A second bite of the cherry!

14/1/05 Lowestoft Harbour, Morston Quay, Holkham Freshmarsh
After missing the Cley NWT Ross's Gull me and my dad were given a second chance thanks to a bird turning up at Lowestoft. An exceptionally early start (5:00 am!) meant we were on site at 7:00 am despite getting lost several times. After a half an hour wait the Ross's Gull came down to the water with a group of Black Headed Gulls. It remained in the harbour area for fifteen minutes before flying towards Lake Lothing. Other birds in around the harbour included 2 Shags, a drake Red Breasted Merganser and 2 Little Gulls while a short walk to Ness Point provided a Purple Sandpiper.

Next stop was Breydon Water. A Water Pipit was near the hide as was a female Sparrowhawk while a good selection of waders included Dunlin, Knot, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Ruff, Curlew and Black Tailed Godwit. Two Kestrels and two Barn Owls were also seen. After this a short diversion was rewarded with a group of twenty-five Waxwings along the A 12. The light was appalling but I managed a few record shots. (For more see gallery.)

Unfortunately Morston failed to produce the Little Bunting but there were six Little Egrets and a Marsh Harrier. The final stop was Holkham Freshmarsh. A Black Brant and three hybrids were just east of Lady Anne's Drive.