16th-17th January 2016
You can't always get what you wanna!
As the Rolling Stones said in that song off the 'Let it Bleed' album...
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometime
You just might find
You get what you need
January 16th
I set off for Wroot to try to find the wild swans. Alas there was no sign although I knew I was in the right area near Alderfen. Five mute swans were present, that's all. I moved on heading for Worlaby and Bonby in North Lincs to look for short-eared owls. Two seen, but distantly - one I then disturbed off a fence post when it would have made a great photo. Decided to end the day at Blacktoft hoping for hen harrier. A robin said hello when I arrived...
Robin
...and a magpie basked in the sun as I walked towards Singleton.
Magpie
A few snipe were in front of Townend hide...
Snipe
...and wigeon swam and whistled while they worked...
Wigeon
... some greylags flew past.
Greylags
Lots of marsh harriers seen...
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier
...but I had to leave before the hen harriers showed.
Meanwhile, back home, my wife was photographing starlings outside our house...
Starlings
January 17th
A trip north, starting at Morrisons car park by the Old River Tees. Green sandpiper easily spotted on the far bend - but skittish. I headed for Saltholme hoping for a redpoll but failed to find any. On to Seaton Snook. A brisk walk out onto the rock bit brought views of a great northern diver. The sun was behind it and refused to budge!
Great Northern Diver
Curlew flew over.
Curlew
Twite showed eventually - and three or four of them were really co-operative.
Twite
Twite
Twite
You're my favourite!
Twite
Walking back a long-billed oystercatcher seemed unaware of me and came incredibly close. Talking of long-billed birds...
Oystercatcher
Still plenty of daylight left I headed north to QEII country park at Woodhorn and treated two car loads of birders to scope views of the iceland gull that's been around quite a while. I had hoped it would be closer...
...on then to Cresswell. A marsh harrier, some crows, a kestrel and a barn owl entertained us. One birder then pointed out a water rail running around in front of the hide. Eventually the long-billed dowitcher appeared. It only comes in front of the hide when I'm not there!
Not a bad day at all: 5 year ticks and some nice twitepics!