In Search of Owls, Swans and Geese

I started today's excursion by looking for some Bewick's Swans which had recently been reported at Hundred End near Banks Marsh. Unfortunately I could only find a small group of ten birds consisting of four Whooper Swans with four juveniles and two Mute Swans.

You can't pass by Gravel Lane in Banks without having a quick look for Banksy the resident Owl. Today I was lucky as there he was sitting in his usual place on the roof enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

I couldn't find the reported Little Stints on Crossen's Inner Marsh, but it was very cold so I didn't stay too long. I did briefly meet local birders Stuart Derbyshire, Mark Nightingael and Pete Kinsella though. Next I had a quick look at Marshside RSPB where a new production entitled 'Gulls on Ice' was being rehearsed.

 

I finally moved on to Lunt Meadows but, to paraphrase Star Wars, these were not the Short-eared Owl photographs I was looking for.  Not a bad afternoon in general though.