Andy Mus: 13th-19th February 2012

Sunday 19th - A second free day saw me heading east to Lowestoft, where as well as the more expected fare of Purple Sandpiper, Kittiwake and Shag, I also had fine views of the adult Iceland Gull in the fish dock; views of this were expedited by the unusual trick of climbing to the top of the adjacent multi-story car park! Later in the day, Med Gulls at Yarmouth and a three-species swan flock nearby on the marshes, but dipped on the Great White Egret at Colney pits.

Saturday 18th - Trudy and the kids went up to Leeds for the weekend, so when the cat's away, the mice...go birding! First stop was Kelling where after a short wait, the long-staying Arctic Redpoll gave great views in a roadside garden. What a stunner! Another 20+ Lesser Redpoll here but nothing that I personally thought looked very Mealy. A little way away, a flock of 400 Brents included at least 3 Pale-bellieds and a leucistic bird.

Next down to Salthouse for the obligatory Snow Bunting flock (100+), then on to Cley where I walked a complete loop (I often feel somewhat obliged to do so, it seems a cop-out just to go to the hides and back). Usual decent selection, although unfortunately the long-staying Western Sand had either died or moved on; most notable were a female Red-breasted Merg on Arnold's, a pair of Stonechats along the east bank, and the same leucistic Brent Goose in from Kelling.

After some craving-filling Fish & Chips, I had distant but prolonged views of the two Rough-legged Buzzards from Wells beach road; one bird exceptionally frosty on the upperwing coverts. Three Grey Partridges also here. At Holkham gap, I failed on the Shorelarks but was chuffed to pick out three Slavonian Grebes on the sea; a probable Black-throated Diver also glimpsed here a couple of times but never clinched.

At dusk, I headed back to Warham Greens where a distant perched Merlin and at least four Hen Harriers to roost.

Tuesday 14th - 20 Bramblings the highlight at the Nunnery Lakes.

Monday 13th - managed to track down Nick's white nun (male Smew) on the river by D lake, but it was seriously flighty, hence the dreadful photo below. A Water Rail was more obliging.