Our day started at 5.45am my very first bird personally was a Redwing at about 12.05am , however 2nd and third where Robin and Tawny Owl (H/O). I wasn't particularly surprised by Tawny Owl as I've been hearing one from my window for the last 2 nights, no complaints though! We soon got on the bus heading towards the train station picking up Herring Gull, Pigeon & Blackbird. Once we boarded the train we, where on red alert hoping to add more species to the list before we were due to arrive at Gt Yarmouth, nothing particularly special but Heron, Starling, Little Egret, Mallard, Canada Goose, Collard Dove, Woodpigeon, Black-Headed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Crow & Jackdaw. Once we arrived at Gt Yarmouth I suggested heading immediately to the cemetery to pick up a few of the easier species I had couple of hopeful species in mind too. Almost immediately we found a tit flock which held Lotti, Great, Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Chiffchaff. We also saw; Song Thrush, Magpie, Jay, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin & Lesser BBG.
A rather good selection in the cemetery, I've yet to have a bad day in there, always at least something notable in there! Anywhere time was of the essence so we moved on to the beach hoping for some sea birds, however the highlight bird(s) where 8 Shorelark! Shortly after finding these birds 3 small finch type birds where flying north, at first I was unfamiliar with the call I first thought siskin, then brambling then redpoll it then hit me. TWITE! A lifer and more another bird for the day, we also added; Skylark, Common Gull, Great BBG, Gannet, Cormorant & Linnet.
Next stop Winterton, on arrival we learned that we had literally just missed a little auk... Damn, that'd of been nice but the 20+ flock of Snow Bunting and a really late House Martin. Other birds include; Pheasant, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Green, Great Spot Woodpecker & Lesser Redpoll. We also had a few fairly note worthy birds which I wasn't exactly expecting to see firstly a Woodcock which took flight from the dunes only a few yards in front of us, it seemingly dropped down ahead but despite looking we couldn't find it again. The other bird was a Yellowhammer not a huge surprise as Winterton isn't far from farm land but the first I'd seen here personally.
Our final stop of the day was to Breydon Water the weather wasn't particularly brilliant but some fantastic bird views more than made up for a brilliant end of days birding. We managed to see at least 10 Med gull, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Lapwing, Knot, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Curlew, Sanderling, Redshank, Shovelar, Teal & Wigeon. The final spectacle of the setting sun was a brilliant swirling mass of Golden Plover in the foreground and an even larger massing of Pink Feets in the background. We watched them swirling around for about 5 minutes before they eventually settled down, the golden sun reflecting of the flocks back giving off a wonderful golden shimmer from the flock. A rather breath taking view.
In total we recorded 71 which isn't bad considering we only visited 3 sites really and mostly all done via public transport. I tried to include all the species in the report but I've no doubt missed something.
Until next time.
Brilliant :)
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