Lesser White-fronted Goose and Chinese Water Deer

Went to Buckenham Marshes with the family after leaving my parents to see the Lesser White-fronted Goose that had been present for a few days. Took a bit of finding but eventually had good but distant views amongst Tundra Bean Geese and a few Greater White-fronted Geese. A Peregrine also performed quite nicely and the other birding highlight was a Jack Snipe in flight. Cetti’s Warblers were heard and Wigeon were seen surprisingly closely, though unfortunately the light was pretty poor for decent photography – see below!

By far the best sighting of the day wasn’t a bird. When talking to Tom regarding some distant Swans (they turned out to be Mute Swans), Tom flippantly mentioned a Muntjac when describing their location. I couldn’t see it, so but after scanning, realised immediately that it was in fact a Chinese Water Deer in the foreground. A new mammal for all of us!

Buckenham Marshes
30 December 2011 13:12 - 20:51
Patchy cloud 6C 9W
Mute Swan, Bean Goose, White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pheasant - heard only, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Peregrine, Moorhen, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Cetti's Warbler - heard only, Wren, Starling, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail