Miracle at Landguard (Waxwing)

After a big debate with Brian last night about what time to meet in the morning after the clocks went back we  decide on 6 o'clock meet.
We set off to Holland Haven to see the Long Eared Owl, when we get there we ask a local birder where to see the Owl, he is a good chap & sets us in the right direction, but he tells us it was not seen yesterday.
Still we give it a go for a couple of hours but no luck today.

We do see a nice view of a Lesser Redpoll, the Green-Woodpecker lands on the telegraph post in front of us, a Sparrow hawk is seen, the Little-Owl is in his tree looking at us.

The place seems to be alive with Black Birds, also plenty of Goldfinch, a single Redwing flies over us, some Fieldfare are also seen. We have a good chat with the local birders, & thank them for the information they post on the site blog.

Off now to Landguard for the Waxwing that has just come on the pager.
It's 40 miles away but after dipping on the Owl it's worth the trip as Jimmy & I need a Waxwing for a year tick, Brian already had it ticked so it's good of him to drive us to get this tick.

We walk round the fort looking to see what they have in the nets, not to much is the answer, so we scan the bushes for the target. After a short time a miracle happens I spot the Waxwing in the bushes before Jimmy & Brian who are looking over the other side of the path, a quick call & they arrive to confirm that this miracle has really taken place, it's taken me a good 3years to be the first to see the target bird before the boys, I  think that calls for a tot of whisky tonight.
We also spot Goldcrest in the same bushes..
Then it''s the turn of  Brian to get back on track after the nasty shock I've given him, he calls out a nice Firecrest for us to see, he must of been quite relieved to get his top birder spot back off me.

 today's Waxwing