Mid-day Sortie

Sunday, January 12

What could we see from the car?  The wind is cold and I'm still trying to be careful (doesn't come easily). 

First stop was Rollesby Broad where there is an off-road parking area. Driving towards the far end, there is a sizeable gap in the trees and shrubs enabling limited scope views of the western part of the broad. Viewing the eastern part has to be done from the roadside, where stopping is inadvisable. All birds visible were Coots, lots of them. A slow scope of the far edge showed a small diving duck which I could not re-find. Several changes of position later - and negative waves from a few other birders who crossed to the roadside - Pam re-parked and I scoped the diving duck area. An aged dinghy with two well clad fishermen was moving very slowly along the far shore. Suddenly a duck flew into sight, not immediately identifiable by me. I followed it out of sight. White bands in the wings, small with  paler marks near the neck/head. I looked it up.......female Smew. I've not seen one in flight before which is why it was a puzzle. A Long-tailed Duck was reported later from the same site, it wasn't that.

Two Moorhens added to the year list.

Passing Billockby Barn, it was obvious that there were too many cars in the yard for us to park, so, we drove on to Halvergate Marsh. We'd previously been lucky here, at the start of the driveable track out into the marsh. Nothing showing to-day, we drove as far as the parking area before turning. Pulling in to allow a car to pass, the driver stopped to tell us that he'd just seen the egret but it had flown out of sight. The driver was a man known to us as the Librarian, who sometimes attends GYBC.

Parking again at the road junction, we spent five minutes staring at a green bin area. We did add 3 Grey Herons to the year list. Up popped the Cattle Egret, taking a few fast strides before disappearing down a dyke. It did this - in drizzle - a few more times, before we gave up on trying for a decent photo and returned to Billockby. 

No-one in the yard. Oh dear, was this an indicator? Viewing behind the barn is restricted by near trees but with patience, a total of seven Common Cranes came into view, feeding on a distant maize stubble field. Two birds eventually moved near enough for a passable record shot.

Countryfile this week was very enjoyable. It included an interview with Norman Sills, at Welney,  when he discussed identifying Cranes by the shape and colouring of their bustle. He had some immaculate sketches to illustrate his point. He's a better man that I Gunga Din.

More than time to drive home, well satisfied with to-day's birding. It's so good to be out birding again, even if it is restricted.

Pam put the moth trap out last night for the first time this year. One moth, the dark version of Mottled Umber.