South of the Humber

Had a day over the bridge with Phil in North Lincs yesterday. On the way to our first site we saw a group of Swans in a tight group by the roadside. Whoopers!!

Great to come across a flock having a breather on their migration. There were 13 birds in total.

Buoyed by this piece of luck we continued to North Killingholme Haven. A nostalgic visit after first going there with John Walton from Stallingborough in 1986! I had my first and still best views of a Bittern here. I'd been told there was one present by John but didn't expect to walk right past it, in the reeds in a characteristic upright pose, not 15 feet away! John was my first Birding buddy and introduced me to Norfolk and twitching. We saw the DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT together. We also dipped on the last wild GREAT BUSTARDS!!!

Anyway, we arrived, parked up and entered the hide.When we opened the flaps we were greeted with a fine sight. A high tide roost of at least 500 Black-tailed Godwits...close! The light wasn't great but the spectacle certainly was...

...and then they were gone...



...as were the Whooper Swans on our return.

We then checked out a few sites around Phil's house before ending up by the Humber bridge at Far Ings. Unsurprisingly, no luck with Bittern here! 8 House Martins were notable. Also of note was the large number of skeins of Pink-footed Geese...THE sight and sound of Autumn for me...

A good day...