Robin, Blackbird and Feral Pigeon were all seen by street light before leaving North Walsham. 3 Tawny Owl were seen on route and we took our rightful place in an empty car park around 6.30am.
Unlike the drizzly dawn of last year it was soon getting light and upon reaching the beach we had already listed 30 species and not just shadowy silhouettes. With the tide quite high and sea relatively flat sea conditions looked good, the beach held large numbers of gulls and waders and we had a 48 species total before looking inland to the marshes. Beach highlights inc 2x GND, 20+ close Long-tailed duck, an almost constant stream of Red-throated Divers (easily 200+) and a bonus juv. Shag. Scanning the Brackish and Fresh Marshes we took our time slowly building our total. An unseasonal Greenshank another unexpected bird and often tricky Water Pipit had us at 65 before the fen trail and the prospect a of a Cornish 'style' pasty breakfast at the cafe. Getting into the car 6 fly over Redwing gave us a running total of 82. (78 new plus Robin and Blackbird meant 80 Titchwell birds!)
A brief stop at Thornham allowed us to see Twite and Rock Pipit before heading inland. Chosley Barns have proven disappointing but recently we have found a favorable route through the neigbouring back roads towards Docking. This year we stumbled across a Linnet flock of maybe 600+ birds with a few Chaffinch and Goldfinch tagging along. I also managed a lone Brambling in an adjoining hedge. Next was our only off piste twitch looking for a Glaucous Gull rumoured to be in a pig field not far away. The pig farm appeared to cover numerous fields but as we pulled up within seconds Gary located the bird sleeping not far from the car.
With time on our side we decided to break with our regular route swapping a dash cross country targeting a few birds at Flitcham for a more leisurely woodland walk at Holkham. Driving via Burnham Market we flushed a Short-eared Owl from a hedge and added a few geese species looking out towards Gun Hill. Avoiding the madness of Lady Anne's Drive we parked up by Holkham Park gates with over 100 species seen before 12.30. Only a few feet from the car Gary was onto a calling Firecrest and then a chunky fly over finch had us both thinking "Hawfinch", two unexpected birds in as many minutes. A walk around the woods, park and lake added a few more species and we climbed back in the car on 113. Driving through Stiffkey I briefly though about the Cattle Egret reported frequently before Christmas and as we drove post the flooded field sure enough Gary said "are those Cattle Egret" and lifting my binoculars yes they were. We stopped by the Dun Cow in the hope of distantly scoping the Snow Bunting flock reported by the 'Little Eye' but before seeing those birds 115 and 116 were surprisingly Pied Wagtail and Rook! Stopping a Sheringham we hurried along the prom we quickly located a Purple Sandpiper before continuing East.
A 'drive-by' of the regular 'tundra swan' fields near Ludham was the only site we dipped at all day (the small flock has being hanging out near Ingham recently it turns out). We arrived at Hickling NWT with the light still good, and walking towards the Stubb Mill Roost we had equaled our previous best 1st January total of 118. A Sparrowhawk flew along the track ahead of us and from the roost Barn Owl and Hen Harrier were soon seen. With advise the Common Crane were roosting else where on the reserve, we decided to relocate part way back along the track. This was soon rewarded with 17 Crane flying in and calling at close quarters in the fading light, a delightful way to end a very pleasant and surprisingly relaxing day.
122 species seen, but still driving home our thoughts couldn't help drifted to what could have been. Redpoll, Spotted Redshank, Bearded Tit and Eider just a few we 'missed', but I'm sure if we had targeted these we would have missed many others. I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas and Happy Birding for 2018.
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