Let it Snow, let it Snow, let it Snow Bunting

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful.
And since we've got no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

22^nd Dec.  Well there is to be no white Christmas, but I thought it best to set the mood, and at least we have some local Snow Buntings to admire.  The scientific name for Snow Bunting is Plecrophenax nivalis.  The specific name of nivalis is Latin for snow white and is also used in the scientific name of the flower, the snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis.  The specific name nivalis is most appropriate for the Snow Bunting in summer plumage, but such is their winter plumage the name remains appropriate.

We took the route past Backworth and Earsdon as we made our way towards St Mary’s Island and the hoped-for Snow Buntings.  Passing the fields along the way we passed flocks of both Greylag and Pink-footed Geese.  Kestrel was also seen.  On arrival we began a search for the Snow Buntings, a search made very easy when we very quickly spotted a keen young lad taking photographs of birds which we guessed were what we were after and we were correct, and so went on to make use of some very good photographic opportunities.  The Snow Buntings were far from retiring and even when disturbed by dogs and walkers they would take flight, but remain in the area and soon return to feed.  There was quite a lot of calling between feeds.  As per the norm most folk walked past without paying any attention to the birds, a few of them slowing to take a look simply to see what was being photographed, but seemingly with little real interest.  A small minority of folk did show real interest and asked what species we were photographing and one elderly lady knew that they were Snow Buntings.  Probably because of the length of time the Snow Buntings have been in the area we saw no other birders the entire time we were present, time very well spent.  Although in theory temperatures were quite high, around 8 to 9C, the breeze made it feel much colder.

After a walk around the wet-land area where Teal and Gadwall were seen, Sam and I decided to try our luck looking for another reported Water Pipit.  There were plenty of Rock Pipits, but the nearest thing we saw to Water Pipit we decided was a littoralis Rock Pipit.  We found that there were few waders about but we did eventually find numbers of Lapwing, Redwing and Turnstone, the odd Sanderling and Curlew and once back on the road to Seaton Sluice numbers of Golden Plover in the fields.  It had been well worth the trip for the Snow Buntings alone and warmed up over a fish and chip lunch plus complimentary glass of Sherry.

Next stop was Holywell Pond.  In my mind this reserve is simply not what it used to be.  I remember when I first began to visit this reserve there used to be large flocks of both Teal and Wigeon on the pond at this time of year.  There were a few Teal today, but not in the numbers of the past.  Other bird sightings were sparse here today, but included Grey Heron and Mute Swan.  As the light began to fade we walked a circular route back to the car but saw little in the way of birds, but the 3 Bullfinches in flight and lit by the low but bright sun was a nice sighting.

A good day out with some decent images amongst many taken to show for it.

Merry Christmas.