14th December
A mild pleasant day, if not a little dull. Aerial flights of waders - mostly Dunlin, dominated the stretch of marsh from the Viaduct to Scargavel Point - with plenty of activity on bird feeders in the area.
A peaceful scene at high tide as Shovelers came sailing by.
Aerial display over calm waters.
Mixed wader roost near Biglands lay-by.
15th December.
A light SE wind continued to produce these milder conditions. Although a 9.2m hightide was forecast, the saltmarsh did not flood substantially but there was still plenty of bird activity.
LOGBOOK SIGHTINGS
DB - Bowness to Newton Arlosh, 6900 Barnacles.
John Ireland - 7 Grey Plover, 70 Dunlin,1 Little Egret, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, Longtailed; Coal; Great and Bue Tits, Tree Sparrows,Goosander, Pintail. Shoveler. Teal, Wigeon, Shellduck.
Oystercatchers coming into roost.
17th December.
Stayed fine and sunny all day. Small flocks of Barnacles drifted along the marsh edge during the day. The two leucistic Barnacles were very much in evidence as a high tide flock flew by.
Having seen the Leucistics flying west, I decided to nip up to Saltmarsh Pool to see if it had landed there. Nick Franklin and David Johnston were already there. Nick spotted the Avocet with his telescope, a long way out with on the tideline.
Small flock of Barnacles grazing early morning at Scargavel Point.
Later, two leucistics flew by with Barnacle flock.
Close-up of Leucistic bird.
Teal preening in the sunshine - Saltmarsh Pool.
Golden Plover fly-past at Maryland.
PB - Snow Goose with Barnacles beside the Masts at Cardurnock and showing well. Golden Plover under masts with Lapwing.
19th December.
Sunshine and showers. Warmer with a strong southerly wind. High tide of 8.4m at 6.06.
At 10 am, the Grey Squirrel could be seen doing the round of the hamlet feeders and finally performing its acrobats on the gate overlooking the marsh.
Went for a walk down the Lonning at 3.15pm. A large flock of mixed duck flew into the 1st Meadow Pool. The 2nd Pool had large flock of Lapwing lining its banks. The light was failing by the time the hide was reached but could see 4 Whoopers way out across the wetlands near the wood. There was the usual compliment of duck on the water too.
UR - 23 Whoopers on the wetland.
Squirrel breaking in to a nut hanger.
So quick and inquisitive.
Lapwing coming in at dusk - 2nd Meadow Pool . . .
. . . and Barnacles already there.
Duck coming into roost, also.
Collection of duck on the wetlands.
Four Whoopers by the wood (including one juvenile).
20th December.
Had rained heavily overnight and the day turned out to be dull but quite warm with a very strong SW wind. The high tide of 8.4m was at 7.17pm so there was not a lot of activity on the estuary during the day.
At 12 noon, a flock of Barnacles were visible out on the saltmarsh near the boundary fence. CN reported seeing the same on Campfield Marsh at 2pm. A female Sparrowhawk could be seen hunting in the vicinity of the hamlet at 3pm.
A visitor from London reported seeing the Snow Goose near the boundary fence with Barnacles.
UR - 150 Barnacles in front of the hide.
21st December.
Rained most of the day but was mild with a strong SW wind.
LOGBOOK ENTRY
P Bowman - Snow Goose with Barnacles beside the masts at Cardurnock - showing well. Golden Plover with Lapwings under the masts.
22nd December.
Winter Solstice. A record daytime temperature of 16.1 deg C for a December day since records began in 1910.
High tide of 8.5m at 9.06 am. At 12.15pm as the tide was going out, a 1000 or so Dunlin were out on the mudflats with 30 Grey Plover, about 12 Curlew and some Black-headed Gulls.
At 12.20pm, way out in the channel off Maryland farm, the Avocet could be seen with a flock Oystercatchers.
Dunlin and Grey Plover on the mudflats as the tide went out.
Distantly viewed Avocet - well out on the tideline.