And bring on January 2021

January 2021 started with a local Waxwing....... high hopes for an irruption of birds this winter when food shortages and population increases where they breed in Scandinavia and Russia trigger large movements to the UK. But today no such "ear-full" or "museums" (collective terms) just this single bird. You can see in the picture the red tip to one of the wing feathers looking like sealing wax, which gives the birds their name.

Here making short work of some hip berries in the hedge. Apparently they prefer red berries to orange berries if given the choice.

Pink-footed Geese were abundant in the fields around Bircham..... the sound of these geese in their skeins flying over local fields really is one of the best things about living in North Norfolk...

My daily duties of the "work run" to drop off and pick up Tom in Thornham allowed me legitimately to have a walk at Thornham Harbour and this had become a regular activity for me during this third lockdown. I had a go at Gulls for a change after seeing this Common Gull at Titchwell which was feeding on cockles...

Lots of gull species now seem to be using the high up drop technique for opening their food. The Black-headed Gull however is more of a picker at discarded food

while the bruiser of a Herring Gull simply belts the bivalves with it's heavy duty bill

At Brancaster Harbour the local gulls have come to feast on discarded mussels, of which there are a plenty from people getting their snacks from the mussel pod at the harbour and then throwing away the shells which contain some juicy leftovers.

And being Thornham I have to return to one of my favourite obsessions. Twite ... they breed on the moorlands of the Scottish Highlands, northern England and north Wales. In winter however we are lucky to see them move to the coast of East England and in particular Norfolk. Undoubtably some will be continental birds having also moved south.

They favour perching places and often on the boats.

and if you ever find yourself playing scrabble Twite is a recognised word.

The other similar passerine to be seen with or near the Twite at Thornham is the Rock Pipit. It also has the habit of perching on boats and drinking from the bilges.

The Rock Pipits here on the east coast are from the Scandinavian race (littorals) which are slightly different to the ones I've seen in Devon. They are slightly more browny and less olive that the south-west birds and have a strong (sometimes) and very pale supercilium. When seen head on the whiter throat is more obvious and they have clearer streaking to the flanks compared to a messier look in the west. Finally and this needs close up observations the outer tail feather no 6 is paler and goes whitish towards the tip - those who really know often sight this as one of the most reliable ways of separating the two races.

Some of my work runs have involved Tom starting work at 7.30am which has given me the chance to have some early mornings at the harbour. The Little Egrets are more approachable then prior to general disturbance at the harbour from walkers.

The saltmarsh by the harbour car park often hosts some confiding birds. This Brent Goose was happily feeding in the marsh and allowed me a close approach.

Our car journey from Bircham to Thornham also allows for some spotting and the roadside hedges are great hunting areas for Kestrels. With a bit of slow creeping in the car this month I found it possible to get close enough to them for some pictures. Previously they have always moved on when I get anywhere near them.

So intent on listening for prey this male Kestrel was unperturbed by my presence.

The last days of the month allowed for a bit more snail walking at Titchwell (see December below for description) and here a group of resting Knot - a tangle maybe ?

The final few days of December 2020

The last part of December saw me concentrating on more waders, Twite of course, Little Egrets and our near local Cattle Egrets. Titchwell RSPB continues to give good photo opportunities especially if you don't mind getting a bit wet as the tide comes in and pushes the waders closer to you. But first this Little Egret fishing at Thornham Harbour.

So waders from Titchwell beach. Approaching the flocks of waders as the tide approaches is the best way to get pictures but if you simply walk straight towards them they will fly off to another part of the beach. Oli and I have developed what we call "the snail walk' which involved slowly shuffling forward on our knees before then lying down on the sand, the tide pushes the birds towards us and as the wet sand seeps through your clothing you are rewarded with a close up shots as the birds shuffle towards you - it's been quite a lot of fun.............

Knee pads help - below the distinctive snail trail

Here is the result of a completed "snail walk" the "lie down" and then the "wet wait"

As the birds approach they take little notice of what must look like a couple of seals on the beach...................one pictured above

Below a few shots of Bar-tailed Godwits

A probing Knot

By the visitor centre at Titchwell there were some 30 plus Brambling feeding along the path but very jumpy and always in the shade. Sadly no Bramblings at home in the garden- though I do know they are visiting another garden in the village......