Abberton & Landguard – 30th March 2008

A quick afternoon excursion this weekend to pick up some reported year birds. First off to Abberton Reservoir where a Tundra Bean Goose has been associating with some Graylag and was very (if not too) obliging on the causeway water front, also on the water were; Garganey, Red-necked Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Goldeneye and a very suspect female Red-crested Pochard. Onward to Landguard and one of the best UK Firecrests we’ve seen, along with Northern Wheatear, Black Redstart and Meadow Pipit. Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 121 Month bird count: 98

Holme & Titchwell – 24th March 2008

Travelling up to the North Norfolk Coast there was little to see in the fields except Pheasant, Crows and Wood Pigeon but arriving at Holme changed the trend. Stonechats were abundant along the track, Marsh Harrier over and as we parked a Barn Owl flew low out of the small coniferous wood. We walked out onto the windy beach, low level small skeins of Brent Geese were frequently moving west along the near water. On the tide line were waders; Sanderling, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwits, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Knot. Further up were feeding Gulls; Black-headed, Common and Herring. Several Curlew also flew west along the beach. Next stop was Titchwell, numerous species on the feeders including Brambling. Out on the fresh marsh the waders included; Avocets, Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit, Snipe and the wildfowl; Pintail, Shelduck, Teal, and Shoverler. Out on the Salt Marsh there were Skylarks and a Peregrine Falcon over. For the day we had a total count of 65 species. Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 113 Month bird count: 85

Around the Garden – 23rd March 2008

Easter snow is not the sort of weather that drives you to travel far in East Anglia, so today was spent watching various visitors grab the scraps and bird food we had put out in the garden. One visitor, indeed took things up a level and proved he was one step further in the food chain by taking a sheltering Chaffinch. Birds seen during the day included; Chaffinch, pursued successfully by a Sparrowhawk, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Carrion Crow.

Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 106 Month bird count: 49

Mayday Farm – 3rd March 2008

We’d noticed during the last few weeks how the dawn chorus was increasing, so decided to that the opportunity to see some woodland bird whilst there wasn’t too much leaf on the trees. So headed off to Mayday Farm in Thetford Forest. On arrival things were very lively with mixed flocks all over the Blackthorn. Chaffinch was the predominant species displaying very well above the hedge row. Viewing birds drinking in the puddles we saw Brambling, Coal Tit and Great Tit, with Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest in the trees. Further on in there were medium size groups of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll.

Life bird count: 360 Year bird count: 103 Month bird count: 32