Decent morning on the estuary.

 I drove round to the Fylde shore of the Ribble Estuary for a change this morning in hope of seeing the Tundra Bean Geese on Lytham Moss. Expecting to have to sift through a large flock of Pink-footed Geese to find my target birds I was rather disappointed (at first) to notice a lack of grounded geese as I drove across the moss in the early morning murk. Minutes later I was delighted to discover that I had to sort through all of one Pink-footed Goose to find the five Tundra Beans!

Tundra Bean Goose, Lytham Moss (Lancs) 27 December 2011.

 In fact the Pink-foot stood out like a sore thumb amongst the 5 Beans; all pinky-grey below and much colder grey (not brown) above, even if the orange legs and bill patch of the Beans couldn't be seen.

Tundra Bean Geese on Lytham Moss this morning.

 Some big skeins of Pink-feet overhead from time-to-time, but they didn't land. At least 15 Whooper Swans on the moss this morning too.

Nice neat black tail with white edge visible on this shot.

 The drizzle gave in so I headed down to the estuary and checked Fairhaven Lake where the two Scaup were swimming around with a few Tufties and 9 Pochards.

Scaup on Fairhaven Lake, Lancs 27 December 2011.

Great White Egret at Warton Bank (Lancs), 27 December 2011.

 The Great White Egret (one of two on the estuary at present) was showing well on Warton Marsh off the end of Bank Lane this morning. Two Black Swans in with 14 Whoopers and a few Mutes there along with several Little Egrets.

Tundra Bean Goose at Lytham Moss, Lancs 27 December 2011.