randombirder

A couple of nights away in the Broads to get away from domestic strife (ie. no hot water in the flat) was the perfect excuse for a bit of peace and relaxation. Most of Saturday was spent at Welney where the highlight were nine tundra bean goose roosting on the large island as viewed from the main observatory.  Whooper swan were rather sparse with most of the wintering population grazing out in the fields. Before heading to the B&B, a quick visit to Hempstead Farms for the  bewick's swan  with only six present but a species that is difficult to come by these days. As storms battered most of the country, it was fortunate that Sunday was set fair and with clear skies and light winds, it felt really pleasant walking along the beach at Sea Palling.  More so when this purple sandpiper appeared at close range feeding on the rocks. Around Hickling Broad, there were very few people there and very few birds apart from this kingfisher that posed beautifully in front of the bittern hide.

It's becoming a theme now but before entering Cambs, the day started with an hour immersed in the Big Garden Birdwatch.  No garden, but a balcony and a skylight revealed 20 species (23 recorded last year) with the highlight being a flyover grey heron and a cracking sunrise. Shortly after, a quick trip down to Bramfield where at least three hawfinch were flying around the trees adjacent to St Andrews Church not settling down for any time to capture these lovely birds. Heading north into Cambs, the first stop was Comberton where the great grey shrike was present in trees not far from the parking area.  The bird along with the lovely people that were present there made it a great experience. Next stop was Milton Country Park where it took almost two hours to pin down the yellow-browed warbler , initially observed distantly along the hedgeline north of the wooden bridge.  Heading closer, the YBW was seen at close range calling boldly as it skipped through the woodland, proving difficu

Cambridgeshire is great for birding and none of the sites are particularly far which makes it all the more appealing. The weather was crisp and clear, sharp blue skies and piercing sunshine.  Any waterbody under such light with wildfowl present illuminate viewing, and ducks in winter look pristine in these conditions. The main draw were the smew present on Drayton Lagoon with five there, three smart drakes and two redheads amongst a decent assemblage of common duck species.  There were also good numbers of goldeneye present. A great egret was the only other quality sighting, a single bird around the periphery of Ferry Lagoon. On Sunday, a trip to Eldernall in North Cambs was ultimately rewarded with three short-eared owl on the marsh, three great egret , barn owl and two water rail along the ditch by the car park.  This was my first visit here and it is a cracking site with plenty to discover within the area.

Had a really good day today, the sun was out, it was cold but it is winter after all and there is plenty about to keep the post holiday blues away. Starting at Heydon, the kumlien's gull was finally located in amongst a throng of gulls that include two adult and a 1st winter yellow-legged gull .  A notable flock of at least 300 linnet were wheeling round in an adjacent field and around 50 pied wagtail were busily feeding close in. Heading north to Earith was the next stop where six superb glossy ibis were present at the eastern end of Berry Fen, feeding and roosting quite close to the path, glistening iridescence in the low winter light. Next stop were the Beet pits along the Queen Adelaide where within a modest group of eurasian teal , this green-winged teal was present.  It wasn't as lonely as this photo suggests. Keeping distances to a minimum between sites, I headed for Kingfishers Bridge NR that looked fantastic particularly the view over the flash from the viewpoint.

A little annoying having forgotten to insert my SD Card into my camera as on arrival at Holliwell Point in Essex along the Dengie coastline, the red-breasted goose was strutting its stuff in amongst a mighty flock of dark-bellied brents  in fields adjacent to the sea wall. Not really knowing how to access the site, I decided to park in Burnham-on-Crouch and then jump in a taxi to the nearest point which happened to be a set of gates leading into a private road.  It was slightly beyond this point that I jumped out and began a 40 minute walk along a firm concrete track through vast areas of arable farmland.  It was a lovely day, cold, but with a high cloud base and light winds, it felt rather pleasant especially with good numbers of singing corn bunting beside the track. The large group of brant could be seen at a distant but it didn't take long to pin down the RBG and what a splendid beast it was too, providing great views which made my aberration even more frustrating. (However -