On
New Years Day, I visited my St. Nicholas Church local patch site and
added the first 19 species to my 2026 UK year list …. see here.
As
is usually the case, I had a trip away from home to significantly add to my
2026 UK year list. I
booked a rental car from 2nd to 6th January 2026 for a trip away from home
to include visits to various sites in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
On
completing my trip, my 2026 UK year list had increased to 96 species.
2nd January 2026 – EWT Abberton Reservoir, Essex
The
huge expanse of EWT Abberton Reservoir just south of Colchester in Essex is one of
Europe's top wetland sites. It is of international importance as a safe haven
for wild ducks, swans and other water birds, whether resident, passing through
on migration or over-wintering.
En-route to Birch and EWT Abberton Reservoir, I saw 4 Red-legged Partridge.
The highlights during an excellent visit were as follows: Smew
(male
and female), Goosander (4), Red-crested Pochard (2 males and 2
females), Wigeon (at least 1000), Teal (at least 1000), Tufted
Duck (at least 1000), Common Pochard (at least 500), Shoveler (at
least 200), Mallard (at least 100), Gadwall (at least 100), Goldeneye
(c.20), Pintail (c.20), Shelduck (c.15), Lapwing (c.100),
Dunlin (c.20), Black-tailed Godwit (c.15), Ruff (1), Black-necked
Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe (c.20), Tundra Bean Goose (3),
Egyptian Goose (5), Greylag Goose (c.200), Canada Goose (c.100),
Mute Swan (c.50), Cormorant (c.20), Coot (at least 1000), Moorhen
(3), Great White Egret (2), Grey Heron (4), Great
Black-backed Gull (1), Common Gull (1), Herring Gull, Black-headed
Gull, Peregrine (2), Common Buzzard (1), Marsh Harrier (2),
Kestrel (1), Linnet (1), Pied Wagtail (2)
Photo: male Smew
Photo: male Smew
Photo: male Smew
2nd
January 2026 – Ardleigh Reservoir, Essex
Ardleigh Reservoir is a 120 acre reservoir near Colchester in Essex.
This
is not a site that I visit regularly but a Red-necked Grebe which was first
reported in late December 2025 prompted me to visit given that this is a
species that I failed to record anywhere in the UK in 2025.
Fortunately,
when I arrived, there were already other birders on-site who had located the Red-necked Grebe. I had very good telescope views but the bird was too distant for any
photos.
The highlights during my brief visit were as follows: Red-necked Grebe (1), Grey Heron (1), Coot (c.5), Cormorant (c.5)
3rd
January 2026 –
RSPB Ouse Washes and Manea/Purls Bridge area, Cambridgeshire
The
Ouse Washes
forms the largest area of washland in the UK. Washland is grazing pasture that
floods in the winter creating a rich habitat for a range of waterfowl and
wading birds.
In winter, as the water floods the fields, RSPB Ouse Washes attracts thousands of ducks,
especially Wigeon, and Whooper Swans as they return from Iceland.
These
birds are easier to see at WWT Welney and the main reason for my visit was to hopefully see Tree Sparrow
and Yellowhammer which I have previously recorded at the feeders by the
visitor centre. Unfortunately, I did not see either species.
The highlights during my brief visit were as follows: Whooper Swan (11), Greylag Goose (c.100), Cormorant (1), Kestrel (1), Redwing (5), Stock Dove (c.10), Collared Dove (2), Woodpigeon (at least 100), Rook (at least 150), Goldfinch (c.10), Chaffinch (c.5), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Jackdaw, Pheasant (1)
Photo: RSPB Ouse Washes, Cambridgeshire
Photo: RSPB Ouse Washes, Cambridgeshire
3rd
January 2026 – WWT Welney and area, Norfolk
WWT Welney is part of the Ouse Washes, a linear 6211 acre Site of Special Scientific Interest stretching from near St. Ives in Cambridgeshire to Downham Market in Norfolk, England. It is also a Ramsar internationally important wetland site, a Special Protection Area for birds and a Special Area of Conservation.
The
2500 acre WWT Welney site is one of 10 wildfowl and wetland
reserves managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. It has a
visitor centre and café overlooking Lady Fen and additional viewing facilities
over the washes include an observatory with two wing hides. There are further
hides to the south and to the north.
I
arrived at WWT Welney too early to access the visitor centre and hides but I did see one
of my trip targets: Tree Sparrow (a single bird at the feeders amongst the
House Sparrows).
Shortly
after leaving WWT Welney on the road to Ten Mile Bank, I recorded Whooper
Swan (c.100), Russian White-fronted Goose (c.15) and Fieldfare
(c.20).
Photo: Whooper Swans
Photo: Whooper Swans
Photo: Whooper Swans
Photo: Whooper Swan
Photo: Russian White-fronted Geese
Photo: Russian White-fronted Geese
3rd January 2026 – Flitcham-Anmer-Sherborne area, Norfolk
In the past, this area has been productive for farmland birds, most notably Grey Partridge which was my main target species.
After much slow driving along the narrow lanes starting in Flitcham, I failed to see any Grey Partridges but I did record a variety of other bird and mammal species.
The highlights during my visit to this area were as follows: Fieldfare (c.15), Mistle Thrush (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Red-legged Partridge (2), Brown Hare (2)
Photo: Brown Hare
3rd
January 2026 –
Sculthorpe
Moor, Norfolk
Sculthorpe
Moor is owned and managed by the Hawk and Owl Trust and
is located in the valley of the River Wensum just west of Fakenham. Its
habitats include a rich mosaic of woodland, fens and reedbeds and there are
several hides and viewing platforms accessed by a network of trails.
A number of bird feeders provide exceptional views and easy photo opportunities of common garden and woodland species, including some that are difficult to find and see well elsewhere, most notably Bullfinches and Marsh Tits. There is also a viewing screen which sometimes provides views of Tawny Owls at their nestbox (although not on this visit).
Photo - December 2025 visit: Tawny Owl
The highlights during my visit to this excellent site were as
follows: Red
Kite (2),
Common Buzzard (1), Redwing (at least 20), Fieldfare (at
least 100), Bullfinch (1), Siskin (3), Marsh Tit (4), Coal
Tit (1), Nuthatch (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Common
Snipe (1), Mallard (c.10), Moorhen (2)
Other species recorded: Blue
Tit, Great
Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch,
Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Wren, Woodpigeon,
Collared Dove, Pheasant
Photo: Marsh Tit
Photo: Sculthorpe Moor, Norfolk
Photo: Sculthorpe Moor, Norfolk
Photo: Sculthorpe Moor, Norfolk
3rd
January 2026 –
NWT Roydon Common, Norfolk
NWT Roydon Common is a 482-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest 6 miles north east
of King's Lynn in Norfolk. It
is also a Grade I Nature Conservation Review site, a National Nature Reserve and
a Ramsar
site. It is part of the Roydon
Common and Dersingham Bog - Special Areas of Conservation and
Roydon Common and Grimston Warren nature reserve which is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
The
common is described by Natural England as "one of the best examples in Britain of a lowland
mixed valley mire". It has diverse habitats, including wet acid
heath, calcareous fen and dry heath on acid sands.
The
main reason for my visit during the last 2 hours of daylight was the raptor
roost including Hen Harrier, one of my trip targets.
The highlights during my visit were as follows: Hen Harrier (male), Marsh Harrier (at least 5), Red Kite (c.35), Kestrel (1), Barn Owl (1), Common Gull (c.75), Egyptian Goose (3), Meadow Pipit (1)
Photo: Roydon Common, Norfolk
4th
January 2026 –
Flitcham-Anmer-Sherborne area, Norfolk
I visited this area again in the hope of seeing Grey Partridge. I was again unsuccessful.
En-route
to Flitcham, I saw 4 Red Kites at Hillington.
The highlights during my visit to this area were as follows: Red
Kite (3),
Common Buzzard (1), Pink-footed Goose (c.200), Redwing (at
least 10), Fieldfare (at least 5), Red-legged Partridge (2),
Pheasant, Brown Hare (14), Roe Deer (3), Chinese Water Deer (7),
Reeves’ Muntjac (1)
Photo: Brown Hare
Photo: Brown Hare
Photo: Brown Hare
Photo: Brown HareAfter
leaving Sherborne, the minor road to Fring provided excellent roadside views of
a Barn Owl and a Common Buzzard plus Red Kite (4), Redwing (at least 20) and Brown Hare (3).
Photo: Barn Owl
Photo: Barn Owl
Photo: Barn Owl
Photo: Barn Owl
Photo: Barn Owl
Photo: Barn Owl
Photo: Barn Owl
Photo: Common Buzzard
4th
January 2026 –
Holkham National Nature Reserve, Norfolk
Holkham National Nature Reserve is England's
largest National
Nature Reserve and it is situated on the Norfolk coast
between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney. It is managed
by Natural England with the co-operation of the Holkham Estate.
Holkham National Nature Reserve comprises 3900
hectares of a wide range of habitats including grazing marsh,
pine woodland, scrub, salt marsh, sand
dunes and foreshore.
The
reserve is part of the North
Norfolk Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest and the larger area
is additionally protected through Natura 2000, Special Protection Area and Ramsar listings and it is part of both
an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty and a World Biosphere
Reserve.
Holkham National Nature Reserve is a huge area accessed
via Lady Anne’s Drive (opposite the entrance to Holkham Hall) and the Holkham
Beach car park.
Holkham National Nature Reserve is normally a site that I spend
several hours at but, given the absence of any reported Shorelarks and Snow
Buntings on the beach this winter, I focused solely on the freshmarsh
either side of Lady Anne’s Drive.
The highlights from my brief visit included the following: Pink-footed Goose (at least 500), Dark-bellied Brent Goose (at least 100), Wigeon (at least 300)
4th
January 2026 –
Salthouse,
Norfolk
Salthouse is
a village located on the north coast of Norfolk 3.8 miles north of Holt
and 5.4 miles west of Sheringham. The
landscape around Salthouse lies within the Norfolk Coast Protected Landscape and the
North Norfolk Heritage Coast. NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes comprises 66 hectares of coastal grazing
marsh and saline lagoons managed as a nature reserve. The marshes are
of international importance for wildlife, particularly birds.
I recorded the following from a lay-by on the A149 road in the village: Wigeon
(at
least 200), Teal (at least 50), Shoveler (c.10), Mallard (c.10),
Gadwall (3), Pintail (male), Moorhen (4), Curlew (2),
Lapwing (1), Red Kite (1)
4th
January 2026 –
Sheringham,
Norfolk
Sheringham is
a town on the north Norfolk coast.
The
only reason for my visit to this seaside town was to see the first winter male Eastern Black Redstart
that was first reported on 24th December 2025.
The
Eastern Black Redstart is a subspecies of the Black Redstart (a
rare breeding and uncommon wintering bird in the UK), primarily found in
eastern regions including south west Asia and parts of central Asia. It is a
very rare vagrant in western Europe.
After
parking on The Esplanade, I joined a small number other birders in walking around
the immediate area and scanning the rooftops of the flats for this exceptionally
rare bird. After around 30 minutes waiting, I eventually saw the
Eastern Black Redstart in very good
light. This was my first ever record of this species in the UK or
Europe.
My initial set of photos were distant records shots ....
Photo: Eastern Black Redstart
Photo: Eastern Black Redstart
Photo: Eastern Black Redstart
Photo: Eastern Black Redstart
.... but I eventually got the close-ups that I wanted ....
Photo: Eastern Black Redstart
Photo: Eastern Black Redstart4th
January 2026 –
Thurne area,
Norfolk
Thurne is a
small village in Norfolk located on the River Thurne in the Broads National Park 14 miles north west of Great
Yarmouth.
The
only reason for my visit to this area was to see the regularly reported group
of Common Cranes, a species that I failed to record in 2025.
I
eventually located 18 Common Cranes plus I additionally saw Common
Buzzard (2), Egyptian Goose (2) and a large mixed flock of Rooks
and Jackdaws (at least c.200)
Photo: Common Cranes
Photo: Egyptian Geese5th
January 2026 –
Ludham Bridge
and St Benet's Abbey area, Norfolk
Ludham Bridge is a hamlet in Norfolk located on the River Ant in the Broads National Park 15 miles north west of Great
Yarmouth.
St Benet's Abbey is a 2 mile walk from Ludham Bridge.
It was a medieval monastery but, during the period of the Dissolution
of the Monasteries, it's possessions were in effect seized by the Crown and assigned to the Diocese of Norwich. Alhough the monastery was supposed
to continue as a community, within a few years the monks had dispersed. Only ruins
remain today.
The
main reason for my visit to this area was to hopefully see the Black-winged Kite that was first reported in the area on
26th December 2025.
The
Black-winged Kite is a species
primarily found in open land and semi-deserts in sub-Saharan Africa and
tropical Asia but it has a foothold within Europe in Spain and Portugal and
more recently southern France. The range appears to be expanding in southern
Europe and vagrants in the UK indicate that the species is moving north.
I
failed to see the Black-winged Kite reported in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex in 2023
and despite much searching I also failed to see the bird reported in the Ludham Bridge and St Benet's Abbey area.
Therefore,
Black-winged Kite is still not on my UK life list although
trying to find a grey/white bird in a very snowy landscape and a blizzard was
always going to be a challenge too much! I have previously seen Black-winged Kite in Spain.
After
returning home, I found out that the Black-winged
Kite reported in the Ludham Bridge and St Benet's Abbey area had relocated to NWT Hickling Broad
so another visit to north east Norfolk will be required to hopefully see this
exceptionally rare species.
Despite
the disappointment of not seeing the Black-winged
Kite, I did record a variety of other bird species.
The highlights during my visit were as follows: Common
Crane (2),
Lapwing (at least 100), Common Snipe (1), Grey Heron
(1),
White-fronted Goose (c.20), Greylag Goose (at least 100), Canada
Goose (at least 50), Mute Swan (2), Little Grebe (3), Bearded
Tit (1), Red Kite (1), Marsh Harrier (3), Kestrel (2),
Great Spotted Woodpecker (2)
Photo: Ludham Bridge, Norfolk
5th
January 2026 –
Ness Point, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Ness Point, Lowestoft is a
coastal industrial area and it has nothing to recommend it scenically although
it is significant in being the most easterly point in the UK. It is also well
known amongst birders as being a very reliable site (usually) for Purple
Sandpipers in winter. Wintering Black Redstarts are
occasionally reported at this site too.
However,
I saw neither of these species and in fact the site was relatively birdless. I only
recorded Turnstone (1), Oystercatcher (3) and Cormorant
(2).
Photo: Turnstone
Photo: Oystercatchers6th
January 2026 – EWT Abberton Reservoir, Essex
I
returned to EWT Abberton Reservoir for a second visit on my way home.
The highlights during another excellent visit were as
follows: Smew
(2
males and 1 female), Goosander (c.25), Red-crested Pochard (2
males), Teal (at least 1000), Wigeon (at least 500), Common
Pochard (at least 200), Tufted Duck (at least 200), Mallard (at
least 200), Shoveler (at least 100), Pintail (c.50), Gadwall (c.30),
Goldeneye (c.20), Lapwing (12), Black-tailed Godwit (4), Common
Snipe (3), Ruff (1), Common Redshank (1), Slavonian Grebe (1),
Great Crested Grebe (c.15), Little Grebe (2), White-fronted Goose
(7), Bewick’s Swan (1), Mute Swan (at least 60), Coot (at
least 200), Great White Egret (8), Grey Heron (2), Cormorant (2),
Marsh Harrier (1)
Photo: male Goosander
Photo: male Goosander
Photo: male Goldeneye
Photo: male Goldeneye
Photo: male Goosander and male Tufted Duck
Photo: male Wigeon
Photo: Wigeon
Photo: Wigeon
Photo: Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards plus the EWT Visitor Centre
Photo: Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards
Photo: mixed duck flock including Shoveler, Mallard, Teal and Wigeon
Photo: Lapwing
Photo: Ruff
Photo: Great Crested Grebes
Photo: Great Crested Grebes
Photo: Mute Swans
Photo: Mute Swans
Photo: Great White Egret
Photo: Great White Egret
Photo: Common and Black-headed Gulls
Photo: winter at EWT Abberton Reservoir
Photo: winter at EWT Abberton Reservoir
Photo: winter at EWT Abberton Reservoir
Photo: winter at EWT Abberton Reservoir
6th
January 2026 – Mersea Island,
Essex
Mersea Island is an island in Essex to the south east of Colchester and surrounded by the Blackwater and Colne estuaries. The island is split into two main areas, West Mersea and East Mersea, and connected to the mainland by the Strood, a causeway that can flood at high tide. In fact, I joined the queue of traffic waiting for the water level to subside when I wanted to leave the island!
The
highlights of my visit to West Mersea were as follows: Kingfisher
(1), Ringed Plover (1)
The highlights of my visit to East Mersea were as follows: Dunlin (at least 50), Curlew
(20), Grey Plover (10), Common Redshank (c.10), Turnstone
(c.10), Lapwing (3), Common Snipe (1), Little Egret (1), Wigeon
(8), Mallard (6), Teal (5), Shoveler (1), Moorhen (31
feeding in a single small field!), Common Buzzard (1)
Love nature .... act now
Restore and rewild our natural world
Please help save and enhance our laws that protect our environment and wildlife
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Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
