Survey - 1 in 3000 Teal thinks Breydon is small

First off Saturday Witton Woods and this Fungi - James any ideas.

 

Also a stop at Trimingham produced and unusual flock of Two Shelduck and Three Wigeon on the sea. I had to keep staring and the Shelduck to make sure they weren't Merganser.

I then spent the evening at Ebridge where I got to see Waterail, Reed Bunting and Little Owl.

Sunday I went to Ebridge again the only highlight was this Muntjac

 

 

And this Fallow Deer at Witton was nice to see. (Edit its a Roe Deer, oh dear)

 

 

I then spent a good hour at Trimingham where after going through the 300 or so Red-throated Diver I found a Slavonian Grebe on the sea, as well as Guillemot and Razorbill. I also got this picture of a Gannet, and added Lesser Black-backed Gull to the patchwork challenge list.

 

On monday I siffted though the 3000 Teal at lunch for 40mins and was on my 'last look' when I spotted it at the back of the flock.

Its marked with an arrow, but it was easier to see than on this photo.

Tuesday I stopped once again at the swans where I got this great comparison shot.

'Lunch' Break Fun

I never have an actual lunch break (unless there is a bird to go and see) but if I am out and about I will stop off at different sights to see birds, although I do not get much chance to look around.

 

I stopped for another look at the Bewick's and Whooper Flock and spotted this yellow/pinky legged individual.

 

 

This Chinese Water Deer was on the patch.

 

The rest of the birds were at Salthouse on Friday.

Five Snow Buntings were in and around the car park.

Can you spot all five?

Weekend Catch Up

Friday Lunch I nipped to Gorleston where these Waxwings showed for 15 seconds before flying away

The patch early Sunday morning produce not much with this being the only bird of note.

From the patch I wanted to take to Dad to Titchwell for his birthday, we went to various locations starting at Denver Sluice where this Goosander showed well and only one other male was visable. We also saw Whooper and Bewick Swans nearby. A Barn Owl was hunting nearby also.

 

From Denver we headed to Flitcham where this Sparrowhawk was looking alot better than the previous one we had seen.

We saw Tree Sparrow a small flock of 7 in with 12 or so Chaffinch and 3/4 Brambling. The Meadows had a large flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. This Red Kite also flew over.

Next Stop was Titchwell, the wind was bitterly cold but the birds were still about. The Red-crested Pochard was still on Patsy's Pool

Huge numbers of Gull was on the tide line, including two Med Gulls one ad and one 1w. A flock of about 20 Twite were also on the beach, as well as my first Bar-tailed Godwit of the year.

 This Long-tailed Duck look out of place on the marsh but I can hardly blame it.

 The walk back we saw Spotted Redshank and my first Black-tailed Godwit of the year.

Wild Swan flock back in East Norfolk

The Catfield Swans are back in a mixed flock about 180 strong of Bewick's and Whoopers.

I was on the way to work so didn't have time to work out the whats what of numbers but here is a video and some pic's if any of you want to have a go.

They were in the same spot yesterday and are easily viewable (not good views but lots of white dots) from the A149.

This swan did catch my eye with a very small amount of yellow, not really small enough though. It is shown on the video also towards the end.

 

 

Its my favorite bird and its on my patch.

Although last weeks ringtail Hen Harrier on the patch was awesome this male tops it all. A male Hen Harrier has to be one of my most favourite birds.

It was early Saturday morning I was detouring on the way to work when I spotted it being harassed by a Buzzard I had the camera ready and although the pictures were rubbish I got and ok video and pulled off these video grabs as it flew through.

 

And of course the video is here

Also here is my selection of random snow pictures.

After work I headed home to do more work but not after a quick sea watch off Walcott (lots of Red-throated Divers and some Guillemot)

I also made another detour, finding a huge flock of birds, mostly Linnets but Brambling were in good numbers and a few Corn Bunting were also within the flock that was 500 strong adding yet another bird to the Patchwork Challenge.

This sat nearby.

In the garden for the big bird watch on Saturday afternoon (inbetween working).

The Snow still clearly having its toll on the birds with high numbers coming into the garden including Rooks which is a bird that rare comes 'into' the garden.

The entire count is as followed. Rook 5, Jackdaw 4, Carrion Crow 2, Woodpigeon 12, Collared Dove 7, Chaffinch 14, Brambling 4, Greenfinch 8, House Sparrow 6, Goldfinch 4, Dunnock 2, Robin 1, Wren 1, Long-tailed Tit 9, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 2, Coal Tit 2, Blackbird 7 and Black-headed Gull 1.

Today (Sunday 27th) I popped to Trimingham mainly for a sea watch, I found a small flock of ducks 4 Common Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck on the sea, these flew East when something from under the sea try to get them I have no idea what this was?

I then found the large Common Scoter raft that I had been told about with around 60 birds in it.

In the wood a Green Woodpecker was flying around.

I was with the family at Walcott in the afternoon and got this snap also.

The Snowy Patch Visit

 

I set out early on Saturday with the hope of finding some clear water ways and maybe a bit of the Whitlingham magic would occur here. I arrived at Pigney's Wood and spooked a Woodcock from near the car park. All the larger bodies of water were frozen and only a few little streams were flowing. The Little Egret from last week was still about though.

 

The Barn Owl was about again also.

Also manged to get part of it Barn Owls foot print.

I manged to clock up a few more species for the patch work challenge seeing Reed Bunting, Buzzard and Skylark. Only other birds of note at Pigney's were 5 Bullfinch and the Siskin/Redpoll flock was up to about 150 birds though very mobile (so mobile I never actually saw them land).

After Pigney's I thought I'd try my luck with Ebridge Mill, not alot happening here apart from a Teal on the unfrozen part of the canal, and this Egyptian Goose on the Frozen part.

I went home had a cuppa then headed out again but this time to Trimingham. I got to the Cliff Top wood before seeing any birds. A Treecreeper was with a Long-tailed Tit flock and a I spooked my second Woodcock of the day. Upon leaving the wood for a sea watch I noticed a flock of birds that had just taken off, these were a Lapwing and Golden Plover mix that had been put up by a Peregrine.

Watch the sea was hard with a very strong and freezing cold Easterly, I didn't stick at it long maybe 40mins. But did see two Brent Goose, Gannet, Kittiwake and plenty of Red-throated Divers.

After the sea watch I headed for home via Trimingham Church where a flock of Thrushes were busy looking for food.

I arrive home to see I have Bramblings back in the Garden seeing at least four.

 

After another cuppa I went sledging back at Pigney's Wood where a Hen Harrier (ringtail) flew through.