Glaucous Gull

Despite the persistent rain, I decided to head to Milton tip for a lunchtime Gulling session. A good choice. I soon found a first winter Caspian Gull, probably my best ever view of a bird this age. In the next hour or so I found a further three, a very smart adult in near summer plumage and two different less smart looking adults. Up to five Yellow-legged Gulls were also seen: Three adults (there may have been some duplication), a third winter, and a first winter.

Then just as I was about to leave, I found the first winter Glaucous Gull that has been knocking around the area for a few days and managed some distant photos.

 

Garden Birdwatch Disaster!

Torrential rain. Three species in an hour!

The rain eventually stopped so I went to Fowlmere for a bit. Not a lot to see there either.

Amwell

Went to Amwell for an hour or so before dusk. Mainly because Caspain Gulls and a Bittern seemed to be regular there of late. No sign of any of the former in the roost, but got nice prolonged views of a Bittern for a good ten minutes and then watched (and videoed) it as it went to roost. A couple of Little Egrets also, as well as a Cetti’s Warbler heard.

Fowlmere

A Pochard, two Wigeon (all males), and a a Cetti’s Warbler (seen) made Fowlmere look half decent during a dusk visit.

Cambridge

A Little Egret seen from the train near Great Shelford whilst going into Cambridge mid-morning was a surprise. In the Botanic Gardens in the afternoon, Snowdrops and Winter Aconites were out.

Foxton and Fowlmere

Not much spare time today, but managed to get to Foxton’s temporary pools. They were very temporary: Almost gone! Quite incredible compared to the evening before. A Mute Swan pair were on the last puddle and a Grey Wagtail flew in.

With the pools gone and not much time left, I moved to Fowlmere where I had a quick walk around. I jammed in on this juvenile Marsh Harrier just as I got to the hide.
 

Wigeon in Foxton

Late to rise after a heavy night and went for a walk around Therfield. Not much doing. I got a message however to say that a Redshank and three Wigeon were in the flooded fields near Barrington. I couldn’t get there immediately as had things to do, but went in the last hour of the day. The Wigeon took a bit of finding, and the Redshank couldn’t be found at all, but a new bird for Foxton all the same. Also a Little Egret was a good find, as well as a great sunset.

Wicken Fen

An afternoon walk with the family. No surprises. Seemed quiet.

Fowlmere

No birds! Took me about ten minutes to see the first bird for the year (a Long-tailed Tit) although I did hear a few. Lovely sunny winter’s afternoon, but only twenty three species to start the year with.

Titchwell (and Holme for a bit)

Terrible weather to start the year with gusts of 44mph. First bird of the  year was a Blackbird (heard only) followed by Black-headed Gulls. Started at Titchwell. Usual array of ducks and waders as well as a Cetti’s Warbler heard. A twenty minutes sea-watch produced some Red-breasted Mergansers and two Velvet Scoters amongst the Common Scoter. This Black-headed Gull joined me whilst looking out to sea, hoping for some food.

The return walk to the visitors centre produced a female Merlin and this Water Rail and more of the same.

I then needed to go to Burnham Deepdale to buy some binoculars for a friend. Whilst there the heavens opened and it poured for the next few hours. I drove to Holme and ate my sandwiches in the car before deciding I had to venture out. A complete waste of time really as I couldn’t see a thing, managing only to add Stonechat and Skylark to the new year list.

Deciding after an hour that enough was enough and that if I was going to stay out I needed to be in a hide, I returned to Titchwell. Pretty much the same stuff as before, though the rain stopped, and I did also get great views of a Black-throated Diver as it drifted closely in to the shore. A Chinese Water Deer and a Woodcock were seen at dusk.