The month started out mild but wet- a recurring theme throughout the autumn and early winter. No doubt a reflection on the un-seasonal temperatures was the appearance of a Pipistrelle bat feeding over the southern end on the park on the evening of the 4th. By the 7th a change in the dominant weather systems occurred, with cold easterly winds setting in and dominating the weather for most of the following week. The 10th and 11th were bright and sunny, but very cold with a serious wind-chill. By the 12th it was again cloudy, with sleet and rain showers spreading by evening. Milder but wet weather again took hold on the 13th. The remainder of the month saw plenty more rain, low cloud and fog, with a brief cold spell around the 17-23rd . Very warm southerly air raised the temperature on the 24th to 12C, which is exceptional for December. The spring-like feel to the day encouraged the first Mistle Thrush to break into song- normally a sure sign of approaching spring!
The flock of Shoveler frequenting the southern end of the Middle Lagoon continued to increase, with 26 birds present on the 7th but fell in number thereafter.Most other wildfowl remained in only small numbers, but the continued presence of a few Little Grebes and Ruddy Duck was notable.
Sparrowhawks continued to be a feature of the late afternoons as they came into roost. A minimum of three birds was seen, but more were probably present. They are difficult to see; arriving at speed just as the last rays of light are fading on dull afternoons.
Water Rails could be heard in Pond B and Pond D in the late afternoons but as usual they remained frustratingly difficult to see out in the open.
There was a period of fresh and cold easterly winds associated with some high morning tides from the 7-12th. A number of waders moved onto the northern part of the site to roost at high water and to feed on the newly created ponds. Numbers peaked on the 11th with 48 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 8 Snipe and 11 Redshank. There were also two new waders for the site: a single Bar-tailed Godwit on the new lagoons and three Knot on the new pond by the Haven. Both of these species occur on the adjacent Humber mudflats with fair regularity. The godwits are most regular in autumn, while Knot are a classic winter species, usually appearing during freezing weather on the outer estuary. There have however, been high numbers of many arctic breeding waders during the 2002 autumn and early winter periods. Knot have occurred more frequently on the Barton mudflats. Even so, the appearance of both species on the Waters’ Edge ponds on one day was quite notable; as neither had actually occurred previously. The new ponds also proved to be an attraction to good numbers of Black-headed and a few Common Gulls. These could often be seen perching sentinel-like on the wooden posts in the new lagoon by the AWA works.
The colder weather on the continent and in Scandinavia produced a good arrival of winter thrushes. Fieldfares dominated in the first two weeks of the month, after which more Redwing also arrived. Some large flocks of Fieldfare, up to 500 birds, could be seen commuting over the park en route to favoured areas of fruiting hawthorns around the pits and adjacent hedgerows. Redwing were present but in smaller numbers and Blackbirds were also quite numerous with up to 35 birds in mid-month. The remaining hawthorn berries in the park attracted a few Fieldfare and Blackbirds in the first half of the month. Blackbirds and a few Song Thrush also concentrated in the Maltkiln road plantation. On the morning of the 11th a sharp frost had forced three Song Thrush onto the edge of the visitor centre site, while another three were in the plantation: a good combined count for the park. Odd Rock Pipits continued to appear on the north of the park,especially at high tide when they were forced off feeding areas on the adjacent foreshore. A single Grey Wagtail was present on the 13th - the first.