Mid February 2025

February 20th. Little sign of the forecast milder weather so far, with a cool south-easterly breeze continuing and occasional light rain. However, it was a very productive day for winter birding; The Black Brant accompanied the Brent flock from the haven to Tennyson's sands early morning while two small parties of White-fronted Geese (5&4) were around the grazing marsh and fields. A lone Barnacle Goose was a new arrival with 2 Greylags. the highlight of the day were 2 vocal Common Cranes that arrived from the north and circled around the Reserve before departing to the south-west. A Bearded Tit was seen in the reeds at Tennyson's sands.

Common Cranes, 20th February 2025. 
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Common Cranes, 20th February 2025. 
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Marsh Harrier, 20th February 2025. 
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Barnacle Goose with 2 Greylag Geese, 20th February 2025. 
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

February 19th. Remaining cold but mostly dry with good visibility. A Black Brant was located with the Brent flock of 600 coming into wash and bathe on Tennyson's Sands in the morning. The first Brant here for four years. Also on the Goose theme the local flock of White-fronted Geese had increased to 22. Other birds around included 14 Corn Bunting, 2 Water Rail, a Mistle Thrush and a Barn Owl.

Black Brant (top) with Brent Geese, 19th February 2025. 
Photo - Paul Neale
White-fronted Geese, 19th February 2025. 
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons
White-fronted Geese, 19th February 2025. 
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons
Brent Goose, 19th February 2025. 
Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail, 19th February 2025. 
Photo - Paul Neale

Marsh Harrier, 19th February 2025. 
Photo - Paul Neale
Mistle Thrush, 19th February 2025. 
Photo - Nige Lound

February 18th. The White-fronted Goose flock remained in the area and up to 600 Pink-footed Geese were mobile. The 2 Whooper swans roosted overnight on Tennyson's Sands and there were 2 Water Pipits around.

February 17th. The highlights of a morning seawatch in a bitter south-easterly wind were Great Northern Diver and Fulmar. A Barn Owl was hunting along the Cycletrack. A good selection of waterbirds were around the lagoons and Croftmasrh including 2 Whooper Swans, 600 Pink-footed Geese, 600 Lapwing, 500 Wigeon and 400 Teal. 17 White-fronted Geese arrived mid morning. Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin were also over Croftmasrh.

Barn Owl, 17th February 2025. 
Photo - Kev Wilson
Lapwings, 17th February 2025. 
Photo - Kev Wilson
White-fronted Geese,17th February 2025. 
Photo - Kev Wilson

February 16th. Sunshine now feeling like a distant memory, at least there was no precipitation during a  two km transect counting common birds. Results indicated good numbers of wintering Robins still around and a good number of Wrens surviving the winter, with a group of five in close proximity having possibly emerged form a communal roost. Three mobile Water Pipits and 2 Woodcock were also recorded in the morning and a pair of Goosander arrived on Tennyson's sands late afternoon.


Goosanders, 16th February 2025. 
Photo - Nige Lound

February 15th. Continued cold wind from the east with occasional light sleety rain and poor visibility in the morning and conditions deteriorating further in the afternoon. Fairly good numbers of waders at roost again despite the tide being a low spring. 900 Oystercatchers was significantly more than yesterday. A Gannet went north offshore and other birds around included Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier and Barn Owl.

February 14th. Dull and overcast but with good visibility and remaining dry with a bitter Easterly wind.

Offshore 70 Red-throated Divers represented an increase and there were 1150 Herring Gulls roosting on the beach. The high tide wader roost involved 18000 Knot, 1660 Grey Plover, 420 Sanderling, 3100 Dunlin and 800 Bar-tailed Godwit. Other birds around included a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl, 2 Stonechats and the Song Thrush in song again.

February 13th. Just a report of a Hen Harrier today

February 12th. A much better today for bird recording although remaining fairly chilly, dull and overcast.   

 Rarities included 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Collared Doves and presumably the same 2 Bearded Tits that were seen earlier in the month. 900 Lapwings were on Croftmarsh with a Peregrine over, and a Cetti's Warbler was around the North Car Park. A Song Thrush was in full song.

February 11th. Quite chilly. 

 Birds around today included the regular 2 Stonechats around the Visitor Centre, a Barn Owl, 37 Tufted Duck on the Mere and Corn Buntings up to 23 in the lone Sycamore by the 'Hump'.