The Final Birds of 2018

Filby - 21st Dec

Just before Christmas I found myself not far from Filby so stopped in to look for the red head Smew. Agnes was very excited but once I had wrestled my scope off her I couldn't locate the Smew on Filby Broad. A walk down to the viewing platform over Ormsby Broad also was unsuccessful, but while walking back through the trees I saw a small duck land. Finding a better view we watched the Smew diving for a few minutes before it swam out of view.

North Walsham - 30th Dec

With Christmas and work commitments I wasn't expecting any birding before January 1st, but news of possibly my favorite British bird a Dipper a few miles from home couldn't be turned down.  I popped out at first light calling first at Ebridge Mill without luck. I drove the short distance to Briggate Mill no Dipper but at least I meet a fellow birder. I also came across two Red Deer stags by the roadside. I drove home via Ebridge, again I found myself alone, and initially I saw no bird. A final quick look by the mill pool overflow and the Dark-bellied Dipper was only a few meters away. The bird was very confiding allowing me close enough to get photos with my small compact camera. A delightful bonus bird to end the year.

Happy New Year and Happy Birding.

More Christmas Shopping

Each year work permit us one extra day off at Christmas, on Thursday (6th) we attended Agnes' first Nativity, she was 'The Star'. By about 10am I was free to go and try to finish my Christmas shopping and planned to head to Holt.

News of an unseasonal Red-rumped Swallow, meant a detour via Cley was inevitable. Luckily I could see the RRS as I pulled in by the East Bank. The bird hawked away over my head for 10 minutes, before I decided I should actually do some shopping. A couple of the shops I planned to visit were closed so I was soon heading off again. I'm not a great fan of shopping and after another brief stop I somehow found myself at Titchwell RSPB! Driving via the lanes near Choseley I came across two Corn Bunting my first of the year, but little else worthy of note.

Titchwell reserve was very quiet, on my stomp out to the beach I passed only 2 or 3 people. The tide was out so I walked out to the gun platform to view the sea. I soon found a group of Goldeneye just beyond the surf, followed by a lone juvenile Eider and two Great Crested Grebe. Over the next 30 minute a few auk passed distantly, I found a few Long-tailed Duck, a passing Great Northern Diver and a Red necked Grebe. It always amazes me how you miss birds scanning a relatively flat sea, as from nowhere a Slavonian Grebe appeared close inshore. By the dunes a kind gent pointed out a Black throated Diver towards Brancaster, it's been a while since I've seen one on the deck and it surprised me the definition on black and white. Back on the fresh marsh I located a Water Pipit in the cut reed margins and a Water Rail called unseen by reception.

Heading toward Norwich to have dinner and late night shopping with Laura a Red Kite drifted by between Fakenham and Guist.

I have just about completed my Chrismas shopping now and also don't expect to add more birds to my year list. Atleast I won't have to by petrol station gifts on Xmas eve after going on a twitch!

Christmas shopping for Beans

Sea Palling - 24th November

On Saturday we visited a Christmas Fayre in Martham and Hicklong. We came back via Waxham and Sea Palling allowing me to look for the Tundra Bean Geese in the area. Luckily they were on the edge of the larger goose flock and not far from the road so only took a brief 10 minute stop between Fayres.

Wroxham/Buckenham - 29th November

By 9.30am on Thursday I had dropped Agnes at nursery, done a quick Lidl shop and brought some Christmas presents in Wroxham. I decided to check out Wroxham Broad, a few Tufties, Little and Great Crested Grebe were a litle disappointing. With plenty of time I decided to call in at Buckenham to look at the recently returned Taiga Bean Geese. Upon arrival the wind had whippied up something rotten and standing by the gate my scope was rocking. Luckily the small clump of bushes on the track gave enough shelter to scan the grazing marsh towards Cantley. 6 Pinkfeet initially excited me and 5 Barnacle geese were with the large flock of Canada Geese. However at the back of the marsh I spotted a dark head appear followed by a second. Eventally 7 Taiga Bean Geese appeared from behind a bank/grassy hollow, distant but distinct.

Sheringham - 3rd December

Today I headed for Sheringham after the Nursery run for a couple more presents, but as most shops opened at 9.30 I had almost an hour sea watching. The sea was quite calm, good for viability but not good for close in birds. I managed c25 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Brent Geese and a decent number of auks. Many where distant and mainly Guillemots, but at least 2 Razorbill could be IDed and a surprise Puffin briefly landed just beyond the pots. Also a delight to see was the returning Black Redstart, wintering again by the old hotel. While I was there it spent most of its time on the railings and hopping about on the prom at times only a few meters away as I sea watched.