This morning we headed north into Cambridgeshire, arriving at Eldernell in Peterborough for first light. Before leaving the car park Brian spotted a group of four Cranes heading southeast. We headed west from the car park and walked along the grass bank finding a single Long-eared Owl roosting among the brambles. We watched it from the grass bank so as not to cause it any disturbance and then headed towards the small copse further along the track. A Tawny Owl had been seen earlier in the week and it wasn't long before we found it roosting in its favoured tree. I managed to add another couple of year ticks on the walk back with a single Green Woodpecker and a large flock of Fieldfare perched in a tree behind the copse.
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| Long-eared Owl |
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| Tawny Owl |
We met a few newly arrived birders and while chatting enjoyed fantastic views of a male Hen Harrier along with a Peregrine, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, and kestrel. A scan with the scope located another four Cranes on top of the distant bank. From the gate, at the car park, we added a Kingfisher to the year list.
We headed fifty miles northeast to Holkham Beach. We decided to give Holkham a miss on New Year's Day due to the huge amount of people present. Today as we drove along Lady Annes's Drive we stopped to ask a couple if they had seen any Grey Partridge, only to be told No, but we have just found a Long-billed Dowitcher! I've seen a few of these birds in previous years but this has to be the closest view I've ever enjoyed.
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| Long-billed Dowitcher |
As we reached The Lookout cafe, we found a small covey of six Grey Partridges in the adjoining field.
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| Grey Partridge |
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| Snow Buntings and Shore Larks |
Our last stop today was Warham Greens hoping to see the Pallid Harrier we failed to see on the 1st of January. Today we parked on the concrete pad at Warham Greens instead of at Stiffkey. When we reached the marsh we were greeted with a Great Egret, then several Marsh Harriers, and a ringtail Hen Harrier. soon we had our first views of the Pallid Harrier. It remained distant, flying low in and out of the longer vegetation in front of the pine trees. I enjoyed good scope views of two Merlins for another addition to the year list along with at least three Barn Owls as well as Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and Buzzard. As the light began to fade the small gathered crowd began to depart. We stuck it out and were rewarded with another view of the Pallid Harrier as it flew over our heads to roost out on the marsh.
A cracking day, watching some fantastic birds.
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