Holkham

A cold Spring day along the Holkham fresh marsh, and there was plenty to be seen. Brent geese were in good numbers, and there were plenty of waterfowl. Ruff seemed to appear out of thin air, as every time I turned round there were more. Egyptian Geese were making one hell of a racket, and one pair seemed to be nest building high up in the pines. 

On the beach and shoreline, a handful of Sanderling were scuttling about whilst being ably supported in numbers by the loud calling Oystercatchers. Although the sun was out, like many walks at Holkham, it was very much on the cold side.

Brent Goose (dark-bellied)

Egyptian Goose, and a few Ruff.

The lovely Sanderling at the waters edge.

 A pair of Wigeon on the marsh.

Long-billed Dowitcher - Marshside

I picked up my third lifer of 2020 last weekend in the shape of a Long-billed Dowitcher. This wader is usually found in North America and should probably be in Central America at this time of year. However I was pleased that this bird had been spending the week on the North West coast at Marshside, just north of Southport.
I left home before sunrise to be in place when the sun came up. It was cold, but well worth the trip. This became bird number 90 for the year in my quest to see 200 different species in a year.

After a long wait, the sun finally made it over the buildings behind.

A good size comparison, with a Teal on the left.

Large flocks of Wigeon kept me entertained.

A group of Golden Plover

Wigeon

Martin Mere held plenty of Wigeon last week. A colourful medium sized duck. The numbers increase here in the winter as the birds move south from the colder areas of Scandinavia, Russia and Iceland.
They make a comical squeaking noise which puts a smile on my face while I'm sat in a hide.

A little bit windswept, or slept on it funny. Not sure which.

Must have heard me and wasn't happy. Oops

Cley - Norfolk

When I visit Norfolk, Cley is a must as a place to visit. In fact you can't really go to Norfolk and not go to Cley. It is like a Mecca to British birders. Freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh, pools, reed beds, plus the North Sea and a shingle beach. So much to attract a whole variety of birds, and it does. Quite regularly they are birds they are not often seen here in the UK. Or if they are, it's exactly in this place that they do turn up. Having said all that, there was nothing really out of the ordinary when we went a few weeks ago. Still it's always a lovely place to spend a few hours. I can also recommend the cake selection in the visitor centre.

 

The iconic Cley windmill, that was such a feature of my childhood summer holidays.

Black-tailed Godwits on the move.

The lovely looking Wigeon were building in numbers.

Roding Valley Meadows

This morning was one of those superbly cold, fresh, damp and sunny Autumn mornings that I love.
There was a frost on the ground and dew in the trees and on the cobwebs. A mist hung over the grass and helped hide my presence from some birds that didn't fully see my approach. Roding Valley Meadows in Loughton, Essex (where I am from) holds many fond childhood memories for me. I spent many hours here and didn't really pay enough attention to what was around me at the time. Now when I go back to my parents I can't wait to go for a walk and see what's around. This morning there were plenty of the usual species and some new ones too.On the lake there were lots of Coots,  Black headed gulls, a family of Mute swans, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Tufted ducks.
Here's my first instalment of pictures.

There were scores of these around. So pretty.

One of two Wigeon on the lake. This is the first time I've seen them here.

One of the 250 odd Coots on the lake at the moment.

Another new bird for me here is the Shoveler. There were about 10 this morning.

Stupidly big bill.

 

Mallard

Sandbach Flashes

I spent a couple of hours yesterday at Sandbach Flashes in Cheshire to see the Glossy Ibis that has been present for  a couple of weeks. At first there was no sign but then it flew up from the rivers edge and across into view. Unfortunately, it was a little out of range for my lens, plus it was very overcast. So what I got were some very poor record shots. I also got to see my first Iceland Gull, along with Black-tailed Godwits, Tree Sparrow, Wigeon, Cormorants, Sparrowhawk and many more. Hopefully I will get back at a later date, with better light for a better shot.

Glossy Ibis (not so glossy in this light)

Wigeon

Black-tailed Godwits