Spent the morning cycling around the local area, found no new patch ticks but there were good numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings everywhere. In the afternoon I decided to go to Burgh Castle and look for raptors as there is a good roost nearby at Haddiscoe. En route a pair of Egyptian Geese shared a field with 80+ Skylarks and 7 Stock Doves. At Burgh Castle there were good numbers of ducks, including patch ticks Pochard (3 males), Pintail (1 male) and a pair of Gadwall. There were a few waders about, an Avocet, a Ruff, 8 Blackwits amongst the Redshanks. I finally made it up onto the Castle ruins that overlooks the Broads and scanned the area for a couple of hours. On the river a Little and Great Crested Grebe swam past, while in the fields over the river there were 70+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Canada Geese and 4 Pink-footed Geese.
At 3pm the first raptor appeared, a male Sparrowhawk, followed by Kestrels (5-6), Marsh Harriers (3), a Merlin and 2 Barn Owls. The reedbeds held 20+ Bearded Tits and 2 Water Rails. The last action of the day were 12 Woodcock flying into feed at dusk. A total of 11 patch ticks for the day leaves me on 84 for the year.
Fallow Deer (Albino?), near Browston Jan 17th
Egyptian Goose, Burgh Castle Jan 17th
Marsh Harrier, Burgh Castle Jan 17th
Windmill + 3 Pochard, Burgh Castle Jan 17th
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