Lockdown Birding

As Spring migration was about to start in earnest, the Government asked us to stay home and the schools closed. My wife and I however have had to remain at work, leading to a work/childcare juggling act. Therefore most days when not working I have a 4 year old in tow, a permitted (exercise) walk of any length really has not been an option. We have however managed many nice bike rides locally, with Agnes enjoying coming along in her trailer. Although not ideal for looking at birds we have still seen quite a bit and must be grateful we have the countryside on our doorstep. We can spend time looking at nature in the garden, we made a bug hotel last week. In recent days my rota has allowed me free time for a 4.5 mile walk of the country lanes near home, a route I walked reguar after moving back to the area.

Late March / Early April - Various (cycle)

We started 'lockdown' with a few short rides around the 'Quite Lanes' near home and soon saw many of the common resident birds of the area. We did brave a few longer rides out, one towards Tuttington and Skeyton was rewarded with a flyover Little Egret and Marsh Harrier. Another ride near Felmingham added a 'year tick' Swallow, Marsh Tit, Mistle Thrush and Green Woodpecker, and a third out towards Witton, Edingthorpe and Honing added my first Willow Warbler of the year as well as a few 'lockdown ticks' not seen closer to home.

19th April - Quiet Lanes (walk)

The designated 'Quite Lanes' towards Bradfield and Antingham had seen most of my cycle rides with Agnes but this was my first walk of the area, the more leisurely pace albeit with the dog in tow enabled me to heard and see more resident species in the area. A couple of pair of Stock Dove, Linnet and Bullfinch were new addition off Lyngate Road. A Goldcrest and first Blackcap of the year were between Lyngate Road and Pond Road. From Pond Road i could view part of Antingham Pond, my first open water in weeks and accordingly I added a number of waterfowl species to the 'lockdown' list. The regular Little Grebe are again nesting off Bradfield Road and Cetti's Warbler was singing by the bridge.

21st April - Southrepps/Felmingham (cycle)

We headed off towards Lower Southrepps, seeing my first Whitethroat of the year near Bradfield before just off Mill Lane a Wheatear was in a potato field before crossing the road into the sheep field. Near the school a Hobby few over a third year tick in 15 minutes and checking the NWT notice board by The Common alerted me to the presence of a Ring Ouzel and Lesser Whitethroat nearby. A quick cycle up to The Pit but no sign of the Ring Ouzel so we continued our ride past Gunton Station to listen for the Lesser Whitethroat. In the paddocks just off Chapel Road I heard the distinctive call of a Ring Ouzel which we soon saw. At the Station the Whitethroat was perch in the car park and barely necessitated me to stop peddling. Buoyed by 5 new year ticks I decided to cycle cross county towards Antingham, Suffield and then Felmingham before home. Two House Martin near Antingham and a Red Kite near Suffield seemed to vindicate this decision but the head on easterly breeze all the way home from Felmingham left me tired and questioning the decision. However an unexpected Great Black-backed Gull loafing in the fields near Rossi's perked me up and was added to my new 'lockdown list'.

22nd April - Quiet Lanes (walk)

On my second walk of 'The Lanes' I again saw many of the species seen the previous weekend but along Pond Road Treecreeper and Reed Bunting were added and a lone Tufted Duck was seen on Antingham Pond. By the Llama Paddock on Bradfield Road I heard my first Cuckoo of the year, distant but in the direction of North Walsham I hoped he might have been viewed from the bridge but without luck.  On Thursday (23rd) I ventured out of North Walsham for the first time in the car, albit only to go food shopping at Stalham (as I needed things Sainsburys and Waitrose just don't sell), but driving via East Ruston and Walcott added Sedge Warbler and Turnstone to the 'lockdown' total without stopping the car. I might get as far as Bacton on the bike next week for a few more seabirds.

078 - Lockdown Total

166 - Norfolk Year Total
166 - Britain Year Total