8th Dec., 2016.

Many flocks of migrant fieldfare and redwing seen, especially where ample hawthorn berries are available on which to feed, this where mechanical flails have not been used to viciously cut back the hawthorn summer growth.

Have just been to a public consultation session held at South Ferriby parish hall to inform local residents of possible options under investigation to improve the coastal flood defences in South Ferriby parish. Interesting discussions with two of the professionals involved. No single plan decided upon yet. Confirmed that new sluice gates are in place and functioning properly near the mouth of East Drain. Today a big mobile crane was unloading from a lorry timber and metal girders which will apparently be used to replace the lock gates at the Sluice itself. The immediate area around the Sluice is, apparently, the most problematic area re flood protection, also the route of the A1077 to Ermine St.

Learned that the Welwick area of ‘managed retreat’ (south Holderness, East Yorkshire) is being extended to compensate for loss of saltmarsh habitat west of Immingham Docks.