April 16, 2008
North Norfolk wildfowl
Being mid-April, I was suprised to see good numbers of Dark-bellied Brent Geese still present. One flock gave excellent views in the saltmarsh around Brancaster Bay.
I was surprised to pick out this Pale-bellied Brent Goose among them.
Soon after another 100 or so individuals flew in to join them.
Amazingly, one of the birds that landed closest to me was a Black Brant - the trifecta of Brent Goose subspecies from Siberia, Greenland and North America, all in one flock! Note the darker back and belly compared with the dark-bellied bird in the background.
A few Pink-footed Geese were still hanging on (note a couple of feral Egyptian Geese in the background of the first shot).
The only seaducks of note were a handful of Common Scoter and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers off of Brancaster beach. Most of the regular breeding and wintering ducks were still present. The pools along Lady Anne's Drive at Holkham offer excellent viewing opportunities for the commoner species. A smart drake Shoveler and Shelduck posed for me close to the road.
