Oval. North Denes.

 Local birder posted that FIELDFARE and REDWING are back on the Oval. So a ride up and no sign. Gave it a few minuets and they flew in. Ten fieldfare and two REDWING a few BLACK HEADED GULLS and HERRING GULLS.

Pathways and Links Hill.

 Pathways: Much the same with a brief than brief KINGFISHER, also numbers of WIGEON holding up but not the same for GADWALL. MUTE SWAN on the lake so they must have returned.

Links Hill: Just one MEDITERANIAN GULL and but plenty of HERRING GULL and a smattering of BLACK HEADED GULL. CARRION  CROWS as usual but the sad was a struggling herring gull. Obviously intent on cleaning itself, which I would think will lead to its demise. The front of the bird is obviously coated with something of an oil nature which is so disconcerting. What we do to our wildlife is more than sad, its bad. Scraggy or what is all I can say.

Ness Point, Lowestoft.

 Thought it was about time I gave the Ness a look for this year. Especially as it is becoming more difficult to catch up with PURPLE SANDPIPER'S. I can remember a time not that long ago when 30 plus birds where in residence. Sadly this is not the case with only up to eight this year. Today I managed six only. But at least they are still there. With them five OYSTERCATCHER and about 14 TURNSTONE. Other than this sleepy lot.

South Wall Breydon,

 What a lovely day for the beginning of the year to go birding. So many birds what a joy. Treated to two BUZZARD and two Marsh Harrier and the best of the bunch was a SPARROWHAWK that having a winter wash in the very large puddle at the entrance to the far car park. See vid below when it shows. The list was at 29 for the site, but nothing out of the rea normal. But what a day, sun on my back with a heated gillet what more do you want. AVOCET, KNOTM GREY PLOVER, GOLDEN PLOVER, PINTAIL, SHOVELORE, WIGEON, TEAL, CURLEW, SHELLDUCK, CROW, GBBG, HERRING GULL, TURNSTONE, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, LONG TAILED TIT,

Pathways Care Farm

 First call in of the year brought in 19 species, Best because of what it is what the short view at 30 feet of a KIBGFISHER. It was also good to see a single TEAL but the real surprise was the adult LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL. Very early bird for the year, but all features confirm it's id. Picture below clearly demonstrates this. The count of GADWALL was low and WIGEON count was normal.

Carlton Marsh, Morning

 Good to catch up with birding friends on New Years day. We is all getting older, but as I said. "We are still here".

The bird list is not great when you consider years ago my list for the day was 101. Today 14. Best for me was the flyover LAPWING, still a good bird to see as was the quartering MARSH HARRIER.

SO HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.