They're not birds,They're not even alive

A recent post by David Bryant (Birds of the Heath) about finding pre-historic stone tools has inspired me to write a brief non-binding post.

I have been lucky to find a flint arrow head but in all honesty don't know what I'm looking for, I've had much more luck with fossils. Growing up not far from the NE Norfolk Coast I'd often return with a few belemite and on rare occasions a sea urchin fossil. Last Spring with a more knowledgeable adult eye we also found a few other things, and a trip to the Jurassic Dorset Coast piqued an interest.

However it was after my father's death last October when I took to long beach walks that I started to notice the variety of fossils locally. For a month or so I walked a hour or so 3 or 4 times a week on the local beaches, finding it both rewarding and therapeutic. I found various echinoids (sea urchin), antler, corals, bivalves and plants, I am however most excited when I find bone, we all dreamed of finding dinosaurs as children. I have fragments of mammoth, deer and bison, and favourite hippo tusk. Although lest frequent I try to get a fossil walk in whenever we have favorable tide and winds, I will always return with something of interest.

Bird watching is a great way to escape the everyday troubles life throws at you, but fossil hunting and being at once with nature is just as relaxing and just as addictive.

More New 'Ticks'

After you have been birding a few years your 'life' list's growth slows to a trickle, in my case British, Norfolk and Patch Lists.
However in the last week or so I added two Norfolk ticks and a life tick. This week surprisingly the run of birds continued. . . .

8th June - Roughton/ North Walsham

With my daughter back at nursery I planned to look for the Rosy Starling at Roughton after drop off but got called away. At 3pm waiting for pickup I checked the news feeds to see the Rosy Starling was still present but a Blyth's Reed Warbler had been found a mile from home on my patch! We hadn't got out of the car at Roughton when I saw the Rosy Starling on a roof top then in flight. I drove straight to Pigneys Wood rather than get out of the car and wait for the starling to reappear from a back garden. I've not taken a four year old to a twitch, especially not one where social distancing was expected so was slightly apprehensive. Luckily for me Agnes was good though did wonder off occasionally to look at flowers and insects but stayed her distance. I had just missed the Blyth's Reed Warbler showing well but after 10 minutes soon heard a delightful burst of song, my only previous BRW being a silent autumn bird. Brief restricted views followed over half hour, if I'd have been alone maybe i would have jostled for a better position, but i had seen the bird so we headed home for the promised ice cream pudding!

9th June - Swafield

After the nursery drop off I headed home via Trunch. I had forgotten flypaper on a recent shop and coincidenlty saw on the drive too nursery someone selling pitch plants from their driveway! Bargin Pitcher plant in hand (£3) I headed to work, but at Swafield I spotted the distinctive pink waist coat of Rosy Starling on the wires near the Church. A second patch tick in two days and a self find to boot. I could only stay a five minutes before work so I reported the bird and had to leave. After work I returned but couldn't relocate it.

As I write this I have been tempted to visit Thorpe to look for the Savi's Warbler a bird I have only heard but not seen once. But four early shifts means itll be mid-afternoon before I visit and I dont fancy my chances with heat haze, let's hope it stays a few days longer!

The Last of 'Lock Down' Birding

As May progressed the restrictions on the amount of time we could spend out of the house doing exercise and the distances we have been allowed to travel have increased, effectively (as long as social distancing is observed) allowing us to bird watch anywhere we like again. Some reserves and car parks have remained closed but slowly reopening therefore from 18th May I effectively closed my lockdown list of birds seen walking and cycling from home, with most places accessible again.

16th May - Paston Cliffs

My last trip out under 'lockdown' restrictions was actually a drive in the car after having to drop of supplies to Mundesley, I took advantage to have a short walk on the edge of my patch by the holiday camp. Spring migration seems to be curtailing off with most migrants now in the summer haunts and getting ready to breed. Garden Warber, Whitethroat, Swallow, Sand Martin and Sandwich Tern all seen from or on the cliff tops. The only surprise bird and final addition to my lockdown list was a juv. type Eider lingeing off shore, lockdown species 95.

Maybe I could have gotten to 100 species with a cycle out to a bit of open water or the coast more than once, but with warmer weather I turned to doing the DIY that I have put off for ages, rather than a sweaty cycle ride. On the 20th while in the garden a Mistle Thrush flew over the garden but turned out not to be the garden tick i thought, having seen one in 2014.

19th/20th May - North Walsham

It had been ages since I've use my moth trap and after dusting it down ran it over two nights. I was hoping for something to show Agnes as during lock down and while off nursery we have been looking in the garden and locally for insects, flowers and anything nature. The first night was disappointing with only 3 moths of two species, Green Carpet and Muslin, although Agnes enjoyed the 14 Cockchafer Beetles I turned out. The second night was a little better with 10 moths of 8 species. A Clouded-boarded Brindle was new for the garden, but Agnes like the White Ermine and Lime Hawk-moth most of all.

25th May - East Ruston

The DIY kept me at home until Agnes, Laura and myself all had a day together (our anniversary). I decided to have a walk around East Ruston, exploring the variety of wet and dry heath land to look for snakes/lizards and other things to show Agnes. In the event we saw just two lizards that made very sharp exits on out approach but Agnes saw both. Bird life was very limited probably due to the growing heat of the day but find of the day was a Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth that sadly didn't want its photo to appear on my blog! I was suitability impressed by the management work here to return soon, having previously only explored the wetter areas.

27th May - Cley

Cley proved to be an impromptu stop for a short walk after a food shop in Sheringham (we needed something only Tesco seems to have). Knowing a Red-footed Falcon was in the area I was dropped off near the East Bank car park and walked back to the village while Laura and Agnes acquired some nice 'anniversary' treats from the deli. Despite seeing 2/3 Red-footed Falcon and their regular appearance I had failed to connect with one in Norfolk, so was delighted to see the bird over the reserve if not getting the best views.

31st May - Bayfield

Returning from work Sunday and with plans for extensive DIY on Monday, Laura persuaded me to go out and look for the Squacco Heron at Bayfield Hall, not leaving the house until 6.30pm I was hoping the bird didn't decide to go to roost early. I only found 3 birders on site at Bayfield and was soon advised the Squacco Heron was still present but out of view. After only 10 minute a brief flight view were gained as it moved a few meters. A fellow birder wandered down stream a bit trying to find a better angled view and was soon waving to the few of us left patiently staring int the reeds. After clear views of the birds distinctive head, I headed home with my second new 'Norfolk tick' in a few days. I called in at three Nightingale sites on the way home without success, I do hope this special bird has not been lost in North Norfolk.

7th June - Potter Heigham

After morning shift at work and regular heavy showers I sat down to a cup of tea to discover a Caspian Tern had been found at Potter Heigham, like last weeks Squacco Heron this is a bird I had previously dipped twice in recent times. Needing some mesh for the chicken run and gardening equipment i convinced myself a duel purpose trip to Latham's was required. Arriving the rain had eased and I gambled on the path to the east of the marsh. I soon found myself looking at a 'Carrot billed beast of a tern' not only a Norfolk, but a Life tick. I spent some time admiring the bird with only one other birder nearby, I managed a couple of record shots using my phone before walking back to Latham's after a squally shower passed through. Despite the less than pleasant weather this short walk gave up over 50 species with a Mediterranean Gull and Common Sandpiper worth note.

095 - Lockdown Total

179 - Norfolk Year Total

179 - Britain Year Total

Still Birding from home

This last week with Laura at home some days I've managed to go for a walk either before or after my shift at work. The effects of 'lockdown', not being able to go far, continuous childcare, generally not being able to get much done and the cancelling of at least one holiday has started to catch up with me, so these couple of walks from home have given me some much needed alone time.

2nd May - Pigneys Wood (walk)

Pigneys Wood is probably my closest accessible area of marsh albeit not that large, and with a pleasant walk along the old railway line makes for a nice walk. The old Canal is this area has been further opened up and is now part of a larger circular walk from the town and unsurprisingly it was rather busy, most people stayed their distance but the amount of dogs of leads was frustrating. I picked up the expected resident birds on the edge of town and alone the old line. A pair of Marsh Tit the highlight, detracted collecting food allowed me to approach quite close. On the reserve it was by the reed bed that i heard then saw my first Reed Warbler of the year. It was joining in a chorus with Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Cetti's Warbler. Walking home past the water sports activity lake I saw Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Blackcap a birds I've surprisingly not seen much of yet.

3rd May - Spa Common - Ebridge (cycle/walk)

This is another area of the Old North Walsham and Dilham Canal with increased access. I decided to cycle to Spa Common and walk from there rather than recover previous days ground. I stopped off at North Walsham Sewage Works, it was all rather quiet with only a few Gulls, the probable reason being two Buzzard perched by the edge of one of the beds. Down by the Canal I first checked near the bridge for Grey Wagtail, I fear that the increased people walking here my have disturbed their nesting site of recent years. Walking towards Ebridge I heard my second Cuckoo of the year and so located it perched high above the marsh. Despite the overcast conditions a small group of c20 Swallow and House Martin swirled above Ebridge Mill Pool. Segde Warbler, Reed Warbler and a Cetti's Warbler sang from the reeds, and joining the Willow Warbler song from the scrub was the distinctive reel of a Grasshopper Warbler, although I couldn't see it a new 'lockdown' bird. This swiftly followed by a Swift and Grey Wagtail as new 'lockdown' ticks. From the Mill I cycled home seeing nothing else of note.

4th May - Swafield - Bradfield (walk)

Looking for a different route around the local 'Quiet Lanes, I first walked to Swafield, then followed the back roads to Bradfield and back to North Walsham. The road from Swafield to Bradfield is lined with paddocked so I hoped mayb for a Yellow Wagtail, in the event this section of the walk was very quiet with only a Goldcrest of any note. Near Bradfield Beck is a lovely area of damp woodland full of Bluebells and Wild Garlic, the smell was amazing and combine with the song of the the birds i could have forgotten we where amidst a pandemic. Among this woodland chatter was the call of another new 'lockdown' bird, a Nuthatch briefly seen in the canopy. Near the edge of Bradfield village I investigated a roadside Badger sett and noted 3 male Blackcap in a short length of hedge. A pair of Greenfinch are a rare sight so nice to see. Looking at some unusual flowers in the margin of a field of beans, i noticed a distant dark raptor, assuming it was one of the numerous local Buzzard i paid it little attention photoing the flowers. It was almost above me when I again looked at the bird, it was a Black Kite, most probably the bird that has been seen around Norfolk in recent weeks, but still totally unexpected. The walk home saw me use a regular walked section of the 'Quite Lanes' seeing more Blackcap, a Garden Warbler and hearing a Cuckoo for the second day in a row. The plants turned out to be Crimson Clover and Blue Tansy, often planted as part of cover or pollinator crops.

5th May - Happisburgh (cycle)

After an emergency trip to the opticians, Agnes and I went on an intended short bike ride, the plan visit East Ruston Heath to look for Snakes and Lizards. Heading out of town i decided we could call at another area of heath en route at Crostwright. The was a rather cool NE wind blowing which made cycling rather hard work, in the cooler conditions we didn't see any basking Adders and i only saw two lizard cutting of fin a hurry. Taking a wrong turn we were not far from my brother's house near Happisburgh, so we had a quick (distanced) catch up in the garden along with refreshing drink before cycling home. Two Grey Partridge in the fields near East Ruston were a rare sight, unlike the small covey of Red-legged Partridge further along the road. Finally at East Ruston Heath I contented myself looking at he large pool and reedbed rather than the heathland as I had already been out much longer than intended. A massive mixed group of Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin and Swift wheeled away overhead and a lone Tufted Duck was the only wild fowl seen. Near Meeting Hill I heard my forth Cuckoo of the week.


094 - Lockdown Total

174 - Norfolk Year Total
174 - Britain Year Total

More 'Lockdown' Birds

24rd April - Quiet Lanes (walk)

After being well behaved on previous walked I decided to extend Jaspers normal short daily walk and do the Quiet Lanes loop again. There seemed to be lots more people walking dogs or walking alone, many frustratingly not bothering to social distance. Dispite this distraction we managed 40 species, most unexpected was a Little Gull seen off Bradfield Road with other resting gulls. My second Ring Ouzel of the week was this time closer to home in the horse paddocks near the railway bridge and a Garden Warbler was heard but not seen near Bradfield Chapel. Another 'lockdown' tick was a Kingfisher seen through the tree on Antingham Pond.

25th April - Quite Lanes (walk)

After I returned from work Laura, Agnes and myself decided we would all take Jasper for his walk, Agnes want to continue to the Llama Paddock and we eventually completed the Quiet Lanes loop, although I didn't bother to view Antingham Pond. Being mid-afternoon we didn't see as many species as my earlier walks and again it was busy with other walkers. No new 'lockdown' ticks but we did see my first Sparrowhawk, Coal Tit and Whitethroat on the 'Loop walk'. 9 Buzzard were also circling together over Bradfield Road near Mill House.

26th April - Mundesley (cycle)

Laura wanted to get out on her new bike so we decided on a family bike ride to Mundesley as our daily lockdown exercise. We took a winding route through the back roads to Trunch and across Mundesley Golf Course before pausing on the cliff top for refreshment. There were lots of Whitethoat in the roadside hedges but few birds of note, however we did see out first orchids with several spikes of Early Purple Orchid and Common Spotted Orchid seen along Brick Kiln Road Trunch. (James I'm sure your'll correct my ID if its wrong!)

During our brief cliff top stop 2 Sand Martin were new for the year as were 3 Sandwich Tern offshore. A Fulmar was a new 'lockdown' tick and a few Swallow headed West. Cycling home a 'very pale' looking Buzzard peeked my interest enough to stop for a better look but turned out just to be a pale Buzzard. Arriving home I grabbed a beer and spent a good hour in the garden reading a book by my favored local naturalist, Arthur Patterson.

087 - Lockdown Total

170 - Norfolk Year Total
170 - Britain Year Total

Lockdown Birding

As Spring migration was about to start in earnest, the Government asked us to stay home and the schools closed. My wife and I however have had to remain at work, leading to a work/childcare juggling act. Therefore most days when not working I have a 4 year old in tow, a permitted (exercise) walk of any length really has not been an option. We have however managed many nice bike rides locally, with Agnes enjoying coming along in her trailer. Although not ideal for looking at birds we have still seen quite a bit and must be grateful we have the countryside on our doorstep. We can spend time looking at nature in the garden, we made a bug hotel last week. In recent days my rota has allowed me free time for a 4.5 mile walk of the country lanes near home, a route I walked reguar after moving back to the area.

Late March / Early April - Various (cycle)

We started 'lockdown' with a few short rides around the 'Quite Lanes' near home and soon saw many of the common resident birds of the area. We did brave a few longer rides out, one towards Tuttington and Skeyton was rewarded with a flyover Little Egret and Marsh Harrier. Another ride near Felmingham added a 'year tick' Swallow, Marsh Tit, Mistle Thrush and Green Woodpecker, and a third out towards Witton, Edingthorpe and Honing added my first Willow Warbler of the year as well as a few 'lockdown ticks' not seen closer to home.

19th April - Quiet Lanes (walk)

The designated 'Quite Lanes' towards Bradfield and Antingham had seen most of my cycle rides with Agnes but this was my first walk of the area, the more leisurely pace albeit with the dog in tow enabled me to heard and see more resident species in the area. A couple of pair of Stock Dove, Linnet and Bullfinch were new addition off Lyngate Road. A Goldcrest and first Blackcap of the year were between Lyngate Road and Pond Road. From Pond Road i could view part of Antingham Pond, my first open water in weeks and accordingly I added a number of waterfowl species to the 'lockdown' list. The regular Little Grebe are again nesting off Bradfield Road and Cetti's Warbler was singing by the bridge.

21st April - Southrepps/Felmingham (cycle)

We headed off towards Lower Southrepps, seeing my first Whitethroat of the year near Bradfield before just off Mill Lane a Wheatear was in a potato field before crossing the road into the sheep field. Near the school a Hobby few over a third year tick in 15 minutes and checking the NWT notice board by The Common alerted me to the presence of a Ring Ouzel and Lesser Whitethroat nearby. A quick cycle up to The Pit but no sign of the Ring Ouzel so we continued our ride past Gunton Station to listen for the Lesser Whitethroat. In the paddocks just off Chapel Road I heard the distinctive call of a Ring Ouzel which we soon saw. At the Station the Whitethroat was perch in the car park and barely necessitated me to stop peddling. Buoyed by 5 new year ticks I decided to cycle cross county towards Antingham, Suffield and then Felmingham before home. Two House Martin near Antingham and a Red Kite near Suffield seemed to vindicate this decision but the head on easterly breeze all the way home from Felmingham left me tired and questioning the decision. However an unexpected Great Black-backed Gull loafing in the fields near Rossi's perked me up and was added to my new 'lockdown list'.

22nd April - Quiet Lanes (walk)

On my second walk of 'The Lanes' I again saw many of the species seen the previous weekend but along Pond Road Treecreeper and Reed Bunting were added and a lone Tufted Duck was seen on Antingham Pond. By the Llama Paddock on Bradfield Road I heard my first Cuckoo of the year, distant but in the direction of North Walsham I hoped he might have been viewed from the bridge but without luck.  On Thursday (23rd) I ventured out of North Walsham for the first time in the car, albit only to go food shopping at Stalham (as I needed things Sainsburys and Waitrose just don't sell), but driving via East Ruston and Walcott added Sedge Warbler and Turnstone to the 'lockdown' total without stopping the car. I might get as far as Bacton on the bike next week for a few more seabirds.

078 - Lockdown Total

166 - Norfolk Year Total
166 - Britain Year Total

Late Winter Early Spring Update

I should have updated the blog awhile ago but with the covid-19 restrictions I have very little of my own time. When not at work I've had to be daddy daycare and come the evenings haven't felt like turning on the computer to be bombarded with news and pandemic information. This overdue update will be split into two halves pre and post lockdown.

3rd February - Salthouse/Cley

With few birds close to home after the school run I head to Salthouse to try and see one of the few Waxwing that have turned up in Norfolk this winter. Parking near the church i knew the Waxwing had to be closeby in one of the gardens, so headed to the high ground of the church yard for a good vantage point. I soon saw the Waxwing in flight but it dived into a garden. I took the chance to look around the church and grave yard, but failed to find ant trace of relatives on my growing family tree. The Waxwing failed to reappear so I called into Cley Coastguards hoping for the Snow Bunting flock to make an appearance. A quick sea watch turned up the first Razorbill of the year and the long staying juv Caspian Gull put in an appearance along with a lone Snow Bunting. A quick jaunt down the East Bank added Bearded Tit to the year list.

19th February - Holkham

James and myself met up for one of our regular school holiday birding trips. We headed off for Holkham with a couple of stops en route, first was Bayfield Lake. A regular spot for raptors 7/8 Buzzards and at least 2 Red Kite circled over the woods, a couple of White fronted Geese the highlight by the lake. Second stop was Wiveton Church for a moth that although relatively common was new for both James and I. We would never have located the Lichen Button moth on the lichen covered flint work on the porch without the help of a kind gent who had located the moth a short while before we arrived. A quick nose in the church and we continued west. A brief stop at Wells allowed James to catch up with the long staying Rough-legged Buzzard if a little distant.

We decided to brave Holkham beach and the half term crowds but parked near the Park gates. Scanning the bay we soon located a large Scoter flock which held at least 4 Velvet Scoter, and 6+ Red-breasted Merganser flew back and forth. In the roped off area behind the sea most dune swe soon found one of our targets the Snow Bunting flock which also held 5 Shorelark which soon broke off and then showed well at close quarters. With the crowds growing we contented ourselves with a drive around the roads inland of the estate hoping for a Raven but without luck. We did however have time to look for the 'escaped' Lesser White-fronted Goose seen near Matlaske. No sign of the bird but Barningham Winter Church was delightful, a predominately ruined estate church that's central naive now forms a small chapel.

4th March - Happisburgh/Bacton

After a quiet Autumn birding and my fathers death I started spending a few hours most weeks walking the local beaches looking for fossils, walking the tide line and enjoying the isolation of the winter beaches, with a few birds for good measure. This trip offered little of the later with only the expected local residents, but a bag full of driftwood will be a future project and a large piece of fossil bone from Bacton was my largest fossil to date.

5th March - Blickling

Feeling brave I decided to take our dog out for a walk and try to bird watch at the same time something I had not attempted previously as he is still quite excitable. I dropped Agnes at nursey and by 9.30am we parked up in the Fisherman's Car Park. A clockwise loop of the lake offered little in wild fowl however two female Goosander were unexpected, but the Ruddy Shelduck had been previously reported. From the views I had I would like to think it is a 'true' bird but others believe it to be a hybrid Ruddy Shelduck x Egyptian Goose. Lots of common birds and a well behaved dog made for a pleasant morning.

154 - Norfolk Year Total
154 - Britain Year Total

A Little Late January Birding

27th January - Wroxham Broad/Filby

The second half was January contained very little birding, mostly on the hoof between doing other things. Needing to call into Roys DIY for a couple of things I first headed to Wroxham Broad. Wildfowl seemed rather thin on the ground, with a few Mallard, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose and Mute Swan all I saw on arrive. However news that the Slovenian Grebe was present but just out of view kept me there a while. The Slovenian Grebe emerged just as it started to rain but still gave good views before drifting towards the middle of the Broad.

After grabbing my shopping I decided on a detour home, heading to Filby via Ludham, hoping the Red-neck Grebe of previous days would still be on show. Arriving i bumped into David Bryant "No sign of the RNG in hour and half". I stayed for a while seeing Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Pochard and a fly over Marsh Harrier, but the RNG had obviously moved on. At Ludham Airfield a few of the Whooper Swan flock were close to the road, but the returning rain stopped me taking any photos.

28th January - Overstrand

After a meeting in Overstand Mum and I had a coffee in the cafe on the cliff top, where among the gulls passing along the coast a Fulmer lingered offshore, and was a new bird for the year.

2nd February - Sea Palling/Hickling/Potter Heigham

As it was too wet for out planned walk to see the seals at Horsey, Laura and I decided called in at Sea Palling with Agnes. A quick look over the dunes and I located a Purple Sandpiper on the reefs to the west of the gap, before a hot drink and some time in the amusements.

Continuing with my whistle stop birding we stopped at the Pleasure Boat in Hicking where I took all of 30 seconds to locate the male Scaup, with a few Tufted Duck on Hickling Broad. A Hen Harrier was seen over the fields near Catfield and the wild swans were in the field near Ludham Airfield, although we didn't stop.

Final stop was a 10 minute stop at Potter Heigham, here I was directed the the Black Redstart near the boat yard and was heading home to do the food shop in double quick time.

145 - Norfolk Year Total
145 - Britain Year Total

A New Year and a New Start

Last year I was rather poor at updating my blog and buy early Autumn was just about getting up to date. Sadly the sudden passing of my father in mid October, put any thought of bird watching firmly to the back of my mind. In fact I only went out four times in the last quarter of the year, a trip to West Runton, two trips to Cley and a Felbrigg wander. However the Isabelline Wheatear at Cley and Little Bunting at West Runton were two new 'Norfolk Ticks'.

A New Year brings lots of changes on Christmas Eve I started a new job, part-time and more local to home. This will give me more time to care for my daughter and be closer for school runs etc, but also will give more time for local birding. As a minimum I will update the blog at the end of each month, but hope fully more frequently.

It maybe a couple of weeks late but I'd like to wish anyone who's still reading my blog a Happy New Year and prosperous birding in 2020.

1st January - 2020 Norfolk Bird Race

As is tradition my taxi to Titchwell (Gary) arrived at 5.30am and we headed off to be in place by dawn. A few birds were added on the drive, and a few silhouettes and heard birds added on the walk out to the beach. Rather shockingly someone was already at beach, this has never happened before, but undeterred we setup to scan the see as the sun started to rise. A good number or Red-breasted Merganser passed through, and it was nice to watch some smart Long-tailed Duck close to shore. Black-throated Diver and Ringed Plover, often hard to see on 1st Jan were seen before we headed back onto the reserve. With high water levels on the Fresh Marsh and few feeders handing up we added nothing unusual to the list, leaving Titchwell on a slightly disappointing total of 69.

In an unusual move we headed next to Holkham in a bid to avoid the crowds that gather. A brief stop looking out over Burnham Overy Marshes/Dunes added Red Kite, Great White and Cattle Egret. We stopped at Wells to see the encamped Rough-legged Buzzard before first looking for the Black-necked Grebe on Holkham Lake. The Grebe showed well at close quarters and we added most of the expected woodland species. Lady Ann's Drive was already crowded so we abandoned any ideas to look at Holkham Bay and again headed back West. A Spoonbill over the marshes brought us up to a total of 96 species

At Chosely we added Tundra Bean Goose (species 100), with Rock Pipit and Twite subsequently seen at Thornham before we headed further West to see the Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Sedgeford. This was bird 105 but more importantly a 'life tick' and a good start to a new year. Arriving at Flitcham with a few additional species in transit Tree Sparrow was added but no sign of any Little Owl.

We now embarked on a West to East drive to look for the Desert Wheatear at Eccles-on-sea. The drive and subsequent hunt for the bird took a large amount of time out of the day, and eventually only added Guillemot to our days total. Desert Wheatear would have been a 'Norfolk tick' and with few other targets was worth the effort. We didn't have far to drive to Hickling to view the roost from Stubb Mill. We had been told to expect the roost to be quieter than normal with high water levels forcing may raptors to roost else where, but I was surprised by the very few harriers coming onto roost. We added Crane, Song Thrush, Kingfisher, Bullfinch and Woodcock before the light faded leaving us with a January 1st 2020 total of 116 species.

2nd January - Eccles-on-sea

After failing to locate the Desert Wheatear at Eccles on the 1st I headed down to Eccles mid-morning at caught up with the smart little bird within seconds of arriving on the beach. The bird showed at close quarters, hopping about on the boulders for 5 minutes of so before flitting into the dunes. Content with my views of my second 'Norfolk Tick' of the year I popped into visit my uncle in Eccles after parking it his house to save a walk! Driving to Eccles I saw my first Fieldfare of the year and a couple of Mediterranean Gull in a nearby field, while a detour on the way home meant I also caught up with the Bewick's Swan at Ingham.

6th January - Southrepps

Agnes was back to school and after a few house chores during the morning I set off early to Southrepps for a wander around The Common before pick up at 3pm. Much of the reedbed amd wet meadows had cut to ensure the special habitat is maintained, but few birds were in this area. The carr by the beck gave up Siskin and Marsh Tit, new for the year among fixed tit and finch flock. A quick stomp down toward the sewage farm proved fruitful with Grey Wagtail on the Beck, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest with another tit flock and the surprise bird of the day a calling Firecrest. A Sparrowhawk over School Common was new.

7th January - Buckenham

After dropping Agnes at school I headed to the Yare valley to try and catch up on a few specialist birds that would be new for the year. In the fields north of Buckenham Station a large flock of Pink-footed Geese allegedly held a few Tundra Bean Geese but not that I could locate, though the field undulated quite a bit. Walking out to the river I picked up three distant geese that looked good for Taiga Bean Goose, but had to wait for slightly improved views before a helicopter spooked everything. Walking the causeway I soon located the Barancle and Canada Goose flocks, a few Ruff and Snipe. Among the Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler in the pools to the West I located a sleeping pair of Pintail. Closer to the Old Mill scanning the marshes reviled the large White-fronted Goose flock and a smart male Stonechat on a fence post along with a couple on resting Buzzard, including the very pale individual that has caused some confusion. East of the mill I located one of the Water Pipit present but the high water levels offered little mud for waders. Walking back to the car I met David Bryant (Birds of the Heath), someone often seen in passing but this time we had a good chat. Before leaving a Peregrine threw everything up into the air and a Red Kite drifted West.

11th January - Ranworth

A family trip to Ranworth to look for the Ferruginous Duck. Parking at the church we walked out along the board walk to the NWT Visitor Center. A couple of Great Spooted Woodpecker showed well and Lesser Redpoll among the commoner finches was new for the year. Standing by the staithe it was clear that the Ferruginous Duck was probably hiding in the waterside bushes with no sign for over an hour. Agnes and I had a good scan of Ranworth Broad seeing lots of other duck including Wigeon, Shoveler and Goldeneye. An unexpected bird was a Bittern flying along the right hand edge of the Broad, before a kettle of raptor flew overhead, made up of 3 Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Red Kite. Not wanting to test Agnes' patience we decided not to wait on the Ferruginous Duck any longer heading to Wroxham for some lunch.

14th January - Ranworth/Acle

With strong winds forecast for the afternoon I decided on a second trip to look for the Ferruginous Duck at Ranworth Broad. Stomping out along the board walk I saw all the expected species of my previous trip, but as previously the favoured area for the bird was devoid of any activity. Workmen were driving in piles to the left of the Visitor Centre so most wildfowl were distant on the Broad. I decided to have a look at Malthouse Broad and the boat yards the boarder it. Lots of Coot, Mallard and a few Tufted Duck seemed to be all that was around Malthouse Broad, but scanning out from one of the boat yards I finally saw the Ferruginous Duck near to the mooring on the far bank. Having spent to long already with jobs to do I decided to head home.

Detouring via Acle Bridge only added a few minute to my journey and gave me a change to scan the marshes from a higher view point. Shortly after stopping a Merlin flew through and a distant Short-eared Owl was out in the direction of Thurne Mill. By the car a Green Sandpiper called and landed in a nearby ditch. At Clippersby by the now infamous barn c12 Common Crane where close to the road but with a sugar beet lorry 'up my trumpet' I was unable to pull in for closer views. Ludham Airfield held a mixed flock of Bewick's and Whooper Swans

139 - Norfolk Year Total
139 - Britain Year Total