Dad and I went out for our 'New Years Day' trip on the 4th. We stayed slightly more local than usual by straying little further north than Hickling.  We started the day on Haddiscoe Bridge scanning for the Rough-legged Buzzard but the cold got to us after 20 mins or so and left without seeing it (saw Marsh Harrier and Barn Owl though).  Next up to Norwich and Whitlingham Broad where the ice had packed the gulls and wildfowl into a busy and colourful narrow strip.  We picked out a female Ruddy Duck and the Great Northern Diver before driving around to Strumpshaw Fen on the northern side of the Yare valley.  Here we walked around the grazing marshes and through the woods as the reedbeds were completely frozen.  A Marsh Tit on the nuts and a Common Buzzard over the woods were highlights.  A little further down the Yare is Cantley with it's regular flock of Taiga Bean Geese and some white-fronts.  A short drive north to Wroxham Broad found us a Goldeneye and a Mute Swan with a taste for my trousers but not the Ring-necked Duck we were hoping for.  Ludham Bridge (over the River Thurne) had a few Bewick's Swans and Potter Heigham has a cafe with hot tea and sausage rolls... 
We just had time to go to the beach at Winterton (Red-throated Diver, few waders) before finishing the day, as we always do, at Hickling raptor roost.  It was a lovely late afternoon as we arrived and hurried down the icy lane to take full advantage of the clear skies and sun setting behins us.  We were not disappointed as the spectacle unfolded before us.  A few early Marsh Harriers floated about with several more just sitting in bushes waiting.  A single male Hen Harrier gave fleeting views (not to me).  A Kestrel hovered in the distance, more and more Marsh Harriers arrived and then our first two Cranes.  A flashing Merlin (they always flash past) and more Cranes honking away to the north out of sight.  The Hen Harrier re-appeared (phew) and scanning that I past over a slight shape in a tree.  I zoomed in with the scope and could make out a Sparrowhawk, then zoomed back out and noticed it was being buzzed by a Merlin!  It was all happening.  "Kingfisher, right to left", blimey , just picked it up 20m out in front of us.  More Cranes, a Barn Owl, maybe 30 or so Marsh Harrier, a Tawny Owl calling in the gloaming and then 3 Woodcock flushed down the lane.  Another memorable day.
 
Compared to that, 5 days on the North Sea was a distinct disappointment.  I didn't see a Fulmar for 4 days and no Guillimots the entire trip!  I had thought with the poor weather and the easterly blast we might come across something a bit more unusual but it was not to be.
 
Now looking forward to completing some Atlas surveys in the next few weeks and giving my meagre year list a boost.