Early Spring patch magic

In the last post I identified that there is still a lot of winter birding to enjoy whilst celebrating a bit of Spring. Today I got a brief opportunity to check the West Hethersett Loop and the weather was definitely Wintery with North winds and frequent showers. Whilst I waited for the worst of the winter down pour to pass I checked out the water meadows and fields either side of Market Lane. I was rewarded with a splendid grey heron in full breeding plumage. I had to do a double take as it was very white from a distance and might have been the great white egret which has been frequenting Bowthorpe marshes for the last couple of weeks. It was not to be but nice to see and it was in company with some greylag geese . Next on my warm car journey was a flock of thrushes. I…