Late Summer (July/August)

July and August are always quite months for birding, but I did manage a couple of walks on the patch and a regular summer catch up with James.

1st July - Cley NWT

A trip to Cley after nursery drop off to catch up with the Green-winged Teal was a rather damp affair. I'd missed the bird on previous visits and was now looking for a bird that was starting to moult on a damp drizzly day. Luckily there were very few teal about and eventually the GW Teal, which as been asleep woke up long enough to be identified. A Curlew Sandpiper from Dauke's Hide was the only bird of note being a 'year tick'. A couple of Spoonbill are now par for the course and the Great White Egret that flew East towards Kelling not an unexpected sight. I was only in 2011 I was 'twitching' my first GWE in Norfolk!

17th July - Paston Cliffs

The patch at Paston Cliffs is always quiet during the summer, but I still feel I should visit occasionally if only to appreciate more the birds that pass though here on migration. Whitethroat were very prominent along with at least 2 singing Chiffchaff, a Lesser Whitethroat was also seen along with the resident Dunnock and Robin. I was surprised to see two juvenile Yellowhammer and even more surprised to see a pair of Stonechat, despite them being a winter regulars. Are they both breeding nearby?

31st July - Garden

While tiding the garden I heard a group of Long-tail Tits in the hedge, pleasant to see but nothing unusual. As they flew from the hedge into our cherry tree I counted them 23, then a few more emerged from the hedge and some more. In total 38 Long-tailed Tit, quite a flock, do they have a group name?

1st August - Cley NWT

Laura and I had signed up for an evening talk and supper at Cley NWT by author Elly Griffiths who has a series of novels set on the North Norfolk coast. We had spent the afternoon at my parent's during which time we found an Elephant Hawk moth caterpillar in their garden much to Agnes' delight , before leaving her for a sleep over and heading out. Arriving early we wandered over to Bishop's Hide, there had been an influx of Wood Sandpiper in previous days, and with only binoculars and with unfavouring low sun we soon picked out 15 Wood Sandpiper. We also noted a Green Sandpiper and 3 Spoonbill before headed to the education center for a pleasant supper before an engaging talk and the obligatory book signing.

12th August - Hickling NWT

Agnes and I headed off to Hicking NWT for a 'Nature Adventure'. She helped me pack, we had binoculars, a net, a magnifying glass, sample pots and most importantly a picnic. Getting out of the car Agnes notice a Buzzard and Marsh Harrier high above us while I put on my boots. She also pointed out the shop sold ice cream, that it was closed, but okay as we I could buy her one on the way back! She hunted around the bug hotel but decided was was not a very good bug hotel and we should carry on, we soon found lots of butterflies, dragonflies and other insects. She took particular interest in the Grasshoppers and Bush Cricket i managed to catch, before deciding it was time to look at flowers. During all this a Bittern flew up from some nearby reeds and did a 360 circle of us before dropping back in close to it original spot. A few Marsh Harrier circled over head and a few Bearded Tit pinged in the reeds but only one was seen. In the Observation Tower Agnes served up our picnic and we count the Mute Swans, Agnes got to 19 but i continued on to 156 with very few being juvenile. We then took the 'informal path' through the reeds/woods a path only occasionally open. With reeds brushing our faces, butterflies and dragonflies perched at eye level, we look at some fungi and poked very long sticks into very deep stinky mud, before returning to the carpark, seeing Wood Sandpiper on the scrape and flushing Green Sandpiper on route. We didn't forget to have our ice cream before going home.

28th August - Winterton

For our regular spot of 'school holiday' birding, we parked up at Horsey Mill and headed out along the Nelson's Head Track, towards Winterton Dunes. Migrant birds were thin on the ground so we decided to look for some of the rarer dragonflies and damsel flies recently seen at Winterton, knowing that if we were lucky we might find a migrant or two. The weather wasn't ideal with drizzle falling as we reached the 'blocks' and toad pools. We wandered the dunes for a while as the weather slowly improved, seeing 2 Whinchat, a few Chiifchaff and Willow Warbler. As well as the resident Stonechat, Linnet and Goldfinch. A Green Sandpiper flew through only noticing us at the last minute and missing James by a few feet, a Pied Flycatcher was calling in a nearby dense Willow patch but could not be seen. We saw lots of Emerald Damselflies but not the hoped for Scare Blue-tailed Damselfly, although what turned out to be an 'old' female Blue-tailed Damselfly held are attention for quite a while. After a cold drink at the Mill, on what was turning into quite a warm day he headed home.

Early Summer (May/June) Catchup

Apologies as I've got rather behind with my blog, after 'losing' a few posts that failed to upload I've had little time to redo them, with a new puppy, family wedding and summer childcare I just got further behind! With Autumn migration starting, renewed birding hope and the prospect of more regular outings, a couple of summary posts should get us up-to-date and I'll then try to post more frequently.

10th to 13th May - Thorpe Forest, Thetford

Although the Great Spotted Cuckoo persisted for a couple of weeks I never got the chance to get back to look for it with work and my brothers Stag Weekend filling my time. Staying near Thetford I was only a few miles from the Little Bittern, but without a car (and still intoxicated) was unable to get to see it.

I did however managed a couple of delightful early morning walks along the River Thet and also considered a new list to sit along side my 'Pub List', a 'Tub List'! With a hot tub on our veranda and me rising much earlier than the others I had ample time for a dawn chorus soak at 5am, before my morning walk. Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Wren, Robin amoung others may not prove to be 'blockers', but not many can have Spotted Flycatcher and Treecreeper on their 'Tub List'. Tawny Owl was also added one evening.

13th May - Beeston Regis

Arriving home from Thetford by 11am I had little to do until 3pm nursery pick-up so decided on a little walk. Temping as the Great Spotted Cuckoo was at Weybourne I knew I didn't have time to walk such a large site. A Wryneck had been seen at Beeston and despite seeing a few, it somehow had alluded my Norfolk List. I was soon told the Wryneck wasn't about, but decided to keep looking anyway. I failed to find much but did find an area I liked with lots of ant hills, returning to this area for a final look I heard an unrecognizable call. After consulting google it was a Wryneck call, it took a further 20 minute before the bird called again and was eventually seen and finally added to my Norfolk List.

20th May - Southrepps/Cley

A walk around Southrepps Common before Nursery has become a regular thing at Agnes insistence and has lead to us almost being late on  couple of occasions but today our walk was rewarded with our first Garden Warbler of the year.

With many of the previous week/days migrants having appeared to move off, including a Red-spotted Bluethroat I hoped to see, I opted for a walk along Cley East Bank after drop off. Hobby and Greenshank were added to the year list, but it was a little quiet and with the Great Spotted Cuckoo finally departing I decided to do some chores at home.

21st May - Felbrigg/Weybourne

Agnes wanted to go for a walk after Nursery so he headed to Felbrigg for a walk around the lake and meadows. On what was quite a warm afternoon unsurprisingly we saw very few birds, but she was happy just to show me the 'big' trees she had spotted.

Laura's return from work relieved me of childcare duties and I was free to visit Weybourne on what was becoming a delightful evening. Parking in Beach car park it was a bit of a walk to look for the Red-spotted Bluethroat that had been re-found mid-morning. I joined a group of birders from the East Norfolk Bird Club in looking for the bird, sorry I don't remember names but they offered great company and chat. Eventually the bird was located in a favoured spot, but offered only fleeting views before disappearing from view into a private area. A crowd was growing as others decided the evening was too nice for watching TV. After a while a local birder, with designated access organised to flush the bird. This resulted in rather spectacular views in the  evening light, stopped any trespass and allowed the bird to rest, as after a few minutes of viewing, most birders left very content.

23rd May - Titchwell/Wells/Cley/Marsham Heath

I'd snatched a few hours birding during my week off but today was the designated birding day, I had hoped to catch up with James and head to Cambridgeshire for the Bikal Teal, but other commitments meant I was alone and the Teal had also flown. Titchwell RSPB still held a few 'year ticks' so was my start destination. On route I caught up with the last of the long staying Dotterel at Chosley and a couple of Corn Bunting nearby. The Red-crested Pochard didn't take much finding on Patsy's Pool, but the calling Turtle Doves took an age to see. All the expected birds were seen at Titchwell but nothing else of real note, so I headed East after a bacon roll.

I stopped of at the relatively new pools to the east of Wells and in short time had seen 2 Black-wing Stilt, a Great White Egret and 4 Spoonbill, as well as a host of other waders. Content with my fill I continued east in the hunt for more migrants.

The Cley area was starting to feel like home but with little evidence of new migrant arrivals I settled for a pleasant couple of hours on the main reserve, rather than driving from place to place in hope. 4 Temmink's Stint were on Symmond's Scape supported by a Little Stint and 2 Little Tern, my first of the year, this supporting cast was swelled by the regular 'extras' of Avocet, Godwit, Dunlin ect.

After cooking Dinner I was about to settle on the sofa and watch whatever was on, when I decided as the evening was nice to go out for another walk. I headed to Marsham Heath in the hope of  catching up with a Nightjar. It was still rather light when the first bird started to churr and soon at least 3 birds were calling. Walking toward a tree in the middle of the heath soon a Nightjar was 'buzzing' me giving terrific views before perching in clear sight and continuing to churr. Waiting until it was almost dark I also saw 2 Woodcock and a Tawny Owl.

12th June - Horsey

After watching news of the Lesser Grey Shrike for a few days I finally got time to visit Horsey. Parking at Horsey Mill I bolted down The Nelson Track and soon as distant views of the Lesser Grey Shrike in the dune brambles. Soon the bird was flushed by walkers, moving onto some fence posts and giving slightly closer views. Walking back it occurred to me I may be able to add the bird to my 'Pub List'. Stopping at The Nelson's Head, standing on the bank in the back garden I could see a black and while dot in the scope! Walking back via the road I spotted a 'Reed Warbler' in the roadside hedge slightly out of place. Rounding the corner I found two birders scanning the hedge, they had seen the warbler to but it was doing a Swallow call, then a bit of Reed Bunting. After watching for a while it was obvious that I had stumbled across a Marsh Warbler, something later confirmed by the fellow birders sound recordings.

Easter Catch-up - Two

19th April - Ranworth

Meeting up with the in-laws, a delightful stroll around Ranworth had something for everyone. An Easter trail was being run by NWT so that kept Agnes (and the rest of us) amused for a while, I managed a couple of year ticks from the floating Information Center, with Osprey, Arctic and Common Tern, before we all tucked into a delightful lunch at The Maltsters.

21st April - Paston / Southrepps

An early start at Paston Cliffs gave up 2+ Ring Ouzel, 5 Wheatear a handful of Hindrines and 6 newly arrived Whitethroat, but no new patch migrants or exciting arrivals. I therefore headed off for a quick walk around Southrepps Common, an area now walked almost weekly with Agnes attending the nursery opposite, it should almost be part of the patch! I was looking for a Pied Flycatcher reported the previous evening by Fox Beck, but like the Great Grey Shrike earlier in the week I failed to find anything. With jobs to do I headed home, at least I still had 3 days left of my extended Easter Break.

22nd April - Holt / Potter Heigham

With few Bank Holiday events that took our fancy we headed out as a family to Holt Country Park. Agnes loves playing in the woods and the sculpture trail added an extra bit of excitement. I had hope to show her some lizards and snakes, a sure thing on the Lowes, however her over eagerness meant she scared the lizards I found before she saw them and we failed to locate any Adders often basking in the sun. Climbing the Observation Tower I was aware of the calls of a Woodlark and after a short wait finally located one of probably two singing birds. Arriving home by lunchtime Laura decided on a nap/chill out, but was happy for me to go out for a longer amble.

I had put off going to see the Black-winged Stilt at Potter Heigham, not because I didn't want to see it but because I was hoping to find some birds myself or something rarer to arrive. Being midday I was expecting lots of heat haze but after power walking the river back I was pleasantly surprised with a refreshing breeze in the air. I wasn't sure where the Black-winged Stilt was so checked each pool in turn. This proved quite rewarding with the pool closest the mill holding a Wood Sandpiper and two Gargany, as well as the commoner waders including some Ruff almost in summer plumage. The next pool held a Spoonbill feeding at close quarters and the last a Great White Egret and a Little Gull hawking about for good measure. As is often the case I had again myself the wrong side of the pools when for a target bird and had to walk around the far end and view from the other track, but today I couldn't complain. By the tin hut a local birder/dog walker advised me he had seen the Black-winged Stilt asleep almost tucked out of view. Luckily after 10 minutes or so it woke up, had a stretch and a wander before dozing off again. While waiting a second Great White Egret was seen along with a Common Crane feeding near by. I also realised that I had been listening to a few Reed Warbler calling, a new year tick so took the trouble to get visuals of one.

29th April - Paston / Worstead

A quick visit to Paston after dropping Agnes at Nursery offered up little, with only a couple of Whitethroat singing and a lone Wheatear still lingering. News that Dad had a Cuckoo by the Allotment first thing meant a quick trip out to Sandy Hills. I could hear the Cuckoo in the direction of Meeting Hill but despite a drive found failed to locate it, (that wouldn't matter as the next day would have it) but almost as exiting was a Spotted Flycatcher on the track to the Allotment. Dad now tells me the bird had been there about a week!

30th April - Burnham Overy / Salthouse

After 10 days with limited rarities arriving it was inevitable something would turn up the day I went back to work, a Purple Heron, a Norfolk Tick! Last year I sat patiently for almost 2 hours at Cley with my two year old waiting for a Purple Heron to emerge from a reed bed, (I eventually left when we ran out of snacks) the bird duelly appeared 15 minutes later. So with the bird showing well and sticking all week I headed to Burham Overy after the 9am nursery drop off. Near Egmere I spotted a Cuckoo perched up in a bare tree and two Red Kite. Luckily I then got stuck behind a very slow moving, very smelly mature cart!? Lucky because the s got withing a low pace enable me to catch sight over the hedges of the unmistakable outline of a Eagle, pulling over the bird was a little distant but undoubtedly a White-tailed Eagle mobbed by two 'small' Buzzard.

Parking up by Gun Hill I was met by a returning birder say 'it's a long walk, it's distant it's hazy', had I used my day's birding luck? Thankfully his friend added 'maybe worth a look from the harbour'. I jumped in the car and parked in Burnham Overy, a 50m walk along the wall and the Purple Heron came wandering across the grazing marsh, with unobstructed views the bird even struck a few poses, stretching out it elongated neck. After 20 mintes I had had my fill, just as I was getting in the car the birders from earlier reappeared offering up that a Great Spotted Cuckoo was at Salthouse. It was only 11.30 but I was already heading homeward.

I was amazed to find only two birders at Grambrough Hill, but apparently the Great Spotted Cuckoo had been seen only once before 9am and people had drifted away. I never saw the GSC but did see a lovely Whinchat. 3 Wheatear, 7 Whimbrel and a Common Cuckoo. The Cuckoo was gauging on Brown-tail moth Caterpillars, and I unintentionally got within a few a few meters, only alerted to his presents by two deafening 'cuckoo' calls, but even then he carried on eating. Almost a pleasing was standing by the 'cliff' edge and having a few dozen Sand Martin swirling around my head. More than delighted with my morning's birding I headed to Cley visitor center for a cuppa and cake, to finish of a Yellow Wagtail few across the road by Salthouse duck pond.

Easter Catch-up - One

Considering that in the last 5 weeks I've been out birding on only three occasions, with an week off work plus Easter I found myself birding almost every other day in April. I will need a couple of posts to get back up to date (I really should get back into the habit of posting weekly!).

9th April - Barton

With no nursery I decided to take Agnes for a walk around Barton, now 3 1/2 she's really starting to enjoy birding and was very proud in pointing out a Buzzard circling overhead. The Broad was more like the North Sea with the wind whipping up some waves, so little was seen. The wind also kept a lot of smaller birds well hidden, however numerous Chiffchaff were calling and my first Willow Warbler and Blackcap of the year were of note.

14th April - Morston

We should have been at an Easter Egg Hunt but as I had mis-read the start time, were ready to go a good hour early. Rather than sit in we headed to Morston, making use of our new National Trust pass we parked in at the Quay and set off to look for the Great Grey Shrike present. As was the case with the GGS in the Brecks I again dipped. Three new year ticks from the short jount however with 2 Spoonbill, Mediterranean Gull and 3 Wheatear. At the Egg Hunt in Matlaske Laura spotted a Red Kite gliding low over the parkland.

15th April - Waxham / Winterton

With the Schools of for Easter James Emerson and I set aside a day to catch up and go birding. We stopped on route at a site that has held migrant Osprey in the past, but today only a pair of Marsh Harrier and common birds. Walking the Dunes at Waxham turned up the two Ring Ouzel (present a few days), a Blackcap and couple of Chiffchaff. With little around and the long staying Hoopoe still at Winterton we decided to head further west.

Pulling in along the Horsey Straight we soon located the lone Tundra Bean Goose that remains with the resident Greylags. Scanning the geese we completely missed the Great White Egret standing in the field only meters away, with the bird taking flight at the first sight of a camera!

Stomping off through the South Dunes at Winterton we nearly reached Hemsby turning back with news the Hoopoe was back near the toilet block. We walked the North Dunes in the area of the Totem Pole with little success, with only Skylark and Meadow Pipit for our efforts. We were about to give up when a fellow birder pointed in a vague direction with the thumbs up. A few dunes later and James flushed the Hoopoe. It seems quite skittish and few low quite a distance between stops. We still managed good views of a lovely bird, with James capturing the below record shot.

16th April - Southrepps / Paston

After repairing some rotten woodwork at home I headed to Southrepps to look for another Great Grey Shrike reported the previous day. A walk north of The Common failed to turn up a GGS however 3 Swallows hawking over Warren Barn were my first for the year. Walking The Common the resident birds are now in full song and some of the areas distinctive flowers are starting to bloom, in this case
Fritillary.

Moving onto the patch at Paston, I had a nice male Wheatear by the car and a male Ring Ouzel of the cliff face very close by. As with my last visit Linnet seemed to be perched on every bush. A Lesser Whitethroat was by the turning circle and a Sandwich Tern was heading north out to sea. The Holiday Camp and Paddocks were very quite, although the Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel patrolling the cliff probably didn't help.

17th April - Morston / Cley / Felbrigg

With Agnes spending a day with the in-laws I decided to head to Cley and Salthouse in the hope of finding migrants in decent numbers. Greeted by a hazy sea mist lingering over the grazing marshes I drove on to Morston to give the Great Grey Shrike another try. Walking West towards Stiffkey Fen the expected waders were observed including a lone Whimbrel, with a couple of Wheatear and a male Stonechat hardly worth note. I walked just beyond Stiffkey Fen without seeing the GGS (it reappeared in the afternoon) but decided to give the Fen Pool a good scan. While scanning I realised I could hear at least 2 Sedge Warbler singing, new birds for the year, a delightful sound, but one I almost over looked. After locating the Sedge Warbler I continued my scan locating my 3rd year tick of the morning with a Common Sandpiper feeding in the margins. Walking back I watched the Stonechat for a while and flushed a Ring Ouzel from the gorse but still no GGS.

At Cley the haze had started to lift, a quick check of the Eye Field gave up only 2 Wheatear, but no hoped for Wagtails. Scanning the sea seemed pointless with the mist hanging just off shore that said however I sat down for 10 minutes and 2 Velvet Scoter passed close enough to be seen with their distinctive wing bar. Water levels seem very high from the main hides, consequently very few waders were present and after finding the hoped for Little Ringed Plover I headed to the Visitor Centre, to check I hadn't missed anything and have an early lunch. Walking back a Cetti's Warbler unusually sang out in the open giving exceptional views as it belted out its energetic song.

Driving home the sun was warm on my arms, and at the last minute I decided on a stop at Felbrigg. I still hadn't seen a Little Owl this year and this was perfect weather for one to perch up. Parking by the Wood Yard I bumped into a few members of the East Norfolk Bird Club finishing their walk so soon had a grasp on everything that was about. The hoped for Little Owl was soon found with the given directions, a Redwing/Fieldfare flock will probably be my last of the year and a Mistle Thrush was vocal in his presence. Unexpectedly (the bird club hadn't told me) two Ring Ouzel where seen at close quarters on the Warren, with a further also present nearer the sluice along with a Wheatear. On the lake 2 Tufted x Ferruginous Duck held my interest for a while before I saw my first Whitethroat of the year, completing my short loop back to the car.

Pre Easter catch up

With an early warm spell encouraging some wintering birds to leave early. I found very little to head out for in March instead getting some other jobs out of the way.

8th March - Cley / Kelling Heath

It's been a while since dad and I have managed to go out birding together so it was nice to head out to Cley. We walked out along East Bank I finally added Avocet to the year list but also adding Barnacle Goose, Green Sandpiper and Ruff. Bearded Tit pinged in the reeds and a small number of Pink-feet remained. After a cuppa in the visitor centre we had a wander around Kelling Heath, little was about however with Linnet the dominant birds.

14th March - Walcott / Mundesley

Driving though Walcott a white-winged gull flew over the road, and an Iceland Gull was then found loafing in a nearby field. The planned walk at Mundesley followed adding Kittiwake and Fulmar to my lists. Still early for migrants I had to be content with a few fossils from the beach. Taking Agnes to nursery on 24th March I had to pull over in Antingham after spotting a male Black Redstart on a farm building roof. Returning after drop off however I couldn't relocate the bird.

4th April - Paston

My first spring visit to the cliff top at Paston was a rather quiet. With a few now infarmous Sand Martin drifting along from Bacton joined by 2 House Martin. Every bush appeared to have it's own Linnet which at times was rather frustrating as nothing rarer was around.

6th April - Home

Pulling into my road my eye was drawn to a Gull that flew up from the road in front of me. On the roof of the factory was a Yellow-legged Gull with 2 Lesser Black-backs and a Herring Gull. As an added bonus from the bedroom window the YLG made it onto the garden list.

Late Winter Catch-up

After a flurry of trips out in January, February was a rather quieter affair. With just a couple of trips out and other jobs to do I've gotten rather lapse with the blog, but hopefully this will be the last summary type blog for a while.

Southrepps Common - 20th January

Directly next to my daughter's new nursery, Southrepps Common will probably become a regular spot as I take a 30 minute wander after drop off or pick up. This day however, Laura, Agnes and I had an extended walk of The Common and Lower Southrepps. The Common was rather quite bird wise with a work party tidying the reed beds and scrub. Warren Woods however held a few more birds including Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Behind Warren Wood, Fieldfare, Redwing and Green Woodpecker were in the Paddocks and a decent size gull flock were on the ploughed fields.

Felbrigg NT - 24th January

Parking at the back of Felbrigg I couldn't walk a full lap of the lake due to ongoing improvements to the dam area, So I decided to walk via the Church. I still haven't managed to see any Little Owl by the Hall, only finding Jackdaw in every tree! 4 Mistle Thrush we near the Car Park and a mixed Fieldfare and Redwing flock flew over. Sadly at the foot of the Church tower a female Kestral has met her demise, can only imagine flying into the tower as despite the freezing temperatures the bird was still warm. The lake was frozen except a small area being patrolled by a coupe was swans. A Stonechat was below the dam and a unusual flock of c15 Meadow Pipit and 20+ Linnet were in the rough grazing. By the flooded meadow I found a delightful mixed flock of birds holding, Bullfinch, Brambling and Marsh Tit as well as the commoner finches, tits and thrushes.

Lynford / Santon Downham - 28th January

Working a night shift but waking at 6am I made the most of my day visiting the Brecks before starting work at 6pm. Starting off a Lynford Arboretum I first walked down towards the gravel pits, a few Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and a Little Egret the only birds of note. But no sign of the previous weeks reported Gooseander. WAlking through the Arboretum a couple of Crossbill flew over, a flock of Siskin were near the bridge and a Nuthatch was on the feeders. A walk around the Paddocks offered very little with no sign of the 30+ reported Hawfinch, just a single Mistle Thrush, until a lone Hawfinch flew over.

Rather disappointed with Lynford, I decided to head to Sandton Downham to look for the long staying Great Grey Shrike, but despite a good number of birders on site the bird was not located. It has since taken up residence in Brandon Country Park nearby.

Lyng NWT - 28th January

With time before starting work I detoured on my way back to Norwich. But like Lynford the Goosander seen here recently also couldn't be located. However good numbers of small birds made up fore this including a very confiding Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Marsh Tit, Song Thrush and Greenfinch a once common bird not encountered often.

Cley NWT / Sheringham - 31st January

Cockley Cley / Lynford - 21st February

Every school holiday James Emerson and I try to catch up for a bit of old time birding. Following my rather disappointing trip to the Brecks of previous weeks I decided on a revisit. Our first stop was a well known Raptor hotspot near Cockley Cley. Despite the overcast conditions a few Buzzard were 'up' and after a short while a Goshawk quartered woodland giving prolonged views. Buoyed by this success we headed to a nearly site for Willow Tit, but despite 45 minutes or so of waiting by the feeders, the best we could manage was an interesting Marsh Tit and a Nuthatch. Walking further along the track a Muntjac Deer and Great Spotted Woodpecker were also seen.

With a few hours to kill before heading off to try and see the Kumlein's Gull at Lackford Lakes, we decided on a visit to Lynford. Lynford Water was once again quiet though a massive flock of Siskin seemed to surround us with sound. in the Paddocks we soon located a flock of c15 Hawfinch that gave good views feeding under a Hornbeam. A nice male Crossbill was seen drinking by the bridge before we headed off.

Lackford Lakes SWT - 21st February

Neither James or I had been to Lackford Lakes before, this was obvious but we eventually found ourselves in the car park. It was still early for gulls in the roost so we had a cup of tea and a chat with a volunteer in the visitor centre before exploring a bit of the reserve. WE spent some time viewing a scrape known as 'The Slough'. A large flock of c400 Lapwing were put up by a couple of Buzzard and a few Pochard were with the expected common waterfowl. Among these ducks James was drawn by a couple of slightly unusual looking Mallard. This were Roseybill x Mallard hybrids, something James was more interested in than myself, but still something different to see. Sitting by the Sailing Lake a few Black-headed Gull were already in the roost and were being joined by more birds all the time. After about an hour we had to give up with birds still arriving, the pleasant weather meant the bird arrivingng later than previous days. James did pick out a 1st-winter Caspian Gull, a Red Kite flew over and a Kingfisher whizzed by while we waited for the gulls to arrive.

Blickling NT - 26th February

Laura had an extra day off work and waking to a sunny morning we headed to Blickling for a morning walk. We walked the Park and Lake before enjoying a scone and tea, and athough the best birds were only a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Green Woodpecker it was a delightful couple of hours.

January 2019 so far . . . .

Bird Race - 1st January

The 1st January was the 10th Year that I have joined Gary for an informal bird race, (informal as we are not racing anyone else) aiming to start the year with as many species as possible. Arriving at Titchwell RSPB in the dark the birds started to emerge from the darkness. Sea watching at first light was very productive with 36 species seen as we turn back inland. Highlights being 3 Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and a Black-throated Diver. The Fresh Marsh had high water levels so wader numbers were rather limited but we still arrived back at Reception, after picking up some woodland birds along the Meadow Trail with 70 species. A female Merlin chasing a Meadow Pipit over our heads was probably the best bird on the reserve. Fuelling up with a Bacon Bap. Dunnock, Greenfinch and Coal Tit were on the feeders and on a second attempt a Water Rail was found in its regular dyke nearby, before we left Titchwell Reserve.

Choseley Drying Barns in recent years have been disappointing, but we added 10 more species here including Brambling, Mistle Thrush and Yellowhammer, before moving on. Thornham Harbour gave up a Spotted Redshank and Rock Pipit before we eventually saw the c14 Twite that make the area home most winters. A few more common species were added in the Gun Hill/Holkham area so that our 100th bird of the day was Tree Sparrow, at an old site I've not visited for a number of years.

We tried Holt Sewage works on a whim a few years back, and visiting it again this year proved fruitful, with birds including Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff and Firecrest. The Holkham became our was over run with New Year walkers, so Felbrigg became our favoured site to top up on woodland species. Nuthatch was expected but Marsh Tit was a nice addition.

Our only 'target' bird of the day was the Dipper near North Walsham, a bird neither of us had seen on the 1st January and a uncommon visitor to Norfolk. With the bird located by other birders, it was little more than a drive by sighting as the bird frequented the old lock at Briggate. The day was passing by fast but the Dipper was bird 112 for the day, so we headed towards Hickling and the Stubb Mill roost our traditional days end. On route the Whooper and Bewick's Swan were seen near Ludham, and female Scaup was seen on Hickling Broad. As well as viewing the expected Harriers from the Roost Canada Goose  was belatedly added to the day's list, 2 Common Crane fed in front of the view point and in the very last of the days light a Woodcock flew overhead. A grand total of 118 species seen, a good start to the year, if not our highest January 1st total with a few species suspicious by their absence.

Alderfen - 6th January

Laura, Agnes and I had decided on a Sunday walk and with the opportunity of a few birds we headed for Barton Broad. The car park was the full with people obviously walking off thier excesses of Christmas and the New Year, with cars even parked on grass. I'm not one for crowds so we drove onto Alderfen, one of NWT's oldest reserves and one much under visited (we were the only people there). The Broad held c60 Wigeon, plus good numbers Teal and Tufted Duck, as well as the expected waterfowl. Walking the wet woodland surprisingly few birds were seen and none specialised to the habitat. Driving home I decided to call in at Briggate and Ebridge I the hope the recently departed Dark-bellied Dipper may have returned. It hadn't but we did stumble upon a mixed finch flock including c50 Brambling.

Barton Broad - 10th January

After abandoning my visit a few days earlier and with Agnes spending her first full day at her new nursery I had some free time to visit Barton Broad again. Sadly the Black-necked Grebe of previous days had departed, but 2 female Scaup, c60 Goldeneye and a handful of Pochard were on the Broad. Surprisingly a Little Grebe was new for the year being missed on January 1st, along with Great Spotted Woodpecker and Lesser Redpoll also mist on the 1st. Driving on towards Potter Heigham and the coast a Green Woodpecker was another year tick, seen in Neatisthead.

Hickling/Potter Heigham - 10th January

I had planned to look for the Heigham Holmes Cattle Egret from Martham Ferry and then look through the geese near Horsey/Waxham, traffic was queued up and not moving near Potter Heigham so I decided on a walk around the Rush Hill area of Hickling NWT. Parking near Potter Church the walk to Rush Hills was uneventful with a few common birds, but generally quiet. I then stumbled across a mixed Tit flock, holding 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Treecreeper, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit and a Goldcrest.

Spurred on by this or maybe just being blindly optimistic I deiced to walk on to Potter Heigham Marshes, marking my walk quite long. The walk was worth it however when a Great White Egret was found, and then my realisation I could view the area of Heigham Holmes from near Candle Dyke. 3 Otter swam along Candle Dyke oblivious to my presence and after a short while the Cattle Egret was seen distantly by the farm buildings. Also nearby were c80 White-fronted Geese and my second Merlin of the year. Driving home I called by Ludham for a brief look at the wild swan flock although they were rather distant.

Paston Cliffs - 14th January

Having dropped Agnes in Southrepps for Nursery and called in to pay my mechanics bill in Mundesley, it would have been rude not to call in on this section of my patch for the first time this year. The expected Gulls loafed on the beach and a distant Gannet was off shore. A lone Fieldfare fed with a small group of Blackbird on the edge of the set-a-side field joined by a few Linnet and Skylark. Suddenly many more birds erupted from the field c20 Skylark, 3/4 Meadow Pipit, c20 Linnet and a family of Goldfinch, most of whom were hidden from view sent skyward by the resident female Sparrowhawk. The Sparrowhawk left without breakfast and the birds settled again a Mistle Thrush had appeared in the middle of the throng. With a mild NW breeze I had a short 15 minute sea watch, a few birds were closer in than usual with 5/6 Guillemot and numerous Red-throated Diver joining the earlier mentioned Gannet. But the best, two Long-tailed Duck were a new Patch Tick.

East Ruston/Happisburgh - 15th January

A brief stop at East Ruston Common to check for waterfowl on the pools proved fruitless. However in the road side Gorse 6+ Goldcrest were joined by at least 1 Firecrest a bird I will never tire of seeing, and by the water treatment site 2 Marsh Tit were showing well.

Happisburgh was my destination, and although quite a long walk was surprisingly quite with no geese seen in the area or any of the hoped for Snow or Lapland Bunting that often frequent the area in the winter. A mixed Chaffinch/Brambling flock were seen between the water tower and Grubb Street before I parked by the village hall and wandered off through the village. The garden feeders in Blacksmiths Lane only held House Sparrow and Great Tit and I was on Beach Road before i encountered more birds. The Manors orchard held a large number of Blackbird feeding on the fallen apples, and a good number of House Sparrow and Linnet in the boundary hedge but nothing stand out. I walked the cliff top from here to Doggett's Lane, with on 8 Turnstone and 4 Linnet seen in the Lighthouse Field. Rather surprisingly though I watched a Great Northern Diver come in off the sea and fly over my head, heading inland! To complete my lap I walked the clifftop towards the Old Coastguard Lookout and took the track back towards the village hall. I had noticed a few distant Red-throated Diver distantly passing so paused by the old lookout to look out to sea. c40 RTD could be seen with probable other more distant, but also 10+ Guillemot, a Razorbill, Red-necked Grebe and a Shag also seen. The later two additions to the Year List, belatedly giving the walk some credibility.