Let it Snow

A trip to Weymouth with Miriam today saw us arrive at Lodmoor around 11.30am. We took a brief walk along the path to the viewing shelter but there were few birds on view. We then crossed the road and walked along the front with me stopping and checking the sea every so often but again it was very quiet and the bitter wind soon had us making our way back to the car.
I then decided to try Sandsfoot Castle as it would be more sheltered. We parked up and walked up to the gardens and as it was lunchtime decided to have something to eat at the small cafe there.
I checked my phone for bird sightings and saw that two Velvet Scoters had been seen earlier in the day from here. I then checked Twitter and saw that one of my birding pals Tim, had reported them. I gave him a call to see if he was still in the area but he was already back home.
He did give me valuable information though as to where and what to look for and after getting Miriam a slice of flapjack and another coffee I headed off down to the castle to scan the bay.
I saw the Great Northern Diver straight away and then the Scoters. Scanning around I also saw one of the Black-Necked Grebes that Tim had said was present.
I got back to Miriam just as she was finishing her coffee and then we set out for Ferrybridge and the Snow Bunting that Tim had advised me was so easy to see it would be shame to miss it.
I parked the car and left Mir listening to radio whilst I checked out the area the bird was last seen. It was ridiculously easy and I almost walked right passed it by scanning too far away and not right under my feet. It was a brilliantly confiding bird and allowed me to get quite close.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

We now decided to head for home after what had been an eventful couple of hours.
My year list now stands at 90 which is the highest total I've managed this early in the year since 2008 and has already included some cracking birds like Hawfinch,Waxwing and Rose Coloured Starling.