15 members met at the beginning of the cycle track in Thorley Road, Yarmouth on a calm, very cold but lovely sunny morning for a slow walk to Barnfields pond and return. At the beginning of the path we spotted a Song Thrush , Blackbird, Robin, Wren and Great Tit. The recent wet weather meant that the field at Rofford Marsh was flooded which attracted a good number of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Mallard. There were also five Canada Geese and a flock of about 30 Black-headed Gulls. On the far side we picked out, with the aid of the telescope, four Common Snipe. Unfortunately they were all resting and were not showing their very long straight bill, the Shoveler too were all resting so did not show their distinctive shaped bill. We also saw eight Moorhen, Little Grebe, a Lapwing and Herring Gull. Near to the old Railway station we saw six Wood Pigeon, some Blue Tit, five Starling on the roof of a house and eight House Sparrows. One Chaffinch was recorded in the trees behind the building. Two Mute Swan were being fed by some children. On the expanse of water in front of the station we noted two Tufted Duck. In front of the old Mill the bird of the day was fishing – a Great Northern Diver. Some other birds on the Western Yar were Brent Geese, Black Tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin and Shelduck. A Little Egret flew up from the marsh and a Grey Heron was seen in a field the other side of the river as was a Cormorant and Carrion Crow. A Cetti’s was heard calling. At Barnfields we had a good view of a Greenshank, Kingfisher and a male Pheasant.
On our return we noted Great Black Backed Gulls and a Common Gull. In all 51 species were seen during the course of the morning. Jackie Hart
