Holkham and environs, Sculthorpe

The day started viewing over Holkham Marsh, where the white blob of the Greater Snow Goose was soon picked out amongst the hoards of Pink-footed. however, it wasn't long before large groups started moving off. I managed to lose the Snow Goose and thought it had moved off SW with the majority. A group of c40 White-fronted Geese were seen across the Freshmarsh and a single Barnacle Goose was found. A quartering Barn Owl had me perplexed for a while as it hypnotically drifted back and forth (but I still couldn't get a good shot!) At least 2 birds were present here, with others seen at Wells, Burnham Thorpe and Burnham Overy.

I decided to try and follow the geese moving SW. This wasn't as easy as it seemed as small groups kept flooding over and out into the distance. I kept following and eventually found a large flock of c3000 Pink-feet, as others constantly arrived. The Snow Goose was not to be found, but another(?) Barnacle was seen as were two Tundra Bean Geese, the first picked up landing, through its darker back and broader tail band and orange legs! A quick check to make sure its bill was the same colour, too! A Buzzard flayed about in a tree.

I returned to the coast at Burnham Overy, where a flock of distant Brents had a black and white blob that looked good for a pure Blank Brant, unlike the two birds present at Wells! Another Buzzard flew low and landed atop a bush.

The pair of Scaup were still on Wells boating lake, commonly called Abraham's Bosom, where they should well across the lake, often swimming with a pair of Tufted Duck. A fruitless return to the Holkham area located the field that the Snow Goose was seen in the last two days but, although a group of c200 Pinks were present, it wasn't!

I decided to spend some time on route home at Sculthorpe. I arrived to the news that a male Goshawk had been seen on a couple of occasions, displaying over the wooded area W of Whitley Hide, from the open area and left to hear 2 Red Kite had moved over whilst I was there! However, the time wasn't fruitless, with a white cheeked, bull necked, wing paneled Willow Tit was seen, as well as an elusive Brambling (where are they all - except Santon Downham?!?) A Water Rail showed well, as did two male Bullfinch.

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
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Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 145, Route 79, Sp 64, SM 61, SF 32