Greenland White-fronted Goose

Saturday late morning chatting birds over the phone with ND when he says there's an adult White-front just dropping in with Greylags; landed out of sight at Alkborough and he failed to find it later -- this morning did not seem a great prospect for birding but with some sun midday headed to Alkborough to look through the Teal and hope for the AGP coming in! -- with a gale blowing the hide was the only option then the torrential rain set in and a lone goose flew towards the hide -- I blasted off a few shots in rubbish light but they confirmed what we thought an adult Greenland White-front only the second record fro the site following a party of 6 in January 2012 -- it landed into the gale with Greylags but almost immediately they flew and taken by the gale disappeared east -- then one of those things happens that never does happen the light improved for a few minutes and in those minutes the GWF flew back past the hide allowing some rather improved shots --

Spotted Redshank

Water Rail

one of the most under-recorded species in the county -- we have no real idea just how many winter around the local pits but it could be in the region of 50 birds

Whooper Swans moving west

a party of 8 Whoopers over Waters Edge this morning moved off west up the Humber; four cygnets and 4 adults -- otherwise a very quite, cool and drafty morning - a Bittern and Willow Tit were the other notebook entries

Hen Harrier

keeping their distance which is probably a good survival strategy

bird action around the seals

Grey Seals

not much action and just too many people for me

2cy male Marsh Harrier

another distinctive bird with these oddly barred grey primary coverts -- rusty tones somewhat exaggerated by the late afternoon sun

local Peregrine

the local pair had a go at a Redshank this afternoon; put it down in the Humber but it kept diving and got away -- the only Little Auk of the day had the good sense to turn back east before attracting their attention

Short-eared Owl battling in

two Short-eared Owls in off yesterday during the gales -- so vulnerable in the weather and waves

Pintail

At Alkborough Pintail are mainly passage birds in October-November with few staying for long but this autumn seems to be different with a small flock regular for the last 4-5 weeks; usually only about 10 but 23 today - normally always the furthest birds from the hide the wind and the harriers today moved them closer and luckily the sun was out when they did a quick fly by -- not seeing Pintail well that often I had failed to appreciate the differences in upper wing pattern of 1cy males and females - fantastic ducks