Early May Update

On the 2nd May i went for a wander around the UEA and Bowthorpe in the hunt for a few more spring arrivals. Starting at Eaton i walked along the river towards the UEA, lots of birds were calling and i got close views of Blackcap, Whitethroat and Wren oblivious to me as they sang out. Near the UEA Broad two Kingfisher whizzed by but the main Broad was very quiet. Behind the UEA playing fields i was delighted to see two Little Owl foraging in the meadow and then perching up once they spotted me.

Bowthorpe Marshes were quiet but Swallow, House Martin and a pair of Sand Martin hawked overhead. Two Oystercatcher were on the pools and near the Car Park two Garden Warbler sung in the Hawthorn thicket along with 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Song Thrush. Over Colney Gravel Pits i spotted my first two Swift of the year.

Sunday 5th May was 'May Day Bird Race' Gary and myself whizzed around Norfolk to see if we could beat the 142 species seen/heard last year. Gary collected me before 4am and we headed for the Brecks, but not before a Blackbird perched up outside my house. A Tawny Owl near Snetterton  was seen before we arrived at Santon Downham. We spent quite a while walking alone the Little Ouse and St Helen's Car Park area, reaching 50 specie before leaving. Highlights included an nonseasonal Fieldfare, Willow Tit, a pair of Manderin, 4 Crossbill, Lesser Redpoll, Grey Wagtail and the best bird a male Ring Ouzel perched atop a tree by the Car Park.

Near Grimes Graves it was great to see 6+ Tree Pipit as well as a Willow Warbler. Driving past Weeting Heath NWT we saw a Stone Curlew close the the road so didn't even have to stop on our way to Lakenheath RSPB. Although the reserve is not in Norfolk you can scan back across the river to Nelson's County, and from this view point we added some of the common wildfowl and also Barn Owl, Sand Martin and Reed Warbler.

Arriving at Welney WWT just before they opened at 9.30 we had 73 species seen and three other heard with Whooper Swan and a few gulls in the field approaching the reserve. Great White Egret was out target bird and took a little finding, but we added both Godwit Sp. Yellow Wagtail and Common Sandpiper among others while searching, however we did fail to see the Gargany that was present. We added Red Kite near Nordelph before arriving at Pentney Gravel Pits. Here a Lesser Whitethroat was in a the roadside hedge, we found Mistle Thrush and Oystercatcher on the meadow and Actic Tern, LRP and Egyptian Goose on the Pits. Leaving the area a female Redstart flew across in front of the car bringing the total seen to 97.

In North West Norfolk we added Whimbel, Cuckoo, Wheatear, Curlew, Stonechat and Sparrowhawk at Roydon Common, but spent too long hunting for Wood Lark. Flitcham was offered up Tree Sparrow, Grey Partridge and Marsh Harrier, but the resident Little Owl hid out of sight. A quick stop at Chosely added only two species, but both good birds, Corn Bunting and Turtle Dove. Titchwell was the last big site that offered the prospect of a good specie haul. We duly added 20 species highlights included Common Scoter, Gannet, Eider and 2 Long-tailed Duck on the sea. And Little Tern, Red-crested Pochard, Cetti's Warbler and Bearded Tit on the reserve.

The rest of the day would be spent popping into a few sites hoping for the odd addition hear and there. A Spoonbill flew through, with a brief roadside stop at Holkham. A long walk on Kelling Heath was a little disappointing with only Bullfinch and Green Woodpecker added. From Cley Marshes NWT Car Park we scanned out Gary finding a distant Green Sandpiper and myself a Short-eared Owl flying off towards Blakeney. We finished the evening on Salthouse Heath listening to Nightingale before a surprise Hobby flew over us. As the sun fell we sat hoping for an early Nightjar without success, but our second Ring Ouzel of the day was as unexpected as the first.

136 Species had been seen along with 4 extra heard brought he total to 140. Two less than last year, but rather surprising last years list included 17 specie snot seen this year, so maybe next year will bring us 150 species in one day.

Rufous Tailed Rock Thrush

Meeting Gary for lunch during my Breydon walk meant i was aware of the Rock Thrush that had been found earlier that day in Kilnsea on Spurn. Gary had meetings that afternoon and the forecast looked good for the bird to head off overnight. Friday Morning however the bird was still there and after rearranging a meeting Gary picked me up just after 10am for a whistle stop trip to Yorkshire. The traffic wasn't too bad and we arrived a little after 2pm. Initially the bird couldn't be located but was soon re-found in its favored area. We watched the bird for about an hour at times it came quite close, before some people got too close and if flew back to a post at the back of the paddock, annoyingly each time before i had managed a photo. A nice bird to see a shame about the morons that wanted to pounce on it. Just before we left i quickly popped into a nearby hide to look at a Long-eared Owl perched up in the hedge, before we dashed back home.

Breydon Storks and Migrants

Today i caught the train to Berney Arms, one of the most isolated station in Britain,being 3.5 miles from the nearest road. From the station its a short walk to the edge of Breydon Water, from here you can walk to Great Yarmouth about 6 miles along the north wall, its isolation makes for a very quiet walk (today i encountered just 1 person on the whole route). Before i got off the train though i had seen what i thought was a Rough-legged Buzzard on a post from the train, but now i'm aware of a very pale Common Buzzard in the area, which sadly it probably was.

Getting off the train i soon heard and located Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Bearded Tit, Curlew, Skylark and Chiffchaff. Walking towards the Wind pump 12 Whimbrel flew over my head (a group of almost 50 was seen later)  and 2 Marsh Harrier were close by. My first rather tired looking Swallow was on the wires and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling but could not be seen. A Cuckoo was calling and was found just east of the Berney Arms Pub, along with 2 Whitethroat and slightly further along the wall a Lesser Whitethroat. For the next 40 minutes or so heavy drizzle was frustrating but was brightened by 3 Yellow Wagtail . By the Breydon Pump House, 5 Swallow and a House Martin flew around the sluice and a lonely Wheatear watched me from its perch on a footpath marker post.

Since my last walk along this route two pools have been dug and these held lots of Shelduck (one group of 58 and one of 72) as well as Avocet and lingering Wigeon. My attention was soon distracted by two White Stork that flew in and then came closer and closer. If these birds are excepted as wild they will be a 'lifer' and my first of the spring. I watched the Stork for 15 minutes or so before the flew off north. I then scanned the pools for 'migrant' waders without success until i stumbled upon a Gargany. Part of the North Wall is closed for flood defense work so i detoured via the back of the Vauxhall Holiday Park. My first Reed Warbler of the year was in a reedy dyke and 2 additional Yellow Wagtail were flitting about. Peacock, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies had started to emerge as the sun finally broke through.

I next walked through both the old and new cemeteries in Yarmouth, but with lots of the old scrub removed i only managed to find a single Blackcap. On North Denes i found a female Wheatear and on the beach numerous Ringed Plover and singles of Greenshank and Grey Plover. 2 Sandwich Tern headed north before i headed into town to meet Gary for lunch.

Back on the train home i got one final surprise for  the day. Not far from the old Pontiac Roadhouse a Glossy Ibis was flushed into the air by the train from a flooded pool, it flew away from the line before characteristically gliding down into the marsh again.

The Missing Post

Last week i was having internet issues so my post failed to upload. As it was a while ago i'll keep it brief. Tuesday 16th i started again at The Cock in Lakenham but this time walked out towards Arminghall, around High Ash Farm and then the old Roman Town at Caister St Edmund. It was much breezier than the previous day and that was reflected in a surprising lack of warblers compared to the previous day, i only saw 2 Chiffchaff and a single Willow Warbler. The area by the chalk pit often has Swallow and Sand Martin but none as yet, but a lone Fieldfare lingered. High Ash Farm had loads of singing Sky Lark and 6+ Green Woodpecker but little else of note. The burial site opposite the Roman Town held probably the birds of the day with two Whimbel on the grassy fields. By the sewage works i had up to 15 Swallow and 4 House Martin in the air together before they all passed off, a couple of Swallow later may have been extras. A Kingfisher whizzed passed on the River Tas and two Oystercatcher just about rounded off the birds seen despite walking home via Markshall, Keswick and Eaton.

'Chiffchaff, chiffchaff, chiffchaff'

Having waited to hear a Chiffchaff for ages today i could not escape them. Laura dropped me off at Lakenham Cock, the same as a few weeks ago, before she went to work. By the pub i could hear 2 Chiffchaff  and soon saw one by the old mill. A Grey Wagtail was by the second channel and a Kingfisher whizzed by. Just over the railway bridge i saw two Swallows skimming over the field and once in the meadow two Willow Warbler were chasing each other along the river bank. More Chiffchaff sang as i approached the electricity compound, before i was given a reminder of winter when 15 Redwing gathered in the trees. The gentle bird calls were then shattered by a Cetti's Warbler calling only feet away from my ear, a call i haven't heard for ages despite the birds no doubt being here all winter. The Riverside bushes seemed to have lots of warblers moving through, mainly 'quiet' Chiffchaff, feeding and moving on, by the time i reached Trowse Mill i had seen 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Cetti's Warbler, with 34 species seen.

Today i decided to approach Whitlingham from a different direction, walking through the Trowse village and woods, via Whitlingham Hall and walking down the Lime Tree Avenue. 2 Common Buzzard circled over head by the Hall and a pair of Coal Tit were collecting nesting materials by the top of the Avenue. By the Great Broad i saw the two remaining young Egyptian Geese and also two broods of Moorhen. No hindrines were over the Broad, but three Pochard lingered and a Marsh Tit was near the Rea Platform. Just past the Picnic Meadow a group of 3 Jay made plenty of noise and a lone Mistle Thrush was on the wires. The sound of Chiffchaffs was a constant. In Whitlingham Woods 3 Goldcrest were in the company of a Treecreeper and Long-tailed Tit appeared all over the place. By the line of telegraph posts a male Blackcap was singing and a Chiifchaff was singing on the ground and then hopped up towards my feet!

Scanning Thorpe Station Marsh from the woods initially i saw nothing, but eventually found a Little-ringed Plover and a couple of Teal, while a Sparrowhawk circled overhead. From my normal view point at the east-end of the Great Broad, i found a Green Sandpiper on Thorpe and 2 Reed Bunting. Back to the Great Broad a pair of Blackcap were near the pumping house and a Sedge Warbler was near the conservation area along with two Cetti's Warbler and a Willow Warbler. Whitlingham held at least 12 Chiffchaff i think the most I've heard singing at once. 63

During my walk i also saw my first butterflies of the year. With 2 Comma and a Peacock at Whitlingham, 3 further Peacock at Trowse Water Meadows and a Small White and Tortoiseshell on my walk home. Also of note was a Chinese Water Deer in the open on the grass by Whitlingham Woods Car park.

Is it Spring now?

This morning with an uncertain forecast for the afternoon i headed out early to Marston Mashes to track down Spring, though as i type this at 12.30 i can see only blue sky! The walk along Unthank Road and through Eaton was pleasant wit lots of common birds calling and flitting about, it felt like spring. And just past the golf course gates i heard my first Chiffchaff of the day, Walking the meadow parallel to Marston Lane i saw 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Reed Bunting and the fore mentioned Chiffchaff. All drumming and singing to attract a mate, even more spring like. Reaching the river 2 Kingfisher whizzed past, always nice to see and i spooked a Snipe from a nearby dyke. By the central cluster of trees i watched a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming for a while, but it was rather camera shy. In the muddy river margin in the trees i found a Common Sandpiper, but no sooner i had seen it it saw me and disappeared into one of the dykes across the river. A Grey Heron and Little Egret both with breeding plumes sat on the river bank as i walked towards Keswick Mill. I was just about to pronounce the arrival of spring when i was drawn to a commotion similar to a flock of Starling between the golf course and river. Closer inspection revealed a large flock of Redwing and a few Fieldfare, both in the few odd trees and on the marsh itself probably numbering close to 250 birds. Winter hasn't quiet given up yet. I spooked another Snipe by the railway line before crossing over to Eaton Common.

Just inside the gate i was taken by surprise when a Woodcock came up from under my feet, the Redwing flock then appeared drowning out the call of a Nuthatch nearby. By the weir another Kingfisher flew past and i spent a while enjoying the calls of a Song Thrush. I then noticed a dead Woodcock floating in the margin before finding a 3rd bird in the scrubby corner of the Common, this one much 'redder' than the first. A small flock of Siskin were in the Alders, a Grey Wagtail was on a fallen log blocking the river and a Sparrowhawk circled high above me. As i was leaving two very glossy Marsh Tit held my attention before i headed home. Just before i reach the house a noted a Nuthatch singing only a few doors away.

As i have been typing James has text to say 2 Little Ringed Plover have returned to Thorpe Station Marsh along with 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Sand Martin passing through, if Spring isn't hear Winter is losing its grip fast! I also found a Common Quaker moth in the garden my first moth for months.

Mid Yare 'Spring' Ramble

Every Spring for the last few years around the end of March I have caught the bus to Rockland and walked back to Norwich via the Wherryman's Way. This is normally one of my first opportunities to pick up a few spring migrants, but despite being a couple of weeks later than last year James and i were not optimistic when we climbed on the bus last Friday.

The car park by Rockland Staithe often holds my first Chiffchaff of the year, the area only held a few commoner residents, Linnet, a female Blackcap and a couple of Fieldfare. Rockland Broad itself was rather quiet, a displaying pair of Great Crested Grebe and some singing Skylark at least gave the illusion of spring Walking back past the Staithe i noticed a Wood Duck, though sadly on a garden pond along with a few other ornamental ducks. Following the footpath across the fields we saw Chinese Water Deer and a pair of Brown Hare, a large flock of Linnet the only birds of note. The wood along the side of Wheatfen often holds numerous Great Spotted Woodpecker but was ominously quiet. And in the meadows nearby we found more winter Thrushes with a mixed flock of Redwing, Fieldfare and Starling. A nice Marsh Tit feeding in a garden close to the road didn't really lift the wintery feel.

Surlingham Church Marsh always looks good for Waders and passing wildfowl but i never seem to find any here. Today was no exception, Gadwell, Malllard, Teal, Canada Goose and Tufted Duck offer little to write about, although we did spook two more Chinese Water Deer. Taking the path past the gun club, the Little Owl were hiding out of sight, the only surprise was a group of Red-legged Partridge running around the conifers. A pair of Coal Tit were also close by.

From here the path takes you on past Bramerton and onto Whitlingham. Scanning from a high point across the marshes i found a Curlew and Green Sandpiper on a flooded pool and also 2 Stock Dove. Again woods often alive with woodpecker drumming seemed quiet and it was only when we reached the Sewage Works things 'picked up' again, firstly with an usual gathering of 84 Lapwing, a pair of Oystercatcher and a Herring Gull added to the days total. Before a Water Rail and Sparrowhawk close to Whitlingham Marsh became the last real birds of the walk as Whitlingham CP and woods were busy with people enjoying the Easter holiday and a little bit of sun. Spring must be around the corner very soon!

NB. Finally on Saturday i heard and saw my first Chiffchaff of the spring, harrah!

Finally a Lesser Pecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker are a rarity where ever you are these days and after Sundays dip in The Brecks i was not optimistic about catching up one one this year. Luckily dad is friendly with a few local farmers and on Wednesday we visited a private site where he heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker last week. Standing by the car we soon heard a LSW drumming, but i had seen 2 Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, a lone Brambling and various other Tits, before a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew in. The bird alighted on a nearby tree before 3 squabbling Great Tit disturbed it and it flew out of sight. A great 45 min spent before heading off to do a food shop.

Breckland Mixed Bag

On Sunday Gary, his dad Paul and myself headed out into the Brecks for Gary's 'Birthday Bird-Day'. We started off looking for raptors, and once an early shower had passed the birds started to appear above the trees. Firstly a few Buzzard, 2 to start with but up to 7 were up together. A Red Kite was then seen (later joined by a second), before 2 and then 3 Goshawk appeared. Initially distant, but moving closer as they displayed. At least 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Kestrel completed a large raptor haul in less than an hour. Lots of Skylark and Siskin were around and also a lone Crossbill was of note. But no Woodlark as reported from the same site a week or so ago.

Our next stop for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker proved less productive, with two hours spent and only a handful of commoner birds seen, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin and most of the Tits although a probable Willow Tit lightened the mood.

The long staying Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford decided to go AWOL while we visited but while there we did get crippling views of one of the now famous otters. Finishing on a high note we did then catch up with a flock of 22 Waxwing in Thetford. Feeding close to the road they allowed us to approach very closely, not noticing us in their frenzy to feed. (annoyingly i was so close the camera wouldn't focus).

Lakenham to Whitlingham

Yesterday Laura dropped me off early in Lakenham and i walked along the river to Trowse, and on to a lap of Whitlingham. By the Cock Inn 3 Kingfisher flew back and forth along the river, surprisingly often perching near the top of a nearby tall tree. 4 or 5 Song Thrush sang between here and Trowse which is nice to hear and a single Teal was on the river. A flock of Redwing (c20) were near the flyover and a Grey Wagtail whizzed past at Trowse Mill.

Since reading a report that Mistle Thrush are declining I've seen them in more places than ever, 2 where in the Jenny Lind Park on Sunday morning, 1 near the house on Sunday evening, 2 by the Trowse Sub-station and finally 2 more off Whitlingham Lane.

Whitlingham is now in a rather quiet stage with many ducks having left but spring migrants yet to arrive. Still the mixed flock of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll remain by the Little Broad with at least 2 Treecreeper and a Goldcrest in tow, and there was still a large group of Pochard on Thorpe Broad. Spring is obviously on its way with lots of birds starting to call with Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Robin seemingly in every tree. A lone Marsh Tit near the Flint Barn was nice to see and a Coal Tit uncommon for Whitlingham also nearby.

With the broad-side path closed while ditches are dug out i walked along the wooded trail just past the picnic meadow, here a Green Woodpecker was feeding in a clearing and a large flock of Linnet (38) feed on the adjoining stubble field (i tried to get some pictures but the camera wouldn't focus!). Scanning across to Thorpe Broad apart from the fore mentioned Pochard only a few Tufties remain. With the water level having fallen i recorded my first waders of the year on the shingle spit, 1 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwing and a Common Snipe. The walk back along the north shore was uneventful with a Great Black-backed Gull in the conservation area the only bird of note.

Birds that Peck on Wood

Today Laura and i decided to go and have a look at Barton Broad. On arriving the mist was thick and walking down to the board walk we saw only a Blackbird, 3 Carrion Crow and a handful of Wood pigeon.What little of the Broad we could see through the mist had a thin covering of ice and i managed only 2 Moorhen. Walking back along the boards we saw nothing until we stumbled upon a single large flock of finches and Tits. Siskin, Redpoll, Chaffinch, Brambling, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. We then heard a Woodpecker drumming and on closer inspection found a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker close by before a second male arrived and the birds all flew off. A nice walk if lacking in birds, but watching the courting woodpeckers was nice.

More of the Yare Valley

With another uncertain forecast, i decided to stay local. Walking via Eaton Park I was by the UEA Broad before I found anything of interest, a Kingfisher at the east end perched up perfect for a photo, until I got the camera out! Still at the east end was a mixed flock of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin however the light was to poor to take a photos, 3 Treecreeper, 1 Goldcrest and 3 Long-tailed Tit seemed to be assocating with the flock. The path along the river to Eaton was very muddy, despite seeing Little Egret at Bowthorpe I was still surprised to find two on the river here. At Eaton the river was flowing to fast for me to find the resident Grey Wagtail.

I carried on along Church Lane and on towards Eaton Common. There was lots of small birds by  the railway line and a calling Nuthatch was my first for the year. Marston Marshes was quite a challenge with lots of mud and standing water, but few birds. The resident Kestrel was on hand and 2 Green Woodpecker were in the trees. 3 further Little Egret were on the marshes, i can only assume that the birds have finally pushed up the Yare after many years around Breydon, Cantley and Strumpshaw. As always the feeders by the Golf course gates held lots of common birds, and nearby I found this 'Pied Blackbird'. Walking home i ran into another large mixed finch flock, but no rarities of note.

Flooded Bowthorpe

Last Thursday I went for a walk around Bowthorpe and needed my wellies, the marshes were badly flooded and in many places i had to wade through 5-6 inches of water. I spent a while scanning the reeds by Colney Pits hoping for a Bittern but without luck however further along i got a bigger surprise with a Great White Egret flying east and going behind the Pits. Two Little Egret and 5 Heron were also on the flooded fields. 4 Male Bullfinch were near the car park with a large group of mixed finches and further along behind he substation a large Thrush flock held Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush and a lone Mistle Thrush. There were lots of Teal between Bowthorpe and UEA and 4 Shoveler with a large group of gulls to the east of the bank.

Earlham Park was very quiet, but i did see 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a single Green Woodpecker. By the bridge over the river near The Broad a mixed flock of Siskin and Redpoll was nice to see and further along they came down into some low bushes coming withing feet of me. The Brod itself was devoid of wildfowl, 2 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Coot! Walking home over Eaton Park I found a flock of 25 Redwing feeding on the pitch and putt, and 6 Mute Swan on the Boating Lake.

Water Rails, Woodcock and Kingfishers

On Tuesday 22nd before work Laura dropped me off in Drayton so that i could walk back along Marriotts Way and the River Wensum. I would have gone to Whitlingham but the route to and from was leathel with compacted ice.

Not far along the old railway line i spent 15minutes watching a Barn Owl hunting over the marshy area along with a Kestrel and Woodcock feeding along the hedge line. 2 Fieldfare also flew over with a single Redwing. There seemed to be lots of Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit along the path. I was surprised to see 4 Little Grebe on the river, but i was nearly in Cossesty before seeing any number of birds. A stream that ran under the old rail line had a Grey Wagtail hiding under it, a Kingfisher whizzed by and a Goldcrest was with a LT Tit flock.

Detouring from the railway line to follow the river Wensum near Dereham Road, i found Otter tracks in the snow, 2 more Little Grebe, a Woodcock, Snipe, a Water Rail and another Kingfisher. By the city dump 2 further Kingerfisher were on the river and more surprisingly a Water Rail was feeding in a dirty ditch close to the path. The scrub opposite the Wensum park held a large flock of finches and tits including 2 Brambling and 2 Coal Tit. The area also gave up a 3rd Water Rail and my first Great Spotted Woodpecker of the year.

I also found this rather strange 'upside down' fungus which i can't identify growin on the underside of an oak branch. Any help with the ID would be helpful.

Snowy Whitlingham

Waking up to temperatures of -10C and 15cm of snow, my plan to go to Strumpshaw/Buckenham wasn’t really going to happen, instead after my optician appointment I skidded off to a delightfully quiet Whitlingham. But not before taking a few snowy pictures in the city centre, seeing the Peregrine on the Cathedral and watching a skein of Pink-footed Geese fly high over the Castle.

Trowse Water Meadow was a picture postcard but held nothing, the only birds of note
5 Fieldfare flying over. By the Ski Slope however a found a single Waxwing which then disappeared into nearby gardens. The Little Broad was completely frozen, but the Great Broad was clear of ice. In the trees by the Little Broad car park, a flock of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll also held a Mealy Redpoll, as well as the usual finches and tits. A second small group of Redpoll were very close to the path near the Flint Barn which I tried to photograph before looking through the waterfowl. Duck numbers were surprisingly low, Pochard  c15, Tufted Duck c150, Wigeon 1, Shoveler 1 and none of the rarer grebes, divers or ducks, that the colder weather may have brought.
 

Walking the south shore i did flush 5 Snipe one of which appeared to be smaller and may well have been a Jack Snipe. There appeared to be more people walking around Thorpe Station Marsh than Whitlingham, and unsurprisingly only a few Tufties and gulls could be seen.  By the sharp bend in the river a Grey Wagtail was on the muddy margins and in the conservation area a drake Goldeneye was the only bird worth  reporting. A Bullfinch was in the riverside brambles and that was about it. Despite a couple of good birds, the walk was relatively unproductive, however the snow covered scenery more than made up for any lack of birds.

 

January 1st Bird Race

As is now tradition Laura and I spent New Years with Gary and Claire before Gary and I rose early for the start of another birding year. Neither Gary or I could be described as fighting fit, Gary with a chest infection and me a stinking cold, none the less we jumped in the car at 5.45am and headed to Titchwell. The day started well and ended well but the middle was a struggle.

We had a total of 5 species before arriving at Titchwell around 6.45am (Feral Pigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush and Barn Owl). Walking out to the beach, initially by moon light and then the first rays of a new year we added another 13 species before scanning the beach and then the sea, as the sun final rose over the marsh (Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Teal, Brent Goose, Golden Plover, Redshank, Little Grebe, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Shoveler and Turnstone).

The beach held two of the largest flocks of Sanderling I have ever seen and also lots of Oystercatcher, but with the light still poor we started to scan through a large gull roost on the sea. We soon found the common gulls (Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull) but also Great Crested Grebe, Common Scoter, Goldeneye and a Red-necked Grebe, which was easy to ID in close proximity to the Great Crested Grebe, Carrion Crow wher also on the beach. Gary then found the first good bird of the day, an adult Caspian Gull. While scanning the sea, Dunlin, Eider, Wigeon, Fulmer, Red-throated Diver, Kittiwake, Razorbill, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Goldfinch and Curlew, before a flurry of good birds. First o found 3 Long-tailed Duck, then Gary a Red-breasted Merganser and Velvet Scoter before a rather large Great Northern Diver flew through the scopes. A flock of Knot took the running total to 45 as we left the beach.

We wanted to added Red-crested Pochard to the list but had no idea where 'Patsy's Reedbed' was (it's near the Fen Hide) but added Grey Plover, Skylark, Moorhen, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Pinkfoot Goose, Linnet, Mallard, Pintail, Ruff, Gadwall, Avocet, Spotted Redshank, Snipe, Greylag Goose, Little Egret, Pochard, Reed Bunting, Magpie, Cormorant and Marsh Harrier as we walked back along the main path. On the meadow trail we added, Bullfinch, Chaffinch and Dunnock, before locating Patsy's Reedbed, but not before two squabbling Stoat had nearly ran into us, unaware of our presence. We soon found the Red-crested Pochard, also Coot, Tufted Duck and Great Tit. By the Visitor Centre's rear feeders Pheasant, Brambling, Greenfinch and Long-tailed Tit were added. Having the required Bacon Bap and Hot Chocolate a group of people drew us to a Water Rail in the near-by ditch. Flyover Siskin and Lesser Redpoll gave us a total of 80 species as we got back into the car.

The next few stops proved rather disso pointing as some of our regular spots for those awkward birds, failed one after another to turn up their specialities. We did however add Common Buzzard, Grey Partridge, Red-legged Partridge, Jackdaw, Collard Dove, Starling and Kestrel as we criss-crossed North Norfolk. A quick stop at Cley and Salthouse added Pied Wagtail, Canada Goose and Richardson's Canada Goose (also a lifer) if accepted.

Buckenham/Strumpshaw was our next destination, where we could hopefully pick up a few bird quickly and maybe ever a few specialities of the area. However traffic got the better of us so we detoured via Ranworth to ensure we had enough time to get to the roost at Stubb Mill. On route we added Jay, Rook and House Sparrow. At this point 100+ was looking a long way off. By Ranworth Village Hall Gary picked up a surprise Mealy Redpoll within a mixed Redpoll/Siskin flock. We also added Marsh Tit and Treecreeper, before heading off to Hicking. On route we added Mistle Thrush, Stock Dove and Bewick's Swan.

Walking down from the Car park to the Mill 100 species was insight. Bird 99 was possibly the best bird of the day(although we didn't know it at the time), a Chiffchaff. Although later IDed as a Siberian Chiffchaff  by another observer who heard the bird call. Two Egyptian Geese in a field dragged us up to the 100 mark before reaching the roost. The roost finished the day as it had started with a flurry of good birds. Gary soon found a Merlin (I later found a 2nd), a ringtail Hen Harrier and 10 Crane (the first of at least 32) then flew through in quick succession. Not to mention the Marsh Harriers and two Barn Owls hunting close in. We then saw a small group of Fieldfare, Yellowhammer, 3 Whooper Swan and a Sparrowhawk, before in the growing gloom a Woodcock brought the days total to 108.

With a few 'common' birds missed and a host of other less common birds we would have expected the days total was more than respectable, 110 if you include the Tree Sparrow and Goldcrest also heard.

Scarey Little White Faces

On Saturday I crept of into the stock room at work to listen to the last 10 minutes of Norwich vs Swansea, and glancing out of the window saw 5/6 small eerie white faces starring back at me from the outside of the second floor window. It wasn't a Carnary or a Swan, but rather a Pied Wagtail.

It just so happens that one of the 4 large Christmas trees around the edge of John Lewis is pushed up against the stock room window, and lined up on one of the the branches were 5/6 Pied Wagtail, looking in at me. Last year a noticed a few Pied Wagtail roosting in the trees and it looks like this year they have decided to do the same. I would estimate maybe 100 birds roosting in the trees at the moment but it is hard to tell as many birds are arriving after dark. Up until 2-3 weeks ago the birds had been roosting on Surrey Street in the trees by the main Aviva building, but now the leaves have all gone they have moved.

Disappointed and Suprised

Each morning last week i had the pleasure of watching the Waxwing frequenting the Rupert Street area while walking to work, with up to 14 birds present. On Saturday morning (17th) however the birds had gone, and have not returned since. That was not the only disappointment of the day as a text from Gary alerted me to the juvenile Surf Scoter drifting west of Sheringham, being at work i couldn't get to the coast unit Monday. Getting home that evening i was aware of the Rose coloured Starling at Northrepps. Fast forward to Monday and both birds had gone, and with drizzly weather i ventured no further than to collect the broken feeders, demolished by a squirrel in the garden.

On Friday however after locking the front door to walk to work a Peregine flew over the house, no doubt one of the cathedrel birds, foraging further afield than normal. Walking to work on Saturday morning i got my second suprise of the week, i watched two Blue Tit poping in and out of a cavity in a wall, each time with food in their beaks, i assume feeding young! I then found a rather cold looking Angle Shade Moth on a fence, my second unseasonal sighting of the morning.

The UEA and Back Again

With Laura working again and a few days off work, for the first time in months i found myself with some free time. Yesterday's drizzle kept me in, but today i ventured out to the UEA a walk i haven't done in ages. Walking down to Eaton, i picked up a large tit flock on Unthank Road but the best bird was a Coal Tit (but there's 3 in the Garden), by the bridge at Cringleford i found a nice looking Grey Wagtail, and a Marsh Tit nearby. Walking the River towards the Uni a Kingfisher whizzed through, 2 Little Grebe bobbed about and 3 Grey Heron dotted the route. I also saw my first Otter on this stretch of the river and a stoat ran across the path. Disappointingly no Green Woodpecker or Mistle Thrush were on the paddocks and the feeders by the greenhouses have gone. A small flock of Siskin was my first group of the winter by the east end of The Broad. The Broad itself was devoid of waterfowl, a single Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant and c15 Common Gull (not even a Mallard) were all i could see. Walking the woods and playing field i failed to add much else, but there's still quite a bit of interesting fungi around. Below is what i think is Blistered Cup growing on a heap of old hay bales the dumping area at the back of the playing field (James correct me if I'm wrong). Walking back via Colney Lane and Cringleford, i had a flock of c45 Redwing fly over, and completed my loop seeing the Grey Wagtail again.

Waxwings back in the GT!

Atleast 2 Waxwing are back in the Golden Triangle area of Norwich. On Monday and Tuesday two flew over Rupert Street on my way to work and on Wednesday i could hear what i think were Waxwing calling from a rear garden not far away. I'll have to keep my eyes open now walking to work, something to liven up the walk in on cold damp mornings.

City Center Birding

With news of a Black Redstart and a Ring Ouzel in the City, i took advantage of the clocks going back an hour, using that extra hour to go for a jaunt around the city before work on Sunday.

Walking via Jenny Lind Park and Chapelfield Gardens, no Waxwing have yet made it this far inland. James had no luck the previous day hunting for the reported Ring Ouzel near St Andrews Car park, and after 10minutes despite finding loads of Blackbird i was about to leave when i heard a Ring Ouzel call. Something i heard a lot in North Norfolk last week. I soon saw the bird in flight, a juv/female type bird showing its pale wing markings it was soon gone against into the bushes.

I spent nearly an hour around the Cathedral meeting Paul and Ricky but no Black Redstart. Two Peregrine where on the spire which was nice to see, and walking back to work a flock of Redwing flew over.

Thrushes . . . In The Wood

On Tuesday we may have stayed local, in Trimingham Clifftop Wood rather than further North, but the result was the same. From the persistent thick mist, again Thrushes dropped from the sky. The numbers were lower than Monday but still quite a sight.

Redwing - 2300, Fieldfare - 450, Ring Ouzel - 11, Song Thrush - 37, Black Bird - 110, Robin - 65, Goldcrest - 80, Brambing - 80, Siskin - 2, Chiffchaff - 12 and Woodcock - 2.

Bird of the day was a Short-eared Owl my first of the autumn. We also heard a Yellow-browed Warbler in the Wood but with the fog so thick that we couldn't view the tree tops most of the day, it alluded us. Dispite spending over 6 hours in this small area we couldn't turn up anything rarer.

News of the Arctic Warbler at Brancaster on Wednesday being found after lunch was a little frustrating as i had already committed to doing other things. With the Olive Backed Pipit still at Holkham would have also made a nice trip out, autumn isn't over quite yet!

Redwings . . . In The Mist

 

 

The forecast finally offered up some easterly winds, so a week on Gary and i returned to Burnham Ovary Dunes hoping for a better haul of migrants. Driving through fog from Norwich it got thicker and thicker, we wouldn't see anything.

How wrong we were, it was raining Thrushes, a quite unbelievable fall. The birds just seemed to magically appear through the gloom. Other highlights included a Long-eared Owl and large numbers of Robin and Brambling. Below are the counts for the birds we could see through the fog, who knows what we missed?

Burnham Overy Dunes Count:
5500 x Redwing, 3300 x Fieldfare, 340 x Blackbird, 155 x Robin, 63 x Song Thrush, 79 x Brambling, 75 x Goldcrest, 26 x Ring Ouzel, 10 x Chiffchaff , 10 x Meadow Pipit, 2 x Mistle Thrush, 2 x Crossbill, 2 x Woodcock, 1 x Redstart, 1 x Blackcap, 1 x Redpoll, 1 x Long-eared Owl.

We then headed for Stiffkey Campsite Wood to see a stunning Red-flanked Bluetail. Which showed really well, sadly i didn't have my camera. We also found another 500+ Redwings on the campsite along with a few Fieldfare and Robin. A probable Yellow-browed Warbler was also calling amongst a tit flock.

I'm Bored, Let's Go To Scotland

On Monday common sense prevailed and Gary and I decided that the East Olivaceous Warbler in Fife, although very appealing, was just too far to go for a LBJ that could move off at anytime: and instead spent the day trawling Burnham Overy Dunes.

Fast-forward to Thursday, four days into our ‘birding fortnight’, non-existent Norfolk migrants and reports of a very content East Olivaceous Warbler in Fife, the inevitable happened. I receive a call ‘Shall we go to Scotland tomorrow?’

Just before 2am Gary Picked me up, collecting Robert on the way we arrived in Scotland by 7.30 and after a stop for breakfast we arrived in Fife Ness, Fife about 10.30am. After a while we soon located the bird. Constantly ticking it wasn’t hard to follow through the scrub. The bird was quite mobile but the  brief views were had were frequent and often at close range. A quick look on the sea turned up the expected sea birds and hunting around the area we found a couple of Blackcap, Reed Bunting, Blackbirds and a very tired Redwing. A Red Breasted Flycatcher was located near the gate before we left, and there was also at least 3 Chiffchaff in the area, but the Radde’s Warbler of the previous day couldn’t be relocated.

Driving home we decide to look for Black Grouse, a bird Robert has never seen. Heading towards Langden Beck a well known site for Black Grouse in Durham, we stumbled across 15 Black Grouse in a couple of fields in Northumberland. The 13 cocks all in one place was very unexpected and almost takes moment of the day from the Eastern Olivaceous. Most of the birds mysterious melted away over the 20min or so we watched them, I assume heading off to roost as the sun started to drop behind the hills. A brief spontaneous stop ‘somewhere on a hill’ allowed Robert to pick up ‘Grouse Lifer’ number two when we found 4/5 Red Grouse in the fading light. A beautiful sunset then finished off the day nicely (the following 5 hours drive home in drizzle aside).

 

 

Lots of Leather, Lack of Birds

On Monday Gary and I headed out early to Gun Hill/Burnham Overy Dunes area and spent the next 6 hours migrant hunting. Starting early was vital as before 10am we connected with quite a few common migrants, but after 10am the wind picked up and birds became scarce.

Between 8.30am - 10am we had most of the days birds of note included, 4 Brambling, c15 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Male Blackcap, 1 juv Whitethroat, Golden Plover c30, c30 Linnet, 25+ Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch, 40+ Meadow Pipit, 2 juv Swallow, 2 Goldcrest, 50+ Starling and c30 Skylark. Most of these where in the hedgerows by the track or around the boardwalk.

Over the next 4 1/2 Hours we walked firstly Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes and the West end of Holkham Pines (while hiding from a rain shower). We added comparatively few birds, 2 Blackcap, 15+ Goldcrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Song Thrush, c10 Redwing, 2 Brambling and 50+ Meadow Pipit.

In search of a rarity for the day we headed down to Kelling Water Meadows to have a look at the Pectoral Sandpiper that has been around for a week or so. I've seen quite a few Pectoral Sandpiper but always at a distance, so it was nice to have such a confiding bird giving close views.

Late September Moths

I ran the moth trap over night on Saturday, and was rather disappointed to find only 4 moths waiting for me on Sunday morning. 1x Angle Shades, 1x Lesser Yellow-underwing and 2 x Large Ranunculus. The later being a new moth for the garden. Being relatively new to moth trapping I am yet to understand the best conditions and what to expect throughout the year. I can only assume the clearing skies, almost full moon and cool night conspired against me.

On Sunday night it was much cloudier and a with a bit of a breeze i was more hopeful. I only ran the trap 7.15-10.30pm when the wind picked up and rain threatened. I still managed a more respectable 11 moths. Including 2x Common Marbled Carpet, (new to the garden), 6x Lesser Yellow-underwing, 1x Large Yellow-underwing and a slightly late Willow Beauty.

2 "Lifers" and a Dorset Holiday

With 5 days planned in Dorset from 24th-28th i wasn't planning on doing much on Sunday 23th, but with favourable weather, Gary convinced me a trip to the coast would be a worthwhile. The day started very quietly at Holme, 2 hours of waiting around the NWT reserve looking for the long staying Barred Warbler and Wryneck and Little Bunting of the previous day turned up nothing more interesting that a fly over Hawfinch and my first Brambling of the Autumn. A Red-breasted Flycatcher had been showing at the NOA reserve so we paid our £3 and waited, but as the wind increased so the RBF kept out of site. After and hour or so we decided to look around the more sheltered pines but only found a few Goldcrest. Hoping for a change of fortune and some lunch we stopped in a Titchwell, views of a possible 'Baird's Sandpiper' were inconclusive, but before we found much else (or got a bacon bap!) news of a possible Booted Warbler at Burnham Overy provided some hope so we jumped in the car and headed east. Parking in the village we walked along the sea wall and eventually found 4 birders looking into some suadae, not the crowd we expected. A very pale 'milky-tea' coloured bird soon flitted out of the scrub, giving great flight views before disappearing again. Someone bravely called it in as a Booted Warbler and soon people started to arrive. The bird got more and more flighty as the crowd grew, this enabled us further good views, but we decided to leave before the rain arrived. A brief stop at Cley failed to turn up much before the rain really set in, so we headed for home.

5am on Monday and we go in the car for 5 days in Dorset, not really a birding holiday but with scope for a few hours birding at least. No being able to get our accommodation keys until 3pm we headed first to Lodmoor RSPB. I couldn't join Gary in his trip for the Short-billed Dowitcher 2 weeks ago but the bird had been seen the previous day. Things didn't look good but after about an hour the bird was located. The bird turned out to be my 350th British Tick, my second in two days and a good start to the holiday. The only other birding of the holiday was a sea watching stint from Portland Bill, which eventually turned up a single Balearic Shearwater, a few Guillemot, Gannet and Razorbill, a rather disappointing total. A Raven offered close views, but we failed to find the Ortolan Bunting seen earlier in the day. Other birds seen round and about included a Wryneck, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Winchat and some Redwing. Gary also found a Goshawk and Osprey on a trip out without me.

Since my last post I've ran the moth trap  only a few nights, once at home and once at Gary's. Catches are falling but new moths include Angleshade and Light Emerald in Norwich, and Common Marbled Carpet and Oak Hooktip at Gary's. We did take the trap to Dorset but the heavy showers only enabled us to run if for a couple of hours on 27th, catching only eight moths. However these included two new species for me in Frosted Orange and Lunar Underwing.

1st Autumn Migrant Hunt

I haven't forgotten about my blog, but simply haven't been birdwatching much since returning from my Honeymoon back in June. I've run the moth trap a few times but with nothing to shout about let alone blog about.

Yesterday I was hoping to joing Gary driving down to Dorset to see the Short-billed Dowitcher, but work messing up the rota left me very annoyed and having to work! I have a holiday booked only a mile down the road from Lodmoor RSPB at the end of the month, fingers crossed.

Being deprived of a twitch, I had to get out to the coast today to release some frustration. Laura and i headed to Grambrough Hill at Salthouse, a favourate migrant haunt of mine. Lots of Curlew on the grazing marshes, showed a little promise but hunting around the bushes we could only turn up a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat. A small group of Pinkfoot Geese on the marshes to the north of the Dun Cow though were rather early arrivals.

Moving onto Cley Marshes, we could see a lone Spoonbill from the visitor center. From Daukes hide we soon were directed to a Pectoral Sandpiper on Simmonds Scrape as well as 3 Curlew Sandpiper. The scapes held many more birds than recent visits, as well as the regular waders we picked out, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Little Stint and Yellow-legged Gull. Content with this we headed to the deli in Cley to fill up on Sausage Rolls and cake! I might run the moth trap tonight as its been a nice warm day.

A New Toy

With Laura ear marking some of our wedding money to buy kitchen stuff, i thought we should buy something more to my liking so ordered and duly received a moth trap last week.

Being a kid with a new toy the following night after purchasing a new extension lead i had the trap up and running, straight away i made my first error. I turn the trap on before dark so i could watch the football, but this seemed to attract lots of aphids and flies. I only ran the trap about 3 hours as i wasn't sure if it would rain, but picking through the flies i had a reasonable haul. A few days later i put the trap out again this time only for a few hours between some light drizzle, and although not hopeful still caught a few things.

27th June 2012 21:00-24:00

Heart and Dart x 5
Codling 10 +
Peppered Moth (int) x 1
Yellow Eggshell x 1
Large Yellow-under wing x 3
Flame x 3
Garden Carpet x 1
Various micros

1st July 2012 21:30-23.15

Hebrew Character x 5
Flame x 1
Snout x 1
Riband Wave (Dark non-banded) x 1
Various micros

Hopefully I'll get the trap out regularly and build up a garden list, the micros are a step to far at the moment, but i might have a dabble soon.

Honeymoon Birding

Laura understood that with a Wedding ring was also attached binoculars and scope, so bird watching was always on the cards while away on Honeymoon. Although not renowned as a bird watching hot spot, with only just over 40 breeding species Madeira's bird life is rather special due to its isolation in the Atlantic many species or sub-species are endemic to the island. Arriving on Monday 28th May we had two weeks to explore the island and we had a day booked with a local guide on the 1st June. Before that trip however we found a few birds of our own walking around the islands capital, Funchal and while out and about on a few excursions.

My first new 'life' tick was a Canary on the 28th, a couple of pairs nested in the hotel grounds but up to 30 regularly flocked up nearby. 2 pair of Kestrel also nested nearby and regularly cruised past our balcony at close quarters. Walking along the sea front the only type of gull present were Yellow-legged Gull but nesting colony of Common and Roseate Tern, were nice to see nesting so close to the city, on a rock only about 100m from the promenade. Flying around with the Tern were a large number of Pallid Swift, and looking up into the mountains behind out hotel these were joined by Plain Swifts, a second life tick.

Madeira only had 2 common warbler species, Blackcap and Spectacled Warbler, but walking the suburbs near the hotel Blackcap seemed to be everywhere in a city where everyone seemed to have their own small banana plantation in the garden. We also found Greenfinch and lonely Lesser Black-backed Gull during our wanderings.

On Wednesday we took in an excursion exploring the west of the Island and this enabled us to add may on the commoner species that didn't venture into the city, these included Sparrowhawk, Red-legged Partridge, Linnet, Grey Wagtail and Rock Dove. But the find of the day was a migrant Alpine Swift at Cabo Girao, the site of the second highest sea cliff in the world. It was rather strange however to see such an environment not teaming with seabirds, only a few swifts and kestrel flew around. Thursday we found a group of Maderian Chaffinch in a local park along with Goldfinch and out first Monarch Butterfly of the trip.

Friday 1st was birdwatching day, and i was looking forward to finding the more elusive endemic species. Hugo our guide picked us up at 9am and we first look at a small fresh water pool for a migrant Little Bittern that had been around for a few weeks, the bird could not be found, and two trip later in the week failed to locate the bird. But a pair of Coot had raised 2 young on the pool, a rare bird on Madeira. Other Madeiran rarities in the area included Mallard and Little Egret. We next drove across the island to an area of Laurel forest to look for the endemic Trocaz Pigeon, which after a short while appeared, at a nearby site we then got cracking views of Madeiran Firecrest down to a couple of meters. Before lunch we visited another small pool this one home to a Green-winged Teal, now resident for 5 years. Stopping for lunch we viewed Cory's Shearwater and Manx Shearwater feeding off shore at Porto Moniz, before driving into the mountains to look for Berthelot's Pipit, Madeiran Quail, Rock Sparrow and Spectacled Warbler, but low cloud reduced visibility to nothing. Still we had a great chat and picked up all the information and locations to try to find the birds later in the week.

On Sunday we again met Hugo for a Dolphin/Whale watching trip. This brought the added bonus of close views of Cory's Shearwater and Manx Shearwater at sea, but sadly no Petrels as we stayed relatively close to the shore. During the trip we connected with 20+ Bottle-nosed Dolphin, and also a rare Monk Seal. A flying fish was also an unexpected sight. A Grey Heron another rarity on the island was perched on the fish pens as we returned to the harbour, and Rock Sparrow nested in the cliffs by the Quay, another life tick.

For the next few day we had a car on hire so explored the sites recommended by Hugo and the island in general, picking up most of the island specialities we had missed. On 4th looking for the Little Bittern again we came across a small group of Waxbill at Lugar de Baixo, we also found Spanish Sparrow, but failed to find the 6 Glossy Ibis that have been recently frequenting the area around Faial. On 5th we drive up to the top of Pico do Areeiro the third highest peak, the views were stunning and i also caught up with a very obliging Berthelot's Pipit. Madeira's only pipit. The last day we had the car the clouds finally cleared from the plateau area of the island allowing us to catch up with Spectacled Warbler, but also saw further Rock Sparrow and Buzzard, and heard Madeiran Quail we couldn't locate.

The rest of the holiday was more relaxing but i did again go out with Hugo for a late night visit to a site close to the breeding ground of the rare Zino's Petrel. Against a back drop of the clearest night sky I've ever seen, non-breeding birds circled around us playing and calling. The eiree calls and silhouettes an experience i will never forget and with only 75 pairs remaining an experience i can only hope to repeat.

Pre Wedding Update

Getting married 3 weeks ago has meant i haven't had much time for birdwatching or updating my blog. Since the last post however I've only been out to Thorpe Station Marsh twice, on the 15th and 23rd May, but on both visits i added patch year ticks. Including a patch Life Tick Whinchat on the 15th.

On the 15th i walked Carey's Meadow before heading onto Thorpe. The area was much livelier than previous visits with Garden Warbler and 4 Blackcap among the birds singing. Recent visits to Thorpe Station Marsh had been rather drab so i soon picked up most hindrines and many of the returning warblers for the first time this year. I had decided to visit in the hope for a fly through Red-rumped Swallow with a few along the coast and a big movement of hindrines. I had no luck on that front but sitting by the cattle pen i heard a Yellow Wagtail towards Bungalow Lane, on scanning the marsh and posts i then found the aforementioned Whinchat, but not the Yellow Wagtail. A Common Sandpiper was on the spit and a Common Tern flew along the river.

Visiting on the afternoon of the 23rd while Laura had her nails done for the Wedding i had a good stomp on the patch in bright sunshine. I soon heard a distant Grobbler calling which eventually i located towards the back of the marsh singing high in the reeds. At least 1 Cuckoo was in the area, in the poplars at the east end of Whitlingham Great Broad and possibly a second in the woods. 2 Shelduck where on the spit and a fly over Hobby seems to be resident this year reading other people blogs. I finally found a LRP near the scrape having missed them on previous visits. Before being picked up, despite a very busy beer garden i set up my scope in the Rushcutters and managed to add Cuckoo to my 'Pub List'

Sadly the Wedding prep meant i couldn't travel down to see the Cream-coloured Courser or even get to see the Bee Eater in North Norfolk, two birds i would have loved to have seen. But the Wedding was blessed with great weather and the day went swimmingly, we even had Spotted Flycatcher nesting outside out honeymoon suite window.

The BIG Norfolk Day

Sunday 6th was our second 'Bird Race' day of the year, with the aim of seeing as many species in Norfolk in a single day. For the last few years we have improved on previous totals but last years 124 was probably going to be a stiff target considering the cold weather, and the fact we only having 2 pairs of eyes, James giving this bird race a miss.

Gary picked me up in Norwich at 4am, having seen Barn Owl on the way he was already one ahead. First bird of the day was a Tawny Owl in the road near Thetford which took some evasive driving to avoid. First stop was Santon Downham, on arriving it was obvious we may have problems as the recent drought had burst the river banks flooding nearby meadows and blocking the riverside path. However we scanned the flooded meadows and hedgerow and still found a good number of birds. A pair of Manderin were probably pick of the birds on the meadows but i also saw my first Whitethroat and Garden Warbler of the year. Close to the car we also picked p Nuthatch and Treecreeper, tricky birds in previous years, before walking up the road to find a calling Cuckoo. Lesser Redpoll and Crossbill flew over before two Cuckoo flew directly over us. Walking back to the car we added Sparrowhawk and Siskin giving us a total of 37 species so far. We also hear a Marsh Tit we could locate it though. Driving the short distance to St Helen's picnic area a Tree Pipit was calling from a telegraph post, before adding 7 mores species at the picnic area, including Bullfinch and Goldcrest, Gary also saw 5 Brambling while i had a pee! We stopped briefly by the meadows again we added Chiffchaff, Swallow, House Martin, Cormorant and Rook, leaving Santon Downham on a total of 49.

Driving to Weeting Heath we added House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Swift and Red-legged Partridge. And after a 20minute wait added a distant Stone Curlew to the list along with Lapwing. A Green Woodpecker flew over near Hockwold, and scanning Hockwold Flash we added a further 10 common species to bring my total to 66.

As it was still only 9.15am we had to wait for Welney WWT to open we scanned nearby fields picking up Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Corn Bunting, Avocet, Teal and a distant Buzzard. In the car park we soon added Reed Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Common Gull and Oystercatcher. An injured Whooper Swan was also viewable from the visitor centre. I've never seen the reserve so flooded even in winter, so things did not look hopeful from the main hide, however we did add 6 more species including Wigeon, Litte Grebe and Little Egret. Back in the car park we had a Sedge Warbler, before Gary found 3 Yellow Wagtails and i a pair of Gargany. A quick stop at Denver Sluice finally added Dunnock to the list along with Arctic Tern and a pair of Kingfishers.

Missing Little Ringed Plover at Welney, i suggested stopping at Pentney GP, which turn out to be a worth while stop. We added Egyptian Goose, Sand Martin, Little Ringed Plover, a surprising Goosander, Herring Gull, Wheatear and Common Sandpiper. Over the 100 mark for the day we headed next to Roydon Common. Despite a drizzly shower, a Curlew was near the car park, we watched a family of Stonechat getting fed and a single Woodlark was in the area. A quick stop at Flitcham added the hoped for Gray Partridge and Little Owl. We hopped to scan the sea from Old Hunstanton but with the tide out we made do with the foreshore adding, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone, along with flyby Fulmer and Great Black-backed Gull.

Titchwell means a food stop, but while eating my bacon butty a Brambling dropped in on the feeders, before we walked up to the main road to locate a calling Lesser Whitethroat. back on the reserve a Short-eared Owl was found over Thornham Marsh. Gary then reclaimed his 2 bird lead seeing a Cetti's Wabler i only heard before we entered the Island Hide. A little Gull was flying about, a male Pochard and female Red-crested Pochard were on view and a small flock of Brent Geese then dropped in. A Spotted Redshank was seen from the bank before we walked up to the beach. We failed to find a single sea duck which was disopointing, but we did see Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin and a few distant Sandwich Tern. Walking back the Short-eared Owl flew over our heads, we also heard a Water Rail and saw briefly Bearded Tit.

Before stopping at the Gun Hill Track at Holkham we saw a Red Kite, and from Gun Hill a large mixed flock of Whimbrel and Curlew. Scanning the marsh by the Joe Jordon hide we found single Pinkfoot, White-fronted and Barnacle Geese. Driving through Wells town we also added Feral Pigeon to bring my total to 130.

The total was still steadily growing but at Cley parking at Old Women's Lane we were told that the main hides had little to show so instead moved to the Coastguard Car park. 2 Little Tern flew east and a Golden Plover was in the Eye Field. 2 Spoonbill then flew in before we returned to the car. Moving onto Salthouse we scanned the marshes from Gamborough Hill locating the long staying Hooded Crow and a distant Whinchat. Briefly stopping in on Bishop's Hide at Cley looking for Snipe we stumbled upon the Timminck's Stint that had not been seen for a few hours and also our second Little Gull and Common Sandpiper of the day. Any more species would now be a struggle so news of 2 Common Crane had us rushing to Friary Hills to add my 137th bird of the day and Gary's 139th. Driving back through Cley Village a Barn Owl turned out to be my last bird of the day. As subsequent stops for Nightingale, Grey Wagtail, Woodcock and optimistically Nightjar (it's prob to early and was raining) failed to deliver, although a Nightingale was added to the 'heard' list.

So a grand total of 138 species seen by me and 4 more heard, and 139 + 3 for Gary. Our largest total by a long way and on a day hampered by flooding, cool weather and drizzle, what total could you get in Norfolk on a Perfect Day?

Portland Migrant Hunt

Sorry about the late posting I've not had Internet access the last few weeks. Using my up coming Wedding as essentially an excuse to go bird watching, (it's a stag do honest!) Gary James and myself headed off to the south coast on Friday 13th April. Not that i knew where we were going as Gary wanted to make it a surprise.


After being collected at 4am our first stop was in Hordle, Hampshire to look for the long staying adult Rose-coloured Starling. After it a bit of hunting we returned to the car and i found the bird perched atop the telegraph post by the car, the light wasn't great and the bird was moving around, so after 30 minutes or so we moved of looking for out next target. The theme of not quite knowing where i was going or what i was going to look at continuied until we got near the next location, Steepe Langford, Wiltshire. Though i did see my first Swallow near a village called Tiptoe, while travelling. At Langford Lakes we viewed a female Ferrugious duck in classic sleeping mode, also a Kingfisher and my first Sedge Warbler of the year. Next stop was Chew Valley Lakes where we eventually located the site of the Spotted Sandpiper, and a very showy Grey Wagtail. The next target bird was the Long-billed Dowitcher at Meare Heath in Somerset, but again the site took a little bit of finding. The birds however did show well with one individual moulting into summer plumage, as well as more common waders a Great White Egret dropped into the same pool. A further stomp around the reserve turned up little but we did hear a Reed Warbler and Bittern booming. Abbottsbury in Dorset was our last stop before calling into out hotel on Portland. Although distant a Black-winged Stilt was an unmistakable figure in the wet meadows. We also picked up Common Tern and Sandwich Tern fishing over the Fleet. Before checking out the local pub on Portland i headed out to wander around an old quarry next to the hotel while Gary relaxed. A Lesser Whitethroat was in the scrub by the gate and a House Martin flew over, two new year ticking.

The second day of the trip started at Portland Bill looking for our own migrants, its started well with Swallow flying over, and we soon found a small group of Wheatear near the light house. A brief sea watch turned up Gannet, Manx Shearwater and Kittiwake. On the cliffs and nearby Guillemot, Razorbill and a single summer Puffin were seen. A Yellow Wagtail flew over calling but could not be seen against the sun. A further walk around only turned up a Raven, Kestrel, House Martin and lots of Linnet. After a late breakfast we decided to try the quarry near the hotel for sheltering migrants, but after 2 hours found a single Greenfinch! We then gave up on Portland and headed to Radipool RSPB in Weymouth to at least see some birds. We soon heard Sedge and Reed Warbler but by the time of reaching the North hide had seen neither only commoner birds. From here however we viewed the long staying Glossy Ibis initially obscured but after a flew fight views the bird came close in to the hide. Walking back to the car we managed to see the singing Reed Warbler, before a second short stint ob migrant hunting on Portland. The area of cliff side scrub turn up two birds, a Great Tit and a Wren, we went back to the hotel and gave up for the day!

On the last day of the trip we got up early and headed down to Portland Bill again but the wind was stronger than the previous day and much colder. The Wheatear still hung about but the only new birds were a pair of Lesser Redpoll overhead during our 45 minutes or so in the area. We then said good bye to Portland driving cross country to Wales. At Penath we then saw the drake Lesser Scaup, my second lifer of the trip. The bird was at a site i could only describe as a little Welsh Whitlingham, full of locals and children enjoying the sun. Driving along the M4 we saw the usual Red Kite flying over head.

Rockland to Whitlingham

For the last few years I've embarked on a spring migrant hunt, walking from Rockland Broad via Surlingham to Whitlingham, following the river most of the way. This year i was hoping to find a Osprey, Ring Ouzel or Gargany.

Catching the 9am bus to Rockland, my first migrant was as previous years was a Chiffchaff in Rockland Broad carpark. Between here and the bird hide i saw 4 more Chiffchaff but at least 8 were singing and i saw 2 Willow Warbler, as well as many commoner species. Little was on the Broad, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls are worth noting, 2 Little Egret flew over and a Buzzard circled over Surlingham Woods.

Skylark flew over head as i cut across the fields towards the Ted Ellis Reserve. I only walked the woodland section as i rarely find much on the rest of the reserve. 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker battled it out and a Treecreeper was also seen. Chiffchaff were also everywhere. Walking through Surlingham village, i found 2 Goldcrest in a road side tree that gave views to a few feet at one point, oblivious to me. A flock of c15 Linnet were also on the edge of the village. By the Surlingham Ferry Pub a pair of Sparrowhawk displayed over head, and from the hide on Church Marsh a Green Sandpiper was on show. The Gargany reported last week have gone but the Little Egret remains on the pool. At least 7 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler were singing but little else was about despite me doubling back and looking around the ruins and meadows. A few butterflies however are now on the wing, a Small White was by the pub, 2 Orange Tip along the river bank and a Peacock by the Landspring Sluice.

Along the route from here to the sewage works at Whitlingham i was serenaded by more Chiffchaff and also saw a fresh Comma, before a flock of 22 Redwing flew over heading east. The Sheep field behind the sewage works held c15 Pied Wagtail including a White Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Skylark, 4 Lapwing and a flock of 10 Linnet, a Coal Tit was also nearby. The sewage works themselves held a mixture of corvids, 2 Oystercatcher and 6 Stock Dove. I walked through the Whitlingham Woods to the view point but not before picking up 2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Scanning Thorpe Station Marsh i couldn't find the hoped for LRP or any other waders. You briefly walk along the outside edge of the woods and here i was rather surprised when a flash of bright orange appeared in the hawthorn hedge. A new patch tick for me, 2 Firecrest flitted in the hedge, briefly crossing the path into the brambles, all at close quarters but to fast for a photograph. A Willow Warbler was further up the path along with 2 Marsh Tit. The Great Broad was surprisingly quiet, both in turns of birds and people, i only saw 6 people as i walked around. From the conservation area however James' Caspian Gull remained and a lone Pochard was by the watersports centre, and that was about it bar the commoner species.

Finally I get to Cantley

I started the day in Rosary Cemetery while i waited for the train to Cantley. It was initially rather quiet then i realised why as i counted 14+ Jay spread between two trees arguing and fighting. A Chiffchaff burst into song and i then found a Treecreeper building a nest. Maybe I've never been that observant but this is the second unusual nest I've seen in a week or so with Long-tailed Tits last week.

I got off the train at Cantley and within minutes i was watching 4 Glossy Ibis on the flooded meadows. A few Wigeon still linger with Curlew, Teal and lots of Corvids also in the fields. Walking over to the Reedcutters i was disappointed that the pub only opens during the evenings and more so when i could see the Ibis from the grounds, another bird escapes my 'pub list'. I walked around the back of the Beet factory with a large number of Shoveler, Shelduck and gulls, but no waders. Cetti's Warbler called from the river bank and i thought i heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on the footpath towards Limpenhoe, but failed to find it. Back on Station Road in Cantley 3 Fieldfare flew from an ivy covered tree, before i headed across the fields towards Buckenham. A male Hen Harrier drifted over Cantley Marshes and Chiffchaff are now back in numbers. A brief stop in the now disused Buckenham church allowed me a short rest as i was rather warm and i wasn't best dressed for the weather. A Mistle Thrush was near Buckenham station but the marshes were rather quiet, so i headed off to Strumpshaw.

The usual tits flitted around the feeders including 2 Marsh Tit. Walking he woody area by the Reception hide a Willow Tit was calling and eventually found. In this area i also saw two voles and a wood mouse. On the main track a Cetti's Warbler unusually sat out in the open calling. Entering the Fen hide i was told i had just missed a close in Bittern, but was soon aware how close then it started to boom from the closest area of reeds maybe only 5m away. I got a couple of brief views through the reeds but the bird never ventured back into the open. A few Bearded Tit flitted but i headed off around the back of the reserve. It was rather quiet along the river back, but a few minutes in the Tower Hide produced 2 Avocet, 2 Snipe and few Lapwing. A show off cock Pheasant posed for a couple of photos but the rest of my walk back to Brundall and the train produced little.

During the day i did pick up my first butterflies of the year, a Comma at Brundall Station, 3/4 Tortoiseshell in Cantley village and 5 Peacock at Strumpshaw.

One Chiffchaff doesn't make a Spring.

. . but does 3? Today i was spoilt for titles for this post after a morning spent at Thorpe Station Marsh it could have easily read 'Thorpe Wader-fest' or 'Mammals on the Marshes'.

Laura dropped me off by the foot bridge and headed for work, i had picked Thorpe in the hope of a early Gargany passing through. Things looked good with the scape flooded and plenty of water on the marshes. I started off walking the river bank, but the broad looked rather quiet with a few Tufties and Gadwell, single GC Grebe and a mixed gull flock. A splash in the dyke caught my attention and an otter dived out of view, my first otter on the patch. From the screen i then noticed 2 Avocet on the spit how had i missed them from the bank. They then swam out to the centre of the Broad mingling with the gulls. Cetti's Warbler seemed to be singling from every scrubby clump, eventually i glimpsed one near Bungalow Lane. Tip-toeing back across to the Cattle pen a Water Vole swam one of the dykes and scanning from the pen a Chinese Water Deer completed a trio of mammals. From here i heard my first Chiffchaff of the year calling from the railway line but couldn't locate it from it's two brief spats of song. The flooded marshes held 8 Teal but no Gargany. Uncommon on the patch 2 Meadow Pipit then flew overhead. 3 Oystercatcher then appeared from the direction of the sewage works making loads of noise, they circled around but moved off, but not before disturbing 2 other waders, I'd previously over looked. A Green Sandpiper soon disappeared into the marsh, but a single Dunlin remained on the spit a little longer before also wandering off. 2 Snipe completed a very unexpected haul of waders. Walking back over the bridge what i assumed to be a group of House Sparrow turned out to be 8 Dunnock all together.

Carey's Meadow had a lot to live up to and tried its best. Just inside the gate 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over together and 3 Mistle Thrush fed on the deck. only a few yard further and i heard my second Chiffchaff on the day, but this time the bird was obliging and showed quite well, frantically feeding and not noticing me, at one point it came within 6ft. 2 Redwing then reminded me Winter hasn't left us yet. I then stumbled across my second group of Dunnock this time 11 all together, is this normal behaviour? Groups must have been a theme as i then saw 7 Jay all in one tree, making the predictable racket. I heard another Chiffchaff before spotting 2 Long-tailed Tits with nesting material so i followed them, i then happily watched them for 10 minutes coming and going adding to an already stunning looking nest.

Before meeting Laura for lunch i wandered through Lion's Wood and Rosary Cemetery, where i heard 2 Nuthatch but failed to see them and a saw a single Song Thrush. Walking home via Hall Road a lone Waxwing sat atop a Rowen tree remind me that March isn't as quiet a month as you might expect!

Marlingford, Marlingford and Marlingford Again

Since my last update i seem to have spent lots of time visiting Marlingford looking for the Great White Egret. My 1st visit on the 20th Feb was sadly cut short as i had to return home after news Laura's Great Gran had died, but before going home i had found 2 Buzzard a 2 Little Egret.

The following day dad and i sent an hour or so at Happisburgh by the Coast Guards, a large flock of Brent Geese held 3 Pale bellied Brent. A small group of Twite, Meadow Pipit and Skylark were in the stubble and a Great Northern Diver flew through south. During a brief stop at Walcott we found a Med Gull and Turnstone ran everywhere as normal. Driving around the back roads a RL Buzzard was breifly seen along with 5 Common Buzzard and a couple of Sparrowhawk. A final stop behind Mundesley Holiday revealed nothing of note.

On the 26th before and after going to Sainbury's Laura and i looked for the GW Egret again without success. On the 2nd March however i did catch up with the GW Egret with the bird finally raising a head up above the vegetation. Waiting for the car wash at Longwater a Red Kite drifted over and a Bullfinch sat i the bushes no more that 6ft away to complete a delightful 30 minutes.

On Saturday 3rd Gary picked me up mid morning and we headed again for Marlingford. From the Bawburgh Road we could not see the GW Egret so headed for Marlingford Mill to look for the American Wigeon reported the previous day. By the church a Red Kite drifted over. The Red Kite had apparently just scared the widgeon flock so we had to wait awhile for the drake American Wigeon to show. While there we also saw a Little Egret, Grey Wagtail and Nuthatch.

We then spent most of the afternoon at Titchwell, pleasantly quiet without 'birding tours' filling the hides. We did first stopped at Choseley watching c40 Yellowhammer and c20 Corn Bunting. From the Island Hide we failed to locate the reported for Mandarin or Scaup on the Fresh Marsh. The Brackish Marsh held 3 nice Spotted Redshank very close in but not the Smew reported earlier. The sea proved to be much more successful, with his first scan Gary picked up the Velvet Scoter, drake Scaup, many Goldeneye and 4 Longtailed Duck all close in. Walking back the redhead Smew reappeared on the Brackish Marsh and although the Mandarin was still elusive from the Parrinder Hide I did pick up a early returning Sand Martin flying west. A final scan from the path and Gary located the female Mandarin asleep in the reeds. The Arctic Redpoll remained in the picnic area and showed well before we left.

A drink at the Dun Cow as the sun started to set was a nice end to the day, despite not seeing to many birds it was nice sitting in the garden looking over the marsh, has spring sprung?

No, as i finish this post (Monday) its been raining all day with sleet this evening!