Late January 2016

January 31st. No records received.

January 30th. No records received.

January 29th. No records received.

January 28th. 3 European White-fronted Geese were on Croftmarsh with around 700 Pink-footed Goose. Around the reserve were a Merlin, a Stonechat, 6 Corn Bunting and 7 Woodcock.

Stonechat, 28th January 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
January 27th. A daytime maximum temperature of 13 degrees but feeling cooler in a force 5, occasionally force 7 south/south-west wind. A Great Northern Diver and 20 Red-breasted Merganser were offshore.

January 26th. Again mild with an increasing force 3 to 5 south/south-west wind. The only report today was of 3 adult European White-fronted Geese on Croftmarsh.

The Bird Observatory Council have published their excellent annual report which includes a summary of Gibraltar Point bird highlights in 2015. The report can be found at the following link: https://goo.gl/cPvDfi

January 25th. Mild again overnight with a day maximum of 13 degrees and an increasing force 2 to 4 south/south-west wind. 2 adult European White-fronted Geese were on Croftmarsh with 600 Pinkfeet. Around were a male Bullfinch, a Spotted Redshank, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Redwing and 2 Siskin

January 24th. Mild again overnight and a day maximum of 13 degrees with a force 2/3 south/south-west wind. The adult European White-fronted Goose was still on Croft Marsh with 650 Pink-footed Goose. Also around were 5 Woodcock, a Spotted Redshank, a male Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, 190 Fieldfare, a drake Goldeneye and 45 Corn Bunting. A Water Rail was on Tennyson's Sands. A Goosander, a Little Gull and 4 Siskin flew south.

3 Sperm Whales were washed up on Skegness beach early this morning. Please note that there is NO ACCESS from Gibraltar Point. Anybody wishing to see the whales should use Skegness sea front car parks.

January 23rd. Mild with a day maximum of 8 degrees and a force 2/3 south/south-westerly breeze. An adult European White-fronted Goose was on Croft Marsh with 600 Pink-footed Goose, 550 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Offshore were 6 Great Crested Grebe, a pair of Red-breasted Merganser and a Red-throated Diver. Around the reserve were 7 Woodcock, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Merlin, 14 Corn Bunting, 150 Fieldfare and 2 Goldeneye.

January 22nd. Moderate southerly wind.
 On Croft Marsh were 800 Pink-footed Goose and 500 Brent Goose.

January 21st. A foggy start to the day.
 An adult European White-fronted Goose remained with the Pink-footed Goose flock. Around were 15 Corn Bunting, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 800 Pink-footed Goose, a ring-tail Hen Harrier, 2 Goldcrest, 150 Fieldfare and 2 Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh was a Pintail.