Jan 3rd

After yesterdays washout, back out on the patch in better weather. Started at Hopton railtrack where a Stock Dove was noted with a small group of Woodpigeon, a good start. Inland of here c.20 Pink footed Geese were noted flying south from the roost towards feeding areas and 2 Mute Swan north were unusual for here. The stubble field here held 70+ Skylark and 4 Red-legged Partridge, its a shame the main MoD field was ploughed tho as im sure the Laps would still have been present. A Sparrowhawk was the first of the year. Next stop was Corton railtrack where I noted 2 Bullfinch, Siskin, Redpoll and a bonus Woodcock which flushed out from my feet in the plantation. Still no thrushes other than Blackbird noted however. Offshore from Corton benches 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake, 4 Wigeon and 30+ Common Scoter were present, the latter in 2 small rafts off the Hopton end, remnants of a larger flock present there last year, all appearing to be females. To add colour to the blog I include below 3 photos of birds on my patch when I had a DSLR camera. Ill try to get digiscoped images of anything decent this year, or borrow images from others (thanks Andrew Easton for the OBP posted earlier)

61 sp 69 pts to date