Having declared a lack of interest in the vagries of sub-specific goose identification it was ironic that my first trip out in 2020 had a distinct lean towards odd geese. Mark H picked me up at Stuntney Heights way before sunrise and we headed for a gloaming wander out across Titchwell Marsh. We stood on the seawall and tried our best to count the Marsh Harriers leaving the roost. We saw well over 50 and at points there were just shy of 30 over the reedbed, a great sight. A couple of males were mewing and drawing attention to their spectacular skydancing. I guess with so many potential mates there may be an advantage to staking a territorial claim very early in the season. The sun didn't exactly rise but it got lighter and we headed down to the beach where a couple of Long-tailed Ducks had Goldeneye, Mergansers and Grebes for company. We pottered back enjoying the waders and wildfowl. Our route from here on was a bit of a shopping list of the scarce and unusual along the coast. First stop a goose field at Fring where a Grey-bellied Brant had joined the Pink-feet. A distinctive bird of this debated sub-species, much easier to locate in the 1000's of grey geese than the lone White-front and couple of Tundra Bean Geese that we conjured out of the flock.
After goosing about we had a second look at the Eastern Yellow Wagtail which we located by it's distinctive call in flight and then it landed very close to us giving great views and allowing for full appreciation before we headed to Thornham where a small flock of Twite eventually gave themselves up and a silvery Spotted Redshank was roosting in the creek.
Along the coast road we stopped and saw 7 Cattle Egrets wing in and dissappear onto Holkham Freshmarsh, where a snake-necked Great White Egret stood sentinal. Down at Lady Annes Drive we enjoyed more discussion about the Brents with 2 a piece of pale-bellied and Brant x Dark-bellied Brent hybrids in the flock. In the distance we could see the Rough-legged Buzzard atop a bush and a covey of Grey Partridge were watched over by a handsome male. We took our leave and went bunting hunting, enjoying a 80 strong flock of Snow Bunting. Frustratingly we failed to find the Shorelarks between bouts of watching the sea duck which centred around a large gathering of several thousand Scoter, including the inevitable presence of a couple of Velvets.
We had some closer views of the Rough-leg at Wells before finishing the day with the Harrier roost at Warham where 2 males and a ringtail joined the Marshies. A fine end to a jam-packed day out. The previous day I'd enjoyed the Wicken harrier roost and the same ratio of Hen Harrier had roosted there. The ringtail put on a particularly enjoyable flypast.
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