27/01/2019 Ashdown Bird Group Annual Outing to Norfolk 4/4

Sunday 27 January 2019
Day 4/4

The winds were quite strong today, adding to the problems associated with the cold weather.  The plan was to start moving south calling in at reserves on the way home. 

• We had no luck just down the road, at Thornham, where 2 Waxwings had been reported yesterday.
• There were, however, huge numbers of Fieldfare and Redwings around.

Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve

Fakenham, Norfolk

 

One of our must visit venues with its fabulous variety of passerines.

• Pick of the bunch were the stunning Bramblings seen at the feeders. 

 

• Not far behind came the Bullfinches, especially the males.  They too came to the feeders, enabling us to get superb close up views.
• From the Tower Hide we had close up views of Lesser Redpoll, Marsh Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Chaffinch. 
• On the boardwalk trail we saw a small flock of Siskin at the top of the tall trees.
• I saw my first Goldcrest of the year in the ivy around one of the trees just to the side of the boardwalk.

The birds were terrific but I'm afraid they were eclipsed by the 4 Otters that were seen swimming across the water in front of the Whitley Hide.

 

 

 

Manea

Cambridgeshire

 

Our final venue was Manea in Cambridgeshire where we tried to find Cranes.  On the way up we tried several venues but we were unsuccessful.  This time we were more confident because a large group had been seen here yesterday.

 

Despite our best efforts for over an hour we were again unsuccessful. - it was too windy we believe and the Cranes had moved to a more sheltered site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great trip with over 110 species seen.  Thanks to Bob J and the rest of the group for their camaraderie and shared interest.