Wild Goose Chase

 Saturday January 31

I've always tried to see all the winter geese in January, a solid start to the year's birding. As suspected, Taiga Bean Geese no longer fly across the channel to the Yare Valley, their numbers have been diminishing for years. When I first moved to Norfolk, in 1974, a flock of over two hundred spent their winters here. Luckily, a random bird had attached itslf to a flock of Pinks and Barnacles, spending a few days at Wells North Point pools. We were still missing Tundra Bean Goose. At least four birds had been reported with a Pinks flock off Stone Lane. Buckenham. Pam found the flock - I couldn't even see them - at the far end of an enormous field. In addition, there was nowhere to park and scope. We moved on to Buckenham Marsh. 

Now that the level crossing is no longer gated and manned, many more people seem to have found their way down here. Still not in  big numbers though, it's an open and shelterless place where the wind really cuts through one. There were thousands of birds on the marsh, mostly distant of course, Much safer.  Over a thousand Lapwing, many more Wigeon, groups of Greylag, Pinkfeet and Canada Geese, Starlings and corvids feeding amongst them. Tufts of sedge and rough grass, dykes and ground undulations mean a now you see them, now you don't scan. I found two Ruff. also managing to get Pam on to them, she was only using bins. The biggest surprise was a new bird for the site, three Cranes, feeding way over near Cantley Beet Factory. Perched Buzzards, a hunting Marsh Harrier and four flighty Pipits, probably all Meadow Pipits, although Water Pipits are regular here. Chinese Water Deer made it into double figures, difficult to make an accurate count as they keep disappearing.

 Winterton Beach was the next destination. Pam paid the one hour's parking fee - now £2 since the seals became well known. It was £1 for years, and we drove up to he north end of the car park, as is usual. No sooner had we parked than a cloud of small birds flew up from the beach and landed on the roof of one of the fishermen's sheds. Snow Buntings. About 55. I quickly raised my camera and got the dreaded 'change your battery' message. Even worse my fail/safe routine failed. I always have a charged spare in the car - not today. Not happy ! The birds only stayed a few minutes, as four long lenses were strategically placed, preventing  them coming down to feed. The birders would have got good photos though.

Pam's photos

 

Four year ticks and then a Long-tailed Tit on the feeders at home (thanks Pam), brought  my January and 2026 list to over a hundred. Well short of the number seen in previous mobile years, but satisfying for us now.