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Wet and Windy

An Autumnal feel to the day. The warm coat was dug out of the cupboard under the stairs, and the rain stopped for long enough to allow a blustery walk round Surlingham Church Marsh. The main action was on the river today, starting with a Great Crested Grebe. This adult moulting into winter plumage had two, then one young back in late summer; hopefully at least one fledged successfully. A noisy Kingfisher was glimpsed, finally on the patch list. Wildfowl numbers were at an all time low, and the only birds seen around the lagoon were 3 Reed Bunting and a single Grey Heron. Wondering where all the ducks were, a flock of 15 Wigeon called overhead and refused to settle, clearly unimpressed with the lack of grazing potential. (We could do with some more scrub removal though, the Cattle are having to work over-time). This was another new bird for the patch, so certainly not an afternoon wasted.
The 2009 Norfolk Bird Report has just been published, hoping to pick up a copy from John Lewis.

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