Traditional first day of the year birding session started bright and early up at Long Nanny (Newton by the Sea). Weather was absolutely atrocious with rain, cold and fog. I was the first person up there and after a bit of searching soon located the Short Toed Lark which looked like a different bird to the one I saw in good conditions a few weeks earlier. This has been a real long-stayer and at the time a UK first for me, having seen the species previously in Majorca. I took a grotty record shot but I still need some kit to link the 'scope with the digi camera.
There had been Twite around the last time but I couldn't locate any but found the flock of Snow buntings that had been hanging around. Some very well marked birds - excellent views too.
Some other birders started to arrive so I got them onto the Lark and set off for the car in the pouring rain.
Next stop Cresswell Pond to catch up with a few species that I'd seen a week or two ago - Swew (f), Scaup (f), Ruff, Goldfinch x 2, Golden Plover x 70, R B merganser (f + m). No sign of the Kingfisher I'd found last time. Too cold and wet to continue anywhere else so off home until the next time.
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