It seemed like a foolish decision as the rain and fog continued past breakfast at Abbey Farm bird hide, Flitcham and then low tide at Snettisham. The list was growing very slowly but we'd added both partridges and Tree Sparrow which was pleasing. A flock of 100+ mainly Fieldfare with a few Redwing at Harpley Cottages. Should we re-trace the journey for the Lady Amherst Pheasant near Houghton Hall? What was its provenance, dodgy I should certainly think.....Maybe another day. (Sunday. Now described as the expected escape)
Fulmar at Hunstanton cliffs and what I described as a 'funny-looking sleeping duck' the sole bird on the calm sea. A female Long-tailed, which meant that we didn't walk to Gore Point - cars parked everywhere. We probably missed a few ticks by not doing so but, that can wait until the holiday period is over.
Brunch at the NOA hide overlooking the Broadwater, watching 3 Marsh Harriers idly hunting the far reeds, Pochard, Shoveller, one Little Grebe and Tufted Duck on the pool. One flock of Brent but no sign of yesterday's reported Barnacles and Whitefronts. The former were later reported to be further east towards the Thornham Bank. The second 100+ flock of Fieldfare flew sporadically around, seldom settling for long.
Seeing the mass of cars lining the road to Thornham and the row of scoping birders on the bank, we nearly turned round but decided to see if 'our' muddy patch was vacant. It was. The engine was hardly turned off at about 1 p.m., when a very rufous, dark Hen Harrier appeared towards the area of the Coal Barn, flying towards Titchwell. How jammy was that? The Northern Harrier at our first attempt and a tick to boot. Many local birders have had to make numerous futile attempts. Good views too, the white rump looked almost luminous in contrast to the body colour. Didn't think to raise my camera, too busy watching.
As it seemed to be flying away purposefully and the light was getting low, we drove on, to later find that it had continued giving good views. Time to get the scope out would have been good too.
Titchwell on Bank Holidays is always heaving, another day for that too....No birds at all at Choseley, just an irate woman we know well by sight, who'd spent the entire morning looking for THE harrier. Her greeting of Happy New Year to us soon became less jolly! She was not happy and shot the messengers.
Another snack at Brancaster Staithe watching an incoming tide, the mussell men working and a large and flighty flock of Bar-tailed Godwit.
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| Bar-tailed Godwits at Brancaster Staithe |
What ever made us even attempt Lady Anne's? The volume of cars made it a lengthy process to turn round and come back out as fast as we could. Our new annual parking permit was the reason I reckon. Wells is included, that was the next stop. The pitch and putt course was devoid of any Geese, there went the Black Brant search. The car park had a few empty spaces by now so we were able to park and walk to scope Abraham's Bosom. Two female Smew (on the pager) and a surprise male Goosander.
Last call at about 2.45, Stiffkey Marshes. A few cars and two birders only, Gordon Hamlett and his wife(?) Chris. We haven't seen them for a good while, so they came over and joined us. More good eyes to scan. We'd just missed a ringtail Hen Harrier but added a second Barn Owl, another Marsh Harrier and, best of all, a Short-eared Owl. The latter was flying very fast east towards the pipe line, dropped like a stone and wasn't seen again. Probably following prey and being successful. We once saw a Marsh H hunt and knock down a Barn Owl here. Kevin told us that the Cley Barn Owl had met a similar fate. The raptors have to eat but not Barn Owls please !
The final act was a scan in fast fading light, through two flocks of Dark-bellied Brent at Cley looking, unsuccessfully, for Pale-bellied.
Preliminary count of 75 birds for the day, Pam will check and compare her list sometime to-day.
Amended total, 76. I'd missed out LT Duck and Pam the Smew.
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