I'm taking part in the Footit Challenge this January and had a core winter thrush count to do at Austen Fen so I decided to walk there from Louth along the canal and have a look at the res too, a total of 19 miles. It was a beautiful day and the highlights were as follows:
Pink Footed Goose 200 over Louth at 8.15 heading NW, a further 50 NE from Keddington Corner at 8.50 and 100 W over Alvingham at 9.20. Goosander 4 males and 2 females on the canal between Louth sewage farm and Alvingham and 1 male and 1 female on the reservoir. Little Egret 7 between Alvingham and the reservoir Grey Heron 10 from Louth to Covenham Sparrowhawk 4 Buzzard 7 Kestrel 5 Lapwing 4, seem very scare round Louth at the moment Curlew 14 at Highbridge Farm and 50 at the reservoir in fields on west side Redshank 3 on the canal at Austen Fen and 3 on the reservoir Green Sandpiper 1 at Keddington Corner Stock Dove flocks of 25,18 and 20 between Austen Fen and reservoir Kingfisher 3 from town lock to Keddington Corner and 4 more down to Austen Fen Fieldfare 151 Mistle Thrush 5 Redwing 31 Song Thrush 3 Tree Sparrow 1 Grey Wagtail 1 at Riverhead Louth Bullfinch 1 Yellowhammer flocks of 40 and 20
A total of 65 species. Sadly all the scarcer ducks on the res seem to have gone. My footit total so far is 73 and the target is 100. Longer walks are planned to Donna Nook and Theddlethorpe.
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