Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog

Late January 2026

January 28th. A warmer day with a gentle southerly wind, sunny at first but clouding over some what later.

On the sea were 2 Eider, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 6 Red-throated Diver. On Tennyson's Sands, there were 146 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 131 Teal, 29 Tufted Duck and 7 Black-tailed Godwit.

Elsewhere across the mudflats and beach etc were 300 Brent Geese, 110 Pink-footed Geese, 550 Wigeon, 510 Oystercatcher, 420 Sanderling, 240 Curlew, 420 Sanderling, 131 Redshank and 2000 Herring Gulls.

Around the rest of the reserve there were 9 Woodcock, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Fieldfare and 70 Linnets.

Short -eared Owl at dusk on the old Saltmarsh, 28th January 2026
Photo - Rob Watson

January 27th. A cold and wet day with rain for most of it, being driven along in a very strong south easterly wind as Storm Chandra arrive in the UK.

No records received - probably everybody staying dry!

January 26th. A cold day with full cloud cover though out and a moderate north easterly switching around to a south westerly by dark.

Sea watching produced 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Black-throated Diver. On the beach were 600 Oystercatcher, 54 Ringed plover, 21 Turnstone and 215 Sanderling.

Around the water bodies were 87 Shoveler, 31 Gadwall, 272 Teal, 40 Tufted Duck, 40 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe. Also around the reserve were 900+ Wigeon (Croft Marsh), 6 Woodcock and a Marsh Harrier.

Mute Swan, 21st January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Lapwings, 21st January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Bar-tailed Godwit, 21st January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

January 25th. Cold and dull again with a moderate easterly.

A morning sea watch revealed 2 Eider, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar and a Gannet. An adult Little Gull flew over Mill Hill towards Tennyson's Sands. On the foreshore, a single Shorelark remained. On Greenshanks Creek and Ridge were 16 Shelduck, 1200 Herring Gull, 16 Great Black-backed Gull and 54 Cormorant.

On the water bodies were 29 Brent Geese, 120 Greylag Geese, 100 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 400 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 26 Tufted Duck, 1 drake Goldeneye (Tennyson's Sands at first light), 1 Little Grebe, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe and 1 Cetti's Warbler. Also around were 4 Woodcock (Cycle Track).

The Lone Shorelark, 25th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Marsh Harrier, 24th January 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Black-tailed Godwits, 24th January 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

January 24th. A cool and increasing South-easterly breeze but remaining dry and bright.

A morning sea watch resulted in a northbound Sooty Shearwater which is a rare January record along with a Great Northern Diver and 30 Red-throated Divers going south. Also two Caspian Gulls were amongst 1200 Herring Gulls roosting on the beach where 16 Turnstone were also feeding.

On the water bodies were 121 Shoveler, 31 Gadwall, 57 Mallard, 297 Teal, 31 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 19 Black-tailed Godwit and a Cetti's Warbler. On Croft Marsh and beyond, there were 1550 Lapwing, 1400 Golden Plover and 410 Wigeon. Also about was a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and a Merlin.

Dawn on the 24th January
Photo - Paul Neale

Teal, 24th January 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Shoveler's, 24th January 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

January 23rd. Another cool day with the persistent south easterly remaining moderate with cloud throughout the day.

Following the recent freeze, high numbers of Shoveler's have returned to the lagoons - up to 180 is exceptional for the Reserve. A bout of intense feeding involved 80 birds on 23rd January, possibly taking advantage of an abundance of planktonic Crustacea (BWP Vol 1).

Shoveler's, 23rd January 2026.Video by Kev Wilson.

January 22nd. Still feeling cold in a moderate east south easterly with full cloud cover all day and occasional drizzle.

On the sea were 1 Great Crested Grebe (South) and 11 Red-throated Diver. On the beach were 1000 Herring Gull and 26 Turnstone on the beach.

The water bodies contained 127 Shoveler, 29 Gadwall, 750 Wigeon, 91 Mallard, 500 Teal, 23 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe and 6 Black-tailed Godwit whilst flying over Tennyson's Sands at first light were 5000 Lapwing. also on there were 1 drake Goldeneye, 1 Cetti's Warbler and a Marsh Harrier. Also around today were 1 Treecreeper, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard and 1 Tawny Owl.

Brent Goose, 22nd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Marsh Harrier, 22nd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Marsh Harrier on Tennyson's Sands, 22nd January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Redwing, 22nd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Long-tailed Tit, 22nd January 20226
Photo - Mike Watts

Treecreeper, 22nd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

January 21st. Feeling cold in a moderate south easterly wind despite the full cloud cover and rain for most of the morning.

On a morning sea watch there were 6 Eider, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 27 Red-throated Diver, 2 Black-throated Diver (South together) and 1 Great Northern Diver (South close in) whilst on the beach (Greenshanks Ridge) were 400 Grey Plover, 18 Turnstone, 120 Sanderling, 400 Dunlin, 400 Herring Gull and 140 Cormorant.

Elsewhere on the water bodies were 200 Pink-footed Geese, 146 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 400 Wigeon (Croft Marsh), 603 Teal, 25 Tufted Duck, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Water Rail, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Water Pipit and 1 Cetti's Warbler (Tennyson's Sands) whilst on Croft Marsh were 1200 Lapwing.

Late on 3 Goosanders were at the North end of Tennyson's Sands, apparently roosting during the late afternoon (A drake and 2 Redheads). Also about were 2 Woodcock, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard and a Merlin.

Brent Geese, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Lapwings and Golden Plovers, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Bar-tailed Godwit, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Wren, 20th January 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Blue Tit, 20th January 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Goldfinch, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Robin, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Mid January 2026

January 20th. A Sunny day with occasional broken cloud rolling though on a moderate south south easterly.

Early news concerned a single Shorelark found feeding on the foreshore. On the sea were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 450 Wigeon (Greenshanks Creek) and a Red-throated Diver whilst on the beach were 200 Oystercatcher, 51 Ringed Plover, 56 Redshank, 25 Turnstone and 556 Herring Gull.

On the water bodies were 4 White-fronted Geese (first thing on Field 10), 153 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 80 Teal and 16 Tufted Duck whilst on Croft Marsh, there were 500 Golden Plover, 1200 Lapwing and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.

Elsewhere around the reserve were 2 Woodcock, 1 Merlin, 1 Buzzard and 2 Stonechat (New Salt Marsh).

Shorelark on the foreshore, 20th January 2026

Video - Nige Lound

White-fronted Geese, 20th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
Teal, 20th January 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons
A Drake Shoveler coming in to land, 20th January 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons
Brent Geese, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwit, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Seals hauled out on the sand banks in the Wash, 20th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt
January 19th. A fairly mild morning with a light southerly breeze and quite misty.

Poor visibility early morning negated any extensive sea-watching, but a large, intense feeding frenzy of large Gulls along the foreshore contained at least 2 Caspian Gulls. Some 900 Oystercatchers were dispersing from the roost and feeding with the Gulls along with good numbers of Redshank, Sanderling and Turnstone. 51 Ringed Plover was an unusually high count for the time of year. A few Meadow Pipits were heading south and a Lapland Bunting was calling over the New Saltmarsh.

Skylark, 19th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Boisterous Skylarks, 19th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

A Skylark blending in, 19th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

January 18th. Grim weather for most of the day with intermittent rain and mist before becoming pleasant for the latter part of the afternoon.

Good numbers of Woodcock reported again today in the few locations recorded.

Doe and Stag Roe Deer, 19th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

January 17th. A brighter morning with a light southerly breeze.

A high count of 75 Woodcock was made during good coverage of the census area. Many of these birds probably arrived during the big freeze last week. A very high count of 91 Wren was also made - indicating very good survival of the harsh conditions. The majority of these birds were in the denser scrub of the West Dunes or under the canopy of the Plantation. A Treecreeper was with the Tit flock in the West Dunes.

Also around were 1 Whooper Swan and 3 Red-throated Diver (Both over the sea), 3 Water Pipit, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 19 Corn Buntings.

January 16th. Mostly cloudy, with light southerly wind.

Records from the sea were much the same as recent days and there was still a good spread of waders feeding along the foreshore including 45 Turnstone. A Peregrine scattered the waders at one point and a Goldeneye flew out to sea.

On the water bodies were 3 White-fronted Geese which were probably new arrivals along with 170 Pink-footed Geese, 109 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 509 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Snipe, 15 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Cetti's Warbler (Harvey's Hide). On Croft Marsh were 380 Golden Plover and 800 Lapwing.

Other birds around included 39 Woodcock, a male Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, a Bullfinch and 9 Corn Bunting.

A distant Hen Harrier over Croft Marsh, 16th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Snowdrops now in flower, 16th January 2025.
Photo - George Gregory

January 15th. Cloudy, dank, with light south-westerly to south-easterly wind and rain from midday.

A drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and a singing Great Tit were early signs of spring. An hour sea-watch early morning recorded a Black-throated Diver again, with 35 Red-throated Divers, a small number of Common Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers and a passage of 660 Herring Gulls.

January 14th. Mostly cloudy, with light south-westerly to south-easterly wind.

A morning sea-watch produced (heading South) 6 Whooper Swan, 12 Teal, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 41 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver and 1 Grey Heron. On the sea were 120 Wigeon, 1 Eider and 1 Common Scoter. On the beach were 5 Turnstone and 62 Linnet.

Also around the reserve were 510 Pink-footed Geese (Including 270 in off), 98 Shoveler and 1 Goldeneye (Both on Tennyson's Sands), 120 Lapwing (Croft Marsh), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier (New Saltmarsh), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Kingfisher (Both on Tennyson's Sands), 109 Fieldfare (All heading south along the East Dunes) and 1 Stonechat (Visitor Centre).

Bar-tailed Godwit, 14th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

January 13th. Cloudy, with occasional light rain and a light southerly breeze turning westerly later on.

A brief morning sea-watch in murky conditions revealed 230 Wigeon, 47 Eider (including 32 South), 7 Goldeneye, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 9 Red-throated Diver, all heading South. On the beach were 8 Turnstone, 8 Great Black-backed Gull and 600 Herring Gull.

Around the water bodies were 90 Shoveler, 350 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck and 1 drake Goldeneye (Tennyson's Sands again). Also heard near the reserve entrance before dawn was a Tawny Owl and up to 10 Woodcock were around the West Dunes and Cycle Track/Plantation areas.

Drake Goldeneye, 12th January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Drake Tufted Ducks, 12th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Female Tufted Ducks, 12th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Lapwings, 12th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Drake Mallards, 12th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

January 12th. Cloudy, milder, with fresh south-westerly wind.

Still plenty of activity along the shore this morning but there was a lot more happening at sea than yesterday with a Red-necked Grebe in from the north and landing and a Slavonian Grebe heading south amidst a movement of Great Crested Grebes, Red-throated Divers and Eider. A raft of over 500 Wigeon were close inshore with 7 Red-breasted Merganser.

On the water bodies (Which are now free of ice), were 94 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 420 Wigeon, 81 Mallard, 434 Teal, 13 Tufted Duck and 1 drake Goldeneye (Tennyson's Sands).

Around the reserve were 8 Woodcock, 1 Hen Harrier (A Ringtail South) and 31 Fieldfare.

Drake Goldeneye on Tennyson's Sands, 12th January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Drake Goldeneye, Shoveler's, Teal and Mallards, 12th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Mallard's 12th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Curlew on the Golf Course, 12th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

January 11th. Cloudy and still bitterly cold in a strong south-easterly wind, and rain from early afternoon.

Difficult viewing conditions but the main feature of the morning was the spectacle of over 2000 feeding Waders and 2500 Gulls along the foreshore. A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting the outer ridges and a Blackcap was recorded near the Reserve entrance for its 3rd day.

Snowdrops are out, 12th January 2026
Photo - Nigel Lound

Early January 2026

January 10th. Cloudy, with light north-easterly wind and occasional light snow or rain.

A sea-watch resulted in 5 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (South) and 4 Red-throated Diver.

Also around were 110 Brent Geese, 192 Pink-footed Geese on Croft Marsh, 530 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 4 Snipe, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Turnstone, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2 Water Pipits, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 23 Corn Buntings and at least 12 Woodcock were about the Cycle Track and Plantation environs.

January 9th. Cloudy and wet with a strong north-easterly wind and rain all day as Storm Goretti passed through.

During a brief sea-watch on the sea were 2 Eider, a Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Diver and 18 Kittiwake (South). A Woodcock was in the West Dunes and 50+ Redwing, 14 Fieldfare and 42 Blackbird were along the Cycle Track. A Cetti's Warbler was again vocal around Tennyson's Sands.

Shorelarks on the beach, 8th January 2026
Photo - Rob Watson

Distant Little Stint (Left hand side) with Dunlin (Right hand side), 8th January 2026
Photo - Rob Watson

January 8th. Cloudy but still very cold with a light westerly breeze becoming southerly and then easterly by evening and beginning to increase as Storm Goretti starts to arrive overnight bringing prolonged rain with it.

Croft Marsh was home during the day to 2 Tundra Bean Geese and 2 White-fronted Geese but were either distant or obscured by reed for much of the day. During the early afternoon, a Little Stint was discovered feeding with Dunlin in a creek just East of Greenshanks Ridge. 34 Turnstone were on the tide line also. The 2 Shorelarks were again observed on the foreshore at the North End whilst a lone Snow Bunting was found near the reserve boundary.

Flying north-westerly over the fields west of Cow Bank Drain mid morning were 3000 Pink-footed Geese. A Great Crested Grebe was still on the river with another on the sea, 2 Eider and a Red-throated Diver were on the sea also. Two Red-breasted Merganser were off the Millennium Ridge with 200 Cormorants roosting on Greenshanks Ridge. A Water Rail was unusually on the Creek under the South Marsh Road bridge, probably due to all the fresh water on the reserve being frozen solid! Having said that, a Water Rail was hanging on near Fenella Hope Hide, calling occasionally along with 3 to 4 Water Pipit there also.

Also about were 2 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Stonechat, 1 Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 22 Corn Buntings (By the hump) and 30 Linnet on the foreshore.

Distant shot of White-fronted Geese, 8th January 2026
Photo - Nigel Lound

Distant shot of male Red Breasted Merganser, 8th January 2026
Photo - Nigel Lound

Turnstone, 8th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Linnet on the foreshore, 8th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Linnets on the foreshore, 8th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

The River Steeping - 5th January 2026
Photo - Rob Aspeslagh
It has been several winters since ice has formed across the River Steeping. A few may remember the winter of 1963 which was much colder! see pic below.

The River Steeping - January 1963
Photo - Barrie Wilkinson

January 7th. Partly cloudy, slightly warmer but still below freezing for much of the day with a light westerly wind.

Ringing Recovery Report: Greenfinch, ringed GPBO 11 October 2025, found dead at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire 7 January 2026, a movement in a Westerly direction of 37km in 88 days.

Not much to look at with most of the water bodies still frozen! 5th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

January 6th. Again, a bitterly cold start to the day with -6C the low in the clear conditions. A light westerly breeze bringing cloud and rain by evening but never getting above 2 degrees by dusk.

Highlights today included a Great White Egret. On the River Steeping was the regular Great Crested Grebe, and a Kingfisher was on the boats. The Corn Bunting brigade (15 in total) was on the Sycamore by the Hump as usual. Also about were a Snipe, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and a Barn Owl.

Snow Bunting, 5th January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Great Crested Grebe on the River Steeping, 6th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Wigeon heading south over the beach, 6th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Shelduck heading south over the beach, 6th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Curlews over the foreshore, 5th January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Barn Owl, 6th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

2nd year male Blackbird gobbling up Hawthorn berries, 6th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Cold enough for Snow on the beach, 6th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

The River Steeping, 5th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

January 5th. Another bitterly cold start to the day with temperatures at dawn of -6C, staying very cold all day getting up to 2C by early afternoon in a biting light north westerly wind.

Highlights of the day were, again, the 2 Tundra Bean Geese which were on Field 10 all day on and off with 600 Pink-footed Geese also about. On the foreshore 2 Shorelarks were seen briefly feeding on the sea wrack along with a Snow Bunting and, also, at least 4 Stonechats (possibly 8 individuals) were around the foreshore.

On the sea there were 8 Common Scoter, 2 Eider, 2 Tufted Duck and a Great Crested Grebe, whilst heading South were 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Kittiwake and a Gannet. The high tide roost involved 525 Oystercatcher, 250 Curlew, 440 Grey Plover, 7 Turnstone, 320 Sanderling, 160 Redshank, a Caspian Gull, 45 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4000 Herring Gulls.

On Greenshanks Creek were 45 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 350 Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 150 Teal, 140 Cormorant, 1 Merlin and 1 Peregrine.

On the Old Saltmarsh were 36 Shoveler. and 4 Whooper Swan went South with 2 more North over the river late afternoon. Also about were 250 Brent Geese, 2 Snipe, 24 Skylark, 60 Linnet, 14 Rock Pipit, 46 Reed Bunting, 4 Buzzard, a Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl. A Bullfinch and a Green Woodpecker were both in the East Dunes. There were 8 Woodcock recorded around the reserve with a a Merlin chasing a Redwing late afternoon into the Plantation.

Shorelarks on the foreshore, 5th January 2026
Photo - Richard Doan

Shorelark, 5th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

x2 Shorelarks, 5th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Goldcrest, 5th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Goldcrest - Where's that invertebrate? 5th January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Curlew on the river bank, 5th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

The Mere nearly completely frozen up, 5th January 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Even the Salt rich water of Fenland Lagoon has finally frozen up after a third night below -3C
5th January 2026, Photo - David Nutt

January 4th. Very cold start (-3C) with a mostly clear day with fresh north-westerly wind.

A brilliant winters day with a lovely sunrise, lying snow widespread and the foreshore covered in Gulls and Waders. The effects of the biting cold on hands and feet made it challenging to stay put, counting one location for long, but the following counts were made: 2800 Herring Gull, 320 Common Gull, a Caspian Gull, 250 Eider, 1100 Grey Plover, 590 Sanderling, 130 Redshank, 30 Turnstone 340 Wigeon, plus Merlin and Marsh Harrier. Along the north end foreshore were 30 Skylark, 45 Linnet, 7 Snow Buntings and 3 Stonechat.

On the Mere were 48 Mallard, 28 Tufted Duck,13 Gadwall and 2 Mute Swans. Two Water pipits were on Fenland Lagoon. In the plantation there was a Green Woodpecker and a Chiffchaff was calling whilst in Field 10 the 2 Tundra Bean Geese were again present along with 410 Pink-footed Geese and 5 White-fronted Geese later on.

Tundra Bean Geese, 4th January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Great Crested Grebe on the River Steeping, 4th January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Glossy Ibis, 2nd January 2026
Photo - Paul Baines

Marsh Harrier, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Marsh Harrier hunting Jackson's Marsh with male Reed Bunting fleeing above it!
3rd January 2026, Photo - Mike Watts

Skylark on the foreshore, 4th January 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Muntjac Deer in the cold, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

January 3rd. A hard frost and very cold north-westerly wind with occasional snow showers through the day staying below freezing for much of it.

An early sea-watch recorded the morning Eider flight into the Wash with Red-throated Divers more distantly, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Long-tailed Duck, before visibility was lost in a heavy snow shower. A Merlin was chasing a Song Thrush over the dunes and a Great Crested Grebe was on the river by the boats. Around the Hump were the resident winter flock of 16 Corn Buntings, whilst a Chiffchaff was at Sykes Farm and a couple of Water Pipits flew over.

Redwing, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Song Thrush, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

The Mere in the arctic conditions, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Richard Doan

Tennyson's Sands from Harvey's Hide in the arctic conditions, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Richard Doan

The Cycle Track near the farm in the arctic conditions, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Richard Doan

Mill Pond iced over and snowed on, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

A devoid of life Tennyson's Sands before dusk, 3rd January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

January 2nd. Becoming cloudier, with a cold north-westerly breeze.

The day began with a male Hen Harrier hunting over Tennyson's Sands, then 2 Glossy Ibis arrived on Jackson's Marsh. 500 Eider were spotted flying into the Wash over the sea. Then 2 probable Shorelarks were spotted at distance on Greenshank's Creek before they flew North. At lunchtime, 5 White-fronted Geese were on Field 10 again.

Glossy Ibis, 2nd January 2026
Photo - Kev Wilson

Wigeon with a Bean Goose mixed in, 1st January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Bean Goose, 1st January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Curlew, 1st January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Redshank, 1st January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Little Grebe, 1st January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

"End of the day" 2nd January 2026
Photo - Rob Watson

January 1st. Partly cloudy, cold, with increasing north-westerly wind.

The year started with a bang when 3 Tundra Bean Geese were spotted on Croftmarsh. Shortly afterwards they were flushed by a Marsh Harrier and headed south although the returned to Croft Marsh close to dusk and were heard calling in the twilight. Some 800 Pink-footed Geese had left the roost earlier but 1500 were recorded later on.

Offshore, a good range of the usual sea duck etc including 800 Eider, a southerly passage of Gulls, an increase of up to 45 Red-throated Divers and a Great Northern Diver. A Marsh Harrier flew high south, well offshore and 4 Whooper Swans flew south. On the beach were 80 Turnstone. On Tennyson's Sands there were 84 Shoveler, 80 Teal and 10 Black-tailed Godwit. Jackson's Marsh held 194 Wigeon, 32 Gadwall. On the Mere were 32 Tufted Duck.

Elsewhere, there were 3 Water Pipits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Marsh Harriers, a Barn Owl and a Short-eared Owl, whilst a male Hen Harrier was hunting Croftmarsh.

Update for January 1st - the combined species list for New Years Day was 93.

End of the 1st day of the 2026, 1st January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Tundra Bean Goose, 1st January 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Shelduck, 1st January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Corn Bunting, 1st January 2026
Photo - Mike Watts