Seals at Donna Nook

Hen Harrier

Far better light tonight, infact the sun was shining. Got there an hour earlier and within half hour the harrier flew its usual route giving us good views. We only saw the bird once tonight so glad we were there that bit early. The female remained elusive tonight.

Hen Harrier

Well, the sun shone all day, beautiful blue sky until 4 o'clock when we leave work. Then the grey cloud quickly fills the sky and tonight we even had rain and fog ! So the harrier flew slightly closer but the light conditions were horrendous.  Better luck tomorrow night !

Hen Harrier

These must be one of the smartest looking birds, one of our all time favourites. This male was just too distant in failing light. Lets hope he hangs around for the winter.

I can see you .......

Alkborough Flats

Well, it's Monday and of course the sun is shining because we are both back at work ! A visit to Alkborough Flats late afternoon with plenty of birds on there including the long billed dowitcher which was very distant. A couple of noctule bats were out feeding early.

This weekend so far ........

Was lucky to see the Long Billed Dowitcher at Alkborough Flats on Friday evening, thanks to Neil Drinkall. The bird was extremely distant and was feeding with godwits.  It certainly took some locating as it had moved from the area it was seen previously. A very windy horse kept us all amused and gave me and Neil some competition !

Saturday afternoon we headed back to Firsby Reservoir for the Pallid Harrier that we missed on Thurday evening. This showed within half an hour and we enjoyed reasonable views of it sitting in distant fields, preening and stretching, totally at ease. Even a passing horse didn't bother it. It eventually flew around where we had some exceptionally good views of it, a cracking bird and a UK first for us. Wish we had taken the camera with us now.

These two take Karen's year list to 230 and her UK list to 327.

Sunday saw us heading for Frampton, an excellent reserve that is very well managed. We stopped at West Ashby on the way for the phalarope. We had distant views from the roadside, hardly worth stopping for really. Some photographers were already at the pond side having obtained permission from the landowner. Now if everyone had done this in the first place, it wouldn't have spoilt it for the rest of us. Anyway, had a good day adding rock pipit and little stint to Karen's year list bringing the total now to 232.

Black Headed Gulls, Boston Park