December 31st. Cloudy, with increasingly strong south-westerly wind.
Birds around in the morning were 4 Pochard, a Water Pipit and the regular Chiffchaff. In the evening, 700 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Whooper Swans and hundreds of Gulls heading in to roost.
December 30th. Partially cloudy, with fresh south-westerly wind.
The Chiffchaff was still around the Plantation, 21 Fieldfare were around the west side, while 3 Pochard and 21 Black-tailed Godwits were on the lagoons.
December 29th. A fairly clear start before the fog rolled in again, making field observations difficult in the time available, then fairly clear again, then clouding over, with moderate south-westerly wind.
Birds around (and mostly heard!) included a Cetti's Warbler, a Goldcrest and 3 Water Pipits.
December 28th. A dank, dripping-wet, misty/foggy day, with light south-westerly wind.
A Barn Owl was hunting the marshes and 4 Little Grebes were showing well in front of the Mere Hide.
December 27th. Another dank, misty/foggy day, with light south-westerly wind.
December 26th. Damp and misty, becoming increasingly foggy through the day, remaining mild with light south-westerly wind.
A Chiffchaff remained around Sykes Farm.
December 25th. Very mild and dank, cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.
A good selection of birds recorded by one observer today: 3 Stonechat, a Cetti's Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Woodcock, 500 Wigeon, 600 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Water Rail, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 13 Black-tailed Godwits.
December 24th. Soggy start, cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.
Just a Brambling and a Water Pipit reported around Sykes Farm this morning.
December 23rd. Mostly clear, chilly, with decreasing north-westerly wind.
A brief watch early morning produced the following highlights: a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Barn Owl, 35 Turnstone and 2 Redpoll, and in the afternoon: a Barn Owl, a Water Pipit, 6 Stonechat and 110 Sanderling.
December 22nd. Partially cloudy, chilly, with increasing westerly to north-westerly wind.
Three Velvet Scoters were offshore before flying south, and a ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting the outer dunes with a Merlin. A few Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and Eider were also seen at sea whilst a small number of Linnets and Skylarks headed south. The Bittern was seen again on Jackson's Marsh.
December 21st. The Winter Solstice (the shortest day). Quite strong south-westerly wind, with rainy spells.
A Snow Bunting was over New Saltmarsh and the Chiffchaff remained at Sykes Farm. Other birds around included 3 Pintail, a Pochard, a Water Rail, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, a Marsh Harrier and 11 Redwing.
