Donna Nook NNR And Covenham Res......09.08.2014.

Another effort down the Linc's coast today saw me firstly visiting Donna Nook and then on the way home i dropped in at the Reservoir at Covenham,this is what was seen and recorded.After getting the kit together and parking the car in the now non-existent car park,i began by searching and walking around the realignment area.It is the first time i have visited since any water has been put onto this area and to be fair it looked pretty good and has some great potential,with plenty of nooks and crannies for wading birds to hide in.My list of sightings began with a Juv. Little-ringed Plover close to the car park and 2 Juv. Wood Sandpiper which 'Yip yipped' as i approached.The LRP was the first of 8 seen and the Wood Sand's,the first of 3,with a single bird seen at the far end of the site.It was nice to see so many birds using this site as a feeding and resting area and other totals seen included 15 Ruff,20 plus Redshank,7 Common Sand,3 Green Sand,2 Greenshank,6 Grey Heron,53 Teal and an impressive 41 Little Egret.Overhead 51 Golden Plover flew south and 5 Whimbrel fed on the edge of Grainthorpe Marsh.Another noticeable species using the site was Brown Hare,with at least 7 being seen,giving some great views of this lovely mammal.After meeting up with fellow birder James Smith we walked along the foreshore back up to Stonebridge,seeing more of the same until we reached the area adjacent to the car park,when i spotted a Juv. Cuckoo.Thankfully the bird showed really well as it searched for caterpillars to feed on and i managed some nice images of this sadly declining bird.After dumping some gear and a refreshment stop James travelled home and i made my way out to the tide edge.The walk seemed to take forever,but at least the weather was good.I eventually made it and began to look around for any birds present.A flock of 17 Sandwich Tern were gathered on the beach in amongst the mixed gulls,but little else was seen out on the beach apart from a small flock of Sanderling.Over the sea a flock of 42 Common Scoter and a single Common Tern flew south.I then made my way to Quad 3 and looked on the flashes and around the extensive area of scrub and bushes with only a handful of Whitethroat,a single Willow Warbler and a Common Sand seen.Several butterfly species in this area included Common-blue,Wall,Meadow Brown,Small Skipper and a single Red Admiral.I eventually made it back to the car park and then decided to drop in at Covenham Res. on the way home.On arrival at the Res. it was apparent there were quite a few people on boats and wind surfing which isn't always a good omen and the only highlights seen after walking the full circuit were 8 Common Sands,6 Yellow Wags and a couple of broods of Tufties on the Res itself.So after putting in some serious effort today i made my way back home a little knacked to say the least,but had another great day out and about.

Little Egrets and Grey Heron.

Brown Hare.

Courting Wall Browns.

Juvenile Cuckoo.

Juvenile Cuckoo.

Juvenile Cuckoo.

Little Egret.

Sandwich Terns,with onlooking Grey Seals.