January Highlights....

It was a busy start to the year with some interesting birds to add to our list. On the 1st of January we headed to the North Norfolk coast to visit Titchwell and Cley. At Titchwell we had great views of Bearded Tit and Water Pipit from the new Parrinder Hide.

At Cley we caught up with the Ross's Goose which was associating with a group of Barnacle Geese on Arnold's Marsh.

 

The following week on the 9th January we travelled to Strumpshaw, Cantley and Hickling to see what was around. We started off at Whitlingham Country Park where Red-breasted Goose had been reported but were unable to locate it. At Strumpshaw we had Water Pipit, Stonechat and Marsh Tit. We were put onto the Lesser White-fronted Goose at Cantley by one of the enthusiastic birders already at the site, which meant that we didn't have to stand and freeze for too long. Unfortunately the bird was too distant for photographs.

We timed our arrival at Hickling so that we could get to Stubbs Mill for the Harrier Roost. Good numbers of Marsh Harrier, male and ringtail Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Barn Owl, Common Crane and Pink-foot Geese showed well in the late afternoon sun. This Kingfisher was oblivious to it's audience as it scanned the stream for it's supper.

Kingfisher at Stubbs Mill

 Leaving the watchpoint just before dark we arrived back at the car park in time to see Woodcock flying over in every direction - a fantastic end to the day.

The following week we were in North Norfolk hoping to catch up with the Northern Harrier and Rough-legged Buzzard - unfortunately we dipped! We did manage to get good views of the American Wigeon at Cley although visibility was not brilliant.

 

On the 30th January we visited Abberton Reservoir and Tollesbury Marshes with the Beds Birds group. We found 3 drake and 6 red-head Smew altogether. The males displaying at times. Also distant views of a ringtail hunting.

From the bank at Tollesbury Marshes we watched a Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe on the River Blackwater.