Well winter certainly arrived in force over the last couple of days with sub-zero temperatures, wintry showers and gale-force winds that added a severe wind chill factor. These winds also combined with the highest spring tides of the current moon cycle to put the entire East coast of England onto high alert for a tidal surge.
Tidal surges happen when strong northerly or north-westerly winds funnel water into the North Sea, and when they coincide with higher than average tides this can cause massive erosion and coastal flooding, as happened in 2007 and 2013 (and most devastatingly in 1953). Luckily the wind turned more to the west just at the right time last night, averting potentially more serious flooding in most areas.
A shingle fan eroded through the dunes near North Wall
There has, however, been some erosion and over-topping of the dunes at Minsmere, resulting considerable re-profiling of the beach and large areas of standing water between the dunes and secondary defences. As a result, there has been no access to the beach today, as the floodwater at the end of the North Wall wasn't even passable in wellies this morning. This floodwater will slowly soak away over the coming days, so we hope to be able to reopen the beach soon.
Flooding at the end of the North Wall
At this stage we don't think there has been any damage to Minsmere's freshwater habitats, but just up the coast our reserve at Dingle Marshes has once again borne the full force of the sea, with the shingle bank breached and large areas submerged under saltwater. This is not unusual and the ridge will repair itself in due course, but please take great care if you are visiting Dingle Marshes over the next few weeks. Early indications are that RSPB Havergate Island has avoided any significant damage this time, so we hope that the island's famous hares will have survived.
Despite the restricted access to the beach, some interesting birds were seen on the sea today, including a velvet scoter and long-tailed duck among the raft of 600 common scoters, plus good numbers of red-throated and great northern divers and a single guillemot.
The highlights of today;s sightings have definitely been at Island Mere, where a great white egret was present again this afternoon, and the seven goosanders have returned after a brief visit to nearby Thorpeness Meare earlier in the week. Bitterns, marsh harriers, bearded tits, kingfisher and little egret have all been at Island Mere too, with two otters seen at Bittern Hide this morning.
The frost has meant that much of the Scrape was frozen today, with the best of the birds present on South Scrape, where brackish water remains open for longer. Among the usual ducks and hundreds of lapwings, a single dunlin and avocet were both still present.
The woods have also been a good place to spot wildlife in the colder weather with flocks of long-tailed tits, goldcrests, siskins and goldfinches, plus one or two bullfinches and treecreepers - and of course the red deer, muntjacs, rabbit, grey squirrels and commoner tits, finches, blackbirds, robins, etc.
So, it appears that we've survived this storm, but if you are planning a visit, please take care in this wintry weather. Once here, you can always prepare yourself for the element with a tasty snack in the cafe.
Don't forget to check the RSPB Facebook page or @RSPBMinsmere on Twitter for latest updates on access, sightings and events.