Wolfeton Triangle

Had a quick drive around at dusk to look for Golden Pheasant with the family before visiting parents. Managed to keep my 100% fail rate at the site. However we did enjoy fantastic views of a Woodcock just a few yards from us caught in the car head-lights. Also a Stoat.

Pink-footed Geese

Went to Snettisham to watch the Pink-footed Geese come in. Took the family and met my parents and brother with his girlfriend. They gave up because of the cold and missed a spectacular show. The most I’ve seen come in, maybe due to the low moonlight? They saw the Knots put on a great display though, particularly after a couple of Peregrines put them up.

Tried a picture of the geese after dark. Terrible picture, but does show the beautiful sunset colours. Venus is in the background.

Snettisham
28 December 2013 14:36 - 17:14
Sunny 3C 8SW
Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Greater Canada Goose, Peregrine, Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Shelduck, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Goldfinch

Christmas Bonus Brünnich’s!

Amazingly a  Brünnich's Guillemot was found on Boxing day. I casually went to see it the following day. Great close views. Also two Black-throated Divers and a Black Guillemot. I celebrated at Chesil Beach with Turkey Sandwich whilst watching the spectacular storms that came in just after leaving Portland.

Parrot Crossbills?

Went to Mayday Farm for a few hours early afternoon. Found a good ‘candidate’ male Parrot Crossbill, in the location that a flock had been reported. However, I dismissed this as being a Common Crossbill, of which I saw about twenty in total. However, I’m fairly sure the birds I had seen were later reported as being Parrot Crossbills. Having spent many hours looking through photos, the male bird I saw may have been a Parrot. Not convinced though, so I plan to return.

Fowlmere

An early morning stroll in the fog. Not a lot to see, but some atmospheric scenes.

Amwell

Went to Amwell for a few hours this afternoon. Two Cetti’s Warblers (one seen), a redhead Smew, and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were the highlights. Low point was the flap on the hide falling down and giving me a huge wack and a nasty bruise on my forehead.

Bearded Tit

A Bearded Tit was heard pinging at Fowlmere during a very quick visit at first light in order to see if the gales had blown anything in. They hadn’t.

Fowlmere

Very quiet until I flushed a Woodcock just before dusk. Nice colours over the mere…