Snow Bunting

Lesser Yellow Legs

Found today within the Scunthorpe reporting area, extremely distant though.

Short Eared Owls

It's always nice to find your own birds and these short eared owls were no exception. They were not at Worlaby Carrs, infact nowhere near and there was just us two watching them - heaven!

Squacco Heron

Arrived at Attenborough Pits, Notts to be told by all the birders that it had all kicked off earlier and we had missed the altercation! Apparently a fisherman was determined to fish in exactly the same spot as the squacco, he was asked politely not to but continued. Many words were exchanged and eventually the fisherman had all his tackle thrown in the river by a birder - YES!! The squacco re-located but did eventually give us this fly past before seeking an alternative reed bed at the other side of the pits where it remained hidden for the rest of the day.

Short Eared Owls

11 short eared owls now at the circus we know as Worlaby Carrs. The rough legged buzzard is still there along with 2 hen harriers. Amazing how both the harriers (one is a male)  flew past us the other night and not one 'birdwatcher' saw them.............that just about sums it up! We can remember the good times when there was just 8 of us birding down that lane, good times. I often wonder what Miles would make of it all??

Rough Legged Buzzard

Whilst at Thornton Curtis last Saturday looking for the stork, this rough legged flew over. Always gaining height and certainly going away from us. It was being mobbed by crows. It flew up and over Deepdale until it was lost from view.

Whoopers

The first of the whoppers have arrived back for the winter. Same fields as last year, now how do they manage that? Quite funny that their chick is far bigger than the parents.........who ate all the pies?? See how long it is before the rest of the group arrive back. While in this area we went to Misterton Carrs, what a waste of time. The site was once totally setaside and we have had owls and hen harriers there. Not any more..... now 100% wheat as far as the eye can see. Thats another site gone.

Hen Harriers

A fantastic week at Worlaby Carrs with a stunning rough legged buzzard, 2 hen harriers and 8 short eared owls. The above pic shows 4 owls which give that buzzard some serious grief!

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis at Saltholme, the RSPB reserve in Cleveland.