January 2nd and visit to St. Benets

On January 2nd started at Kessingland North beach, I disturbed a Woodcock in the south west corner of Hathfileds copse and by the big Jack Snipe pool I saw a Dartford Warbler, male Stonechat by the Sea Buckthorn, nothing at the North Pool and I bumped into Chris D who told me to go south for the Snow B's, by the 3 rescue belts, sure enough as soon as I got there I saw a flock of 20 Snow Buntings flying around only settling for a short time as walkers, dog walkers runners and horse riders were constantly disturbibg them, they appeared to head for a feeding area and a couple of nice males seen amongst them. Thanks Chris. By the pools still no joy with the Jack Snipe although I did see a female Reed Bunting by the Sea Buckthorn and the male Stonechat again. Tried for Jack Snipe again by the liver shaped pools just south of the North shore pool but again no luck. I then drove to Filby Broad and bumped into Steve & Dot who had seen nothing save for Goldeneye. Not an auspicious start, however I was able to rack up around 10 Goldeneye nwith 3 of them being males. Looking across at the eatern stretch of the Broad we were hampered by strong low position of the sun, however I did see 4 female Scaup which was nice and then amongst some other duck and BH Gull, the very drabbut still distinctive 1st winter male Ring- necked Duck was seen, still with the distinctive bobble head and band around the tip of the bill although in very subdued plumage. The sun had shifted a little so we could see these straight and slightly to the left of us giving reasonable views. I believe Steve and Dot had arrived at entirely the wrong time as the strong sun had made viewing completely impossible so they had sadly missed these birds. Next stop was Rollesby Broad, but first I looked at Ormesby broad which is the one east of the road and immediately saw a fine and settled Great White Egret in the very close reed fringed northern edge of the broad. No sign of the Fudge Duck so I made my way to Ludham Bridge and bumped into Paul & Jane F, who directed me back to Benet hall Abbey ruins where you turn left down Hall Common Road when you are half way through Ludham (Johnson) Village (half way between Ludham & Ludham bridge) Following th road round to the right and past a farm, by the single track concrete road, I bumped into Steve & Dot and told them about my better success at Filby hoping they might go back and easily see the birds. 2 fine Bewick's Swans were in the field to the left, although I could only watch them for a couple of minutes as there soon was a car behind me. As I pulled away, I saw a fabulous group of wild Swans fly over the road from left to right, they were low over the road too and I could see the upper 7, were an additional 7 fine Bewick's Swans and the lower 5 their identity was given away by the wonderful "whoop" calls they were calling, 5 fine Whooper Swans. A great start to the great new birding location (for me at least). At the car park, it was great to have a chat and catch up with David R and his wife. david takes some fantastic bird pics and it was a pleasure to catch up with both him and his wife. Looking out over the marshes (looking south) we immediately saw first one and the 2 Short- eared Owls, the second spotted by David's wife. They were quartering the reeds/ fields at the back and one even flew settled twice on bushes over to the right. A Barn Owl was also seen hunting very distantly at the back. Meanwile looking in bushes just to the east of the car park, a close but obscured Buzzard was seen. Finally at the very back I spotted 3 fine Cranes that flew in from the left and settled in a patch of reeds at the back near a windmill. Jim L and his cronies arrived and I told them about the Cranes. It was nice to hear and see several (3) Skeins of 300 strong Pink- footed Geese flying overhead and south.