January 20th. Still frosty. Sea-watching news concerns a Puffin heading south, a Velvet Scoter off the north end with 50 Common Scoter, the 3 Long-tailed Duck and good numbers of Red-throated Divers, Eider and Great Crested Grebes. An evening gull roost survey was undertaken and a very high count of 5600 Common Gulls was made. 3 Hen harrier and 3 Marsh Harrier came in to roost and 7 Jack Snipe were detected in the Old Saltmarsh.
January 19th. Another hard frost to start the day. 8 Waxwings were along the Cycle Track, a Bearded Tit was in the reeds on Tennyson's Sands where 28 Whooper Swans had roosted again. 8 Snow Bunting were along the beach and at least 5 Woodcocks were in the dunes. A Pintail was on the Mere and the highlight of a sea-watch was a Red-necked Grebe. Also around was a Mediterranean Gull.
January 18th. A bitterly cold day with a snow shower mid morning, but another excellent day for birding on the Reserve. The run of Waxwing records continues with a new flock of 14 around the Visitor Centre Car Park, Cycle Track and West Dunes during the morning. Whilst we have had larger flocks in past winters, the overall numbers passing through and the number of days that Waxwings have been recorded are exceptional. 3 Tundra Bean Geese headed low north over Croftmarsh and a group of 4 Red Kites flying south down the East Dunes was unusual. 39 Whooper Swans were on Tennyson's Sands having roosted, at least 1 Bearded Tit was still at the Mere and several Water Pipits were seen. Over 100 Redwings were around the Plantation/West Dunes and new Blackbirds and Fieldfares were arriving with a Song Thrush off the sea. Offshore, the 3 Long-tailed Ducks were seen again with a Razorbill and a Goosander. Other birds around included Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, 2 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Stonechat and Corn Bunting.
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January 17th. Remaining cold and frosty but dry and calm. 2 Waxwings were mobile around the East Dunes with 9 Snow Buntings also mobile and the regular 4 Shorelarks on the beach towards the north end. 8 Water Pipits were around the Freshwater Marsh. Offshore were a Slavonian Grebe, 120 Red-throated Diver and the 3 Long-tailed Ducks. 26 Whooper Swans roosted overnight again on Tennyson's Sands and were joined by two further groups of 5 and 4 - the latter arriving off the sea. The Mere was productive for dabbling duck due to being ice-free and hosted 2 Bearded Tit today with 2 Goosander coming in to roost. Other birds around included Merlin, Treecreeper and Corn Bunting.
January 16th. Cold again after overnight frost with a light westerly wind. Tennyson's Sands was 80% frozen but 32 Whooper Swans had roosted overnight and left around 0930. The 3 Long-tailed Duck were back offshore with a Little Gull moving south close in but there was little other change at sea. Another increase in Sanderling saw a count of 700. 12 Snow Buntings were over the Old Saltmarsh with a Short-eared Owl and a Jack Snipe nearby. In the evening, a Waxwing was over the East Dunes and 2 Hen Harrier and 3 Marsh Harrier came in to roost. Other birds around were 5 Woodcock, 35 Redwing and a Stonechat.
January 15th. Freezing start. Offshore were a Little Gull, a Great Northern Diver and a Gannet. A Grey Wagtail and a Bullfinch around Sykes Farm were new for the year. The Bearded Tit was heard again at the Mere and two Short-eared Owls were hunting the Old Saltmarsh. Also around were 50+ Redwing and 3 Fieldfare.
January 14th. Another cold start. The morning high tide produced counts of 12,800 Knot, 3600 Dunlin, 2600 Grey Plover, 1500 Bar-tailed Godwit and 565 Sanderling. Good numbers of Red-throated Diver, Eider and Common Scoter offshore again but the Long-tailed Ducks had moved north to Skegness. A Spoonbill that flew south onto the river mouth was the first January record for the Reserve. Other birds around included 15+ Redwing, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin and a Water Pipit.
January 13th. Starting cold again but becoming a pleasant day with plenty of good birds seen. A group of 5 Waxwings were along the approach road and a Little Gull was feeding in front of the wash Viewpoint early morning. Both the male and ringtail Hen Harriers were out over the marsh. One of todays 5 Marsh harriers was busy mobbing a Red Kite out on Croftmarsh. Two Red Kites spent an hour out there and there were interactions also with Buzzard, Kestrel, Brown Hare and a Fox ! The 4 Shorelarks remained out on the north saltings and there were various sightings of Snow Bunting flocks that presumably all joined up in a group of 18 that paused briefly on the Freshwater Marsh. A Bearded Tit was calling from the Mere nearby. Offshore, 3 Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver were the highlights. On the lagoons, a pair of Pintail and the 29 Whooper Swans came in to roost. Other birds around were 6 Water Rail, 4 Woodcock and good numbers of wildfowl.
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January 12th. Quite a cold start again.
On Tennyson's Sands were 1800 Pink-footed Goose, 75 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Pochard; and on Fenland Lagoon 3 Water Pipit. Offshore were a Goldeneye, 3 Long-tailed Duck and 5 Red-breasted Merganser. Redwings increased to 100 around Sykes Farm, a Bean Goose flew over calling and ringtail Hen Harrier and Merlin were hunting the marshes. Also around were a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Barn Owl, a Stonechat and 7 Snow Bunting. 29 Whooper Swans came in to roost.
January 11th. Quite a cold start. The male Hen Harrier was around again.
