Three Hours Birding at Holme!

Common Buzzard, Holme Marsh Reserve.

Holme Marsh Reserve — 8am-11am

Sunny morning, although still windy.

Holme Marsh Reserve - NWT Firs house on far right.

Had a very pleasant three hours birding from the first and second hide, sheltering from the wind and with a nice flask of tea - no food goodies though! Couldn't go too far as had a straight 8 hour shift from 1pm until 9pm.

Common Buzzard, Holme Marsh Reserve.

Awesome views of a Common Buzzard flying through, which scattered every bird in sight. Three Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk zoomed past, again putting up all the birds. Good number of Curlews and Coots on the marsh, Green Woodpecker close to the hide, but sadly behind grassy tufts (see photo), Tufted Ducks, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall and a Little Grebe on the pool. Several flocks of starlings going through. Skeins of pink footed geese and also Brents flying over. A lovely surprise of several Bullfinches, a single Greenfinch, long tailed tits and great tits, along the public footpath adjacent to where you park for the reserve.

Curlew, Holme Marsh Reserve.

Green Woodpecker, Holme Marsh Reserve.

Left here and went to look for the Bean Goose that was on the RBA website (via iphone), but when I got to the minor road and saw all the pink foots, I realised I simply had not got time to scan them all.

Pink footed Geese, Holme next Sea.


Highland Cattle, Marsh Lane, Holme next Sea.

Picked up a birthday card at Old Hunstanton shop for a dear family friend - Malcolm White (wife, Eileen) and hand delivered it to their house on route back to King's Lynn. Happy Birthday Malcolm! Malcolm and Eileen have known me since I was knee high to a grasshopper! They regularly came down the observatory at Holme on Saturdays in the 'ol days!' and Malcolm always had a selection of cameras slung round his neck. My father always looked forward to Malcolm visiting and they would be talking cameras and stuff for ages! Malcolm also revelled in winding me up AND still does!!!

Got back home just in time to prepare lunch, which I had to eat in 5 minutes before going to work!

Note to self: A. Must buy a lottery ticket or B. Find a rich man!

Reed Mace, Holme Marsh Reserve.