Wild Goose Chase

A day off work today and first stop Oulton Broad in the bright November sunshine the 135 strong Greylag Goose flock was quickly sighted on the Broad by the Maltings, included the Greater White- fronted Goose, it spent most of its time on the margins of the flock, usually at the back. I could see why, when one Greylag Goose in particular pecked at it's hind quarters on several occasions, being 30% bigger the Greylags should pick on Geese more their own size! I suppose they were saying that the WF Goose wasn't one of their number. I could see Jane F watching from the jetty by the maltings. As I watched the Geese, I saw up to 4 Great- crested Grebe, including one reasonably close individual. An Egyptian Goose stood in the water just a few feet to my left. A canoe, drove the Geese over my side and I got reasonable shots. With car park time running out and someone asking me about a flock of 6 colourful starling sized birds coming into his garden at Maidstone road, had us driving over to Maidstone road area, obviously W

axwings. No such luck though. A pleasant stroll down to Fritton woods and past a new large clearing just before the mound, we saw up to 4 Short- eared Owls hunting the distant fields with one seen perched in a field. Up to 3 female Marsh Harriers patrolling the area and 1 Barn Owl flying reasonably close to by the reeds. 4 Egyptian Geese flew by and a Chinese Water Deer was seen in the field. Around 200 Pink- footed Geese seen at the back of Haddiscoe island, were all checked when they flew up definately no white Ross' Goose seen. Meanwhile, in the conifers we saw a Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Blue Tit and LT Tits and we heard both Siskin and the rattle of a Redpoll flying over. Back at Oulton Broad by Pets corner Jetty, Jane F found the Wood Duck and a stroll to the boulevard, first of all seeing 6 Goldfinches ina tree above us. We then sighted the flock of 155 Greylags on the Broad near the pleasure boat jetty and walking out along the Fishermen's jetty, I was able to get some good shots of the Greater White- fronted Goose especially as it swam around the front of the flock only swimming away when a boat came to more up by the jetty.