New Years Day

First bird of the year was predictably the singing Robin outside while I was waiting for Colin to arrive.
It was still dark as we headed up to the Norfolk coast, and for some time I only managed to add a few species. However by the time we passed Ely it was sufficiently light enough to see things. There was the usual selection of corvids, gulls and so on, though the two Moorhens on the verge were a bit different. The highlight of the journey though was the run tail Hen Harrier that flew over us somewhere near Southery.
We arrived at Thornham Harbour shortly before 9am to find several car loads of birders. The usual small flock of Twite soon gave themselves up but hey never settled for long and it wasn't possible to obtain any photos this time. Two Marsh Harriers were in the area, but with the lowish tide, there wasn't much in the tidal creeks and there wasn't a great deal to see on the marsh either so we headed off to Titchwell.
Unfortunately everyone else was there too, and many didn't seem to be able to park sensibly either with huge gaps between many of the cars. One of the staff members also had to go out and sort out some of the problems caused by the lack of brain cells exhibited by some of the visitors.
Around the centre, the feeders had a reasonable selection-no Brambling unfortunately, but a female Sparrowhawk felt through, which was missed by most people. Not sure, but I can't remember seeing one here before.
The usual Water Pipit couldn't be found on Thornham pool or on the fresh marsh, and a part from wildfowl we couldn't find much at all. Most of the waders were either roosting on the tidal pool or feeding on the beach. Unfortunately because it was so busy and disturbed most of the birds were a long way off. The sea was calm but there was a bit of mist, limiting visibility. Good job the three Long tailed Ducks and the Eider were sticking to the surf line. Further out there were a few Great Crested Grebes, Goldeneye, a couple of Mergansers and a Slavonian Grebe. Two small scoter flocks were out near the visible horizon along with a few unidentifiable divers and gulls.
After a spot of lunch we called in at Chosely Barns. The fields here held some Blackbirds and Mistle  Thrushes, plus the usual Chaffinches,  Linnets, and Yellowhammers. Partridge were hard to find but we did get some Red Legs, along with Redwings near Ringstead.
Our final stop off at Burwell Fen also seemed to be very popular, with small groups of photographers scattered all over the place. We didn't stay too long as the light was dropping rapidly, but we did see a few Roe Deer and a distant Short Eared Owl.