Winterton and Hickling NWT

Last Thursday (26th April) I headed off to Winterton hoping that the Pallid Harrier of previous days would still be present. On route a Yellow Wagtail was noted with the grazing sheep as we approached Waxham. I had decided to walk just the North Dunes, despite the south section often being more rewarding, I didn't think Agnes at 2 1/2 years would manage a full lap. Glancing out to sea at least 4 Common Tern were fishing, my first of the year and a couple of Wheatear where in the car park. Agnes enjoyed climbing the highest of the dunes in our attempts to find the Pallid Harrier, but without success. We did however see 25+ Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler and numerous Meadow Pipit and Linnet. The best moment of the day however was Agnes finding a Ring Ouzel. While I was inspecting a couple of very confiding Wheatear, Agnes shouted out 'Blackbird' and pointed to a male Ring Ouzel in the dune grasses. Walking back via the beach, a couple of Ringed Plover and the for mentioned Common Tern the only birds of note.

With rain forecast for the whole day on Wednesday (2nd), Agnes and I where at Paston Cliffs by 7.45am ahead of the rain. In the 45 minutes before the drizzle migrants finally seemed to be arriving. Getting out of the car I peered over the cliff edge checking the grassy slopes and scrub, expecting a Ring Ouzel, but not expecting the female Pied Flycatcher perched on the gorse. I thought this was a new patch bird but I had one here a few years back. Whitethoat have suddenly appeared in force with at least 5 singing on territory. 2 Chiffchaff were also calling including 1 individual that kept singing on the ground. Only 2 male Yellowhammer remain and the Linnet flock seems to have broken up with a few males spread out singing throughout the site. Despite the large numbers of Wheatear clearly finally on the move, we were walking back to the car before we saw 2 males perched on the remains of the chalets currently being upgraded. Also of not was the unusual sight of a Canada Goose on the sea.

Later in the afternoon, driving home after a trip to Sea Palling amusements a Hobby flew across the road close to Cart Gap in Happisburgh.

Today (3rd) we continued Agnes' birding education with a trip to Hickling NWT. Arriving around 8.30am we had the reserve to ourselves Agnes was very excited by the hides, whispering as she looked for birdies. Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler were singing in good number, the former much easier to see. A Cetti's Warbler uncharacteristically sang out in the open and a Grasshopper Warbler was heard distantly. From the Observation Tower a few Tern could be seen out over the Broad, with at least 2 perched up closer being Arctic Tern. The Bittern Hide, like the Cadbury Hide only offered up the common waterfowl, but at least gave Agnes some practice separating ducks, geese and swans. Walking back along the raised bank a Hare slowly hopped along ahead of us, always remaining just out of photographing distance. A Bittern was briefly seen skimming the reed bed before again taking cover. After a picking a large toy dragonfly from the shop, a treat for walking the whole loop, we removed our muddied boots and headed home. Spending the rest of the day in the garden, a singing Whitethroat on the wasteland behind the house was a new garden tick.