Lynford
Had a cracking morning at Lynford today, a flock of 18 Crossbills flew over twice, we then watched a firecrest close to the paddock fairly low down in the trees, turning round 3 Hawfinches had landed in the paddock (male and 2 females), all this within half an hour of arriving! Oh if only everyday was like that. At santon downham the flock of Brambling is still close to 200. Then despite shooters being out we managed to see Willow tit at another site in the brecks. We were going to have a crack at Golden Pheasant but were hit by blizzards at 2pm. All in all a good day out.
I went back for another look at the scaup thing yesterday. In much better light and closer swang me back towards the scaup camp. The bill looked better than I had previously thought and the head shape seemed ok. Wish I had spent more time looking at the other aythyas and I might have found the RND...
For all those who've been impressed with the sudden run of good birds at Whitlingham.... the female Ring-necked Duck has turned up there this afternoon as well! Can't remember if it's been here previously, before starting its tour of the broads?
3 Common Buzzard, Water Rail and Marsh Tit in the local area today. Also a possible Willow Tit - I didn't have optics as I wasn't out to do some birding, so no visual features noted, but the bird had an odd song, a bit like a Blackcap but slightly shorter. It also had the usual Marsh Tit "psi-chu dee dee dee" but I have never heard Marsh Tit do this song before. Any suggestions?
I went back for another look at the scaup thing yesterday. In much better light and closer swang me back towards the scaup camp. The bill looked better than I had previously thought and the head shape seemed ok. Wish I had spent more time looking at the other aythyas and I might have found the RND...
A proposed visit to Felbrigg, in search of The Firecrest, was aborted, as the road down through The Lions' Mouth was far too dangerous. I was mindful of my off-road activities of a few weeks ago- not advisable in a limousine.
A jaunt to Salthouse beach car park produced lotsa photographers. Whilst most were either in or behind their cars, one was standing out in the open- and possibly wondering why the Snow Buntings weren’t there. Just as I was about to embark on the lengthy trek to Gramboro’, a wader flew in, giving me a Knotty problem of ID.
The 3 Reed Buntings were still on, in and around the (Gramboro’) bushes, with one ‘on the turn’ into male plumage. A male Stonechat provided back-up.
Walsey (later) had very little, but the NOA had been doing more gorse-clearing and opening up more of the vista from the top.
A visit to the Cley Visitor Centre enabled me to spy a pink bobble hat bobbing over the reeds, on the south edge of the North Scrape ! On informing the staff, the reedcutters were despatched to investigate, finding two artists who’d set up their easels, oblivious to their trespass. In mitigation, the gate by the road had been left open, with the ‘no entry’ sign hence facing the wrong way. Hey ho.
And willow tits on the bird feeders in the car park in front of the cafe!
And Ruddy the other day
Relocated the Ring-necked Duck at Whitlingham this morning, to round off an amazing month at the site. Who'd have believed this lake would have GN Diver, 5 grebe species, 3 Smew, Scaup (OK, I'm more convinced today) and RN Duck all in a month? Another new arrival (I think) today was a female Goldeneye - they're not particularly common here. So, what next? The smart money has got to be on the Black-throated Diver, at Swanton Morley today, being sucked in by the Whitlingham bird magnet next surely? Alternatively, this has got to be site of choice for Norfolk's first Lesser Scaup...? Or will February see a return to normal?