Another Year Gone

 Well, we've nearly come to the end of another year [where's that gone?] and its been quite a good year for birds in Leicestershire where I live. Some birds I saw and some I didn't, some birds I got images of and some I didn't. It started for me back in April when a Savi's Warbler was seen and heard at Cossington Meadow NR, sadly no images, but a county tick for me!

Snow Bunting, Beacon Hill

Black Redstart, Hathern Church

                                                                               Black Redstart

Then in July, Rod Baker found a Caspian Tern at Eyebrook Reservoir, again no images but once again it was a county tick

Snow Bunting having a stretch. 

In early October a very confiding Baird's Sandpiper turned up at Rutland Water but we were on our pilgrimage to the Shetland Isles. It was still there when we returned, but for the life of me I don't know why I didn't go!  Another bird I didn't go for was a Dusky Warbler found by Mark Andrews on his local patch at Aylestone Meadows, but I did have lots going on with one thing or another,

 

                                                          American Wigeon, Eyebrook Reservoir

                                                                        American Wigeon

                                                                           Lesser Scaup

We had not long been back from Shetland when Andy Mackay found an American Golden Plover at Eyebrook Reservoir. This bird showed really well, but was always distant for my camera.

Also in October, a Black Restart was found residing at a church at Hathern, a village in the north of the county, and a very confiding Snow Bunting was found feeding around the Trig point at Beacon Hill. 

                                                                        Lesser Scaup

Into  Mid-November and Toby Carter found a Lesser Scaup from the causeway at Swithland Reservoir, another bird that showed really well. The last week of November, once again Andy Mackay hit the jackpot finding a Drake American Wigeon, and once again it showed really well to visiting birders.

A bird that's declining in our county is the Marsh Tit, so when a good mate Ben Croxall tipped me off that the Groby Pool birders had found one or even two coming to the feeders, I had to go and see for myself; it took a while, but with a little patience it (or they) showed really well.

                                                                      MarshTit, Groby Pool

As aways thanks for stopping by, and I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy bird filled New Year.