Tues 6th Jan 26

The 2 Mute Swans were still in the field west of the B1032 on the way to site this morning and a the usual flock of Greylag & Canada Geese were on the marsh near to Fan Bridge.

2 Sanderling were on the beach south of the Boating Club, 3 Purple Sands on the rocks in front of the club, a further 2 Purp's were on the beach north of the sluice, just a small raft of Wigeon sat on the sea offshore.

From the hide: c300 Golden Plover, c100 Lapwing, 66 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 Water Rail, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 4 Brown Hare, 1 Red Fox. MO'H/TR/MR

 

Mon 5th Jan 25

Very cold again today with overnight snow making the Haven look a picture in the morning sunshine.

On the way to site the 2 Mute Swans were still the field on the west side of the main road, a Turnstone and a Sanderling were on the beach with several gulls just south of the Gunfleet Boating Club.

From the hide: 300+ Golden Plover (on the arable), c40 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, c30 Skylark, 3 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, c20 Blk H Gulls, 1 Common Gull. PL/MO'H/RJ/TR/MR

A Rock Pipit was on the sluice and 2 Snipe flushes from the area beside the TDC compound. 

 

Sun 4th Jan 25

Very cold again this morning, but nice in the sun. Richard had Oystercatcher & G B B Gull to add to the year list on his walk along the front today plus a couple of Purple Sands.

A large raft of Wigeon were sitting on the sea offshore, half a dozen Teal were standing on the frozen brook behind the sluice and a Stonechat was on the mounds

From the hide: 320+ Golden Plover (up on the arable), 50+ Lawing, 60+ Skylark, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Water Rail, 13 Blk H Gulls 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/TR/MRet.al. 

Birds of the day had to be not one but two Water Rails in the half frozen Kirby Brook in front of the hide.

Video Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Reports from today

Pete Loud

13:21 Less wind today so quite nice out in the sunshine, mopping up a few year ticks. Great-spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest along the entrance road bushes and Pair of Gadwall on the settling tank in the Sewage Farm. 2 Mute Swan in fields from road over the marshes.

 

Sat 3rd Jan 26

Matt Lonsdale added four new birds to the year list with Ruff, Egyptian Goose, Caspian Gull & Sanderling first thing, unfortunately only the Sanderling were still around when I got over mid-morning. 2 Purple Sands were also along the front, a pair of Stonechat around the mounds, and a raft of Wigeon sat offshore.

From the hide: The scrape and the pond were almost totally frozen this morning so birds were few and far between on the water, c200 Golden Plover were up on the arable and a few Lapwing and Teal on the marsh, 4 Shoveler dropped into the pond very briefly, a Grey Wagtail flew passed and 3 Goldfinch landed on the bramble in front of the hide. RJ/MO'H/LH/MR et.al.

 

Fri 2nd Jan 26

No reports received so far:

 

Thurs 1st Jan 26

At the start of the year we had our first of Jan walk around the site to get as many birds on the site year list as we could, it wasn't great. I think Pete, Richard, Dave, Mike & Myself had a total of just 54 with Matt adding 3 extra's on his dog walk. The full list will be posted shortly.

 

Wed 31st Dec 25

On a walk along the front today we found 3 Purple Sands on the rocks south of Sandy Pt. Plus 3 Stonechat and 3 Wren around the marsh.

From the hide: 100+ Greylag, 16 Barnacle Geese, 300+ Wigeon, c100 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, c100 Lapwing, 26 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Pied Wags, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk RJ/MO'H/BH/MR et.al. 

At the end of December the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 174.