Lochwinnoch & Hogganfield

Tried in vain this morning to find any of the reported Smew. Checked Aird Meadow, Barr Loch & Castle Semple with no joy. I see this evening that both are being reported again :(

Aird Meadow

 13 Whoopers on Castle Semple were notable & lots of displaying Goldeneye. 3 Shoveler in front of the Visitors Centre at Lochwinnoch.

A couple of hours late morning was spent at Hogganfield.

Hogganfield

One Whooper remained and there were perhaps 10 Pochard, increasingly scarce these days. There were also c8 Great Crested Grebe present.

Daffodils beginning to come out

Female on territory

Loch Ken

Good Friday looked by far the best day of the Weekend weather wise. I was hoping for some early migrants at Loch Ken but I couldn't find any.

There were 42 Greenland Whitefronts in fields close to the reserve entrance & Red Kites were everywhere. I managed 1 Willow Tit but spent most time in the hide photographing some of the woodland birds.

Blue Tit

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Nuthatch

Nuthatch

Blue Tit

Norfolk

Mrs H & myself spent 3 leisurely days in Norfolk staying at the Premier Inn in Kings Lynn for £105. We had traveled down overnight on the Tuesday night and Wednesday was a bit of a write off because it rained heavily all day.

Thursday was by contrast very spring like & we started off at Titchwell.

Titchwell's star species - typically confiding

Titchwell Beach

There was nothing out of the ordinary today but birds like Marsh Harrier, Cettis Warbler, Grey Plover & Water Rail stood out.

After a look round Norfolk Lavender we headed east towards Burnham Overy Staithe. Brent Geese were the main feature here.

We stopped at Wells and then took in a brilliant sunset and Barn Owls at Cley Marshes.

Wells Harbour in the sun

Cley looking over Arnold's Marsh

Sunset over Cley Marshes

Next day we walked from Titchwell out to Thornham.

Looking Towards Thornham Harbour

Little Egret