Second Try

 Wednesday January 17

We made it to Winterton today for very little reward. There was still a good smattering of snow from Sea Palling onwards, still too cold to dissipate it. Pam remarked on the lack of birds, no Pinks at all, no raptors, only a few gulls and pigeons.

Winterton beach car park was open and the kiosk closed, free entry. Again, apart from a few gulls, including our first Common Gulls, the sea was empty.

The Broads village of Thurne was the next target. We didn't find any Cranes but did find a female Marsh Harrier sat in a field. Even further away was a Buzzard zealously guarding dead prey. From the fluff around it looked like Rabbit. 

 



Carrion Crows were attempting to join in the feast. One was successful.

 



Two Mute Swans in the boat dock. We drove to St Benets.

 


Plenty of room in the car park when we arrived, soon followed in by seven other cars. All of them parked and their passengers set off along the riverbank, silhouetted agains a leaden grey sky. It must have been a party, they might have shared cars.

Shortly after we arrived, a Short-eared Owl flew from behind the car park, around in front of us and away behind the farm buildings. Lovely to see, not enough time to lift my camera let alone take a photo. In the almost two hours we stayed, we saw a small flock of Golden Plovers, a male Marsh Harrier sporting an orange wing tag, a local bird I believe, sixteen Cormorants flying to roost and a Fieldfare. Two Chinese Water Deer to add to the year's mammal list.

It's been a tiring few days for Pam but enjoyable nonetheless.



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