Glossy Ibis Russell Sherriff

Bowers Marsh Friday 8th Nov

Glossy Ibis Russell Sherriff

Bowers Marsh

Russell and I decided to take a look at Bowers Marsh despite the terrible weather,  plus side,  there was nobody else there, sensible people.   On arriving at the carpark after a bumpy ride we saw the farm with the cattle feeding inside,  and the pleasant farmer,  who gave us some advice on where to go.   With the Farmer the farm and the misty landscape I thought of Lakenheath.   We soon found the Corn Buntings along the (Lane) and eventually the large scrapes with some good areas of Phragmites which produced 7 Bearded tits, 5 Cetti's Warblers and some Water Rails.   At the same place on the left is a large plantation of small willows,  with a ditch between them and the path,  it was here we saw around 6 Stonechats all together.   We carried on walking the path until eventually arriving back at the carpark, about 3 miles,wet!   Other birds seen Redwing, Fieldfare, Snipe, Woodpeckers, Little Egrets, Heron, Finch flocks.   It's going to be a great place.  There must be before long,  Leo's,  Bittern, small  migrants ie;  Whinchat,  Wheatear and the such like.

Well it is my first Bearded for Bowers.

Hawfinches, Bramblings, Two-Barred Crossbills, Norfolk.

Stayed a week at my daughters in Downham Market and managed a few days out birding in the area.   I only went to two places,  Lynford Arboretum and Santon Downham,  both places were very active.   At the Aboretum the Crossbills are still showing well with a few Two-Barred amongst them,  the bonus was Hawfinches suddenly appeared in the same area, not at the paddock but round the walled garden opposite the larches and shed,  seems that they often feed in that area,  one was feeding on holly berries,  beautiful birds!     The Crossbills while I was there stayed at the tops so photo's were difficult but that didn't matter.   Plenty of other birds here as well.       At Santon Downham the Beech Mast is Terrific this year and I found the Bramblings almost numbered the Chaffies even at this early stage.   Plenty of other birds here also.

Hawfinch, Lynford Aboretum

Same tree, different bird. Juv?

This one was eating the berries

Santon Downham.

Lovely Grub!

Two-Barred Crossbill

Not this one though.

Plenty of these about.

what storm?

I'm in Norfolk for a week,  and nothing happened on the storm front,  I hope I don't sound disappointed,  i'm not,  but it just didn't happen.   We had a heavy downfall about 11am monday and a little wind  but that was it,  however,  I did go to Lynford Aboretum in the afternoon and there was half a tree down near the carpark.   Anyway, I stayed there watching the Larches behind the volunteers shed and sure enough the Crossbills turned up,  about 20 of them,  and there was some barred amongst them.   Other birds I saw there were,  Siskins, the usual Tits including Marsh and Coal,  and lots of noise from the Nuthatches.   On to Santon Downham for an hour to notice that there were a number of Bramblings and Redwings feeding around.    Can't do much today as Bonnie and Claire have gone for one of their last christmas presents,  a day at a Spa  (not the food shop) in Kings Lynn,  while I look after the kids, (it's Quieter).    But I shall be out tomorrow,  (somewhere).

Cudmore Grove

A morning at Cudmore Grove,  always an animated place as it was this time,  weather was a bit unpredictable and strangely warm.  There were loads of wildfowl and some waders on the fields and scrapes,  nice to watch.   On the sea  the tide was well out so the big flocks were way off,  we could see large flocks of Avocets,  Golden Plover and other waders in the distance but we couldn't hang around.   Shall return!

Parrot Crossbills

Wasn't a bright day but better than was forcast and Gunners park didn't disappoint.  Russ and I arrived at 8.30am and caught them straight away.  Wonderful day!  We also had Ring Ouzel, Yellow-Browed Warbler,  Yellow Wags and everything else that turned up.   Many birders we knew turned up also,

Southend pier and West Canvey marsh

The end of the pier show didn't perform today,  very quiet,  except for a couple of Little Gulls, a lone Sandwich Tern and the usual bevy of Meds.  A few Swallows went through from time to time and a pair of Porpoises did show very well with the incoming tide,   a seal had a meal, showing a dab hand at catching Dabs.      West Canvey marsh on the other hand did have a large flock of wildfowl,  Teal, Widgeon, and Shoveler,   with an assortment of waders scattered round the edge,  12 Black-Tailed Godwits, 7 Snipe, 5 Green Sandpipers and here again a few Swallows.

Med Gull

Little Gull

Flounder

Black- Tailed Godwit