Mid December 2014

December 20th. Around were a Merlin, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, 500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Snow Bunting and 2 Bullfinch. Flying south were 17 Great Crested Grebe and a Fulmar.

December 19th. Birds around included 16 Snow Bunting, a Hen Harrier, 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 9 Whooper Swan, 2 Bullfinch and 3 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson Sands were 5 Water Rail. South went 7 Stock Dove.

December 18th. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.
 Around were 350 Brent Goose and 6 Whooper Swan.

December 17th. Birds around included 2000 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 9 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch and a Blackbird; and 13 retraps: a Greenfinch, 4 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch and a Robin.

December 16th. Light south-westerly wind with clear skies.
 Around the reserve were 42 Snow Bunting, a Lapland Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 4000 Golden Plover, 2 Common Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin and 54 Corn Bunting. Tennyson's Sands held a Water Rail, a Pintail, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Goldeneye. A mid-morning sea watch produced a Slavonian Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 42 Red-throated Diver, a Goosander, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, a Guillemot and 2 Kittiwake. Flying south over the reserve were 4 Whooper Swan, 124 Fieldfare, a Marsh Harrier and a Waxwing.

December 15th. Birds around included 12 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest and 3 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was not very productive. The 2 new birds were a Great Tit and a Blackbird; and the 5 retraps were 3 Blue Tit, a Blackbird and a Dunnock.
 A fungus found growing on an old Pine cone at Aylmer Avenue is possibly either Conifercone Cap (Baeospora myosura) or Pinecone Cap (Strobilurus tenacellus).

Fungus on Pine Cone, 15 December 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
Fungus on Pine Cone, 15 December 2014.
Photo- George Gregory
December 14th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 Around were a Coal Tit, a Bullfinch, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Corn Bunting, a Fieldfare, 15 Goldcrest, a Merlin, 60 Blackbird, a Barn Owl and a Woodcock.

December 13th. Frozen morning.
 Birds around included a Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Coal Tit, 2 Siskin and 4 Goldcrest. On Tennyson Sands was a Water Rail.

December 12th. Around were 2 Goldcrest. Flying south were 55 Pink-footed Goose.

December 11th. Birds around included 22 Snow Bunting, 2 Bullfinch and 350 Brent Goose.