Good bye... 2011

The Sand Fulmar was moored off the bay for a second morning but later departed east up the channel.
I don't know what the dredger  was doing but we certainly need some more shingle on our beach as the last week has seen another couple of metres washed away as the sea eases its way towards our boundary. The authorities tell us that it is monitoring the situation and all will be well....they don't live here or experience the worry and  concerns of the anxious residents.

It is always good to be up and about to see the sun rise and winter time makes it relatively easy to witness this. Here is this mornings spectacle....

...just before sunrise.

...here it comes.

...half way.

...its up and another days begun!

..time to get out to see whats around...so its along the beach and up to the spit hide. Hundreds of feeding Brent Geese with a few Red Breasted Mergansers, dozens of Wigeon and then...a dazzling blue flash...a Kingfisher flies past and settles on the harbour wall...fantastic and well worth the effort of getting out early.
Later in the morning a visit to the North wal and another Kingfisher by the sluice gate plus all the usual waders and ducks.

...and that just about wraps up another year...so from Pagham Birder (well wrapped up by his grandchildren over Christmas)

...its  Happy New Year 

to everyone

and good birding

in 2012.