Ness Point

 The truth of all birding is that at times that birds will be seen that go unidentified, we go with a shake of the head and we go to learn another day. Or we hope we do as we go on annoyingly frustrated as ever. The main element of ID failure is the limitations that you have to endure. Ie the length of the viewing time, the conditions at the time all limit a conclusion. I must say that on this brief encounter limitations where set well against me.

The facts are that the two birds where past me before I was able to catch site of them. Added to this the birds where flying North which was opposite to all other sightings. Add to this rain and buffeting wind and you can understand the limitations.

So let's tidy things up and what did I see. I like to go with first impression and imediatly what sprung to mind was LEACHES STORM PETREL. But what threw me was that both birds where very dark brown nigh on black with no white visible either above rump or underside of the same. It real terms they were the size of a blackbird with out being dumpy and of slimmer appearance not being so thick set. Flew nothing like a little auk and no confusion. Wing shape definitive being narrow long and carpal joint defined with swing back. The wing however had no grey v across on either bird. Legs seemed to hang as in SP but, with haphazard flight about two meters above water. Fluttering as much as flying not dissimilar to a swallow but larger.

On arrival at home I turned to "Flight Identification of European Sea Birds" Of real interest was the birds "jizz" which explains the birds flight  as drunk, which fits like a glove with LEACHES STORM PETREL

Marsh Lane and Mutford

 My early yearly walk along the lane and onto the marsh. Three BUZZARD and two SNIPE put in an appearance. Also the sound of a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER drumming through the wood. A SONG THRUSH was singing well on the golf course. CHAFFINCH and s really good number of GREAT TIT.

Mutford:  Took a ride through the lanes for my usual catch up with REDWING 20+ and FIELDFARE 20+ also good to come across six YELLOWHAMMER hanging around with GREENFINCH and CHAFFINCH. But to see two MISTLE THRUSH was a surprise.

Pathways and Gullivers site

 Call in again brought another GADWALL record with a 179 birds and our first COOT call in for the year. It won't stay long but just good to have on site. WIGEON and MALLARD as well. 

At Gulliver a single BLACK REDSTART put on a show but difficult to photograph through chicken wire. In association was a BLACKBIRD and a SONG THRUSH which was in the distinctive plumage showing the black single feather on wing, on flight feather. Over Police station a SPARROWHAWK was being harried by gulls.

Pathways

 First call in for the year, with a large flock of GADWALL at least 150 birds some soon flew when I opened up the flaps to the hide. But over 60 birds stayed. Also two WIGEON and a pair of LITTLE GREBE. A COMMONBUZZAED sat in the tree opposite and another bird flew through. Other than that its winter.

Ness Point.

 A cold but bright day with a walk along the Ness, just good to be out and catch up with PURPLE SANDPIPER. Only two viewable but over 50 TURNSTONE feeding well was good thing to see. Other than that added a JAY to my list as it flew over the A12  to Bellevue Park.

 

Leathe's Ham, Links Hill.

 Set out again to locate the SIB CHIFFCHAFF at Leathe's Ham. On arrival picked it up very quickly in fact turned out to be two birds flitting about. They where obviously well aware of each other but very flighty and on the move continually. Seemed to be feeding well with the occasional fly out to catch airborne midges.

Links Hill:  Three MEDITERRANEAN GULLS  with one on groynes also 7 CORMORANT flying through. 

Start of New Year 2022

 Finished off the year with fantastic car side view of RED KITE out at Ashb'y Dell. Long flight view as it flew alongside the car for over a mile. So we start again and who can tell what a year will bring. In fact as we begin this year at least there is some more positivity about it. Many had a jab and another and another. If in our world or is that His we are about to engage with what and who can tell. I just feel for the youth of today, in our youth it was the fear of mass destruction from a nuclear holocaust, but now from unseen, unclear enemy of destruction. According to many we have just got tp live with it, hopefully we do.

Went to Leathe's Ham for an hours walk with best being two male POCHARD nice bird for round here, as we never have many. With many duck showing all in good fetal. MALLARD, GADWALL, PINTAIL, SHOVELOR, TUFTED DUCK and also a view from the Wherry Inn. With a far flying MARSH HARRIER being the best.