Lincolnshire, 22 December 2011

A tour around Lincolnshire today started with a look for a Great Grey Shrike, but with no success. Went to view the Rough-legged Buzzard at Withern Wood which was a fine juvenile and showed for a while. A ringtail Hen Harrier also put on a display for us whilst we watched the Rough-legged. 3 Common Buzzards were also present.

Then went onto Huttoft Pit to see if the geese would come onto the pit from the surrounding fields. When they did, excellent views were had of 5 Barnacle Geese, 38 White-fronted Geese, 18 Pink-footed Geese and 8 tundra Bean Geese. Also of note here were 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 3 Shoveler, and 40 Golden Plover over.

Bean Goose (Tundra)

I like the above image with the Barnacle's, White-fronted, Pink-footed and Greylag geese all in one image.

This Greater Black-backed Gull never managed to eat his prize!

Before I headed home I called into Huttoft car terrace for a spot of casual seawatching to finish off the shortest day. Notables were 70 Wigeon and 3 Red-throated Divers on the sea as well as c50 Pink-footed Geese flew in from the sea. 5 Sanderling were feeding on the beach and one got close.