Going well

We set out this morning with a bit of a Lynford wish list and to say it went well would be an understatement.

From the bar gate that Chris has set up as a feeding station and drinking pool we had our first Brambling of 2019 followed quickly by another fifty or so. Nuthatch were really noisy all around us but I had to wait an hour or so to see my first of the year. We walked down to the paddock and picked up Goldcrest and Marsh Tit around the feeders by the bridge and then heard Crossbill calling. Shortly after seven Crossbill flew over. Jimmy then found a single Hawfinch feeding on Hawthorn giving great scope views and a large flock of Siskin added another tick. Back at the feeding station and whilst watching the Brambling a single Lesser Redpoll dropped down to the pool for a quick drink and then a Hawfinch came in to give excellent close up views. Three more Crossbill sat at the top of a pine tree near the entrance and two more flew over as we got back to the car.

We moved on to Santon Downham and picked up a Kingfisher by the bridge and another two Crossbill but little else of note.

On the journey back whilst the Jims slept I spotted a Red Kite flying over the M11 near Cambridge and then we took a small detour to find the Caspian Gull on Eagle Pond at Snaresbrook.

Add yesterdays Grey Wagtail, Smew, Scaup and Black-necked Grebe from Abberton and we're off to a good start for the year.

Year list now 137 in five days.

An old Red Kite pic to remind the Jims that if you snooze you lose!

And when I say going well.....top, second and third and as much as we know we'll end up with a respectable 250 plus we won't be challenging the big guns around the 300 plus mark...but no reason to not enjoy the moment.