12th January - Ruff etc

Today I managed to get out for a few hours with Derek. Whilst looking for the Greylags and Whoopers at Oulton we found a small group of Pink-footed Geese in a roadside field. Some of the Greylags were in a flooded field further along the road!

Anthorn was fairly quiet due the crappy weather, though a small flock of Golden Plover did put in a brief appearance.

There were loads of Wigeon and Teal from the first screen at North Plains RSPB Reserve, also there was lots of Lapwing and a few Curlew, Redshank and Golden Plover. There were also at least two Ruff (wahoo another county year tick!).
Highlight of the day was from the hide at the end of the lonnen, over 1500 Barnacle Geese feeding on the grassland. Always great to see! Judging from the the immature-adult ratios in the flock it has been a really productive breeding season in Spitzbergen during 2006!