first where we get a nice tick as Fulmars fly along the cliff face.
As we get near Titchwell RSPB, we spot a nice Barn Owl posing on a fence post, and as we go on we spot 3 more. At Titchwell we get a lot of usual stuff plus a Spotted Redshank, a pair of
Mergansers on the tidal pool.
We had a tip-off that some Cattle Egrets had been seen in Burnham Market, so we went looking and found them without too much trouble for a good year tick.
Off now to Holkham stopping at the layby gate to tick the White-fronted Geese. Lady Ann's
drive was packed and overflowing so we gave that a miss and headed off to the Red Lion pub in Stiffkey and found the reported Glossy Ibis.
Off now to Cley where we soon tick the Red-breasted Goose and Brent Geese.
Our last stop was Eldernell before the light faded.
A great decision as we saw a Long-eared Owl, a Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, and a Barn Owl,
A lso spotted 3 Cranes and as the light was going we ticked a few Great-white Egrets as they flew to roost. To round a great day off we witnessed the spectacular sight of thousands of Starlings flying overhead to join up with a murmuration, the sound and the sight of thousands of birds were just fantastic. seen it before but never tire of seeing it. So the first day of the year gets me off with 90-year ticks.
Over the next few days, we get out a couple of times and head off to Abberton reservoir and pick up a few year ticks with Goldeneye, Goosander, and Rock Pipit to keep the total going up. We are only a few miles away from a flock of Waxwings in Colchester, so of course we are after year ticks so off we go and soon have another tick when 20 birds fly in to feed on the berries. The next day off for the big tick when a lifer turns up at Heybridge in Essex.
When we arrived at daybreak over a hundred birders were already searching for the bird.
After 2 hours we had no sign of the Northern Waterthrush so I decided to head off to Abberton where I ticked a couple of Velvet Scoter but no sign of the Canvasback.
I talk Brian into giving the Twitch for the Waterthrush another go and as we are getting out of the car I see the large crowd all move along the bank I know they have the bird, so as fast as I can manage these days I join them and get a good view for another lifer for me.
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| The Northern Waterthrush |
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| Again |
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| Goosander seen |
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| Red-breasted Goose at Cley |
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| One of twenty seen. |
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| One of four seen |
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