Black Throated Thrush

Its been a pretty bad month so far lots of gales almost continuously, and plenty of rain.  For some reason, the worst of it has been at weekends, so it has seemed rather pointless trying to get out at times.
The past weekend has been business as usual, and I was tied up on Saturday, but Colin had pretty well decided to head up for the Black Throated Thrush at Grimsby, and although it looked to be very wet, it seemed we would be driving through the worst of it. This proved to be correct, with really appealing rain at times, plus lots of wind gusts as we headed up the A1 and across the Lincolnshire  Wolds, and by the time we arrived at Grimsby Institute it was rather cold, but dry.
Unfortunately although the thrush had been reported an hour before we got there, the few birders present didn't appear to be all that happy. In fact the only thrush present was a Mistle singing from a tree in a garden opposite the Institute. Over the course of half an hour we were joined by a few more, and spent the time searching the area.
 I returned to the car to get my coat and having put it on, I became aware that the main  group were getting agitated and gesturing so headed towards them, but at the same time they were approaching me. They said they had seen the thrush on the ground before flying into one of the bigger trees. I headed back to Colin and a recently arrived photographer unaware that they had been photographing it!
Luckily I soon found it in one of the smaller trees and we enjoyed good, but somewhat obscured views. It was possible to get a position where decent images could be obtained, and eventually it dropped down for a few minutes.

 After enjoying the bird-the fifth I had seen but the first this century we decided to head to the coast.
RSPB Tetney Marsh reserve wasn't all that pleasant. To get there involved a slow 10mph drive through a vast  and rather depressing caravan and chalet site, and when we got there discovered it was a dog walking paradise. The tide was well out, few birds were on the pools and the wind really picked up. There were a few Teal and Wigeon, a lot of Black headed Gulls and a few flocks of Brent Geese flew in and out. We didn't stay long, but were buzzed by a female Sparrowhawk as we drove out.
On the way home, we called in at Deeping Lakes. A few years ago we had fair views of a roosting Long Eared Owl and hoped for a repeat performance. The wind was still very unpleasant, and if any owls were present they were well hidden. Being a well wooded lake complex, there were a few Goosander along with the usual assortment of wildfowl and gulls.

Aston End

Yes I'm still here. Last weeks storm kept me in, apart from having to retrieve one of next doors fence panels and try and prop up the rest. Another one came down last night despite the props.
Didn't think I would get out today with storm Dennis still with us, but it seemed to be fairy quiet after breakfast so I went for a walk. There wasn't much wind, and it was dry-but it didn't last and after the first hour it deteriorated and I ended up soaked.
There were a lot of singing Song Thrushes with at least five different birds, and there were a few Blackbirds as well, but there were no sign of any Fieldfare or Redwing. I was also serenaded by House Sparrows, Robins, Tits and a Greenfinch as I headed through Aston End and down to the ford. Here there were five singing Skylarks and a couple of Pheasants.
For once there was some water in the river, due to all the run off. This had implications for me later on.

I was hoping to locate a Short Eared Owl that had been seen a few days ago along somewhere between Bennington and the Walkern road so I detoured slightly through High Wood to check the fields around Lordship Farm. The uphill track was very wet and boggy, and it was around here that the rain really started. Naturally if the owl was still around it was being sensible and staying under cover. I did flush a couple of Pheasants though and there was a Marsh Tit and a Mistle Thrush singing.
The rest of the walk was a bit of a slog along very wet footpaths and while I did get a couple of Red Legged Partridge there wasn't much else happening.