A planned trip to Norfolk with Matt and George didn’t materialise due to vehicular problems so instead we had a half day down to Langstone Harbour in Hampshire instead.
On the drive down the temperature dropped down to a fresh -7c but thankfully had warmed up to -2c when we reached our destination! Not knowing exactly where our main target was we had a scan over the mud and sea and quickly notched up many year ticks before we found out where we should be. After a couple of minutes walk we joined a handful of other birders and there in front of us was the stunning summer plumaged Sabine’s Gull. For the next half an hour we enjoyed it as it flew short distances over the lagoon and mud occasionally dropping down to preen and feed. At one point it flew past our head about 6 feet away!
After our fill of this bird (my 5th in the UK) and a further 19 year ticks including Long-tailed Duck and 6 Black-necked Grebe we headed off up to Staines Reservoir to see the male Lesser Scaup that had been present for a while. Upon arrival we realised this might be a tad tricky as thick fog had enveloped the surrounding area and we could only see a few feet of water.
With this we headed home via the back lanes to George’s house. Near Markyate we came across a large flock of Linnet and other finches including my first Brambling of the year. George went back later and found at least 10.
The year list now up to 97 species.
