North Dene's

A short sea watch in late afternoon brought in several GANNETS which with the CORMORANT population where feeding off North Holme. (Local sand bank north of Lowestoft). It seems that everything was feeding on surface fish but gannets where finding it difficult to pick things up. I had one really close in RED-THROATED-DIVER amongest  8 others. CROWS where giving it the big one today amongest themselves, obviously sorting out pair differences. GREENFINCH along Corton Road with LINNET 3. WREN and DUNNOCK also in appearance as where the ROBINS. Becoming very vocal at the moment. In the Garden today a single SPARROW HAWK who made an attack on a WOOD PIGEON and missed.

Oulton Marsh

This morning woke up to find a CHIFFCHAFF in the Buddleia  bush at the bottom of the garden. Stayed around all day flitting between bushes. Spring why not. Went with Jonathan to Oulton Marsh  best bird was a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Also TREEECREEPER and the good report side was the amount of GREAT TIT in appearance. Finished up the day at Gorleston sea front with 270 CORMORANT flying in to roost.

Burgh Castle

A quick shot over to Burgh Castle in the hope of picking up with Glossy Ibis. No such luck but a good stint of birds. A well off view of SNOW GOOSE feeding with a large flock of PINK-FOOTED-GEESE and two SHORT-EARED OWLS. I also gained a good view of a female MERLIN which with a MARSH HARRIER put everything in the air. Among these where some BRENT GEESE dark bellied. AVOCET, SHELLDUCK CURLEW B-T-GODWIT, WIGEON,TEAL, REDSHANK, DUNLIN, G-C-GREBE. 
It was also good to see the signs of spring with my first BUMBALBEE feeding on crocuses in the church yard. Also some yellow ACONITES flowering well under the trees, look so bright as yellow flowers after such a long winter. First signs of spring with  18 degree.

Lowestoft

Unable to get about much bur when passing by the silo via Denmark Road the PEREGRINE FALCON was on his normal perch. Seemed to be resting low so had obviously fed at some point.

Waveny Forest

Walk through the wood to take view off Hadiscoe Island. While walking through the wood a BUZZARD flew within fifty feet over our heads. Plenty of small stuff around but as usual much of it out of view in the tops of the trees. MARSH HARRIER female quartering far reed bed of river. COAL TITS and L.T.TITS plus the usual stuff. Other than that just a GOLDCREST seeking close shelter.

Herringfleet Hills

Walk round this area was interesting for what it did not throw up rather than for what we saw. Again where have all the small birds gone as this area is often alive with small tits. At least it was sheltered from what wind was about so making it a more comfortable exercise. A JAY kept up his annoying call with the occasional view, but it was not till we actually got down onto the marsh that we began to pick stuff up. The first was an obliging KINGFISHER who was acting rather strange. It became obvious why, as most of the dyke's where frozen. He was flitting alongside the bank of the dyke and feeding from the ground. Whatever he was interested in kept him amused and a photo opportunity inssued. GREY HERON, TEAL, MALLARD, CORMORANT, MEADOW PIPIT, STARLING and L.T.TIT. While walking back to the car we flushed a single WOODCOCK and CHAFFINCH. On reaching the car a WREN was feeding under the pine and a SONG THRUSH put in a brief appearance.

At home today I had a flyby WOODCOCK, must have just come off the sea.

I have also posted Jonathan's photo from Sunday morning near to the back of Benacre.

Leathes Ham, Lowestoft.

Well the sun shone today and I crept out of my cave for a short time. I would not say it was warm, but at least it was convenient. I had read on Twitter that female SMEW was swimming around, and sure enough it was not that to difficult to pick up, especially when it flew right by me. Also GADWALL, WIGEON, MALLARD, SHOVELER, POCHARD, TUFTED DUCK and some really nice PINTAIL.