Donna Nook and Covenham Res........

Stunning Sunrise.

Juvenile Northern Wheatear.

A free day to myself today,so i decided to try my efforts down the coast starting at Donna Nook and then later visiting Covenham Res.On arrival at Stonebridge bright and early,the sunrise was amazing,so i decided to spend 20 or so minutes taking some shots of the beautifully coloured sky as the sun rose.After my little photo session,i got down to business walking all the way up to Grainthorpe Haven and back.The main highlights consisted of a very tame and late juvenile Northern Wheatear,which was watched feeding along the beach between Stonebridge and Pyes's Hall,this being my latest personal record and a decent sized flock of 15 Lapland Bunting were watched flying over the large stubble field at Pye's.Other sightings included the stunning male Hen Harrier from a couple of weekends ago,Merlin,Peregrine,Common Buzzard,4 White-fronted Geese which flew south,2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese,12 Little Egret and a single Greenshank which was watched feeding in Somercotes Haven.A few Brown Hare were observed also on the adjacent farmland and a group of 5 Roe Deer were feeding on a field at Grainthorpe.After my visit to Donna i decided to give Covenham a try,walking the whole circuit of the res,with some fairly good results.The best birds were actually seen on adjacent farmland and were a flock of 7 White-fronted and 2 'Tundra' Bean Geese,they were watched loafing and grazing on a winter wheat field,this late autumn period is proving to be an excellent one for these two species.Other goodies seen around the reservoir were a single 1st winter male Snow Bunting which gave stunning views as it fed on the top of the reservoir wall,a little beauty! and a single Chiffchaff in the plantation near the car park.A decent day out today in the freezing cold.