Year End Birding

What could be nicer on the last day of the year than to introduce a couple of people to shorebird watching by kayak. It was great to have your company Moyra and Anton. Anton, btw, is an enthusiastic 11 year old and it was a pleasure to have him out with us. A big thanks to Neil and Kel for bringing down their second kayak. The weather was warm and sunny but the wind was quite strong and made paddling a test of strength on the return trip.
It was an extra high tide and the birds were left with little or no standing room. Added to this were three different raptors that flew over and set them all up in flight. The raptors were an Osprey, a Kite, and a juvenile White-breasted Sea-Eagle. The only birds that stayed unexcited were a couple of Pied Oystercatchers and a few Godwits that were not sure if they should be up there whirling with the rest of their flock or taking it easy down on the ground.
I hope that 2010 is a good year for all and I wish you many great birding moments in the new year.