The Holidays are Coming...

Only 6 days before we leave for Cyprus, so I'm trying to fit a few visits inland a swell as covering the Coast and Humber. Decisions, decisions!

Monday found me at my beloved NDC, unfortunately the Forecast didn't pan out and it turned out a grey gloomy day...White-fronted Geese through the mist...

Special Visitor

With the receding water came better views of the recently arrived Coot and Pochard on the emerging Scrape...

The huge Black-tailed Godwit flock (c450) was still present and still FULLY appreciated. The sighting of the session was this fella...

I also added Red-legged Partridge and Lesser-backed Gull to the Year List.

Tuesday I had a ride down to Patrington Haven as the Sun was shining for once! I pulled into a lay-by, set my 'scope up and scanned the pools. The usual fayre was on offer with still no sign of any Avocets in this area? Then a Falcon flew low over the pools..."just" a Kestrel? Fortunately it landed on the central fence and confirmed my suspicions...

To find a Merlin is always a special moment and to see it perched at some 50 yards was a bonus. I played with my new digiscoping device but failed miserably, so my pic is from the Camera.

I tried the bottom end and got distant views of a beautiful Male Marsh Harrier...

Wednesday it was back to NDC. An early sighting of 50 Fieldfares (returning Birds) on Snakey was a great start...

Haydn was already in position and informed me he'd had the Spotted Redshank that had been residing down the road for quite a while mixed in with 10 Redshank and 4 Ruff. I was hoping it would pay a visit! Eventually I picked it up in front of Garganey Hide, it was only my 5th record. Later I had better views on the Bund...

More Snipe (8) were around the Scrape taking advantage of the favourable conditions...

Three here...I think!

Great views of a passing Marsh Harrier...

An explosion of Black-tailed Godwits...

A remarkable sight and pleased with this image at 400 yards! Oystercatcher numbers rose to 4...

A lone session at Duff on Friday. Early excitement in the form of a lone Drake Goosander on the Riverbank...

Fortunately it was viewable through a gap in the Reeds...

Less than annual here. It soon moved on.

It was pleasing to see some Whooper Swans in residence; it's not always the case. A group of 14 Birds was present halfway down the Reserve...

Fortunately they came closer briefly before returning to their original spot...

I also had my first Peregrine of the Year as it scattered the Wildfowl on Bubwith Ings before gracing the Carrs...

Saturday's highlight was this Barn Owl at Skeffling. Image taken through the Windscreen...

I'll be making further trips inland this week, as there'll be quite a gap thereafter...