Belated Year Tick

Kept my promise to myself and made it to NDC for 11 yesterday. It was one of those magical late Autumn days, clear skies and light wind. The light was special. I could immediately see Winter Thrushes. Duff always does well for them as there's plenty of food for them. I decided to park in a favourable spot and wait. Eventually they obliged...

Then the peace was shattered by the Open Reach workforce arriving for lunch. Fair enough. Another car then pulling, it was Barry Bishop. We had a brief chat then he made his way to the Hide while I continued to try and get some pics.

Eventually I joined him. The view was clear and panoramic, albeit rather...dry!

My intention was to stay till Dusk. The outstanding Sighting of the session was made by Barry. Mid-afternoon he commented that he "had" a thin white line high and very distant. I got "on" the line which turned out to be 24 Whooper Swans (a fair presumption) heading East!  Nothing wrong with Barry's eyes...or mine come to that. You've never seen it all, thankfully!

Other highlights included a pair of Stonechats, 5 Red Kites (always a treat for me living on the Coast), 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Buzzards...

...c100 Fieldfares and c20 Redwings.

The crop in front of the magnificent Landmark that is Aughton Church has grown again, giving hope of a possible Murmuration this Winter...

Around 4 Barry decided to have a walk down towards Garganey Hide. Earlier we'd discussed the weekend sighting of 2 Short-eared Owls (rare here). Within a couple of minutes of Barry leaving I picked up a Barn Owl (116) at the far end of the Reserve. Barry returned in time to connect before leaving...

I gave it till 4.45 before leaving...

Alas, no sign of any SEO. Another Birder appeared just before I left. After a short chat it became apparent he'd seen the Owls on Saturday! Timing...and Luck!

Today I checked out the Sea for an hour. No Birds...just the Sea! Just kidding BUT it was quiet. The afternoon was spent covering the Humber Sites, hoping for Owls and/or Harriers? The Avocets appeared briefly over the Bank, which was nice. It seems they are Wintering? A small group of Curlews looked well in the amazing light...

My last stop was nearest to Spurn. It was past 4 now and the light was fading and it looked like I'd drawn a blank when...

I was thinking of a visit tomorrow BUT a forecast of 0C in the Hut didn't appeal! I might have a look for the Snow Buntings seen on the North Cliff found by Richard today...