Kestrel at Deeping High Bank

We left Deeping Lakes and drove along beside the River Welland Bank in search of fishing site opportunities for Roy when we spotted this Kestrel hovering overhead.

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck at Deeping Lakes

Fieldfare and Redwing

Fieldfare with Redwing in the background.  Redwing can often be seen alongside Fieldfare. 

Fieldfare

Fieldfare at Deeping Lakes

Eyebrook sun setting

 Early evening sun setting over icy and still misty Eyebrook Reservoir

Smew at Eyebrook

These are not the clearest photographs but working on a tip off from Mike in USA we knew to be on the look out for Smew at Eyebrook Reservoir.  We were assisted by a gentleman on the day with a scope, they were far away in the distance, we were pleased to view four (2 drakes and 2 redheads) together but there was a sighting of five.

Eyebrook Reservoir

 Eyebrook Reservoir on a misty afternoon

Blackbird

Blackbird 

Long tailed Tit

 Long tailed Tits at Eyebrook 

Robin at Eyebrook

Eyebrook Reservoir

 Icy, misty morning at Eyebrook Reservoir

Chaffinch

Chaffinch 

Wigeon

Noisy whistling Wigeon 

Water rail

The Water rail was very timid, apparently he had only come to this stretch of water as where he normally goes it was completely frozen over.  At one point he scurried up the bank and found a safe place to hide. After a short while he came down again.

Frampton flock of birds

Distant view of flock of birds over Frampton 

Ducks on ice

Ducks on Ice 

Ducks at Frampton Marsh

Flying ducks 

Shan at Frampton Marsh

Shan at Frampton viewing the wildlife with her monocular 

Meadow Pipit

t  The Meadow Pipits at Frampton Marsh were very difficult to view as they were hidden by the long grass, they were constantly low flying to and from the grassy sea bank in groups of 2/4

Sunrise at Thornham

Thornham

Thornham  

Common Redshank at Thornham

Common Redshank 

I wish I had seen the Firecrest!

We walked from Thornham along the coast path towards Holme Nature Reserve.  Someone was lucky enough to see a Firecrest in the wooded area close to the Reserve, by way of consolation Tony gave me my photo opportunity!

Curlew at Thornham with a crab

 Curlew caught a crab