31st December 2015

On the last day of the year, I decided to have another go at Blashford Lakes. I got to Kingfisher Lake just before midday. I and another birder had breif views of the FERRUGINOUS DUCK through the vegetation of the Central Island before it flew nearer and have much better views (Finally).

FERRUGINOUS DUCK - Blashford Lakes

Went to the Tern Hide looking out at Isbley Water, and had 3 Goldeneye and 4 Egyptian Geese. Walked over to the Goosander Hide where other birders were already watching the distant Ring-Billed Gull. At first I wasn't entirely convinced that the iris was pale enough, but in different light it did become more apparent, plus all the other ID features seemed ok.

Ring-Billed Gull - Blashford Lakes

Looks like I've broken my streak of dipping out at this site!

29th December 2015 (Norfolk)

Drove home today and had 2 Red Kites together by the M25.

28th December 2015 (Norfolk)

Another excellent days birding along the North Norfolk Coast today: 

Drove to Titchwell this morning and had a Barn Owl from the car window near Dunton.

Walked from Titchwell to Thornham Point and had another Barn Owl, 3 each of Pintail and Spotted Redshank and singles of Peregrine, Kingfisher and Siskin. At the point there were plenty of Grey Plovers and Sanderling, 4 Egyptian Geese and a Goosander, but there was no sign of the shore larks.

Barn Owl - Titchwell

Second stop was Choosley Drying Barns where before long we had distant views of a juvenile Rough-Legged Buzzard. Good to get views of the in-flight features as last year I only saw them on ground.

Rough-Legged Buzzard - Choosley Drying Barns

Went to the Holme Dunes and finally got good views of the 3 Shore Larks. Also in Thornham Bay, there was a large flock Twites and a flock of Egyptian Geese.

 Shore Larks - Holme Dunes

Twite - Thornham Harbour

Stopped off at Holkham but failed to locate the red-rumped swallow that was re-reported. Only bird of note here was a Red Kite.

Red Kite - Holkham

Walked to the central hides in Cley Marshes where amongst the Pink-Footed and Brent Geese, I had 3 Tundra race Bean Geese, 1 Black Brant and 6 White-Fronted Geese.

Tundra Bean Geese - Cley Marshes

White Fronted Geese - Cley Marshes

I believe the goose in front of the adult White-Fronted is an abbarrent Pink-Footed with white at the base of the bill?

Black Brant - Cley Marshes

Final stop of the day was Wells-Next-The-Sea where we hoped the red-rumped swallow would reappear, but again no luck. A shag in the harbour was the best bird managed.

26th December 2015 (Norfolk)

Drove down to Flitcham early in the morning. Had a Woodcock fly over the road near Harpley.

Once in the hide at Flitcham, we had a Little Owl, 2 Egyptian Geese and a Muntjac. After a half hour wait, I had good but distant views of the juvenile PALLID HARRIER. It showed breifly a few times but I was unable to get a photo.

Little Owl - Flitcham

Next stop was Kings Lynn where we had good views of the Iceland Gull.

Iceland Gull - Kings Lynn

24th December 2015 (Norfolk)

Drove up to Norfolk to visit relatives today. Saw little of note on the trip other than a Red Kite seen from the M25.

23rd December 2015

Went back over to Yeovil Openspace today and had my best views yet of the 2 Yellow-Browed Warblers, and even managed a decent picture! One of the birds spent some time feeding in the stream and on the surrounding banks. Only other birds of note were a flock of 3 male Bullfinch.

Yellow-Browed Warbler - Yeovil Openspace

Nailed it! 

Blackbird - Yeovil Openspace

20th December 2015

Returned over to the openspace today and had good views of both Yellow-Browed Warblers, but still no sign of that firecrest!

Yellow-Browed Warbler -Yeovil Openspace