The new birding year started as it does more often than not in Norfolk. On route, a Barn Owl was seen perched on a fence post and a brief stop at Hunstanton added Fulmar and Black-headed Gull. We spent the morning at Titchwell where we enjoyed good views of Spotted Redshank and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers on the Tidal Pool. At the beach, we found Knot, Sanderling, Turnstone, Dunlin, and Black-tailed Godwit before adding a single Red-throated Diver, and a large raft of Common Scoter to the year list.
At Brancaster, we found a Red-throated Diver close by in the bay and also added Bar-tailed Godwit before moving on to Burnham Market where we added Cattle Egret to the day total when four were seen within a horse paddock.
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| Horse paddock with four Cattle Egret |
Stiffkey was our next destination, after parking in the Red Lion Pub car park we quickly found the Glossy Ibis feeding among a flock of Wigeon in the far corner of the flooded field.
As we headed back along the A149 towards Kings Lynn we managed to locate the Black-throated Diver on Hardwick Flood Lagoon.
The Nene Washes at Eldernell was to be our final destination of the day, and with the light fading we managed to see four species of owl (Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, and Barn Owl) as well as three Cranes and four Great White Egret. As we stood in the car park we were treated to a fantastic Starling murmuration. An amazing sight to bring the first days birding of the new year to a close.
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| Barn Owl seen along the entrance track to the Nene washes |
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