Surlingham on Saturday

Short on time this weekend just gone, so much so that I had to turn down a lift to the Pied-billed Grebe near Manchester. Congrats on seeing the bird though lads, heres hoping it stays true to form and hangs around into the New Year.

Taking my usual route round Surlingham, a look across the river towards Wood's End revealed very little, which is odd since this is usually a good spot for Geese and Gulls. I soon picked up the reason for this: a Peregrine Falcon was on the ground, quite how long it had been there was unclear. However, when I finally get round to defining the boundaries of 'The Patch', I could do with Peregrine on the list.

The scrub and bushes that skirt the main area of reed bed and marsh were full of Fieldfare, the largest flock being 20. A sorrowful call alerted me to the presence of a Bullfinch, one of 'ours', which proved elusive but I did get a brief view before he departed across the river. Heard before, but not seen until now, so a new bird for the patch! As if to accentuate that point, a group of Siskin called from somewhere. Next time maybe.

Nothing from either hide, but large parts of the marshy land were now underwater and were attracting Black-headed Gulls, Mallard and Teal, all of which clearly preferred to feed here than on the deeper lagoon. A Sparrowhawk breezed through, confirming the Surlingham area as the raptor capital of the Broads. Thats Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Peregrine, Marsh and Hen Harrier here since August, plus Barn and Little Owl.

The churchyard held a few Redwing and Goldcrest, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker called. This looks like being a good spot in spring, Spotted Flycatcher the obvious target.

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Notes from the valley

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