..... at last the sun!!

After what seemed like decades of rain, over 2 inches in Devon yesterday, this morning broke fair of face.

And as I'd been up (again) at 3am, at 5.30, went for the stroll along Sand Bay to see what was going on down there bird wise. It was glorious, warm, little wind and the place was deserted. That's the way I like it.

Across the mudflats drifted the eerie warble of the Curlew, they never really leave here. But apart from that, the bird scene was a bit thin on the ground. Small numbers of Black Headed Gulls, Shelduck, Herring Gull, a few Pied Wagtails and House sparrows, but a sizeable flock of Starlings feeding along the strand line for sand hoppers and so on.

Walking back I noticed that the Common Restharrow was in full flower on the sand dune grassland, and awash with Bumblers having their breakfast.

And then while on the drive back, these two little Herberts were in a field. They look a likely pair of reprobates as I ever did come across, all they need are a hoodie and I'd be convinced. But I'll give them the benefit of the doubt as they seemed to be just enjoying the morning sun. Kids eh!

Finally, back into the house, bacon sarnie and while gazing out of the window, a couple of Coal Tits entertained me for a while. These are erratic visitors to chez Borders, haven't seen one for about 3 months. But good entertainment none the least. And so to work.

'Ear what's that down there then? Dunno mate, but that blokes taking a picture, hang on better pose

RSPB Lodmoor Cetti's - and a Northern Coot

On the way back from Wincanton yesterday I did a short trawl of the flooded swamps, formerly fields in the Blackmore Vale. I have to say it was dire. Of note, a Buzzard and a Robin. 10 miles north of the Vale after all this rain, the The Somerset Levels are now living up to their Isle of Avalon fame.

So this morning, determined to get out, we went to RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth. Her indoors thinks this birding lark is fairly odd. Don't get me wrong, she likes watching the sparrows on the feeders as much as any woman, but tramping around wet fields to have fun, doesn't really work for her. So I cunningly plan a visit where she can go for a nice walk leaving me in peace for an hour. Just took the bins, as the comment when getting the scope out of the car was "oh God, you're not taking that are you?"... tail between my legs, it returned to the car, unloved and unused...... but I did get my year total up to 82.

RSPB Lodmoor, somewhere out there are Cetti's in the gloom.

But have to say not a bad moring, but dull, but NOT raining and lovely and mild. Didn't do any counts, just what I saw. Most notable was 4 different singing Cetti's Warblers. Also my first bumble bee of the year flew past. It must be spring. Oh and this fella.

I met this Coot making a break for the north and asking the directions to Northumberland particularly the Heritage Coast area.

So in rough order of seeing them. Lapwing, Wren, Coot (see above), Herring Gull, Canada Goose, Black Headed Gull, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swam, Shovler, Grey Heron, Teal, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, "Rabbit", Moorhen, Starling, Blackbird, Pochard, Cetti's (1st one), weird possible Tufty x Pochard, Long Tail Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch, Stock Dove, Little Grebe, House Sparrow, Scaup (think there was two, wish I'd had the scope),Robin, Buzzard, Lsr Black Back Gull, Common Gull, Magpie, Pied Wagtail.

After this had a quick dash over the Ferrybridge, near Portland, however there was some sort of windsurfing competition going on, so only noatbles were single Oystercatcher, 3 Little Egret, 6+ Redshank.

Took this on the way home, hasn't come out too well as the weather was turning dreek again but cheers the soul to see snowdrops and daffodils out in January.