Cantley then Surlingham

With time on my hands and with it being the last day of the holiday, I finally decided to have a look at the Lesser White Fronted Goose which has been frequenting Buckenham and Cantley marshes. Having always used the marshes at Buckenham as a starting point, I have never actually made it down to Cantley, so was quite taken aback by the fantastic views from Burnthouse Lane. Sure enough, the LWFG was in with the Taiga Bean Geese. Noticeably smaller even from some distance, and the 'blaze' on the face appeared 'fatter' than on those of the nearby White Fronted Geese. A couple next to me were discussing the eye ring in some depth, but then they did have a better scope. Regardless of the bird's wild credentials, this was an educational experience for I have never seen a LWFG in any context!

A Barn Owl and Kestrel were hunting the reed bed towards the back of the marsh.

This guy was laying on the verge near where I parked the car; sadly an all too brief 2011 for him.

Surlingham as usual threw up some good birds. A Coal Tit greeted me, singing from the churchyard. Looking out to the Wood's End marsh, In amongst 81 Lapwing, was a new patch bird- 9 Golden Plover! Having seen Lapwing here before, I should have expected a Goldie at some point really, but a nice suprise nonetheless. Another Barn Owl was hunting here.

I counted 30 species but by now this was a little late in the day, many of the smaller birds were settling down for the night. Still, a good start to the year and chuffed with my GP.

The lagoon still won't thaw!

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Notes from the valley

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