Woe at Minsmere, joy at Dunwich

On Sunday 8th January, a look at Minsmere Island Mere this revealed little. The Goosanders had gone, Bearded Tits were heard and 2 calling Siskins flying over the Rhododendron tunnel. At Dunwich I saw Matthew D who had just seen a flock of 8 Scaup sadly a joy rider on a power boat had scared them right off. However, Matthew had mentioned he'd seen a tight knit group of LT Ducks to the north, I looked and picked out initially several 4 lone Common Scoters and a flock of 18 Shovelor on the sea. It was also apparent there were over 100 Great- crested Grebes on the sea, a quite remarkable gathering. But I also spotted the fine quartet of Long- tailed Ducks on the sea, always lovely to see and only around half way out, they were directly in front of a boat on the horizon and just right of a long line of Gulls stretched out on the sea. On the walk down, no Twite seen. I did however see a Great White Egret feeding on the coastal marsh but wary as ever, as I later walked back one was seen more in land close to the Dunwich end, making 2 Great White Egrets in all. My walk down failed to reveal any Twite or Snow B, but as I walked back, I noted an area of swampy salt marsh, where 2 birders were peering intently. Just in fromt of them, as I suspected was the excellent flock of 30 Twite most hidden from view but occasional glimpses were obtained when they hopped in to view or jumped briefly up into view. sadly, a Sky lark took fright and flushed them and all 30 Twite flew around in a large circle around 4 times before heading north.

Third attempt

On Sun 8th January, an exhaustive third attempt to see both extremely elusive the Nuthatches and Firecrests were doomed to failure despite the early start due to constant chainsaw noise emanating from a garden adjacent to the north- west corner of the woods. Only birds seen were around the road, Wood Pigeons, Jay and a vocal Goldcrest and I heard Redwing too.

Second attempt

No sign of either Firecrest or Nuthatch in Corton woods sat 7th Jan.

Pallas' Warbler

On Saturday 7th January, after an hour and a half wait, people running to the wilderness area beyond the gate meant I was the last to arrive as I can't run with my torn leg muscle. Obscured views were obtained of the fine Pallas' Warbler seen through a Hawthorne bush and in a beech tree also.

Corton Woods zero sightings

In contrast to recent reports from everyone else I failed to see any birds in Corton woods at lunchtime today (Friday 6th Jan) and certainly no Nuthatches, Firecrest or Craig's Marsh Tit (unusual sighting), continuing my poor run for 2017. I wonder how long it will continue?

2nd Jan Bank Holiday Monday

In the morning on Monday 2nd January, along the Halvergate road, I eventually parked by the start of the concrete road heading east near Halvergate village, looking south by farm building first 2 then another 2 birds flew in totally 4 Cattle Egrets by the farm. I tried to get closer but other birders blocked access and I lost my parking space so I had to leave reluctantly. Driving to Buckenham, a lorry was blocking the road so I had to abandon my attempt to see Taiga Beans and my other planned birding in East Norfolk ,for the first time in 8 years. At Oulton Marshes , walking out to the rail line, I got caught in a sudden shower, sheltering under a tree from the rain, it suddenly brightened and just south of the platform, a group of 8 Bearded Tits showed well this time in the reeds east of the path, only 2 of their number were males. These showy birds seen albeit in a breeze, attracted the attention of 2 photographers. walking out to the usual field, the Short- eared Owl was seen flying around the field, before hunting further afield.

Rain stopped birding!

On Sunday 1st January, I parked at North Cove car park and walked up the track, meeting Rob Will, Andrew E and James B who were on a New Year's twitch. On Castle Marshes, I was delighted to spot the 76 White- fronted Geese with a few Mute Swans the group were actively feeding. At least 1 immature bird seen with the flock. Perched on a post nearby was a Buzzard. Walking back, a Buzzard flew right over the fields and past the Alders a calling Marsh Tit, Wren were seen. Going over to the reserve, I heard a Bullfinch too. At Mutford Lock basin, 4 Little Grebe, Turnstone and 7 roosting Oystercatcher seen, no sign of the Common Sand at high tide though. Nothing from the railway bridge looking over Lake Lothing. At Leathes Ham, 3 Pintail (male and 2 females)seen distantly and 4 Pintail (3 males) seen close on the island. Around 15 Gadwall seen and Wigeon heard but not seen in worsening weather. At Hamilton Dock, a Cormorant seen plus 8 Turnstone feeding in the Turbine yard. Whilst at the point along the ledge, just north of the "finger" first 4, the 5, then 8, then 10 and finally 11 Purple Sandpipers seen all feeding along the ledge or the defence rocks and momentarily disturbed with the waves breaking against them. At Links road car park, a group of BH Gulls included an unsigned adult winter Mediterranean Gull plus a confiding Rock Pipit on the seawall eastern ledge sheltering in the rain.