Late February 2015

February 28th. Around were 3+ Barn Owl, 2 Merlin, 3 Common Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier. Jackson's Marsh held 3 Avocet and 47 Black-tailed Godwit. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was located with the Brent Goose flock early morning. A Slavonian Grebe was offshore this evening; out from Mill Hill.

February 27th. The adult Black Brant was again present on Croft Marsh with the Brent Goose flock. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Avocet and a Water Rail.

February 26th. On Tennyson Sands were 3 Avocet, 1200 Brent Goose, 7 Snipe and 2 Pintail. Jackson's Marsh held 44 Black-tailed Godwit. A group of 4 Waxwing were discovered late afternoon; north of Aylmer Avenue. 

Waxwing on Gibraltar Road - north of Aylmer Avenue, 26th February.
Photo - Nigel Lound
February 25th. An adult Black Brant was discovered on Croft Marsh this evening with the Brent Goose flock. Flying through were a Siskin and 4 Rook. Around were a Red-legged Partridge, 4 Redwing, a Bullfinch, 2000 Golden Plover, 2 Yellowhammer and a Coal Tit. On the water bodies were 96 Wigeon, 12 Pochard and 57 Shoveler.

February 24th. Around were a Woodcock, 2 Barn Owl, a ring-tail Hen Harrier and a Merlin. On Jackson's Marsh were 42 Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Goldeneye.

Barn Owl, 24th February.
Photo - Paul Neale 
February 23rd. A Water Pipit was on the Fenland Lagoon. Around were 4 Song Thrush, 42 Corn Bunting, 3 Merlin, 1500 Golden Plover, 15 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 6 Goldcrest, a Peregrine and a House Sparrow. On the water bodies were 47 Shoveler, 17 Little Grebe, 85 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 35 Gadwall, 8 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye and 13 Black-tailed Godwit. The high tide wader roost produced 10000 Knot and 3500 Bar-tailed Godwit. Offshore were 18 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Red-throated Diver.

High tide out from Sleeper Track at dawn
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
High tide out from Sleeper Track at dawn
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
February 22nd. Around were 6 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 6 Snow Bunting, a Merlin and 4 Corn Bunting. At Greenshanks Creek were 2000 Grey Plover and 10 Ringed Plover. Tennyson Sands held 2 Avocet and 3 Goldeneye.

Corn Bunting, 22nd February.
Photo - Garry Wright 
Black-tailed Godwit on Croft Marsh, 22nd February.
Photo - Garry Wright
February 21st. The high tide wader roost produced 3000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2000 Grey Plover, 5000 Knot and 1000 Dunlin. Offshore were a Black-throated Diver, 15 Red-throated Diver and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. During the morning high tide 2 Water Rail were observed swimming across the flooded salt-marsh. A pair of Ringed Plover were displaying on Greenshanks Creek late afternoon.