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Weekend Ramblings minus a twist

Saturday afternoon was as is often the case, spent at Surlingham. Very quiet on site, and whilst I love being out around dusk I must at least try to go earlier next week to pick up some passerines. The geese at Wood's End were noticeably absent, although 4 Canadas flew over once I was back at the car. Beyond the hides where the turn off for the Ferry Pub meets the track, a Barn Owl was hunting and I was able to obtain some cracking views.
Magpies and in particular Jays appear to thrive at Surlingham, so a noisy group of Magpies at first did little to excite on route back to the car. However, a closer look revealed a total of 38 Magpies at a pre-roost gathering. I am unsure whether they remained in that spot to roost, although they seemed content enough, despite being dive-bombed by what was presumably a local Sparrowhawk. A Meadow Pipit over was a year tick.
Yesterday, and a casual trip out to one or two of the broads. Wroxham was full of Black Headed Gulls, a few Great Crested Grebes, Tufted Duck, Pochard and a Siskin called overhead, but sadly nothing of real interest could be found. Barton Broad was a little better, over 10 Goldeneye here and a Marsh Harrier hunting.
A quick stop at Happisburgh and a Grey Seal was at sea, and 2 skeins of Pink-Footed Geese called noisily overhead.
Pleased to hear that a Ferruginous Duck was found at Cockshoot; after the pleasure the pain- why did we not go there?! That could have been me!

Comments

  1. Tim Allwood17 January 2011 at 12:19

    Hi Jim

    There was a hybrid Ferruginous on Cockshoot last year - clearly different to the gen bird noted at several sites over the past couple of years.

    The broad is seldom checked so it may well be the same one.

    Tim

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jim19 January 2011 at 12:07

    Cheers for that Tim, I'll have to have a look round some of the 'quieter' Broads myself soon.

    ReplyDelete

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