Wigeon

 An iced Big Waters and bright sunshine got the Wigeon into camera shot

Tricky these landings on ice

Loony toons

 I almost didn't bother going for the Pacific Diver or Loon as we should call it as all reports were of dot in the distance type but when the bird moved onto Ladyburn Lake at Druridge Bay CP I reckoned better views would be had and I wasn't disappointed. In fact the bird was ridiculously close.

Those non birders may be having problems finding it in the guidebooks. It (Gavia pacifica) was fairly recently split from Black throated (Gavia arctica) and indeed this bird originally found by TL at Blyth and was ID'd as Black throated till AC called Pacific when better views were finally obtained at East Chevington. The deciding feature in this first winter is the lack of a white patch at waterline toward the flanks and if an adult it would have a distinctive chin strap.

It was a nice neat medium size bird with a distinctive clean diving style but on this occasion rarely staying underwater for significant length of time generally following a circular pattern around the edge of the west end of the lake unperturbed by dogs or the gathered throng.

A splendid addition to the life list

One week down

and 600 days till I retire. I thought the year had started slowly but there's 60 ssp on the PC 2017 list including three rarities so not a bad start

 ok not the greatest photo but Little Egret from your back window is not to be sneeezed at

Out of the shadows

Back after six months of twittering. 2016 saw 112 ssp for me on the Carr with addition of Little Egret to the list an overwintering Great Grey Shrike and the late addition of White fronted Geese on 28:12. This post will remain photoless as there have been at least three Short-eared Owls present since 27:11 but never hunting in daylight. Crepuscular MY ARSE

Here is the sightings list date / time appeared / number seen

27:11      16.02       3

28:11      16.02       1

29:11      16.04       1        16.20     2

30:11      16.20       1        16.24     2

01:12      16.14       3

02:12       wet

03:12      15.00      1 perched   hunting   16.15    3

04:12      15.57      1

05:12      16.20      1

06:12      16.18      1         16.24     2

07:12      16.20      1

08:12      16.09      1         16.20     2

09:12      16.16      1

10:12      16.03      1         16.09     2

11:12      16.17      2

12:12      16.09      2

13:12      16.06      1

14:12      16.05      1

15:12      no show

16:12      16.17      1

17:12      16.07      2

18:12      16.16      1         16.18    2

19:12      16.06      1         16.10    2       16.14    3

20:12      16.15      1

21:12      16.15      2         16.22    2

22:12      15.30      2         16.15    3

23:12       wet

24:12      16.15      1

25:12      windy

26:12      hols

27:12      14.30      2 perched but not hunting till 16.00

28:12      no show

29:12      16.30      3 new roost site so possibly missed them yesterday

30:12      16.25      2

31:12      16.15      2

01:01      16.18      1       16.20     3

Given the regularity of three seen as they get lost in the darkness the possibility of more but why they only feed in the dark is a puzzle. Perhaps they haven't read the guides.