Odds n sods

Rather more exotic looking Pheasant at Rempstone. Looks like some Reeves influence here

Juv Eider off of Cleavel Point

Blackwit and Knot flying into Newton Bay

Goosander Long Island

Arne

More disturbance surveying today, a bit quieter than Brands Bay here.

Looks like the watcher is being watched

Only other thing of note was this big canoeist and his friend

Brands Bay

Rather peaceful looking Brent

Not for long though (click to enlarge)

Then there were 5

Everything leaving. Well nearly everything, some ended up in the water.

Durlston

Highlights at Durlston with Hamish last couple of mornings was long awaited (for me) Twite. Well 2 to be precise. Also Snow Bunting and quite a few more Crossbill.

Today came the Pigeons, thousands of them. I am not a great Pigeon fan but these flocks were impressive, with many into the thousands. Total came to around 54, 500. During the count it looked as though there was going to be a much bigger count but all of a sudden they just stopped coming. Presumably they had all roosted in a similar area.

A Short-eared Owl put in a brief appearance

Late Speckled Wood in the winter sunshine

Portland

First stop Ferrybridge where a Black Brant was in with the Brents.

Some noticable movement overhead also, mostly Redwing

Short-eared Owl flying around Obs

Fair few birds coming back in off the sea

Distant Pintail moving past

Rather feisty Merlin

Eventually settled down

Durlston purple patch

Richard's Pipit, Hawfinch and a British record 118 Bullfinch over in the past couple of days was trumped today by a Pallid Swift today. First picked up at distance by Hamish, we only initially had the briefest of views but new immediately it looked good. It was heading south and soon disappeared behind trees. After a rather long run and some anxious waiting we relocated it quite a way west. It circled around a couple of times and then headed off west

Also moving, Woodlark, Crossbill and Bullfinch