Slavonian Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park

The weather was slightly warmer this afternoon so we decided to head to Cleethorpes Country Park to try and catch up with the slavonian grebe that has been there for a few days now. When I say warmer..... it had risen to the sweltering temperature of 6 degrees! The bird was immediately visible but was in the centre of the lake where it stayed for the majority of the afternoon. A great crested grebe swam quite close and it didn't seem to like that so it headed in towards the side, only to be flushed back out by the never ending stream of loose dogs. The light was dire, greyer than grey. But after a couple of hours we were chilled to the bone so beat a retreat. It was good to get out though after a week of baltic temperatures that had kept us indoors close to our log fire!

Pacific Diver, Druridge Bay, Northumberland

A long drive north to Northumberland for the pacific diver, another new bird for us. So three new birds in three days and this one took Karen's UK tally to the magical 400 !! A good crowd of locals made us very welcome and the banter soon flowed. Pity the afternoon was marred by one photographer that tried to tape lure this diver by playing black-throated diver calls on his phone......Simon soon put him straight with the agreement of the other birders and the stupidity ceased.  You really couldn't have made that up !

So, onwards onto the next 100. It was 6 years and 4 months since our 300th bird, the sandhill crane at Strathbeg, which seemed like yesterday ! 

White-billed Diver, Woodhall Spa, Lincs

Well, what a cracking two days with the pine bunting yesterday and this stunning white-billed diver today, two new world birds. Two birds in two days.....let's see what tomorrow brings !

Today we noticed that birdwatching had changed, and not for the good if we may say. Probably more people there without binoculars,  but the biggest lenses in the world. The diver was that close, a quality pic could have been taken with a phone!  A definate lack of fieldcraft was in evidence. Some said that fishing line was hanging from it's beak on the left-hand side, I really hope that it was weed. 

It was really nice to catch up with Mark Bibby, not seen him in ages, good to see you mate and hope little India brings you lots of years of joy and happiness x

Starling Murmurations

Spot the sparrowhawk !! 

We are so lucky to have this murmuration not too far from home. We were keeping our eye on the numbers before we went to Cuba and were stunned by how they had built up recently. Unfortunately, there is no vantage point here to watch, we have tried the site from all sides and angles! This was a chance drive by and couldn't believe our luck when a sparrowhawk constantly flew through the starlings, looking for its supper ! 

Willow Tits

Willow Tits 

Blue Tits, such gorgeous little birds that we hardly ever look at but just look at the colours, lovely ! 

We are chuffed to have found a further nearby site with willow tits. This is another one of our local walks that we enjoy almost daily.

Cleethorpes

We have lots of time now to go places, not just for birds, but for an enjoyable walk and we often head to Cleethorpes to do just that. With free parking near the light railway, we head there at least once a week. Often walking to the old Wonderland and if we don't take any money we are not tempted by the many chip shops !  A walk around the boating lake is always nice as you never know whats going to be on there. This scaup has been on there for some time. Infact, we might just head to Cleethorpes today as the wind has died down and the sky is blue....will be a nice refreshing start to the weekend!