Fowlmere

A very quick walk around just before dark produced a wholly surprising Dunlin and a male Gadwall.

Fowlmere
31 January 2012 16:25 - 17:12
Patchy cloud -1C 7NW
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Pheasant, Buzzard, Water Rail (heard), Moorhen, Dunlin, Snipe, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit (heard), Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Robin, Reed Bunting

Fowlmere

The garden was extremely quiet during the hour long garden birdwatch at midday, as was Fowlmere!

Fowlmere
29 January 2012 16:05 - 17:10
Partial cloud cover with slight fog 0C 5E
Mute Swan, Teal, Mallard, Pheasant (heard), Kestrel, Water Rail (heard), Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit (heard), Long-tailed Tit (heard), Treecreeper (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch (heard)

Fowlmere

Fowlmere at dusk for one hour. The only birding all weekend, but quite a good hour. Watching the Hen Harrier, which was performing very nicely and fairly closely, an Otter swam into the Mere. Best views for a couple of years probably.

Fowlmere
22 January 2012 16:17 - 17:15
Overcast 3C 12W
Greylag Goose, Mallard, Pheasant (heard), Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Water Rail (heard), Moorhen, Snipe (heard), Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Jay (heard), Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird, Song Thrush (heard), Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch, Siskin, Reed Bunting

Shepreth L-moor

Nearly dark when I arrived ( a gloomy day) so not a lot seen apart from a Buzzard.

Shepreth L-Moor
19 January 2012 16:13 - 17:05
Overcast 4C 10W
Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit (heard), Blackbird, Fieldfare (heard), Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch (heard)

Fowlmere

A quick walk around at dusk with the Hen Harrier being the obvious highlight.

Fowlmere
18 January 2012 16:13 - 17:05
Overcast with light rain at times 7C 9W
Teal, Pheasant (heard), Hen Harrier, Water Rail (heard), Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird (heard), Song Thrush, Redwing (heard), Robin (heard), Dunnock, Reed Bunting

Shepreth L-moor

A twenty minute stroll in the frost just before dark. Buzzard seen and Grey Partridge heard.

Norfolk

Norfolk with Cris Freddi and Tom. Just a day’s general birding and to try and twitch a few bits. Didn’t get away until just after 9am as Cris was coming from London.

Stopped at Lynford Arboretum for an hour or so to try for Hawfinch. No luck, but did manage a few flyover Crossbills.

Then to Cley for the overwintering Western Sandpiper which was seen very well.

We then called in briefly at Lady Ann’s Drive where a Black Brant and Rough-legged Buzzard had been seen occasionally. No luck there for us, but did have good views of many Pink-footed Geese.

Moving on to Titchwell, we failed to see Arctic Redpoll, seeing only Lesser Redpoll and a confiding Water Rail which Tom photographed. And so with time running out, and Tom interested in trying for Golden Pheasants at Wolferton at dusk, we headed there. As usual, we failed to see any, but did manage nice views of a Woodcock.

So all in all, lots of dips, but an otherwise enjoyable day’s birding.

Lynford
14 January 2012 10:21 - 11:10
Sunny with ground frost. -1C 1N
Mallard, Pheasant, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay (heard), Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin (heard), Chaffinch, Siskin, Common Crossbill

Cley
14 January 2012 12:24 - 13:35
Sunny 1C 1N
Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Western Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Bearded Tit (heard), Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch

Titchwell
14 January 2012 14:35 - 15:50
Sunny 1C 2N
Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Ruff, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird (heard), Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll

Botanic Gardens

A walk around the gardens in the sun. Usual suspects. Best being a large female Sparrowhawk being mobbed by a Crow and a Black-headed Gull.

Cambridge Botanic Gardens
13 January 2012 12:22 - 12:56
Sunny 4C 4N
Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush (heard), Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin (heard), Chaffinch

Fowlmere

So mild it felt like spring, particularly with the sun not setting until after 4pm. 14 Teal, Cetti’s Warbler heard, and the Barn Owl in the box.

Fowlmere
10 January 2012 14:48 - 16:08
Overcast 9C 9SW
Greylag Goose (heard), Grey Heron, Water Rail (heard), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush (heard), Redwing, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch (heard), Goldfinch, Bullfinch (heard), Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Fowlmere

Apart from a Barn Owl at dusk, the first Redwings and Fieldfares of the year, and a flock of about three hundred Wood Pigeons over north, it was again very quiet.

Fowlmere
08 January 2012 14:22 - 16:46
Overcast with occasional light rain 9C 7SW
Greylag Goose (heard), Grey Heron, Water Rail (heard), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush (heard), Redwing, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch (heard), Goldfinch, Bullfinch (heard), Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Fowlmere

A midday walk. Very quiet.

Fowlmere
07 January 2012 11:39 - 12:42
Overcast 9C 14W
Greylag Goose (heard), Teal, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jay (heard), Jackdaw (heard), Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit, Wren, Blackbird (heard), Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch (heard), Goldfinch, Bullfinch (heard), Reed Bunting (heard)

Fowlmere

Went to a windy Fowlmere just before dusk to see if I could get the Hen Harrier on the year list. I did, as well as a Merlin, female I think, with a young male Sparrowhawk showing itself nicely completing a nice trio of Raptors.

Fowlmere
04 January 2012 15:29 - 16:45
Drizzle 7C 27WSW
Mute Swan, Teal, Mallard, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch (heard), Reed Bunting

Therfield and Snettisham

Spent an hour in the morning looking for the Great Grey Shrike at Therfield. Eventually found sheltering downwind from the bitterly cold wind in its favoured hedge. Almost certainly a different bird from the recent Kelshall one, with no pink flush on the breast. A ring-tail Hen Harrier was also seen (possibly the only remaining one?) and thirteen Grey Partridges.

Therfield
02 January 2012 10:59 - 12:12
Clear 6C 13SW
Mallard, Grey Partridge, Pheasant (heard), Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Great Grey Shrike, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Skylark(heard), Wren, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet (heard), Bullfinch

Then off to spend the afternoon with the family watching the Pink-footed Geese arrive at a bitterly cold Snettisham. Birds seen whilst there included the usual waders, a flock of at least 50 Snow Buntings, and three fly-over Twite. Was a bit of a let down to begin with when a few thousand came in over the car-park whilst we were at the hide shortly before dark. We walked back to the car (the wind had now died and was at our backs, making the walk easier) expecting to see more on the way, but none came. However, just as we were about to get into the car a huge number came in. It was almost dark but it was one of the best displays ever as a huge number came in low over our heads over the next five or ten minutes.

Snettisham
14:33 - 17:12
Clear 6C 13SW
Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Cormorant, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, 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, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Robin (heard), Dunnock, Goldfinch, Linnet, Twite, Snow Bunting

Fowlmere, Therfield, and Amwell

First bird of the year was a Robin heard singing in the garden. First bird actually seen was a Blackbird seen from the bedroom window in the churchyard. Started birding properly a bit after eleven at Fowlmere. Extremely quiet. Was thinking of spending the day but gave up and went to Therfield to look for the Great Grey Shrike. No joy, from the road (not the best place to look from but avoids a long walk), but did manage a ring-tail Hen Harrier, twelve Grey Partridges, a Buzzard, and a superb male Merlin. Finished the day at Amwell in heavy rain which held little of note apart from four Little Egrets.

Fowlmere
01 January 2012 11:13 - 13:22
Overcast 12C 10SW
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (heard), Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Moorhen (heard), Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird (heard), Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch (heard), Reed Bunting (heard)

Therfield
01 January 2012
13:44 - 14:29
Overcast with light drizzle 12C 14S
Grey Partridge, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Golden Plover, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Carrion Crow, Long-tailed Tit (heard), Fieldfare, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer (heard)

Amwell
01 January 2012
14:58 - 16:30
Heavy rain 12C 14S
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (heard), Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Moorhen (heard), Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird (heard), Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch (heard), Reed Bunting (heard)