Barton Pits and Worlaby......

A visit firstly to Barton for a couple of hours,saw me enjoying more views of the 1st winter male Ferruginous Duck after it flew onto its favourite pit near the Far-ings visitor centre.It seems to be aquiring more adult male plumage coloration and the eye looked a touch whiter.He showed quite close for a while before reverting to his usual habit of feeding along the far side of the pit,right in the reed edge.A bonus also on this same pit,was a juv. female Scaup which showed very well and amazingly was the first i have seen this year.After arriving at 'The Patch' i decided to walk all the way down to the river and back,with the highlights being 12 Common Buzzard,4 Redpoll,1 Green Sandpiper and brief views of a ringtail Hen Harrier.The day was rounded off nicely with superb views of 11 Short-eared Owl a slight increase on last weekends 9 birds,with several birds interacting with the local Kestrel and Common Buzzards and involving much sparring amongst each other also,providing great viewing.An enjoyable day out in the great weather.