Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Water Pipit

A female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker gave excellent views this morning at Moore nature reserve. Me and Dave then went onto Flint for the flock of Twite that have been wintering on the marsh near Flint Castle. We got good views but they just wouldn't stop moving around so no pictures could be taken. Then onto Burton Mere reserve which was pretty quiet. The highlights were a Water Rail close to the main hide and some Avocets. We finished off at Neston sewage farm and had superb views of 2 Water pipits alongside a Meadow Pipit for comparison. A Grey Wagtail was also enjoying the insect life at the sewage farm.

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

Water Pipit

I had excellent views of one of two Water Pipits at Conder Green near Lancaster this lunchtime. They were still a bit far away for photography but I got some record shots anyway. Also of note were 2 Spotted Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper and several Meadow pipits which made good comparison to the less marked Water pipits.

Norfolk

Myself and Dave couldn't resist the lure of Norfolk so we had an early trip yesterday 2/1/12. We arrived in good time at Cley and quickly located the long staying Western Sandpiper and also had good although distant views of a Water Pipit. The're were thousands of Dark bellied Brent Geese although we did spot one Pale bellied Brent Goose as well. The numerous Marsh Harriers put in a good aerial show. We then travelled down the road to Holkham Gap and saw a large flock of 60-70 Snow Buntings before connecting with the 4 Shorelarks which looked fabulous in the low sunshine. We then went to Titchwell and viewed the Arctic Redpoll feeding in the Alders alongside a Mealy Redpoll. As the light faded we saw plenty of geese  heading to roost including Eurasian White fronted Geese, Pinkfooted geese and Greylags. A stunning male Merlin was observed hunting and by the marsh we could see a Chinese water deer. On the journey home we also saw a Barn Owl. In all 62 species were seen and there's no doubt that we will return to Norfolk very soon for some outstanding birding