Titchwell

Friday January 21
Even with very little wind, Titchwell in January is COLD. 2C at the coast. I should have bought that furry cap with ear covers which caused Pam such amusement when I tried it on. My ears were singing and cheeks stinging for much of to-day.
We set out from home in rain. Thankfully, the promised sun had appeared by the time we arrived at the reserve, via Choseley and a single Corn Bunting at last. Third time lucky.
A female Bullfinch appeared just past the feeding area, others saw six, silvery grey enough to be a Northern?
Stopping to admire a Great Crested Grebe on the first pool to the left of the path, we also heard our first Cetti's of the year. Good start.

Great Crested Grebe

Two birders blocking the path, redeemed themselves by pointing out the Northern Harrier perched in a dead tree about a mile away in a large copse. The one with the old tower at the far end. Later, I set up my scope and viewed the large blob preening, its russet breast gleaming in the sunshine.
Many Snipe on an east marsh pool to-day, they've been absent for a month or two.
I love to hear geese, especially Brent with their soft gargles, and to see them fly overhead down to the freshwater pool to drink and ablute.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

What a relief to find the seat empty when we eventually arrived at the beach. Maybe the wet wood had put people off......
My torn calf muscle (Scilly last October) was sore to-day. I could have done without carrying my DSLR camera as well as the scope - but I'm delighted I bothered.
There must have been nearly three thousand Common Scoter on the sea. Distant in a long straggling line, in two seperate groups. As we scanned the sea, admiring two Red-necked Grebes, the Scoter flew, enabling both of us to pick out at least three Velvet Scoter.
Half an hour was enough, my bones felt cold again.
It really was a trudge to the superb Parrinder Hides We joined the birders scoping from outside, seeing a Bearded Reedling, a flock of 50+ Twite, 30ish Skylarks and a few Ruff on the brackish marsh.
Sitting comfortably in the hide, we scanned them all again - in between regular mass departures - before the flocks returned. The RSPB warden called a fast flying Sparrowhawk, which we both managed to latch on to before it disappeared over the bank. A loudly calling Curlew was the last bird to leave.

At last, the shelter of the trees near the Centre and a view of a Water Rail skulking around the tree roots, constantly hassled by a Moorhen. Our first actually seen bird.
After lunch at Brancaster Staithe , we drove home to enjoy the fire, after adding a very satisfactory 8 birds to the year list.
News has broken of a Dusky Thrush in a non birder's garden in Dec 2010. The photos show a lovely adult male. Wow - that would have been some tick.