The year began pretty much as 2023 had ended, with rain and strong winds. I had little opportunity to go any distance bird watching, but managed to get away to the coast (RSPB Titchwell) on the 4th, where I was able to get my 2024 UK bird list rolling, with the star bird being a Spotted Redshank, feeding vigorously (as Spotted Redshanks do) on the far side of the tidal pool. Mergansers and Scoters were seen on the sea and I managed to get a sequence of photos of a Turnstone pulling out and eating a (lug?)worm from the sand whilst I walked along to Thornham Point. On the way back I popped in to a predictably flooded WWT Welney, stopping on the A1101 to see and photograph a mixed flock of Bewick's and Whooper Swans that were close to the road. At Welney I was able to add Tree Sparrow to my list, as well as a male Scaup that was paddling around with the many Pochards in front of the observatory, waiting to be fed in one of the swan feeds. It was almost dark by this time, but I managed to get one or two photos.
Turnstone (with Breakfast), RSPB Titchwell, 4 January
Bewick's Swans (with at least one Whooper Swan), near WWT Welney, 4 January
Male Scaup, WWT Welney, 4 January
With two species of diver still present at Staines Reservoirs, and one of my December images of Black-throated Diver 'gracing' the Birdguides pages, I decided to return on the afternoon of the 10th. Although the visit was somewhat spoilt by a strong wind blowing the fumes from aircraft taking off from the adjacent Heathrow Airport in my direction, I was rewarded with more close views of Black-throated Diver (two this time), again in the south-west corner of the north basin. A Great Northern Diver was also seen, as were two Black-necked Grebes on the south basin.
Black-throated Diver, Staines Reservoirs, 10 January
Black-necked Grebe, Staines Reservoirs, 10 January
My next trip of any distance was markedly less successful. A very rare American visitor (Northern Waterthrush) was found at the beginning of the month at Heybridge Basin, near Maldon in Essex. Although it was only being reported sporadically, I decided to take a look for this 'world lifer' on the 12th. Having arrived at the site (a small creek off the River Blackwater) I waited for over two hours in very cold weather for the bird to show, but without success (others had waited much longer). I decided to cut my losses and drive the short distance to Tollesbury, where a hunting Short-eared Owl was the highlight of a walk along the river. The Waterthrush showed briefly, 25 minutes after I had abandoned my vigil....
The following week saw generally quiet, sunny but very cold weather, ideal for winter bird watching. Most of my time was spent close to home, but I did venture out to spend an afternoon at Holkham and Wells on the 19th. The Shorelarks that had been seen at Holkham Gap in December had apparently moved on, but I did see Velvet Scoters intermingled with what I estimate were well over 1000 Common Scoters on the sea. I tried hard to find what would have been only my second UK Surf Scoter (an American species) here, but was unsuccessful. Some pipits were feeding on the saltmarsh at Holkham, but I was unable to determine which species they were from the images taken, which don't show the (colour of) the legs or some other key plumage features. One of the images is shown below - do you have any ideas? Moving on to Wells, I walked out alongside the saltmarsh to Warham Greens where I arrived just in time to see the wintering Pallid Harrier coming in to roost. I also saw at least two Woodcock (apparently they were being driven on to the saltmarsh to find food during the freezing weather) and a hunting Barn Owl as I walked back at dusk.
Pipit Species, Holkham Gap, 19 January
Other commitments and ill health (see the corresponding 'Local Sightings' post) prevented any more long distance trips in January, although I did drive up to Smithy Fen (near Cottenham, Cambs.) on the 31st, in the hope of seeing a White Stork that had been reported there. This bird wasn't showing, but I did see a Great Egret there and also had fun sorting through the gulls. I think that I saw seven species, although the Caspian Gull (1st winter) did not show well enough to convince me of its identity. The image below shows (I think) five species. What do you think?
A Variety of Gulls at Smithy Fen (Cambs.), 31 January
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