November 30th. Overcast, quite misty start, with fresh southerly wind.
A quiet day for recording not least because of the poor visibility this morning. However, there were still plenty of Robins and Blackbirds to count with a handful of Goldcrests and several mobile Water Pipits over the west side. Around the Plantation, the two Chiffchaffs and single Blackcap remained with a Brambling, a few Redwing and a flock of 35 Fieldfare that arrived from the north. Nearby, a Yellow-browed Warbler was an excellent late-autumn find for one of the team in an isolated woodland strip off the A52.
November 29th. A fairly mild and bright morning with fresh southerly breeze.
An early morning sea-watch produced some good birds: a Long-tailed Duck was on the sea close in again, 4 Little Gulls, a Goosander, a Goldeneye 2 Slavonian/Black-necked Grebes and a Black-throated Diver went south, with a Great Northern Diver veering out south-east. Various Red-throated Divers, Eider, Common Scoter and Wigeon flocks were also moving, and some Starlings were arriving off the sea. 2 Hen Harriers were hunting the outer dunes including a new ringtail (juvenile male). Vis mig involved small numbers of Skylarks, Rock Pipits and Linnets.
November 28th. Frozen start, gradually thawing out and drying out in the sun, with light variable wind.
Highlights of an early morning sea-watch were 20 Pintail and a Goosander heading south. On the lagoons were up to 10 Water Rails, a Great White Egret, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a Kingfisher. Other birds around included a Red Kite, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Woodcock, 2 Stonechats and 10 Corn Buntings.
November 27th. Rain until early afternoon, then clear with light northerly wind.
The heavy rain delayed any serious recording until early afternoon at which point attention turned to the sea in the hope that the residual northerly wind might produce some interest. There was a good movement of Kittiwakes, with many small flocks totaling 496 in around 3 hours. A Long-tailed Duck was settled offshore with another heading north. Other birds around included a Merlin and a Great White Egret.
November 26th. Another mild day, remaining dry with sunny spells and with a light south-westerly wind.
The sea was quieter this morning except for a Slavonian/Black-necked Grebe that landed distantly. Finches were moving south in small numbers again, including 10 Bramblings and a Twite, and there were more Thrushes, with several small flocks of Fieldfares moving south. A male Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper and a Bullfinch were around the Plantation, with a Water Pipit calling over Sykes Farm. The highlight of the day was a Bittern seen on Tennyson's Sands in the afternoon.
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Bittern, 26th November 2024. Photo - Rob Smith |
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Marsh Harrier with prey, 26th November 2024. Photo - Rob Smith |
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Water Rail, 26th November 2024. Photo - Rob Smith |
The strong south-westerly wind produced a good variety of birds offshore and some overland vis mig that has been lacking for a while. The highlight was a Black-necked Grebe close inshore and in front of 5 Great Crested Grebes, a Red-necked Grebe arrived from the north and settled on the sea, and a Long-tailed Duck flew south close in. 25 Great Crested Grebes and 13 Red-throated Divers were also recorded, mostly moving south in an hour. Among the small parties of Starlings, Chaffinches, Siskins and Linnets moving south were 8 Bramblings and 2 Redpolls.
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| Storm Bert casualty, 25 November 2024. Photo - George Gregory |
November 24th. Storm Bert - strong winds and rain.
An hour's sea-watch early on produced small numbers of Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Pintail, Common Scoter and Red-throated Diver.
November 23rd. Storm Bert - strong winds and rain.
Three Woodcock were the only birds recorded during the very rough conditions.
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Fox, 22nd November 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Whooper Swans, 22nd November 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Marsh Harrier, 22nd November 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Brambling, 22nd November 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Leucistic Blackbird 22nd November 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
Eight Whooper Swans left their roost on Fenland Lagoon and headed south early morning, while 3000 Pink-footed Geese left their roost on Croftmarsh and 1500 Starlings passed through early, presumably from a local roost. Offshore highlights were a Skua sp, a Mediterranean Gull and another 12 Whooper Swan south. A Peregrine caught an incoming Blackbird over the sea, the regular male Hen Harrier seemed to be hunting in tandem with one of the local Marsh Harriers and another Marsh Harrier was seen later predating a Little Egret. Both Barn and Short-eared Owls were seen. 3 Cattle Egrets flew south over New Saltmarsh towards the Wash. Its been a fairly poor year for Mistle Thrushes but one was present today and even broke into song briefly. Other birds around included a Water Pipit, 4 Corn Buntings and 2 Woodcock.
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| Whooper Swans, 21st November 2022. Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Teal, 21st November 2022. Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Teal, 21st November 2022. Photo - Tom Baker  Mallards, 21st November 2024. Photo - Tom Baker  Sanderling, 21st November 2024. Photo - Tom Baker  Turnstone, 21st November 2024. Photo - Tom Baker  Stonechat, 21st November 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
November 21st. A cold morning with a light westerly breeze.
Highlights of an hour sea-watch prior to 0900hrs were single Little Auk and Black-throated Diver, with a few small groups of Whooper Swans passing through. Another Little Auk was seen at sea later, a Snow Bunting was on the beach and a Common Sandpiper was on the River Steeping Haven. Also around were a Merlin, 5 Stonechats, 190 Linnets and 1400 Herring Gulls.
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Snow Bunting, 21st November 2024. Photo - Nige Lound |
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Beach scene with Gulls, 21st November 2024. Photo - Nige Lound |
