What to see in January

Hundreds of wading birds such as Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Dunlin and Sanderling can be seen on the shore or roosting at high tide inside the fenced areas (along with hundreds of ducks on all the different pools).  If the winter is cold many birds may arrive, so flocks of White-fronted Geese and many ducks, especially Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, and Pintail may be present, a rare one to look out for being the Smew. There may also be Little and Great White Egrets and the occasional Spoonbill. During freezing weather flocks of birds, such as Golden Plover and Lapwing may depart.  Look out for Little and Great White Egrets and the occasional Spoonbill.

At Castle Water, especially near the viewpoint, there may be wintering Stonechats and Chiffchaff. In the reeds there look and listen for Cetti’s Warbler, Water Rail and Bearded Tit. The hide at Castle Water (close to the castle) is excellent to get good views of Bittern, ducks, geese, gulls and Common Snipe.

Birds of prey usually present are Kestrel, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine, as well as Barn and Short-eared Owls.

Offshore, Great Crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver, Cormorant, Gannet and Guillemot may be fishing and great rafts of Common Scoter may be swimming in long black lines.

There are few flowers to be found, but Gorse is nearly always in bloom and Common Whitlowgrass (a tiny white flower), Winter Heliotrope, Groundsel and Daisies may be seen from late January. During warm weather some of the early butterflies may be tempted to emerge from hibernation, look for Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. A few bumblebees and moths may also be on the wing on milder nights such as Herald and Angle Shades.