Redwing at Morrisons, Gorleston

As I was walking to Morrisons supermarket by the entrance at 11.35am today, (a very early lunch as I was visiting the Sixth form college over lunchtime for a work promotion) a Redwing flew in and fed on a few berries by the berry tree standing south west of the inland entrance of Morrisons supermarket, Gorleston.

The Big Freeze continues

Another bitterly cold day compounded by a freshning north- east wind. Fallowfields again failed to reveal anything significant early morning, but 6 fine Fieldfare flew north right over the house as I was walking up to the front door! Late morning, at Hamilton Dock, the purple patch continues with the majestic Great Northern Diver was seen half way out, it began to swim closer but some birdwatchers arrived and halted its advance. In the north- east corner bay, 2 Sanderling seen (my first for this year and for a while at this location) plus a Purple Sandpiper. 6 Brent Geese flew over the eastern edge of the dock flying south. Whilst on the rocky ledge, 2 Ringed Plover seen. Arriving at Oulton Broad, a 2 hour vigil in the bitterly cold was literally bitterly disappointing (I am still await my first sighting of a large white- winged Gull on OB) with lots of Gulls except the sought after Glauc seen (missed the message yesterday as my phone was on charge) and 6 close Great- crested Grebes relatively close in, plus a single Dunlin flew west directly over the edge of the Boulevard the only avian crumbs on offer.

Redwing in Garden

A look around Fallowfields, covered in snow first thing this morning failed to reveal any Woodcock, however a flock of 12 Greenfinch were seen and they were later seen on the garden feeding on the sunflower seeds we had put out. At 10.57am, a Redwing was seen to fly in from the east and perch in a bush on Fallowfields, a minute later it flew to the large tree in the back middle of the garden before flying to the back bush of the right back of the garden. It flew off a minute later. I have since then put a fresh supply of apples (the previous ones are covered by 6 inches of snow!) out in the hope that it might return.

The Big Freeze: Please feed the birds!

In this current severe weather it is crucially important to keep feeding your garden birds. Providing bird feeders full of peanuts, sunflowers seeds for Tits and finches particularly greenfinches, sunflower hearts, niger seed and fat balls for LT Tits and Sparrows. Don't forget to feed ground feeders such as Dunnocks, Chaffinches, Song Thush scattering mixed wild bird seeds and dried meal worms (but please make sure these are suitable for birds and NOT for fish!) If you can put out apples Thrushes will be very grateful. Don't forget to put out fresh water for the birds to drink and bathe. Putting out fatty scraps (but please avoid food with any salt in it) is also a good idea. You will rewarded with visits from a whole host of birds and you never know you might be likely and see something unusual like a Woodcock, Snipe or Brambling!

Fieldfare at the Library

At Great Yarmouth Library this lunchtime looking out from the staffroom 12.30-12.45pm, I saw a fine Fieldfare feeding off red berries near the top of the large red berry bush just east of the Library.

Wow! 50,000 views!

50,000 views and counting thanks to everyone for viewing the blog!

Great Northern Diver & Chedgrave/Haddiscoe Marshes goodies

A mid morning look at Hamilton Dock, on Sunday 13th January, revealed the Great Northern Diver again at mid- distance but it swam along towards the wooden pontoons and boats and was soon lost to view. A Shag swam along the northern edge of the dock also. Dick W was also present. a quick look at Lound lakes and around 100 or so Greylag Geese were asleep on the islands and as a result I couldn't pick out either the WF Goose or the neck- ringed Greylag on this brief visit. parking at the northern edge of Fritton woods, Tony B & I walked out to the mound, meeting Pete M on the way who'd just seen the Ross' and RLB. Just before the mound by the edge of the clearing by the conifers around 5 calling Goldcrest seen flying right here along the Conifer edge. As soon as we got to the mound, we looked straight out (as directed by PM) and scanned just right of Cantley Sugar Beet factory and just right of 3 distant houses together. In the far fields (Haddiscoe marshes) we saw several hundred 200 Pink- footed Geese and within ten minutes walking left of a mound with 6 Barnacle Geese was the excellent Ross' Goose, a small Goose all white with black primaries. After a while, it walked back right and disappeared behind the mound. After half an hour all the Pink- feet including the excellent Ross' Goose flew towards us, the Ross' Goose showing its black tipped primaries well in flight and settled much closer on Chedgrave marshes but the Ross's disappeared from view as soon as it landed. A Barn Owl hunted by the river, as did 3 female Marsh Harriers. Along the north of the marshes. More birders were arriving and a raptor was pointed out just right of a mill perched on a gate, it looked big but looked very dark brown on the back and tail (it sat back on) and had a light head. Initially we couldn't rule out female Marsh harrier or Buzzard, (it was very, very distant!) although its size to me seemed to weigh against the Harrier option. Sadly Tony B left before the "raptor" turned around. When it moved it showed white in the tail but only when it turned around showing pale head and upper breast and 2 diagnostic dark patches either side of the mid/ lower breast and white tail with black band at the tip proved conclusively it was the excellent Rough- legged Buzzard. Suddenly a birder yelled out male Hen Harrier, and straight out right at the back an excellent male Hen Harrier, pale silvery grey with white rump and black wing tips flew left and then flew in close towards us over the Haddiscoe cut and the footpath and then flew right much closer over the reeds just the other side of the river and right ie north and out of sight. Finally 2 Short- eared Owls seen one straight out at the back over Haddiscoe marshes and a second Short- eared Owl flying along the northern part of Chedgrave marshes. A great afternoon's birding, which finished with 300 Pink- footed Geese seen flying north- west over Somerleyton village green. A Jay was seen in the back south- west corner of the garden feeding on the remnants of the fat balls on the ground late afternoon.