Thursday 7 February 2019

Wild Goose Chase

Thursday February 7

Sitting over a cuppa and a chat in Cley Centre is always a pleasure. Even on a grey drizzly day. Tales of adventures in icy Japan from returning birders, anticipating forthcoming trips to Baja California and Southerm Mexico by others. Moth identification too. We trapped five Pale Brindled Beauty, two Chestnuts and the first 2019 Small Quaker last night  Greg had a Spring Usher,  Richard a probable heracliana micro. 
A handsome Marsh Harrier cruised the reeds close by,  before causing a general  and chaotic aerial scramble of resting ducks whilst returning across the pools. Beach Road called. 
Two large flocks of Brent Geese drew attention on the way out, we'd look at them on the way back. A smaller group washed and drank in the large puddle near the car park in the Eye Field. A quick look from the car park proved positive for the Pale-bellied Brent Goose seen here earlier. A stop on the road brought the flock even nearer.

To enhance the sighting, two Grey Partridges ran across the field between us and the geese.
There had been talk of other geese in a Pink-feet flock between Wiveton and Langham. Near enough to check, although the last report was at 10 a.m. 
We soon found a flock, lucky enough to park in an adjacent muddy lane where there was a large gap in the hedge. I scoped the flock for nearly half an hour, not completely satisfied with any views of Tundra Bean Geese. Were they orange legs or just dark pink? Was it 6cms larger than the Pink-foot? Did it only have a small pink band across the end of the bill? 
Finally, YEEEES. I was happy with one and Pam saw it too.
We were able to reverse from pole position and allow one of the waiting cars to take our place.

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