Fudge zoo

Friday, I waited for the rain to stop then headed down to Shibdon where there were still 8 Black-tailed Godwit. Up at Burdon Moor a Short-eared Owl was showing pretty well, a darker looking bird to the one yesterday.



Black-tailed Godwit

Saturday is best forgotten with much time spent dipping Ferruginous Duck at Washington and Pallid Swift at Marsden.

With no sign of the Pallid Swift this morning I headed down to Whitburn Obs. Spending more time out than in, with warm sunshine it was a pleasant couple of hours. Highlights were 3 Lapland Bunting, 2 Little Gull and a Mediterranean Gull. About 300 Pink-footed Geese flew south, but no sign of the Snow Goose.

News of a Swift at Marsden had me back north, but it drifted off before I got there. An hour or so scanning produced nothing more than 4 Buzzard and a distant flock of 80 Pink-footed Geese. A Chiffchaff moved through the scrub.



Buzzard

It was then off to the zoo. With the Ferruginous Duck pinned down in the Ferruginous Duck pen at Washington WT all I had to do was pay the money and turn up. A flap of two full wings to show its credentials and it was in the bag.



Ferruginous Duck