More Geese

So i wasn't planning on more Geese but unfortunately my return home via North Norfolk had me only looking at Geese because there wasn't really much else to look for.  Docking there was just Pinkfeet and the bloody Red Breasted Goose had done a bunk again after being there everyday since my last visit, no Todds or Beans this time either. Further down the road i spotted a few Geese East of Burnham Norton. The first birds were Greylags then i noticed a European White fronted Geese then i counted 30, they were really close to the road too.

 Last stop because time had been flown by was Stiffkey Car park where a Male and Ringtail Hen Harrier flew West and a Merlin was hunting.  Had loads of plans Waxwings Black Brant etc but there just wasn't enough light in the day. Still been a great day and a really great 2016 bird wise. if i get bored maybe ill do  yearly review.

Happy New Year Everyone and once again thanks for looking

Double tick double thrush species trip.

Wow 2 Lifers in the matter of a few days. It was fathers 60th so Rachel n I headed over to Derbyshire for this but n the way down we firstly nipped into Beeley For the Dusky Thrush. It was to distant for photos but it gave good scope views and was viewable pretty much immediately. Bingo.

So a couple of days went past and I had planned to go down for the Blue Rock Thrush in Stow on the Wold. I was only 80 mile away and probably wouldnt get another opportunity to see this species in the UK again anytime soon. Although there is doubt over wether this is a wild bird or not. I wouldn't have twitched this from Suffolk but seeing as I was closer it had to be done. Typically news came out as not being present and thought well that saved me a trip. We were due to leave Derbyshire for home by lunch but news broke that it had been refound, so I left Rachel with family and headed south, arriving on site by 2pm.

I arrived to people running so I parked up and did a bit of running myself spotting the bird in a back garden and then on the roofs. The bird gave great views in the sunshine for about 20 min before the mist rolled in and the bird blended into the back ground making photos a waste of time. The fog never did lift so by 4pm I was heading back to Derby. Still a great trip with 2 ticks and 2 Thrush species.  

 

Will see what i can jam in on tomorrow on my way home.

Egrets Owls and other stuff

So ill begin by adding a sighting i had yesterday but forgot to mention, 6 Red Kites in one group in North Norfolk at North Creak

So onto today Rach and I started at Halvergate Marsh where we saw 4 Cracking Cattle Egrets. Unfortunatly views were always into the sun.

After a nice lunch at the Bell Inn St Olaves, we had a walk onto Haddiscoe Island to look for some Owls and anything else that may be in the area. On the walk down the river bank the light was great and a group of 8 Bearded Tits showed nicely. In the distance sat on posts were 2 Female Peregrine, Kestrels and 2 Common Buzzard.

Further down the river there were at least 5 Short Eared Owls all a bit distant but great to watch.

 

 

 

On the way back a Green Sandpiper flew over calling as did a Snow Bunting which did a circuit of the bank and then finally a nice Barn Owl. The other thing of note were the 30+ Chinease Water Deer, they were everywhere. A really nice day and i must visit this area again for the Owls, with time and patience good views could be had.

More Goosing around

Headed for North Norfolk and Docking today to have a look through the geese hoping for the Todds Goose and Red Breasted Goose. Managed to find the Todds Goose but the Red breasted Goose eluded me. As well as the pinks there were a min of 9 Tundra Bean Geese, 4 Euro Whitefronts and a Barnacle.

 

Goosing and Swaning around

Had the day around the Horsey, Waxham, Ludham area searching mainly for Cranes i couldnt find any so took the opportunity to look through the geese. There wasnt masses but there were a good enough number for me to pick out 4 Tundra Bean Geese and 14 European Whitefronted Geese at Waxham Barns with the Pinkfooted Geese.

We moved onto Sea palling where i spotted a handful of Swans in a pool opposite Cooks Farm. These were 8 Bewicks and a couple of Mutes.
This gave me the incentive to move onto Ludham Airfield where the Winter Swans were again for the winter. 18 Whooper Swans and 44 Bewick Swans, i just love em.
We never did see any Cranes but it was a great christmas eve.

Thanks again for reading my blogs and have a very Merry Christmas. :-)