PFG X 2

After the excitement of a Village Tick further interest was provided by the appearance on Sunday of a stunning flock of Pink-footed Geese. I nearly missed them; it was only the old "final look" that had me discovering them to the South of the Village viewed from the now (unfortunately) old Cliff Farm site. Initially, they blended in perfectly with the plough...until someone turned the lights on...

Monday found me over at the Water Meadow. Fortunately the level had dropped, still a tad high for my liking and optimum conditions...but it was still a fine sight...

I picked up an immediate Year Tick in the form of an adult Great Black-backed Gull on the Riverbank...

Taken from the Platform

Checking through the limited Swans revealed a lone Whooper...

...eventually chased off by a territorial Mute in full attack mode! The male then joined its partner on the scrape, no doubt the beginnings of a breeding attempt...

A pleasant 4 hour watch with Long-tailed Tit also added, otherwise quiet.

Yesterday I checked on the Geese in the Village and fortunately they were still present. They were nearer the road but as I drove down from Out Newton they took off! However it did allow me the opportunity to get some flight shots. The aspect was favourable and they looked great swirling over the Village...

Finally settling back down, this time further away from the road unfortunately...

They were still there late morning but had moved on by mid-afternoon. So glad they stopped by!

A few images taken locally recently...

Buzzard

Curlew

Red-legged Partridge

Little Owl

This Week

Monday afternoon found me down at Welwick. I arrived at 3 and stayed till dusk. The first hour was uneventful bar the usual suspects. Using the car as a Hide I drove slowly back and forward every so often to very my viewing angles. A traditional Site for Owls and Harriers, I didn't see any of the former BUT...

...A brief but welcome pass at distance just below the flood Bank. Very pleased with the image considering the light and distance.

Tuesday at Duff produced the fine sight of thousands of Ducks that had now (thankfully) re-located here after the thaw. It was marvellous to see the Carrs crammed with Wildfowl...

A Red Kite flew West at mid-distance. Again pleased with the image being in focus considering it was a "late grab". Living on the Coast a sighting of this Species is always noteworthy...

The water level was still significant and had attracted a Species I was hoping for...

Goldeneye

No Raptor action at during a return visit to Welwick late Wednesday but a cracking Stonechat and Yellowhammer were adequate compensation...

Yesterday involved my second trip of the week to NDC. As I left home a Red-legged Partridge was posing nicely in the sun on Snakey...

I arrived at 1 and had a pleasant couple of hours enjoying the view...

Landmark Poplars in the Distance...

15

Whooper Swans in the extreme distance on Ellerton Ings...

Three Shelduck powered North along Bubwith Ings and over Aughton Church...

It was now 3pm. A message form Richard...

Little Grebe on Broadland Pool

A potential Holmpton Tick!? I ruminated for a few minutes....

Could I make it back before dark?

Would it be there tomorrow - probably?

I decided to give it a go. I arrived back on Snakey at 4.50, Parked up and walked with Bud to the Pond. The sun had almost set but there was still enough light...

The pond was tough to view being partially obscured by Reeds and Grasses. I was going to need some luck...quickly! A pair of Mallards were present and a single Moorhen but no sign of the Grebe as it approached 5! My hopes weer fading with the light. Then a ripple...

Try not to laugh. I wouldn't even dare to call it a record shot but there it was...honest!! Just a bit of fum but I enjoyed the chase and obviously the result. This was my 197th Species for the Village if my calculations are correct and an excellent find by Richard as there are hardly any Ponds in the Village...unfortunately.

This morning I had a walk down again with Bud. After some 45 minutes I managed a better pic in the gloom...

In context...a Mega!

This Week

News of a "White Nun" at Brandesburton tempted me into action on Monday. As you know I always make an attempt to see one each Winter. Handily...because of my current situation, it didn't appear to involve a long walk!

I arrived at the Site (Dacre Lakeside Park) around Noon and parked up at the Pizzaria car park.The lake was some 200 yds across and fairly circular with only some minor reed fringes near the Cabins...

If you click the pic it's just visible!

As you can see , it was a tad dull but if a white Duck (or rather Drake) was present, it shouldn't be hard to find. It wasn't...

The Smew was distant and was lingering by the Cabins some 80 yds away. It then swam extremely fast across to the far side of the Lake...unfortunately!

I waited...and waited.Some 45 minutes later the Bird swam back across the Lake towards me and I got my pics...

It ended up in deep shade under some bushes, by some reeds, that were nearer to where I was positioned, allowing me some closer views...

It then came out of the shadows for a nice finale...

Gotta love a Drake Smew!!!

Two visits to Duff' on Tuesday and Thursday morning on my to  and back from my Mother's. Still frozen solid on Tuesday...

...which meant a virtually Bird-free Carrs...EXCEPT for a wonderful herd of 37 Whooper Swans...

...and a couple of Shelduck which were my FOY also. The Swans were as close as you get here and no doubt linked to the conditions. They eventually left in small groups, some North, some South...

Always a memorable sight

Thursday I met Haydn. A relatively uneventful session but still enjoyable. The lone Redpoll is still present. 

This morning I was tempted down the road to have a look at the Geese on Easington Straight...

A combination of Gale Force wind and poor aspect meant viewing was difficult. I did manage to pick out the Tundra Bean Goose and Russian White-fronted Geese (6) among the Pink-footed with my scope but photos were impossible.

Patch - 59

Duff - 56