Fri 31st Dec 21

Things were much the same as of late this morning with the exception of a pair of Shag on the sluice rocks, one of which was colour ringed. It looks like more birds from the Isle of May, more info to follow shortly hopefully.

From the pillbox: c200 Greylags (+3 hybrids), 15 Canada Geese, 5 White-fronted Geese, c150 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 4 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Avocet on the scrape, c30 Brent (on arable), c 100 Wigeon (sitting offshore), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR

A very poor year at the Haven with the year list totalling just 176 species

 

Thurs 30th Dec 21

A short visit this morning found the 5 White-fronted Geese were still with 180+ Greylags on the scrape. 

Photo Simon Cox©

From the pillbox c200 Brent were on the arable but mobile, c200 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 2 Avocet on the scrape, the pair of Peregrines were up on the arable, otherwise quiet. S&PC/RJ/MR

 

Wed 29th Dec 21

c900 Brent on the arable prompted the farmer to get out the fireworks again today, so things were kept on the move a bit with the flock heading offshore for a few minutes before dropping back in to feed. At last 5 White-fronted Geese were picked up by Dave Cumming as they dropped in to join the 150+ Greylags on the marsh to the right of the hide.

From the hide: 15 Canada Geese, c90 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Avocet, 1 Buzzard. DC/RJ/MR.

A walk to the 3rd pillbox added, 4 Mallard and a Redshank on the flooded marsh, 7 Linnets, 2 pairs of Stonechat and a brief view of the Dartford Warbler, on the return 4 Turnstone were on the beach and a raft of Wigeon sat offshore.

 

Tues 28th Dec 21

No reports received so far:

 

 

Mon 27 Dec 21

After a couple of days inside it was nice to get out in the fresh air, c900 Brent were on the arable and c300 Lapwing and loads of gulls were on the marsh alongside the Approach Rd. Still quite a few Blackbirds and a couple of Redwing around the Badger Sett.

From the hide: 220 Greylag (plus hybrids), 8 Canada Geese, 2 Brent, c160 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 2 Blk. T Godwits.

A walk to the 3rd pillbox was made worthwhile by 10 Sanderling with 7 Turnstone on the beach just north of French Point (Sanderling believe it or not being a Haven year tick for me), but from there it went down hill with no sign of the Dartford Warbler and at the furthest point it started to rain, it was a very wet walk back.

 

 

Sun 26th Dec 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

14:43 Few hours @ haven this afternoon. Clearly an arrival of thrushes with lots of Blackbirds around and a Redwing on the bluethroat trail. Single Purple Sand and 3 Turnstone on sluice. 13 Snipe and 2 Dunlin flew over, 2 Avocet on the scrape and the Greylag flock looks as though it should have some other grey geese in it anytime soon.

All The best for Christmas and the New Year

 from Holland Haven Birding

Fri 24th Dec 21

 Quite a pleasant morning for a walk, but not much change on the birding front.

c900 Brent, 300 Lapwing, 6 Red L Partridge no the arable. 7 Purple Sands on the seawall beside the sluice.

From the hide: 150+ Greylag (+hybrids), c80 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 12 Curlew (on marsh to right), 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail (heard only). RJ/MR 

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

12:51 Dartford Warbler showed ridiculously well at dump clump 7 Purple Sands sluice one now with only one leg.