North Suffolk

Myself and Craig started out at a snow covered Covehithe, hopping the fresh snowfall may have forced a few more birds on to Benacre broad. A flock of geese was scrutinised and amongst the commoner Brents and Greylags, 2 White-fronts and a family group of Pale-bellied Brents were found. A lone grey goose came in off but was lost to few before we could get much on it but lack of pale panels in the wing eliminated Greylag and going on size we sided with Bean Goose. The woods around the broad played host to a mixed thrush flock, with good numbers of Song Thrush amongst the Redwings, a definite influx of Song Thrushes has occurred with the snow. The broad itself held little as it was 90% frozen but 5 Goldeneye were picked out in a ice free area.

We next headed to Lowestoft insearch of the Iceland Gull but after searching Hamilton Dock gave up and went to Leathes Ham, only to find it roosting on the ice. The light was teriible so apologies for the rubbish snaps. Also present were a couple of ringed gulls which I am waiting the return of their details, a female Smew, and a Gadwall x Wigeon hybrid and a Tufted Duck x Ferruginous Duck hybrid.

Iceland Gull

Smew

Tufted Duck x Ferruginous Duck hybrid

Wigeon x Gadwall hybrid.

Next stop Minsmere hoping for views of the Glaucous Gull but it had departed before we arrived. South scrape did produce 7 redhead Smew, and the drake Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid. 3 Water Rails were seen running around on the ice between south and west hide and south belts, like Benacre held good numbers of Redwing, Song thrush and Blackbird. The drive out produced 2 Woodcock, both of which proved to be camera shy.

Redwing