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. :-)

Minsmere 23rd December

Had the morning at Minsmere whilst rach was at work. I headed straight for Island Mere hide hoping for som Bitten and Otter action.  It was disapointing with just the one distant Otter and the Bitten flew close into the reedbed and out again not showing for pictures. The Marsh Harriers and a Snipe did show a little better.

 

Over at North Hide A nice Avocet was over wintering and then this Juv Caspian Gull.

This Adult Yellow legged Gull was also on the scrape.

A nice morning on the Reserve if not a little on the quiet side.

local stuff

During the week a couple of sightings of Woodcock.
The patch yesterday was quiet, Ness point had a Rock Pipit and a single Purple Sandpiper.
On patch this morning a small movement of Red Throated Divers. a Single Common Scoter and a Brent Goose. 2 Guillemot also. Only other things were a Great Spotted Woodpecker and some Greenfinch. Think thats about it this weekend.
Soon be Christmas.

Swans

Its that time of year again when its dark before work and dark after it. What with a few busy weekends its been limited birding. Any birding i have done ive seen very little.
Spent an hour with the 13 Whoopers, 39 Bewick Swans and 101 Egyptian Geese at Ludham Airfiled.
Thats been it really.