Rainham Refuse Tip, London, 15 January 2011

Well, what to say? 6 hours stood with 800+ other birders on a muddy bank with thorn bushes for close company staring through a chain link fence at gulls on a smelly rubbish tip - and no sign all day of the near adult Slaty-backed Gull! Still, a good craic with Jus, Andy and Chris B and both Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged Gull on the yearlist.
The poster in the toilets advertising the RSPB's Gull id workshop today did make me chuckle!
I have a sneaking feeling this gull might yet turn up again...

Cantley and Buckenham Marshes, Norfolk, 6 January 2011

A long and muddy trudge along the riverbank from the fisherman's carpark at Buckenham and I eventually reached the geese flock on Cantley Marshes. The flock today was a total mixture of Taiga Bean (c130) and White-fronted Geese (c250) and after some 45 minutes of searching back and forth the adult Lesser White-fronted Goose was finally picked out. Also in the area were 2 Peregrines on the same gateposts on Buckenham Marshes, c20 feral Barnacle Geese, c150 Black-tailed Godwits, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit and Cetti's Warbler.
No photos though - everything far too distant to even bother trying!

Waxwings, Norwich, 5 January 2011

Up to 30 Waxwings showing well in Lower Clarence Road, Norwich this afternoon. Frequenting the same apple tree that held just a single bird last winter. Bumped into Jus there who was 'convalescing' from a throat infection! 




Black-tailed Godwit, Thornham, Norfolk, 3 January 2011

A confiding Black-tailed Godwit in a ditch at Thornham whilst waiting for the Northern Harrier (that decided not to show!)

Waxwings, Fressingfield, Suffolk, 31 December 2010

17 Waxwings around the Medical Centre in Fressingfield brightening up an awful grey and drizzly New Years Eve.

Mediterranean Gulls, Great Yarmouth, 30 December 2010




The Med Gulls at Yarmouth enjoyed the bread that was left over from the Iceland Gull...

Iceland Gull, Ness Point, Lowestoft, 30 December 2010

After failing to see this little beauty at Hamilton Dock it then flew past me at Ness Point while I was sat in the car. It was quickly encouraged back with a loaf of bread!