An all right trip!

19/11/06 Welney WWT Leaders; Simeon and James.
I got dropped off at Welney just after lunch and went straight to the main observatory. Tonnes of Pochard, Whooper Swan and all the other usual stuff. The only highlights were a Redshank, a Merlin and a Marsh Harrier! Then I texted Dad to pick me up and James came with him. Just as we were driving past all of the Golden Plovers on Hilgay Fen, an owl flew over the road. It was a Long - Eared! Although it gave pretty poor views it was a lifer for James and a yearer for me. It had been a brilliant day with Denver Sluice being the highlight (see other trip report).

Woohoo! But sooo cold...

Denver Sluice, 19/11/06
James and Simeon

Got up early to bike to the Sluice and see if any more than the 10 already reported goosanders had arrived, but regretted it upon contracting frostbite... what happened to the mild autumn of two days ago? We saw all the goosanders (3 males and 7 females), but no more arrivals. A count of 7 grey herons was exceptionally high, and other highlights included the resident kingfisher, 2 little grebes and a grey wagtail which kept flying around our heads. Many thrushes were present including fieldfare, mistle and song thrush, and 50+ redwing, but there were very few blackbirds. However, the undisputed highlight of the day was just as we were about to leave. Low over our heads and then giving a final fly-by across the river, was a magnificent bittern - a cracking first for all of our patches! We walked quickly to the small area of reeds where it landed, but it did not cooperate for a photograph and we didn't see it again. We were amazed to hear from the Sluice manager that he had seen bittern there several times, so fingers crossed...

Snett and Titchwell

11/11/06 Titchwell and Snettisham RSPB Leaders Simeon James and Matt
Started off at Snett. Scaup and one really nice Little Auk on pits, 7 Snow Buntings landed in public carpark and started drinking from a puddle a couple of metres away! Then flew over shingle bank and relocated on the beach.
Titchwell was drained of birds on the marshes with a Spotted Redshank and 1st Winter Med Gull being the only rewards. Sea was ok with a couple of Red - Throated Divers and loads of Common Scoters. Managed to pick out one velvet.