Hawfinch at Lynford. Shorelark Minster. Richard's Pipit Swale NNR

On Saturday Brian has the day off work so a bonus trip for us, the plan is to go to Lynford for a Hawfinch tick, but with it still being dark when we are near Lynford the decision is made to head once more to Abbey Rd  for another look for the Pallid Harrier, we have now dipped 4 times for this bird & today proves to be no different, we are told on arrival that it was seen at 8 am & it was 8. 20 or so. We hang about for an hour & then try again for the Golden Pheasant & dip that for the third time since the new year. Never mind we are certian to pick out the Iceland Gull at Fishers Fleet for a year tick, only trouble we forgot to tell the Gull that we were coming to see it & it never showed, so a really bad start to our day.
So back to the first plan & off we go to Lynford, Jimmy soon picks out a single Hawfinch high up on the top of a tree & as we walk down to the bridges a Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit are all seen, all three of us needed at least one of these birds for a tick.
So a good end to the day.
On Sunday it's off again, the aim is the Richards Pipit at Swale NNR, but first we pay a visit to Harty Ferry to watch the Harriers come out of the roost & maybe see an Owl or two. We see at least 7 Marsh Harriers but no Owls & no Hen Harriers, but get a tick with a few Corn Buntings.
On now to Swale, the drive down to the sea wall was what you would call bumpy but it was better than the walk would have been.
We get a quick view & call as the Pipit pops over our heads, not sure where it went so a   long walk down to near the hide gives a great reward when the Hooded Crow is seen in the field over the back with the Geese.
Knot also seen along with a cracking view of a Merlin.
Walking back gets us a much better view of the Richards Pipit when it pops up in front of us & lands just over the over side of the track & gives us a good few minutes to watch it.
On now for a look for the Shorelark at Minster which we find without to much trouble on the beach.
A good few year ticks today & to finish the day off we pay a quick visit to Elmley, once again not to much about, just a few Buzzards. Not a bad start to the new year list, moved on to 125 today.

Barn Owl on the way to Lynford

Marsh Tit

Buzzard at Elmley

                                                 

Shorelark