January 10th. Rain from an hour after dawn through most of the rest of the day, heavy at times with strong breeze.
At least 1000 Pink-footed Goose left the roost just before dawn. The highlight of a sea-watch was 31 Red-throated Diver heading south.
January 9th. Increasing south-westerly wind, otherwise fairly mild.
Around were 3000+ Pink-footed Goose, 920 Wigeon, 687 Eider, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Woodcock, 1000 Lapwing, 70 Skylark, 2 Stonechat, 9 Snow Bunting and a Green Woodpecker. Heading south were 450 Lapwing and 8 Whooper Swan. The Scaup remained on Tennyson's Sands.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: a Robin and 2 chaffinch; and 2 retraps: a Chaffinch and a Blue Tit.
January 8th. Moderately strong southerly wind.
Birds around included a Tundra Bean Goose, a Kingfisher, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard, whilst up the road in Skegness, the evening Starling roost was again around 10,000.
January 7th. Strong southerly wind.
A fairly busy sea-watch from 0800-1000hrs with 84 Red-throated Diver and 9 Great Crested Grebe moving into the Wash, good numbers of Eider and Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Goosander and a Slavonian/Black-necked Grebe. 9 Snow Bunting were on the beach. Numbers of Pink-footed Goose were down by around 50%, and no sign of the 2 Tundra Bean Geese today. Other birds around included 4 Marsh Harriers and a Woodcock.
January 6th. Fresh south-westerly wind.
Around were 375 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4500 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 2 Tundra Bean Goose, a Buzzard and 40 Starling; on Tennyson's Sands a Pintail and a singing Cetti's Warbler; and on the Mere a Pochard. Flying south were 300 Lapwing and 100 Golden Plover.
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| Marsh Harrier, 6 January 2023. Photo - Nige Lound |
January 5th. A generally mild day with a bit of light rain in morning.
Birds around included 94 Black-bellied Brent Goose, 4000 Pink-footed Goose, 5000 Lapwing, 2 Woodcock, a Barn Owl, a Snipe, 3 Sparrowhawk, 5 Marsh Harrier, a Goldcrest, 10 Corn Bunting and a Redwing. On Wainfleet Marsh were 38 Whooper Swan and 3000 Starling; on Tennyson's Sands a Scaup and a Cetti's Warbler..
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in a new Blue Tit; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Blue Tit.
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January 4th. Generally clear and dry with a strong south-westerly wind.
Around 4000 Pink-footed Goose came out of the roost on Croftmarsh at dawn and another 800 had roosted on the beach before flying inland. Large parties were later feeding on Croftmarsh where the 2 Tundra Bean Goose were visible from North Hide. Offshore the highlights were 2 Goosander, single Slavonian Grebe and Red-necked Grebe and more Eider arriving from the north.
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January 3rd. Poor conditions and poor visibility through the morning with rain showers through the afternoon.
At least 11 Snow Bunting remained on the beach, the Scaup was on Tennyson's Sands and a Kingfisher was on the Fenland Lagoon sluice. Around 4000 Pink-footed Goose were around Croftmarsh.
January 2nd. Fairly mild again.
A noticeable influx of Pink-footed Goose brought 4800 to Croftmarsh and surrounding fields. Eventually, 2 Tundra Bean Goose were located from North Hide, with the Scaup also visible from there. 40 Whooper Swan left the roost and headed north. Birds around included 500 Wigeon, 2 Stonechat, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Yellowhammer, 13 Corn Bunting, 6 Woodcock, 5 Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier and 3 Buzzard. 53 Whooper Swan came in to roost at dusk.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, provided 4 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock and 2 Blue Tit.
Pink-footed Geese, 2nd January 2023.
Video - Kev Wilson
