Hockham, Norfolk

An afternoon visit produced many hundreds of Teal, many Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, and a single, very handsome male Pintail.
Apologies for lack of notes lately, although I have seen plenty of birds, I appear to have some kind of writers block and have been unable to focus.  Must try harder.

Hilborough, Norfolk

Following on from yesterdays good numbers of winter Thrushes seen, a visit to some forest walks and heathland again saw plenty of winter Thrushes, this included many Song Thrushes, including 3 together in a Hawthorn on heathland.  Perhaps the recent sightings of what appears to be newly arrived birds is as a result of hard weather movements from Europe.
Both Siskins and Redpolls were seen and heard this morning and at the other end of the size spectrum was 5 overflying Whooper Swans.

Song Thrush at Hilborough 10/12/16 (Note the pale tips to the coverts - ages this as 1st winter bird)

Great Cressingham, Norfolk 9th December

I had a nice early morning walk starting at the church in Great Cressingham, taking in the Peddars Way path and the Watton Road.
What struck me this morning was the frequently encountered winter Thrushes in hedges along the route.  I saw good numbers of Redwings, Fieldfares, and many Blackbirds, most of which were behaving as if they were recent overnight arrivals, flying from hedge to hedge and consuming berries, mostly those of the Hawthorn in a hurried, urgent fashion.
Also of great interest is that over this 3 mile walk I encountered 20+ Bullfinches in roadside hedges and trees.  The vast rolling farmland here with its miles of unchecked quality hedgerows will hold many more of this beautiful species.