Donna Nook Visit & Superb Phalorope,Sunday 19th November 2017.

With an excellent forecast today,Lee and myself had planned to visit the Grey Seal colony at Donna Nook as Lee had never visited before and i was also hopefull we could visit Covenham Res on the way home to see if the Juvenile Red-necked Phalorope was still present also.
 We set off fairly early to get parked at Donna Nook,as it is always chocca at this time of the year with visitors going to see the Seals pupping,but as we arrived it wasn't too bad to be fair.
 Plenty of warm clothing was definitely the order of the day and we then headed along the viewing area to the sight of hundreds of Grey Seals.
 There were plenty of new pups which were fairly close and the usual disputes between females and over amorous males and also the odd territorial posturing from the half a dozen males present.
 This all made for some superb viewing and it was great to visit the colony again after a few years absence for myself.
 After we had both taken numerous photos,we had a VERY welcome Bacon sarnie and a hot cuppa...thanks Lee and then decided to head over to Covenham before it got too busy here.
 After travelling over to Covenham we had a nice walk around to where the Phalorope had been seen in the south east corner and sure enough as we approached some other visitors were watching it.Sadly,an idiot with a camera had climbed over the bank to try and photograph the bird,but thankfully it was still showing and this particular idiot left.
 Over the next 30 minutes we watched this lovely little oceanic wader as it bobbed about and sometimes came out of the water chasing flies along the bank.The latter piece of behaviour,was the first time i had seen any Phalorope feeding out of the water and it was interesting to see the partially lobed and webbed feet,just brilliant to watch.
 This is my first Red-necked Phal for a few years and is a pretty late record as well as the species should be well on its way to its wintering grounds off the coast off Arabia,what a smart little bird.
 So what a great day out today in some lovely weather for the camera and some great company,life is good.

Only One In 400 Grey Seals Have A Black Coat Like This Moulting Pup.

A Rose Between Two Thorns.....

A Bellowing Bull.

These Big Bulls Are So Impressive.

A Lovely Sleeping Cow.

High Five.

A Suckling New Born Pup.

Another New Born Pup,How Can You Not Love That Face!.

Another Dozing Cow.

Covenham Reservoir.

1st Calendar Year Common Gull.

Juvenile Red-necked Phalorope.

Juvenile Red-necked Phalorope.

Notice The Partially Webbed & Lobed Toes.

About To Catch Another Fly.

Loafing Cormorants On The Reservoir Water Tower.