A couple of days birding into Norfolk, first port of call on the way down was to Willow Tree Fen, this year it was open, so I drove onto the viewing platform and parked up, time 9:30am, the weather was cloudy and very windy. On getting my gear together, one of the volunteers came over and asked if I was there to see the Cranes, of which I was of cause, with his help I managed to see five birds in total, with two fairly close to the viewing platform, he also pointed out a Great White Egret which was at a distance, and Marsh Harriers. Other birds about were plenty of Teal, with Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Shovelers, a few Greylag Geese, a distinctive call from behind me draw my attention to some nearby trees, where a small flock of Fieldfare were hanging out. Back on the reserve a pair of Oystercatcher had come in, along with a pair of Pied Wagtails.
Bird List : Black headed Gull, Collard Dove, Cormorant, Crane, Fieldfare, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Red legged Partridge, Shoveler, Starlin, Stock Dove, Teal, Woodpigeon (21)
After the great views of the Cranes I moved onto RSPB Frampton Marsh, which was about thirty mins away. I arrived at about 11:30am and had dinner before moving onto the reserve, however from the car park, in the close by field, were lots of Wigeon, a few Redshank, Gadwall, Shelduck and Ruff.
Moving onto the reserve then, it seemed the wind was getting stronger, no hope on small stuff the. Called in to the new visitor Centre, toilets stop, but from here I could see a few Great Crested Grebes, lots of Greylag Geese, Cormorants, Little Egrets, with a fair amount of Pochard. I then walked on down to the Reedbed Hide where very little was happening, but managed to see Spoonbill, and a couple of Grey Herons. Moving on then, I placed myself behind one of the screens close to the reeedbed hide, to keep out of the wind so I could view over the 360° hide fields. So out of the wind I could view Brent Geese, Avocets, Ruffs, Lapwings, Black headed Gulls, and Shovelers, without being thrown around.
Finally within the 360° hide I picked up on some Dunlins, Redshanks, and a party of five Ringed Plovers. After the 360° hide I had a hour down at the wash on the banking overlooking the Marsh, no raptors seen, not in this wind, but I saw Meadow Pipits, a few more Redshanks, a Little Egret, Black headed Gulls, and Brent Geese.
On the walk back down to the car park, more Ruff, a large flock of Dunlin, a pair of Blue Tit, a few Linnets and some Black tailed Godwits.
Bird List :- Avocet, Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Great Black backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Linnet, Little Egret, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen , Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pochard, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Shelduck, Skylark, Spoonbill, Starling, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Wren (40)
Huddsbirder 