Bitterns!

Cheshire and North Wales today. Three Twite at Flint Castle. Three Water Pipits two at Neston sewage works and one at Neston Old Quay. Redhead Smew at Moore and best of all two Bitterns at Marbury     Country Park

Ring-billed Gull

Second time lucky at Sands lane Mirfield for the Ring-billed Gull. It was nowhere to be seen on the water but a local birder said it had been seen yesterday at a weir behind the main water. A quick drive to the new spot was fruitful.
On the way home I bagged the drake Smew at Pugneys. Distant views as they never come close enough but great scope views in the winter sunshine.

Dipper

Dipper seen in usual spot near bridge over Chew Brook at Waterside this morning

Mandarin duck

Female Mandarin duck on Diggle duck pond this lunchtime

Bittern

I went back to Anglers Country Park yesterday afternoon to view the gull roost. From the bird hide I had good close views of the gulls. I saw 3 Yellow-legged Gulls a third winter, an adult and a first winter. Also present was a first winter Caspian Gull. Also seen was a Long tailed duck.  I met some very friendly local birders in the hide and they said the Bittern was being seen in the reeds at Wntersett reservoir at dusk recently. I followed in the car to the spot to view the reeds and there it was. I fabulous Bittern! Has to be the best bird of 2013 up to now. With that and the Long-eared Owl seen 2 days ago thats 2 birds that I failed to see last year already in the bag

South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire

We went to Rufford country park this morning in search of Lesser Spotted Wood today but no look. We were straight onto a nice Hawfinch though. Then onto Old Moor for a Bittern but again no show. I took some pics of a pair of Bullfinch and best of all was the arrival of a male Sparrowhawk.  We finished this short day at Pugneys for a Smew but again no luck. Over the road at Calder Wetlands we managed a male Scaup and a Long tailed duck

Long-eared Owl

Myself, Tracy, Eleanor and cousin Dave had a nice walk at Dovestone and against all the odds we found a fantastic Long-eared Owl sat in a conifer. I hope it stays as conditions were rubbish for photography today and I will return on a brighter day. If anyone wants to know where it is then tough shit! You will have to find your own as I don't want this wonderful bird being disturbed by masses of idiots.

Crossbill

Had a look at the feeders at Binn Green this afternoon in the mist. Plenty of Siskins and Goldfinch plus 2 Lesser Redpoll. Best bird though was a lovely female Crossbill feeding on a larch tree nearby. I must remember to bring the camera. Other local news was of a Long eared Owl on my doorstep at Dovestone seen yesterday by the warden. Great pics on RSPB web site taken yesterday. I'm going to have a look tomorrow.

New Year's Day Norfolk

Great winter day birding in Norfolk. Bearded Tit Richardson's Canada  Goose Hen Harrier Marsh Harrier Brambling Sparrowhawk Barn Owl Eurasian White-fronted Geese Barnacle Geese being the highlights of a total list of 62 species