Lynford for Hawfinch

A nice morning in Norfolk with a first stop at Lynford Arboretum in search of Hawfinch. As we walked down to the paddock we enjoyed our first Marsh Tits of 2015 and then Jimmy found our target in the Hornbeams of the paddock. The single bird sat on top of the tree but soon moved lower to feed so we watched for around 40 minutes as it performed and gave great scope views.

Nuthatch

Marsh Tit

Several Goldcrest were heard and a single bird was seen. A large flock of Siskin flew high in the Alders and a group of Redwing were also seen here. Further down to the second bridge and I found a single Brambling whilst the Jims were off enjoying good views of Kingfisher. As we walked back along the path I had a second Brambling feeding with Chaffinch and Siskin but a dog walker flushed it before the Jims could get the tick. Back at the house and despite Brambling being seen earlier by other birders we found none having to settle for a Grey Wagtail as our prize here. Greater spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Nuthatch were all added to the days totals here.

Brambling

Coal Tit

With the Jims now even more determined to tick Brambling today we headed off to the car park at Santon Downham where we did eventually find the target amongst a large tit flock containing many Coal Tits.
Another Treecreeper was seen before we headed off and a quick stop at the layby gave us distant views of the wintering Great Grey Shrike. Once seen we had to make the 400m walk to view at closer quarters but the bird remained distant during the visit.

A nice mornings birding adding five year ticks and bringing the year list to 131.