A Friday to myself so I decided to head for the Ludham area initially for a goose chase.
Taiga Bean Geese have been dwindling in numbers in the Yare Valley for years and this was the first winter they failed to arrive at all. Hence my keenness to see a group of 12 that have turned up in the Ludham/St Benet's Abbey area. Parking by Ludham Bridge I walked along the river bank towards the abbey and quickly found the flock, associating with Greylags abour 2/3 of the way along. They were also much closer than was typical in the Yare Valley which was an added bonus. With the regular birds always leaving our shores in about mid-January it was also nice to see some in the 3rd week of February. 31 Bewick's Swans nearby were also good to see.
Next I headed through the lanes to Buckenham Wood where I had directions to a fungus I wanted to see. It didn't take me long to find the 2 Hazel trees as they are obvious at this time of year with their catkins. And on the trees was my fungus - Spring Hazelcup. Nearby was also Blushing Bracket
Buckenham marshes was nearby so I called in there. Parking at the fisherman's carpark I walked to the mill and beyond for little reward. A group of c25 White-fronted Geese didn't hold the recent Tundra Bean Goose but the the spectacle of thousands of Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Wigeon, Teal etc on the marsh was something else. c600 Pink-footed Geese were on the opposite side of the river and 2 Chinese Water Deer beside the entrance track near the station. Back along the lane towards the level crossing were a number of Fieldfares and Redwings in the paddocks including a very dark Redwing which sadly didn't look quite right for an Icelandic bird.
In Brundall as I headed for home I noticed the Abraham-Isaac-Jacob was in full flower with Lungwort and my first Lesser Celandine flower of the year there too.
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