Good samaritan but generally a poor day

On Sunday 6th March, after another poor day on Saturday I was finally out early for a trip to Covehithe Broad revealed a chill north- east wind and 3 Goldeneye, (2 males and 1 female), a male was initially by the reedy clump half way back but sadly had swam over to the back so again no shots. A chap hanging around as I was walking back had a picked up a segull- an adult moulting into summer plumage Black- headed Gull which looked exhausted (it wasn't oiled or broken/ sprained wings) but it had to be picked up otherwise dogs would have devoured it. No room at Runham Rescue but a Rescue at Norwich were taking it in. Then onto Lymballs Lane, Westleton, so again no photos there, the 8 Bewick's Swans and 5 Whooper Swans were way at the back of the field. Visiting walberswick car park so sign of the Glossy Ibis I walked far out west on the river path and eventually spotted the Glossy Ibis in the field right next to the car park distantly but by the time I got back it had disappeared, a Little Egret huddled close to a clump of reeds at least meant I could get the camera out. Another drive around Henstead & north Cove revealed no Fieldfares but 2 fine Mistle Thrushes searhing for food in a field close by the side of the road (but directly into the sun) Then back to Carlton Marshes, I saw Andrew E and Chris M who said the Garganey was hard to see, I didn't see it despite scanning all over for around 45 minutes- I always find these Duck incredibly hard to see, a bit like a Duck version of Hawfinches at Sotterley (although it was seen an hour earlier and then again half an hour after I left) there were lots of islands by North Hide and I scanned all of them and the water and couldn't see it. I kept scanning for 45 minutes but still no joy, 5 male Pochards and 4 female Pochards seen though and walking back 7 male Pintails upending and 2 females with them. Walking back I met Rob H, I had to get back for food and a drink and I knew I'sd regret it birdwise, he spotted a Ruff amongst the Lapwing and several 3 Sinensis Cormorant amongst the Cormorants. Somewhat inevitably as I arrived home I had a text from Rob H stating simply "Garganey showing well!" dooh!

Return to the Red- breasted Goose

On Monday 1st March, whilst leaving for work, at approx. 8.10am, I saw a Dunnock at the front of the house, just east and by the bushes by the passageway. On Tuesday 2nd March, using my A/L up from work, the weather forecast looked dire with steady rain all day but John H had checked the weather for Cley and sunny intervals were forecast. So 3/4 of the Scottish team were reunited, John H, Tony S and myself as John kindly drove us up to Cley after meeting at 9am. The bird hadn't come up on Bird Guides, so we pulled into the mini parking area by the Babcock field and I could see a load of c150 Brent Geese on the field just south (nearer the sea) most were swimming in the water but at the extreme far left end (north-west end) I immediately spooted the fine Red- breasted Goose perched on a spit. It then walked to the end and started swimming in the pool heading half way over towards us before it swam back. The still conditions meant we often heard the superb double note call that the RBG was constantly calling. After watching the birds for some 25 minutes, without warning the birds all took to flight and flew over to the cereal field just south of the A149 coast road, but they landed much closer to the road, so we took the Attenborough walk and stopped directly opposite. Unfortunately the sun was almost directly behind the flock, the best I could do was position myself to the side a little and take some shots. The bird was in the middle of the flock and slowly walked back and to the left. We then drove to the East Bank and walked out onto the beach initiall failing to see the Iceland Gull, we looked over Arnold's Marsh and it, the 1st winter Iceland Gull, was asleep on an island. Also on the marsh were 2 Grey Plover, a Bar- tailed Godwit.

Thermal imaging birding

On Saturday 27th February, meeting Rob H at Heathlands at 7.45am, we walked down to Kessingland North Beach and using his thermal imager, Rob soon located a Jack Snipe was soon located in the marshy area. I managed a few pics of it and left it still crouching down in the same place.

Swans at Westleton, Gulls at Covehithe

Another disappointing weekend weather wise with high winds gain, on Saturday 19th February I was keen to revisit the wild swans at Lymballs Lane especially as they had been reported close to the road. By the time I got there, having first checked Lake Lothing (seeing very little) The Swans had moved back and the Whoopers were so distant and ina dip, I could only see 5 birds. The Bewick's Swans were also distant but I could see all 8 birds. Back at Covehithe I scanned the field behind the Church and saw both a wp adult Mediterranean Gull and an adult Yellow- legged Gull with greyer back and yellow legs, obviously. Nice to see the Fergusons too.

A date with the Red- breasted Goose at Cley

On Monday 14th February, rather fortuitously I had the afternoon off (instead of Wednesday) due to a Webinar I have to attend on that day. So I collected John from Hemsby (our first birding trip together since the pandemic started), we had talked about going up for the RBG but the weather had dissuaded both of us until now. So we were both masked up in the car and driving along the A149 towards Cley, the weather had held off, but a pull in on the east side of the road with 3 birders cars and a field beyond with around 40 Brent Geese in the middle of the field looked promising and it was! No sooner had we leapt out than the excellent Red- breasted Goose was seen bang in the middle of the flock, moving right, I managed a few pictures before it poured with rain and we had to retreat to the dry sanctuary of the car. It has been many years since I saw my last wild RBG, this wonderful visitor from Siberia & my 4th after seeing 2 previously in Norfolk and 1 in suffolk at Falkenham. Within 20 minutes, the rain had relented and we got out and the flock was now sadly further away at the back of the field until, a helicopter was heard, the Geese became alert and the Red- breasted Goose which had been at the right of the flock was now in the middle again. At one point it was on the left, it was often at the back of the flock and often completely obscured. They settled down again, but 20 minutes later the flock suddenly flew up and flew over the road and settled in the field the other side. By now the light was fading (it was 4pm).

Pair of Smew at Minsmere

On Sunday 13th February, I drove down to Minsmere and saw the fine pair of Smew (male and female, first male for a few years) by the Mound pools for all of 5 minutes before they flew onto the West scrape (south- eastern corner). A look from North hide failed to reveal them. Several 5 Pintails and 30 Black- tailed Godwits seen distantly, pity I didn't stay as I missed out on a Jack Snipe here later on.

A dozen Purple Sands

On Saturday 12th February, walking to the north of Ness Point scanning the seweed encrusted ledge just below the seawall, 30 metres north of Ness Point up to 12 Purple Sandpipers seen feeding including 3 who leapt up and feeding along the verticle wall too. My highest tally of this species this winter so far! Still no Rock Pipit or Med Gull though.