Gulls, Swans and Egrets

A late start as its my last day of booooooo. Headed to Covehithe  for a new year Slav Grebe. I started by checking the Gull flock by the pig huts. Adult Yellow Legged Gull briefly and this Adult Caspian Gull.

 

Then I checked another field full of gulls by the beach and found another or same Adult Yellow legged gull.

I moved onto the broad where It took ages to find the Slav Grebe and when I did it was miles away, as far away as it could be on the Broad.
Whilst looking for the grebe ticked 9 Bewick Swans again. Also 4 Adult Little Gulls.

 

The fields held last weeks geese still Barnacles, Brent and the usual Hybrids.
A lot of gulls came into the field pick of the bunch was this 1st Winter Caspian Gull.

Just to the left of this birds was a very unusual looking gull, almost Glaucous winged but more likely a Northern argentatus or  pale Herring or Viking Gull, it had strikingly grey Primaries with much white. Some experts may be able to help. some more pics below, click to enlarge.

I did half hour seawatching picking out 8 Little gulls going South a flock of 3, 1 and 4, then just about to leave a Sooty shearwater went North.
Walking back I checked the pig fields again, Adult and 1st Winter Caspian this time in a very quick check.
Had lunch at Minsmere then headed to Iken for a Cattle Egret that got found yesterday, maybe the Sea palling bird I saw last year. A nice bird although shame about the pouring rain grrrr.

Back to work tomorrow Booooooo

Christmas and New Year

Well its been a complete blur and I don't no what ive seen and wen ive seen it so here goes on what I do remember.
The Mother and Sister in law were here for Christmas so I didn't get to do any proper birding, the dogs still needed walking so it was trips down the beach to Lowestoft. Corton woods held the first Firecrest of the winter as well as a male Blackcap and a Tree Creeper.
Down on the beach were up to 8 Med Gulls of varying ages.

3 Kittiwakes were showing nicely on the groyne.

Once the Family had departed it was time to do some proper birding by heading to Flitcham in Norfolk for a Pallid Harrier, Flipping dipped it didn't I along with the Iceland Gull in Kings lynn  and Golden Pheasant at Wolfreton. I did get Tree Sparrow which was a year tick. Brambling also.  So packed birding in for the day and did some touristy stuff with Rach.

Next Day was local stuff but it was quiet.

New years eve and we decided to give the Harrier another go and luckily this time I managed to see the Pallid Harrier a couple of times but always distance, A lifer!. A Hen Harrier showed better as did 3 Tree Sparrows and double figure Bramblings. Merlin was a nice bonus.
Today was becoming much better as we headed back to Kings lynn for the Iceland Gull which was the first bird we spotted and it was showing really well too.

 

Next to Wolfreton Triangle where the lonely Golden Pheasant was resident, but all too brief a view as it crossed the road.
Thornham point was our next stop picking up 25 Twite.

Next stop Chosley Barns for 3 very nice Rough legged Buzzards. These gave great scope views. still couldn't find any Corn Buntings here.

Wells was our next stop for a Shag in the harbour.. oo err missus.

 Boy the night was drawing in quick but still had time to visit Holkham where I managed to pick up a Red Kite, Tundra Bean Goose, Whitefronted Geese Pinks wild Barnacles and a Ross x Barnacle hybrid. Click pics to enlarge.

Last bird of the day as it was now dark was this very nice and very pale Barn Owl.

We had planned to stop overnight but the hotels were either full or shut, however our very good friends in Kelling kindly put us up for the night which meant we could go birding here all day New years Day. They are true stars :-)
So it was a quick wander around Sheringham before supper.

New Years day and the start of a new list. All birds now had an equal level of rarity and first birds of the new year were Pinks heading over the house.
Next stop was follow the coast road picking up as many birds as possible and starting by checking the flock of Pinkfooted geese just down the rd. I was lucky enough to spot 4 Bean Geese mixed in with them.

Checked a Redpoll flock holding about 100+ Lessers as well as 2 maybe 3 very nice Commons. A bird I didn't pick up all of last year.

 

Continued to head along the coast picking up many easy year ticks including all the stuff I picked up yesterday like Twite, Whitefronts, Shag, Barn Owls etc etc.

Finished the day at Titchwell picking up new birds such as 2 Water Pipits and a Marsh Tit. Water pipit was again something I missed out on last year. A Hen Harrier finished the day of nicely coming into roost at Titchwell.

Lastly we watched the New Year Fireworks display at Cromer, a stunning display and finished of an incredible New year.

 

Total for the day 105 Species..... Wow.

 

So onto today, 2nd of January.....

I decided to nip up to Burgh castle again for the Lesser Yellowlegs that had been coming in at high tide, typically not today though, so I had to make do with a Male Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Rough legged Buzzard, Peregrine, Spotted Redshank and a fly over of a single White-fronted Goose.

Not a bad haul...

Till tomorrow, last day of the holidays booooo.