1st January 2024 and 14thJanuary and Northern Water Thrush

Start of the new year list today, total of 76 Species from Hollesley to Boyton and back, nothing special except a good start to the morning with an un-seasonal Yellow Wagtail fly over, also the Glossy Ibis flew north. 156 Whitefronted Geese, 4 Bewick Swans and a Firecrest

14th January 

Circuit of Hollesley, Goosander, 4 Bewicks and a Juv Merlin the highlight.  Just at the end of the Village a Whooper swan was unusual. At Shingle Street the Juvenile Merlin was sat on the hay bales. 

Saturday 6th of January i frustratingly dipped the Northern Waterthrush in Essex. Too many people on site but i tried again on the 13th and luckily managed to see it well. More distant than most people but good scope views had. Hate the modern twitching scene, just too many people with too little fieldcraft. 

 

Canvasback

Hollesley at the weekend, more Gulls but nothing really good just the usual Caspian and yellow legged gulls. A Great White egret again on winter flood.

Today 28.12.23 i finished work early and headed for Abberton res in essex and the winter Canvasback duck, Very Very hard work due to the lashing wind and rain making viewing almost impossible, Scope lens was drenched in moments, the mass of ducks were all asleep too, i wasn't very happy cursing my rotten luck.  Im not sure how i found it but i did, distant and in-between drying my lens i took these awful shots. A few other bits were a Red Kite and a couple of  Scaup. Duck numbers were impressive, shame i didn't get to enjoy it.  

December

 We're now into December and the year is drawing to a close.  Gulls are starting to take over again at Hollesley but ive seen a few other bits too. 

Nipped to Thorpness Meare for the Ring Necked duck, a fav of mine. 6 Goosander and some showy Shovelers also.

 

Over at Iken 2 Cattle egret, seems to be a special spot for them here.

 Back to Hollesley A Glossy Ibis is sticking on site but very elusive and usually only seen in flight as it moves areas. A Goosander and Great White Egret is staying for the winter again. 5 Velvet Scoter a massive bonus this year.

50 Brent Geese and 70 White fronts are now here for the winter too. 

 Now onto Gulls, Various ages of Caspian Gulls appearing at Hollesley. The last picture is a strange looking bird so maybe some other genes init. 

Yellow legged gulls too again of all ages.

Missed a 1st Winter Glauc and patch tick 4 Bewick Swans .... Doh