Loom Pit, Suffolk – Sunday 16th December 2007

Cold with a little sun, the morning was made less comfortable with the wind-chill having its effect. Walking in from Levington Marina the tide was well out and there was plenty to been seen.

Out on the Orwell mud there were Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin 100+, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Avocet and Common Gull. On the water were quite a few Great Crested Grebes.

Turning to the fishing lake, wildfowl were aplenty. Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Pochard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Moorhen, Coot and Goldeneye. A Kingfisher darted around the far bank and there were Cormorants, Shelduck and a Sparrowhawk over.

Life List: 357 Year List: 302 Month List: 64

Horsey Gap, Norfolk – Sunday 2nd December 2007

Looking at the Met Office web site, it predicted a break in the East Norfolk Coast weather from late morning to early afternoon, so in the pouring rain we set off for Horsey and the long staying Desert Wheatear. We were not to be disappointed, arriving on site the rain had stopped and birders on the way back reported the bird was showing well. We approached with only one worry, normally a welcome sight, but there was a Merlin perched on the fence just where we had been directed to look, could we be the first to report “Wheatear taken”. The Merlin flew off West and there was no evidence of a kill. Soon two Stonechat appeared; we walked through the gap and on to the beach, delighted to see a large number of Grey Seals. Returning off the beach a Lapland Bunting went over and then, on the track the Desert Wheatear dropped in, very good views for about 15 minutes. Also in the area were Kestrel & Turnstone.

Life List: 357 Year List: 302 Month List: 26