Another lockdown keeps it local over Christmas and the New Year

With Coronavirus still rampant and another lockdown imposed, birding proved hard over the festive period (not least because I was busy with work). Still, I had a nice time photographing Reed Buntings at Anthorn on 12th December, Teal and waders at Anthorn on 24th, an Iceland Gull at Rockcliffe on 28th, Dark-bellied Brent Geese and Grey Herons on 29th and Mergansers and a Peregrine on 30th December at Skinburness, and Twite and Merlin on 2nd January 2021, the last of these probably being the most absorbing. On 4th January, hours before the third national lockdown, I connected with the elusive Snow Buntings at Grune Point, against a snowy backdrop, and on the 5th I caught up with the semi-resident adult Little Stint at Port Carlisle. Late additions included a flock of Twite and a ringtail Hen Harrier back at Border, on the 6th, while on the 9th I did well to find Jack Snipe (2) and Woodcock (3) locally and the commoner garden birds posed well in the light dusting of snow and sub-zero temperatures. (A Common Snipe in the field from my hide was a nice find.) On the 15th, I was delighted to catch a Great Spotted Woodpecker from my hide at home, alongside other commoner birds, and over at Port Carlisle a Peregrine with a kill was a nice find, whilst a Grey Heron posed nicely for the camera. For the third time in a row I flushed a Woodcock from nearby fields.