Blyth Estuary 6-12-10

Monday the 6th  I was heading for the estuary anyway , but checked out the reported Waxwings seen at the weekend,  but no sign for me , still a few berries on the trees on the edge of the cemetery so they may be back. Took the scope with me and just scanned the area for awhile  ,40+ Teal,15 Wigeon,2 Shellduck, 3Gadwall ,5 Goldeneye and 9 Mergansers, I did not count every wader but did note 10 Grey plover, 15 Bar tailed Godwit, 85 Curlew. A Sparrowhawk crossed over the river and as I watched it a Woodcock dropped in near some sheep trying to feed where the sheep had moved the snow then it dropped along the river edge just up from the shore spent some time probing before being chased by a Crow , it dropped again further along still trying to find food. I also noticed in amongst the sheep a single Red-legged Partridge it ended up on the shore, funny to see Dunlin ,Meadow Pipit, Lapwing and Red Legged  all in one view. Walked along to the pools 2 Water Rails , numerous Snipe a flock of c30 linnets , 3 Fieldfare & 3  singles of Redwing over 17 Mute Swans flew up river, a few Mallard on the open pool and numerous loafing gulls today mainly Common Gulls..

Not a day for photos ,only one shot of some of the Red Breasted Mergansers, actively feeding on the rising tide.