Rain stopped birding!

On Sunday 1st January, I parked at North Cove car park and walked up the track, meeting Rob Will, Andrew E and James B who were on a New Year's twitch. On Castle Marshes, I was delighted to spot the 76 White- fronted Geese with a few Mute Swans the group were actively feeding. At least 1 immature bird seen with the flock. Perched on a post nearby was a Buzzard. Walking back, a Buzzard flew right over the fields and past the Alders a calling Marsh Tit, Wren were seen. Going over to the reserve, I heard a Bullfinch too. At Mutford Lock basin, 4 Little Grebe, Turnstone and 7 roosting Oystercatcher seen, no sign of the Common Sand at high tide though. Nothing from the railway bridge looking over Lake Lothing. At Leathes Ham, 3 Pintail (male and 2 females)seen distantly and 4 Pintail (3 males) seen close on the island. Around 15 Gadwall seen and Wigeon heard but not seen in worsening weather. At Hamilton Dock, a Cormorant seen plus 8 Turnstone feeding in the Turbine yard. Whilst at the point along the ledge, just north of the "finger" first 4, the 5, then 8, then 10 and finally 11 Purple Sandpipers seen all feeding along the ledge or the defence rocks and momentarily disturbed with the waves breaking against them. At Links road car park, a group of BH Gulls included an unsigned adult winter Mediterranean Gull plus a confiding Rock Pipit on the seawall eastern ledge sheltering in the rain.