January 5th. Rain for most of day, with mostly southerly wind.
Just 2 Woodcocks reported at the north end of the West Dunes.
January 4th. Frozen start, mostly cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.
Six Whooper Swans roosted on Tennyson's Sands before heading off south. Bearded Tits were heard again at the Mere,and a Goosander was on Greenshank's Creek before flying inland. There was little movement over the sea except 20 Red-throated Divers and 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, whilst 65 Eider were on the Haven and up to 6 Snow Buntings along the foreshore. There was an increase of Shoveler to 152 on Tennyson's Sands, but otherwise little evidence of cold-weather movement. Overland 3 Siskins headed south. Other birds around included a Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Short-eared Owl.
January 3rd. Frozen start, partially cloudy, with light westerly wind. Conditions as yesterday, becoming sunny.
The morning wader roost held 2800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6000 Knot, 1200 Grey Plover and 1800 Oystercatcher. A Lapland Bunting was over the New Saltmarsh with many Rock Pipits, Skylarks and Reed Buntings there. Two southbound Rooks were an unusual January record. Two Bearded Tits were at the Mere and 3 Whooper Swans were on Tennyson's Sands before flying south, followed by two more. A Red Kite and two Merlins were also around.
January 2nd. Frosty start, clear, with light north-westerly wind, become sunny in the afternoon. A really good (albeit cold) winter's day with good coverage of the Reserve and a good variety of birds to be seen.
Offshore highlights were 9 Kittiwakes, 2 Gannets, a Great Crested Grebe and 17 Eider heading south with 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 6 Red-throated Diver on the sea. Around the beach feeding waders included 32 Turnstone and 160 Sanderling, with a Merlin around the saltmarshes. 300 Brent Geese, 2 Hen Harriers, another Merlin, a Water Pipit, 8 Snipe and good numbers of Skylark, Rock Pipit, Linnet and Reed Bunting. Waterbirds around the lagoons included 600 Pink-footed Geese, 320 Wigeon, 10 Pintail and 14 Black-tailed Godwits. A few Redwing and Fieldfare were seen on the west side, with a Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper in the Plantation.
Wishing all of our followers a very Happy New Year.
January 1st. Strong but decreasing south-westerly wind, with morning rain.
Activity by birds and birders was generally reduced by the poor weather during the morning, but rewards were had at sea: a Slavonian Grebe passed south close inshore and 6 Velvet Scoters flew into the Wash with 250 Common Scoters. Also offshore were 6 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Red-throated Divers and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers. A raft of 500 Eider was an impressive sight on the sandbanks. Other birds around included a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Barn Owl, 3 Water Pipits and a Chiffchaff.
