Humber WEBS Count,Sunday 24th December 2017.

After being on nights for the past 2 weeks,i eventually found time to complete my WEBS count today between Barrow Haven and Goxhill Haven.Thankfully the tides were just right and i managed to complete all my sections on a high and falling tide.

Barrow Haven - New Holland

Very little of note along the first sections of my count area,but a flock of 18 Curlew feeding on a grass pasture near New Holland was nice and also 68 Pink-footed Geese flew out east as well as a summer plumaged Great-crested Grebe on the Clay Pits.The only notable passerine was a single Coal Tit with a tit flock near Windmill Pond,a species i don't usually see along here.

New Holand - Goxhill Haven

After meeting up with Chaz we made our way through the bulk terminal seeing the lovely Whooper Swan flock along the way.Only 6 birds present today which consisted of 3 juv's and 3 adult birds,but they are always a privilege to see,what a lovely species they are.Also in the dock were a hand full of Redshank and at least 77 Mallard.
 After negotiating the terminal,we walked along the bank top seeing the first of 7 Rock Pipits seen between here and Goxhill Haven,with one bird beginning it's moult to spring plumage already with grey feathering being visible on the birds lesser coverts which was interesting.It was also a pretty confiding individual showing well enough to get some images of it.
 Other birds observed along here included a decent count of at least 175 Goldeneye in their usual wintering area off the bulk terminal.This is the highest count i have achieved for 2 winters,but is still way off the big counts we used to get off here in years gone by.
 As we neared the old boatyard near to Goxhill Haven,a quick scan of the horse field revealed a pair of Stonechat flycatching from the hawthorns distantly,no doubt the pair i had along here back in November.
 We decided to carry on walking past the haven up to Dawson City seeing a single male Marsh harrier as we approached the reserve and as has happened in the last few years,the Pink flock were watched nearby on the grass pasture they have been using.Today a guesstimate saw at least 2700 birds present and they gave the usual pleasing sights and sounds of a feeding Pink flock,just great!.

The return leg back to Barrow Haven was hard work to be fair in the strengthening south westerly blow and nothing of note was added to what i had already logged.
 Pretty hard going at times today and incredibly mild for the time of year,but some rewarding sightings all the same and i look forward to my next visit.

Juvenile Whooper Swan,New Holland.

Whooper Swans,New Holland.

Whooper Swans,New Holland.

Scandinavian Rock Pipit,New Holland.