Just a quick one to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our blog readers. I will hope to update the blog over the holiday period, so keep an eye open for sightings news.

In the last week we have had both bittern and marsh harrier sightings on site - the bittern was on Phase 2 this morning and a female marsh harrier flew north over the silt lagoons and Phase 1 yesterday morning. There are at least three pairs of goldeneye on site, with a lovely male displaying in front of the dipping platform earlier in the week. There is an impressive flock of c.50 chaffinches feeding on Cottage Lane - it could be well worth looking through these for tree sparrow and potentially brambling. Water rail continue to be vocal and sometimes show on the Phase 1 islands and please do look out for any roosting starlings!