Grey morning and a Buff afternoon

Thursday 13th December, I went to Hitchin Hertfordshire to look at an IBM server, and the problem turned out to be some of the memory Dimms needed to refitted after transit to site. So some time to go birding, close by was a Grey Phalarope at Dunstable Sewage Treatment Works Thorn Bedfordshire. Arrived at Thorn and located the track going down the the STW, on the gate was one of the local birders who gave me the site details and let me in. Around and under the bird feeders were Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Blue tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch. The first two ponds were completely iced over and on the third in the far left hand corner was the Grey Phalarope, busy feeding and making short flights, one flight was due to a Little Grebe fight that got to close.
Birds on 3rd Pond, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull Carrion Crow and the Grey Phalarope. Year List = 228
Looking over the Third Pond

Fourth and largest Pond, added Canada Goose, and a Ring-necked x Tufted Duck Hybrid.

Ring-necked x Tufted Duck Hybrid

While on site on of the another birders pager went off, and mentioned negative news on a Buff-bellied Pipit at Queen mother Reservoir, finished and went home. When at home switched on my laptop to some work, and I had a quick look (as you do) at the latest bird news, and the Buff-bellied Pipit had been relocated and was showing well. Back in the car and of to QMR, as I drove pass the reservoir I could see the group of birders with others walking towards them. Parked up away from the main gate and down the nearest residential road, and quickly made my way up to where the BBP was showing. As I was approaching the main group two birders in front of me stopped and I caught them up, they where on the BBP which was right in the middle of the path feeding and coming closer to us and further away from the main group.

I was able to get great views of the BBP in my scope.

http://www.berksbirds.co.uk/photos.asp

It then flew down to the waters edge, most of the main group started to leave, in this group was a local birder giving out the day permits for £2, the BBP flew back along the waters edge as more birders arrived. Seen on way out Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Magpie and Carrion Crow. Year List = 229