Was beginning to think I would never get to see the "little cracker" at Grainthorpe, but today I decided I'd give it a go. When we got to the parking area there was a few cars already there and I could see the birders in the distance. It was bitterly cold with a strong westerly. As I'd never seen a shrike of any sort I was really looking forward to seeing this mega tick. We approached the ploughed field and I could see everyone looking towards it and I couldn't see the bird for a start, until I realised it was almost in front of me. Had imagined it to be smaller. Amongst the throng of people there was our pal GPC
we exchanged a few words civil ones I may add
.
I got about a dozen shots of the shrike, because of the wind they were not as good as hoped, if I'd gone with the others down the track I would have got the close-ups they did. After ten minutes decided I would and just as I got there it flew back in the field, typical, anyway not complaining. Also managed to film it for half a minute, so well pleased. We left GPC etc about 1.15pm. We also saw a cracking male Hen Harrier and a Curlew over.
Then went to Donna Nook. Parked in the overflow car park for a £1.00 fee. Here we mingled with the seal watchers. I spotted the Glaucous Gull by one of the RAF cones preening, later all the birds were put up by whatever, and the Glaucous came within 30 metres of us! Which really made our day. My pal managed to get a few shots of it, but I'm no good at digiscoping a moving target, but took a few shots while it was in the distance, again well pleased!
Also At D. Nook we saw 40 Twite, c800 Golden Plover plus assorted waders.
The Steppe G Shrike and the Glaucous Gull were both life ticks, so this made for the tonic I very much needed
Left Donna Nook at 15.15.
Kind Regards
John/Max
PS: I now realise what excitement the twitchers get from seeing a rarity!
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