Catch Up- Cambs, Norfolk and Dusky Thrush...

After then end of my first term at university I spent a few days in Cambridgeshire birding with Calum. Our first start was to Paxton Pits where after a good look of the area, we finally picked out the female Ring-necked Duck, albeit quite distant, with a small group of Tufted Ducks. A while later I picked out the *Great White Egret* on the adjacent pit.

The next day was spent on the north Norfolk coast, starting at Titchwell and finishing at Cley. Titchwell got off to a great start with a smart female Brambling on the feeders (surprisingly on the second I've ever seen). Other birds on the reserve including a textbook adult Yellow-legged Gull and 3 Spotted Redshanks. The sea, our main target was full of birds, in a hour seawatch we had 39 Long-tailed Ducks, 8 Velvet Scoters, 3 Scaup, 40+ Goldeneye, about 300 Common Scoter, 2 RT Divers and 25 GC Grebes. Next to Holkham Gap, with our target being the flock of *Shore Larks* that had been frequenting the location regularly so far this winter. Walking the the marsh, it wasn't until the far east end that we finally put up a flock. They settle a short distant away and soon had great views of the these stunning birds on the deck. We counted 25 in all, but they were quite unsettle never sat for long. They eventually flew further east and out of view. Walking back another group flew in from the west and settle in front of us. We counted about another 20, making 45(!) in total. By now a group of 10 Brent Geese were feeding in the marsh. One stood out and was very black with white flank patches and a very thick white neck collar...it was a Black Brant, bonus! Finally at Cley hoping for the gull roost that unfortunately never really happened. The highlights here were a large gathering of Ruff and very close views of a Water Rail.

Brambling

Shore Larks

Black Brant with Dark-bellies

Dusky Thrush twitch: We didn't leave particularly early so after a two hour drive we arrived at Beeley shortly after 1pm. Then the anxious wait started. After ten minutes of no sign someone pointed it our flying over head, We got onto it, but only very briefly, and I didn't even see it through bins! That would not do, we'd have to see it better. Worryingly, there was no sign of it for over two hours, but eventually,  much to everyone's relief, it returned to the orchard and after a mad dash over, we had some great views of the very rare and very smart DUSKY THRUSH. Photography was difficult in the poor light so only managed a few record shots that don't really do the bid much justice.

DUSKY THRUSH (record shots)