Brecks and Beyond (Well Beyond)

A reasonably successful day (even more successful for others), but still ending with that year listing frustration!

We started in the Brecks, briefly listening for Golden Pheasant and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker with no success. This was soon overtaken by the beautiful song of Woodlark overhead, whilst watching two successive Goshawks do flybys and then perched in the top of pines, the first was an adult and the second an imm. Also around were a couple of Crossbills and Red-tailed Hawk(!) as well as three Barn Owls on the way. From here the journey was taken to Matlaske, as 'my' driver had not yet seen the Cattle Egret. Fortuitously, it was refound just before we arrived and it was seen sat on a hay bale with Cattle around! Most of the afternoon was spent searching the NW for Rough-legged Buzzard. At least six Common Buzzard, two Hen Harriers, 3 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine were seen, but on Rough-legged (although it has now been reported at 5pm near Sandringham!) Whilst in the NW my driver(!) managed to see a Black Redstart recently, which disappeared too quickly for me to see! As we were looking for it news of the Black-necked Grebe came through from Gypsy Lane. Being more of a priority we made our way over and had good views walking in from Brancaster. A great end to the day, only dampened by news of a Raven NE over Roydon Common (80 minutes after it was seen).

Glaucous Gull Pics at Last

There was no sign first thing of the Cattle Egret. Presumably, the snow and lack of ploughing was the cause (although the bird was seen later).

A lunch time trip to Cley eventually gave me the opportunity to get some pics of the Glaucous Gull. It continues to hold its right wing awkwardly, with some damage showing in flight. Also seen from the car were a Black Brant near Walsey Hills and the Black Swan.

First Time at Last!

Since the reported Cattle Egret was only about 5 miles from my school I got up early to try and relocate it. There was no sign at first and, after a large circular drive, I returned to the original spot. As I came round the corner, there it was, feeding on the roadside verge. This is the first time (other than Glaucous Gull) that I have found a target bird on my first attempt! I reversed and got clear of the road and took some pics (in atrocious light!) As I was taking then a co-worker pulled in, worried that I had crashed! I returned at lunchtime to get some (slightly) better shots. A very pleasing 'twitch'.

Back to Form

No sign of the Ferruginous Duck at Wroxham Broad this morning and only one other person there looking for it. It then transpired that this person had already seen the bird on a number of occasions, but then again he does work for the Broads Authority. Apparently the bird is usually with about 100 Pochard, often on the river early mornings and then moves onto the private/decoy broads which are inaccessible! Now planning a half term boat ride on the river next week!

Undisclosed Site (Not in West Norfolk!)

News reached me of two Long-eared Owls at a roost site and hoping to get some pics I ambled along. Unfortunately, I had not understood the directions well and the owls saw me before I saw them. They both flew out of roost, with one landing briefly in a field before heading off out of view. One was again seen later in flight (with a much more sociable Barn Owl around), but not wanting to disturb them any more than I had already I departed. Nearby, three Tree Sparrows were seen.

My closest 'rival' found a Rough-legged Buzzard today, I really need to have a little more 'luck' (only joking - good find - I'll be out around Massingham tomorrow, me thinks, with his sighting being just north of here (weather permitting!) Humm! He's not going to count it now, although his description sounded good to me!!

What a Day!

Arrived at Strumpshaw about 8 am (not sure why I didn't get there earlier) and paced quickly to the Fen hide wondering if I'd already missed it! I hadn't and, at about 8.30 a number of us were convinced that we heard it calling. Ten minutes later 'The Man' called the bird feeding straight out on an open Reed Mace. Penduline Tit, in the Bag. What a fantastic bird! It showed well for about 20 minutes, moving once onto another Reed Mace, before moving off into the main reed bed, not to be seen again. De ja vu then occurred when, whilst looking for the Green-winged Teal at Buckenham, news came through that it was at Strumpshaw. However, this time the bird was still present, showing distantly from the brick hide. A bonus came in the form of the first winter drake Smew at Whitlingham, before having lunch with my family, failing to find any Waxwings and finishing the day as a proud dad watching his daughter in a Dance Festival. The Perfect Day? Well very nearly!

Triple Dip Day!

Still wanting to get some good pictures of Waxwings, I headed off the Thorpe St Andrews. There was clearly no sign, so I set off to Buckenham Marshes, driving past the entrance to Strumpshaw Fen. Just as I reached the Mill, the fruitless search was inturrpted by news of the Penduline Tit at Strumpshaw. A hasty retreat found me at the Fen Hide about five minutes after the Tit had flown off! 5 1/2 hours later I returned home!

At least two Bitterns, two Bearded Tit, two (+) Mealy Redpoll with about a dozen Lessers, two Barn Owls, Sparrowhawk, 30+ frisky Coot and six Marsh Harriers at roost (and a few humans) kept me company.

Out in the Snow

The snow was not actually as bad on the coast as expected, although heavy showers persisted throughout and finally made me give up about 2ish.
A wonderful Short-eared Owl adorned a roadside hedge just south of Burnham Market.
The main aim of the day was the Ruddy Duck at Burnham Overy Marsh. It proved ellusive in the northern corner, showing occasionally through the reeds. A showy Kingfisher, rarely allowed approach and a Barn Owl flew in the snow.
Moving along the coast, produced further Short-eared and Barn Owl at Lady Anne's.

Surfbirds January Account

155 BOU + 4 25/1 Black-bellied Dipper, 24/1 Great Grey Shrike, 21/1 Barnacle Goose, 13/1 Jack Snipe, 11/1 Green Sandpiper (Dipped Killdeer), 10/1 Iceland and Caspian Gull, 9/1 Smew, 6/1 Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipit, 4/1 (Ross's Goose) 2/1 Common Crane, Taiga Bean Goose, Waxwing, 1/1 Glaucous Gull, Hawfinch, 5 Owl species See: http://ruralchill.blogspot.com/