Barton Birdfest

Yesterday (22nd) despite the overcast weather I decided on a morning jaunt around Barton Turf, as I hadn't been out for a week or so. Walking down the lane between the carpark and board walk, a large group of thrushes passed over mainly being Redwing but also a few Fieldfare, good numbers of Chaffinch and Blue/Great Tit where in the road side hedge. The carr woodland was rather quite but a group of Siskin/Redpoll flitting about the Alders were worth note. Scanning the Broad most of the ducks seemed distant but after a while a boat passed through and many came closer. 50+ Goldeneye were surprisingly the dominant wildfowl, but also 3 Scaup, 16 Great Crested Grebe, a Long-tailed Duck and lone Pochard, plus the expected Mallard, Tufties and Teal. A Kingfisher whizzed past and just as I was about to leave when two female Goosander drifted into flew before flying towards the back of the Broad. Walking back the lane was even busier than before. The Redwing had settled in the ivy by the board walk entrance along with 3 Song Thrush and I followed a family of Long-tailed Tit along the hedge. A Roe deer then ran across the road heading into a strip of maize, birds scattered. I counted 8 Bullfinch (6 male), 30+ Brambling, Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, Blue Tit and Great Tit, as the birds settled in the hedge. A Marsh Tit also called and the Thrush flock (or another) joined the throng. I had a quick drive/wander around the village/staithe area finding to further large Redwing/Fieldfare flocks but little else.