Donna Nook Bits....Saturday 26th December 2014.

With the prospect of it always being a good winter birding destination,i decided to have a day down the coast at the excellent NNR at Donna Nook.
 I arrived nice and early just as it was beginning to get light and made my way in the direction of Pye's Hall first,walking along the developing shore out from Stonebridge car park.There were several Grey Seal pups still present and i stopped to watch 11 pups playing in a large pool and they gave the usual fantastic and confiding views.
 As i neared Pye's a few scattered flocks of Dark-bellied Brents were feeding on the shore and more flocks began to arrive from the direction of Grainthorpe.Thoughts of the Black Brant seen earlier in the week had me thinking of having a look through the flock once they had settled down and sure enough i managed to find it,albeit a bit distant through the bins,but it was a well marked individual and stuck out like a sore thumb in the flock.I got a few record shots of the bird for posterity and then carried on my walk.
 While walking along the developing shore which reaches out toward Grainthorpe marsh,2 Lapland Buntings passed overhead and a nice surprise in the form of a Woodcock flying in off the sea kept the interesting sightings ticking over nicely.Other sightings added to the notebook included 61 Goldfinch and at least 15 Reed Bunting with a minimum of 25 Rock Pipit also being observed.
 The only raptors i managed to see over this area and Grainthorpe Marsh were singles of Sparrowhawk,Kestrel and Peregrine,the Perg being seen again later.Disappointingly no Hen Harriers were seen today.
 A walk around the perimeter of the re-alignment saw a few sightings of interest which included 7 Snipe,72 Fieldfare and a probable Water Pipit seen only in flight.
 As i reached Stonebridge again a single Lap Bunt Flew south and 2 Whooper Swans also followed in the same direction.
 After spending an enjoyable visit to Donna,i decided to give Covenham a look and hopefully watch the gull roost.But as the afternoon wore on the visibility started to deteriorate as well and i gave it up as a bad job as it became slightly misty and the light was terrible.A few notable sightings here included 46 Goldeneye,5 Little Grebe,47 Wigeon,22 Shoveler,95 Teal and 2 adult Lesser black-backed Gull.
 So after a decent days birding a headed back home after another good day out.

Record shot of the Black Brant.

Grey Seal pup.

Grey Seal pup.

Grey Seal pup.