, 2000 Lapwing, 2000 Golden Plover, a Water Rail, 2 Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher and 12 Snow Bunting.
January 15th. Quite strong south-westerly wind.
Offshore, a Great Northern Diver, 12 Red-throated Diver and 180 Eider flew south. Around were 360 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4500 Pink-footed Goose, 3800 Lapwing, 2500 Golden Plover, a Scaup, a Stonechat and a Water Pipit. In the evening 10 Whooper Swan flew south and there were 2 Barn Owl flying around.
January 14th. Variably strong south-westerly wind, with rain until late morning.
Birds around included a Buzzard.
January 13th. Strong south-westerly to westerly wind.
A Goldeneye was on Tennyson's Sands - this species has become scarce on the lagoons in recent winters. Other birds around included a Barn Owl, a Kingfisher, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Marsh Harrier and 2800 Pink-footed Goose.
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| The first Snowdrops starting to flower, 13 January 2023. Photo - George Gregory |
January 12th. Dry and bright again, remaining mild, with a westerly breeze.
Fairly busy offshore again with the highlights being 2 male Goosander flying south 10 minutes apart and 2 Slavonian/Black-necked Grebe in from the north and landing distantly on the sea. Good numbers of Pink-footed Goose on Croftmarsh and from the Wash roost (c3000), with hundreds of Lapwing and Golden Plover commuting to the Haven from local fields again. Also around were a Barn Owl, a Marsh harrier (mobbing a fox on Croftmarsh), 32 Whooper Swans (2 south), 7 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Stonechat, a Kingfisher and 2 Stonechat.
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Barn Owl, 12th January 2023. 
Ringing Recovery: Song Thrush, ringed GPBO 29 September 2021, found dead Alcale de Xivert, Castellon, Spain 17 December 2022.
January 11th. A dry and bright morning with a strong westerly breeze.
A Great Northern Diver heading south was the highlight of a morning sea-watch, with 30 Red-throated Diver also offshore and 9 Snow Bunting on the beach. Good numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover were commuting between local fields and the Haven: 3000 of each. 4000 Pink-footed Goose made for an impressive sight (and sound) on Croftmarsh. Three Great White Egret arrived on Tennyson's Sands late morning before moving off west. Also around were a Peregrine, 7 Woodcock, 2 Marsh Harrier and the regular Scaup.
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Scaup, 11th January 2023. 