Holkham

[Stargazer]

Went to Holkham yesterday - my first visit to Norfolk this year. it was a brilliant day weatherwise; bright, mostly sunny, light winds and not too cold. And the birds didn't disappoint either. I now know what a flock of 2,000 pink-footed geese sound like and the sight was pretty impressive too. They rose and circled at intervals as they were alarmed, on one occasion I saw by a Marsh Harrier. And among the pink-foots was one stranger - a Ross's Goose, a lifer for me. That alone made the day more than worthwhile.

In the trees we heard both Goldcrest and Firecrest although trying to see them proved fruitless. Better luck with a Barn Owl hunting over the fields and creeks. Moving down to the sea, the intertidal zone stretched for about half a mile to the sand dunes that border the beach. On the drained but still very wet intertidal zone we found Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Rock Pipits and both Skylarks and Shore larks. I love to see Shore Larks, they are such pretty birds. One of my companions told me he has seen them in their breeding grounds in the Atlas mountains; obviously they're not called Shore larks there, not too many shores up a mountain!

On the beach; more Oystercatchers, Curlew and Redshank, a large assortment of gulls, Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstone. Out on the sea a few Mergansers and a big raft of Common Scoter. On the way back I looked for a Rough-legged Buzzard that had been reported but found only a Common Buzzard. Altogether we logged 79 species between us which was highly satisfactory.

Disappointments - not finding the Goldcrest and Firecrest although hearing them, and I really wanted to see Snow Bunting although to be fair they had been reported further up the coast. But all in all it was a fabulous day, as good a day's birding as I've ever had in January. Not the last time I go to Holkham then!

[Kingfisher]

Wow, sounds like you had a brilliant time! Shore larks are also called horned larks - the male looks like he has got little 'horns' in summer. In German, they're called 'ear larks'. Fantastic little birds - saw one in Sussex in 2010.

[PeterB]

Great trip, really envious.

[Cassillis]

Sounds like you had a fantastic day. Well done.

[Twitcheruth]

Sounds like a super days birding.....the weather has been amazing over the weekend hasn't it!
I've never seen a Shore Lark,nice spot!

[dales birder]

My best memory of Holkham is of thousands of Pink Footed Geese coming in whilst 5 Barn Owls hunted in front of us,very cold but well worth it.

[Little Sparrow]

What a great day you enjoyed! The Pinkfeet are a joy to see aren't they, glad you had such good views of them and the Shorelarks! I saw my first Shorelarks last year at Cley.

A very good species list and sunny weather makes for a good day as you had!

Thanks for sharing.