North Cove and back at Burgh Castle

On Saturday 2nd January, a 1st winter Shag was seen in Hamilton Dock seen with Danny P, initially we saw it swimming very close to the edge when we were on the phone to Jane F to get directions for the Grey P at North Cove. By the time we had finished the call the Shag had swum a little further away. Taking Jane's directions travelling along the A146 Lowestoft to Beccles road and just passing Barnby Garden centre taking the second left turning off the main road after 20 yards taking the sharp left up a hill we initially parked and then drove little further near a white building farm and taking the steep track beside it. We parked and what initially looked like clods of earth turned out to be 10 fine Grey Partridge. The group were all together a male to the left was keeping alert while the other birds seen regularly feeding. a tweet from Craig had me over at Burgh Castle again. Overlooking Berney Marshes by the same gate where a female Sparrowhawk had perched just 24 hours earlier, the excellent Rough- legged Buzzard was on the ground slightly obscured by the downward slope of the gate but it soon flew up onto the fence post showing really well. The waders on the marsh below revealed many Redshank, Black- tailed Godwits, an Avocet, Dunlin. A wait till Dusk revealed around 35 Marsh Harriers coming into roost but no hoped for Hen. The Rough- legged Buzzard was seen distantly flying west. 1 very distant Barn Owl also seen hunting.