WHITLINGHAM: Patch tick Iceland Gull

22nd January 2023

Whilst getting ready for lunch a message came through that Robin Chittenden had found an Iceland Gull resting on a frozen part of the Great Broad. Fortunately we didn't have plans for the afternoon so I was able to pop down, where a small group of local birders were in place watching it. The gull had spent much of its time face on, which would have made it difficult to pick out, but whilst I was there it turned side on for a bit and then flew up and round before going for a bathe in a bit of open water, allowing good spread wing views. It was aged as a 3rd-winter bird rather than a full adult. Also on the Great Broad were four Goosander, although when I walked past only three were visible. Iceland Gull was a new patch (and Norwich) bird for me. 

WHITLINGHAM: January WeBS count

21st January 2023

The first WeBS count of the year, and the cold spell meant there was quite a lot to count, albeit not much out of the ordinary (the Scaup present earlier in the week wasn't seen on this day, but later a redhead Goosander was seen). The highlight was probably 2 Goldeneye, one of which was a nice adult drake that was throwing it's head back in display, probably the only similarity Whitlingham Great Broad has with the Scottish lochs. Whilst scanning the banks of the Great Broad I also picked out a Muntjac Deer, which was the first one I've actually seen here, having only heard them this side of the river before.

Selected counts were as follows: 

• Gadwall 179
• Mallard 59
• Teal 29
• Shoveler 9
• Tufted Duck 224
• Pochard 4
• Goldeneye 2
• Coot 121
• Grey Heron 9

In one of my periodic 'I should pay more attention to mosses and lichens' moments I pictured a fairly young Oak tree to scutinise over time. As well as a few common lichens I noticed some small black lumps, which Mark Powell identified as a fungus rather than a lichen - Ascodichaena rugosa. Stewart Wright has actually shown me this species a couple of times before, but it doesn't seem to be exciting enough to stick in my mind.