January 1st Bird Race

All month I've thought I should really do a post about mine and Gary's annual January 1st Bird Race day. Well the month is not quite out but time has gotten the better of me so below is a summary, shamelessly stolen from Gary of the days birding which despite some horrible weather saw us amass 110 species for the day.

We started the day, leaving the house at 5.30 and heading for Titchwell. The forecast was not good so didn't well hold much hope in a large total.

Arriving at Tichwell, the first visitors as normal, we had already seen Feral Pigeon, Blackbird, Pheasant and Woodpigeon 'in the dark'. We walked along side the freshmarsh as the Sun rose, allowing us to see Greylag, Teal, Canada Goose, Shoveler, Moorhen, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew and Gadwall. The Volunteer Marsh was quiet but on the Tidal Marsh we saw Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Little Grebe, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Grey Plover, Water Rail and Bar-tailed Godwit.

Arriving at the beach it was still very dusk, but was getting light very fast. Along the shore line we could see Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Turnstone and Common Gull. A Wren briefly distracted us before back to the sea we added Sanderling and Great Black-backed Gull as more birds started to become visible. Gary soon found a cracking little Slavonian Grebe close inshore, a Cormorant and then a few Goldeneye started popping up on the sea. I picked out a small group of Common Scoter and a handful of Red-throated Divers as they started to fly through. We then located some Great Crested Grebes before and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser flew in and landed on the sea. Brent Goose and Eider flew through and then Pink-footed Geese flew past in the distance and a Magpie flew over our heads. Gary spotted a distant Auk which eventually landed and was a Razorbill. Three Long-tailed Ducks then flew through. A Goldfinch flew over before we added to the waders, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Knot. At this point we saw our first birder of the day, he found some ducks flying over sea and wanted clarification that they were Scoter. Gary then found that the lead bird was in fact a Velvet Scoter. We were about to leave when the same birder shouted Guillemot which gave us a total of 48 before leaving the beach at around 8.30am.

Scanning the tidal marsh and the salt marsh in better light we soon saw Carrion Crow, Little Egret, Wigeon and Pintail. Gary heard and saw a Meadow Pipit drop into the sueda which I didn't see. We saw Shelduck on the Volunteer Marsh before scanning the Fresh Marsh, here we saw Ruff, Avocet, Pied Wagtail and Snipe before carrying on.

Into the bushes we saw Bullfinch, Robin and a showy Cetti's Warbler. We then walked round to Patsy's Pool seeing Marsh Harrier on the way and Pochard, Tufted Duck and Coot on the pool itself. We walked back towards the visitor centre soon adding Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit, with Brambling and Greenfinch in the trees above the feeders. We then went off to get a Bacon Roll and were the first customers of 2014! From the kiosk we added Dunnock, Collared Dove and a Skylark flew over we then left but not before seeing Red-legged Partridge our 76th bird of the day.

Choseley was dead, but not far away a large flock of finches flew across the road, this contained around 50 Linnets, 30 Yellowhammer and a handful of Corn Bunting. Other birds in the flock were around 200 Chaffinch and 30 Brambling. We carried on driving and going through Ringstead we added Jackdaw.

We were heading for Snettisham in the hope of seeing the Black-necked Grebe on the approach road we saw a flock of around 40 Fieldfare and once we arrived at Snettisham car park negative news on the grebe came onto the pager, we checked the first pits anyway adding Egyptian Goose.

On the road we saw a Buzzard near Wolferton before arriving at Flitcham. By this time a persistent light rain was in the air assisted with a terrible wind. At Flitcham we walked from the carpark up the road seeing a handful of Redwing fly over and a Stock Dove on a distant barn. Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow were in the flock of finches spooked up by a Buzzard along with more Brambling. We then went into the hide seeing Jay in the distance but no Little Owls. A Coal Tit was in the pines as we left the hide to head for Edgefield on 89 species.

On the drive to Edgefield the weather got worst, but we carried on regardless and hoped for the best. During the drive we added Kestrel and Rook near to Sculthorpe.

It was still pouring with rain as we got out of the car at Edgefield. We saw a Song Thrush and were soon watching a 1st Jan lifer a Parrot Crossbill , and a Norfolk Tick for me after missing out on the Bacton Wood birds. Next stop was the tip, we soon added Lesser Black-backed Gull, and continued down the road and found another flock of gulls in which Gary soon picked out the Glaucous Gull.

Still ahead of schedule we decided to add a new destination to the 1st Jan race and set off to Buckenham. A quick call in at the mill at Horstead failed to deliver Grey Wagtail, but we did see a Mute Swan our 96th bird on the river at Coltishall.

Arriving at Buckenham the weather was the worst it had been, standing in the shelter was pointless with the rain being blown straight through it. But it was worth it seeing at first a Starling, then Barnacle Geese, followed by a flock of White-fronted Geese flying over and that landed next to the Taiga Bean Geese. Our 100th bird of the day.

Next stop, Strumpshaw. At the feeders was saw a Marsh Tit and added Grey Heron with a quick to the fen hide. Another quick look at the feeders and a Lesser Redpoll called, followed by very brief views.

The unexpected 104th bird of the day at around 3.15 in near dark miserable conditions right on the peak of the Acle bridge in the middle of the road was a House Sparrow.

A brief stop at Ludham and you could easily pick out the Whooper Swans among the Bewick's. We then carried on to Hickling for the stub mill roost. Upon arrival a Sparrowhawk flew through in front of us. Many Marsh Harriers were flying around and a ringtail Hen Harrier then joined in. I spotted three Cranes in the meadows and we had an additional 11 fly in during the rest of the evening. The last bird of the day and our 110th bird was the same as most years a Woodcock that whizzed past our headed before we wondered back.

KFC Waxwings

Finger Lickin' Good. News of the near annual return of a small flock of Waxwings behind KFC on Dereham Road meant a detoured to my normal route to work. The four birds present seemed quite flightly circling around and only ever settling for a few minutes at a time. I couldn't stay long and as it was still early and the light poor i didn't even try for any photos. The January 'Foot It' challange is coming to an end, so yesterday (29th) I headed out early to try and add to my total of 63 species clocked up after 3 outings. I headed out towards Pigny's Wood hoping to pick up a owl in the early light. No Owls but a Woodcock along the old railway line, a fligh over Great Black-backed Gull and a Reed Bunting took me over my target of 65 species within a 2 mile radius of the house. 66 species wasn't a bad tally from only 4 outings but it could have been so many more, next year i think i'll aim for 75. Red-legged Partridge, Barn Owl, Pied Wagtail, Green Woodpecker and Kingfisher just 5 species i know should be acheivable.

Alive and Birding

November was dominated by moving house so going out bird watching was almost impossible. December was not much better, with an excessivly tweeked Christmas rota meaning that most days i left and returned from work in the dark; and those days I did get off I still failed to see the sun as it was obscured by rain. Things are stating to return to normality, on January 1st Gary and I did our regular 'Bird Race' and I have managed to look over atleast part of the new patch in recent days. We still have not got a regular internet connection, but over the next couple of weeks I will post a 'November/December Review' and an update as to the activities of January.

Crossbills Don't Like Helicopters!

A bit of a belated update but on the last day of my 'Autumn Migration 2 Weeks Off Work Holiday' (23rd Oct) Gary and myself headed out a little later than earlier in the week and arrived at Lynford Arboretum about 10.30am. As soon as we arrived the flock of Crossbill flew off over our heads, with according to the other birders present at least 1 male Two-barred Crossbill. We contented ourselves looking at fungi, plants and a couple of moths. The birds returned and we got good scope views of the male Two-barred Crossbill, even if it flitted about too much to photograph. The flock was then spooked by military Helicopters flying low over the tree tops, and despite waiting around they did not return quickly so we headed off towards the Titchwell.

Before we arrived news of a Swift sp. at Cley had us hoping to catch up with something exciting on a quiet day of very quiet week on the migrant front. At Cley we soon located the bird over North Hide, but ID was inconclusive, with the bird looking like a Common Swift and then a Pallid Swift as it climbed and fell against the cloudy sky. We intercepted the bird at Salthouse where we got better if brief views, the bird was later confirmed as a Pallid Swift.

While at Salthouse we got new of two reported Parrot Crossbill in Bacton Woods. We spent the next 3 hours hunting around this area of Gary's Patch. We eventually found the Crossbills or rather they found us, as they flew over we could heard the call of a Parrot Crossbill in a small group of 7 Crossbill, but they then perched out of view. The birds feed silently in a tree yards from us only spooked by a helicopter flying over, we failed to relocate them after that and as it was getting late decided to head home. Frustratingly we knew we had seen a Parrot Crossbill but were unsure which one of the 7 it was! Gary later caught up with the birds a couple of days later, confirming a Parrot Crossbill was definitely in the flock.

Semipalmated Plover in Hampshire.

After going to Stiffkey instread of Hampshire on Friday Gary was itching to go look for the Semipalmated Plover on Hayling Island, but with things planned it was not until 4.30am on Sunday 20th that my taxi to the south coast arrived. Driving down the weather was awful with torrential showers, thunder and lightning. After a breakfast stop we arrived at Black Point on Hayling Island around 9am and would have a 3 hour wait until high tide. Slowly the tide pushed he waders off the mud and sand flat forcing them to roost on the beach. Sanderling, Grey Plover, Dunlin and 30 or so Ringed Plover eventually all came close, but despite 100+ birders looking at everyone, no one could call the Semipalmated Plover. Around 11.45 with most birds roosting high on the beach a Carrion Crow spooked everything up and the birds all moved off. We all packed up our scopes and headed half a mile or so along the beach a favoured place for the Ringed Plover to roost at high tide. Here we found c20 Ringed Plover and their slightly smaller cousin, the Semipalmated Plover. The birds had no where else to go with the tide now at its highest and offered great views despite once being cased off by a dog. It turns out the SPP was probably across the bay earlier in the morning at Thorny Island, so the main flock watched for 3 hours hadn't held the bird.

The weather had held out so we decided to try and find the 5 reported Parrot Crossbill along with a Two-barred Crossbill at Hamsted Forest in Kent on the way home. Arriving at the forest we first walked the wrong track before a kind dog walker pointed us in the right direction. On parking at the correct end of the forest, the rain started to fall. We soon found the assembled birders, who very soon left us, as the rain became harder and harder. Hiding under and umbrella but still getting wet, we waited 40 minutes before the rain finally stopped. Almost as soon as the rain stopped we heard the call of a Parrot Crossbill. A few Common Crossbill flitted along the clearing back edge, and among them a male Parrot Crossbill perched up. Although slightly distant the much more chunky beak was clearly visible, compared to the Common Crossbill in the same tree. After enduring the rain we decided to wait a little longer, hoping for better views and possibly the Two-barred to reappear. However by 5.15pm the clouds had started to form again so we headed back to the car, heading home via the Dartford crossing we completed a full lap of the M25 and arrived hope about 9pm.

Final Patch Visit & North Norfolk

On Thursday 17th I decided to visit Whitlingham for what would be my final visit to the Country Park with it still being my 'local' patch. Sadly it proved to be an anti-climax with a distinct lack of wildfowl and very little bird life in general. Fly over Redwing and Fieldfare were two new patch ticks for the year and close views of a Treecreeper the only highlights. I had planned to walk the woods and Whitlingham Marsh, but the lack of activity lead me to the Flint Barn for a warming cup of tea, followed by a slow walk home.

Friday the 18th was a much better day, Gary collected me at about 6.30am and we headed off to North Norfolk (the night before we had debated driving down to see the Semi-palmated Plover in Hants.). We arrived at Stiffkey more hopeful than expecting, as the winds had not been ideal for much migrant movement. Walking towards the Whirly Gig we soon picked up quite a few Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush and Blackbird, also 2 Ring Ouzel but not the numbers of Thrush seen on Monday. With the thrushes was a large mixed flock of Tits and Finches but nothing out of the ordinary. Near to Garden Drove we found a group of 13 Blackcap but they proved to be the only warblers we found in the area. News of 4 Glossy Ibis seen past Wells had us keeping a look out over the salt marsh and eventually they came past, flying on then over Blakeney Harbour and tracked onward East. Small groups of Redpoll flew over most of the morning, along with a couple of Brambling and Crossbill so with at least some evidence of incoming birds we decided to slip and slide out to the bank of gorse out in the salt marsh. Our rewards for this was 2 Rock Pipit and a Water Pipit mixed in with the numerous Meadow Pipit, and a Peregrine hunting over the marsh. The remains of whom's lunch we found in the form of two well stripped Redwing carcasses.

Just back at the car we got news that the elusive Dusky Warbler at Weybourne had been trapped and would be released in 20 minutes, rather than walk the Campsite Woods we raced (always obeying Speed Limits) to Weybourne and arrived shortly before the bird was released at Denmark House. We got brief views in the hand before the bird whizzed off into the bushes.

A brief stop at Cley Spy in Glandford enabled us to view a rather smart male Black Redstart frequenting the barn roofs, before returning home. Driving back Gary was cursing that we had not gone to Hampshire with the Semi-palmated Plover message reporting the bird 'Showing Well', maybe another day!

A Day in the Dunes

The middle 2 weeks of October are always set aside by Gary and myself for a spot of Autumn migrant hunting. Going away this year wasn't really an option, Gary has a new baby and I'm moving house, so Norfolk will be our stomping ground for the next few trips. 

We started today bright and early at Burnham Overy dunes. Walking down the Gun Hill track it seemed rather quiet, maybe this is just because last year we had thousands of thrush streaming in all day, or maybe it was the stiff breeze keeping things low. The first migrant was a Woodcock flushed from the hedge, followed by a few Redwing and Song Thrush. 2 Bullfinch were nice to see, even if not of the trumpeting northern variety. In the sueada by the sea wall we located a few Chiffchaff, Robin and Goldcrest, an early president for the day. A fly over Crossbill with a strange call could of been part of the Parrot Crossbill influx but we will never know. The bushes by the board walk are always productive and today was no exception, singles of Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethoat and Ring Ouzel, along with more Robin and Goldcrest. Walking Gun Hill large numbers of Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit seemed to dominate along with small flocks of Redwing off the sea. A few Blackcap were by the old brick chimney, and 3 Brambling were near the board walk as we returned. 

Walking towards Holkham we continued to pick up small numbers of thrush, before Gary found a Great Grey Shrike being chased by a large flock of Meadow Pipit. We watched this for a short while before it headed inland with some purpose. In the brambles and bushes by the pines, Robin and Blackcap were about in good numbers, before we stumbled upon a group of c30 Chiffchaff all in a small area. Here we also found our only 2 Fieldfare of the day, 4 Mistle Thrush and 2 Swallow. Walking the southern edge of Holkham Pines we soon stumbled across a Pallas's Warber, more Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Pallas's Warbler are one of my favorite birds and this tiny eartern migrant flitted about at close quarters for a while. From the Cross tracks we headed towards the beach and dunes, seeing 2 further Crossbill and lots of Goldcrest. Things had gone rather quirt so we headed back along the seaward side of the dunes. Nearly back at the boardwalk came news of 2 probable Parrot Crossbill back in the pines! We headed back but after 45 minutes without signed decided to call time on the days birding. Nearly back at the boardwalk again and more news, this time a Siberian Stonechat at Wells. 

Parking in the beach car park and walking back we soon found the location to the West of Beach Road but no sign of the Stonechat. Gary headed back to pick up the car giving me 10 minutes or so to keep scanning, and just as Gary arrived back I found the Siberian Stonechat a little distant, but still showing most of it features and general pale appearance. With a Barn Owl Drifting past in the back ground this was a nice way to finish the day. 

Totals for the day included, c900 Redwing, 58 Song Thrush, 3 Fieldfare, 58 Blackbird, 10 Ring Ouzel, 4 Mistle Thrush,18 Brambling, 3 Crossbill, 125 Meadow Pipit, 64 Reed Bunting, 55 Robin, 56 Chiffchaff, 73 Goldcrest, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 58 Blackcap, 2 Swallow, 1 Pallas's Warbler, 1 Woodcock, and 1 Great Grey Shrike.

Its October, time for some migrants?

On Tuesday 1st, after leaving Mum at the hospital for a day procedure Dad and I headed off to Winterton in search of some October migrants, hopeful brought in by the proceeding few day's easterly winds. Standing in the car park the wind was still brisk and was going to cause problems, any passerines would surely keep low, but on the sea Dad soon picked up 2 Pintail and 7 Brent Geese. With the breeze we decide to walk the south dunes under the Hermanus hoping the bushes would offer some cover. It was evident there had been a recent fall of Robins and there was a passing of c40 Meadow Pipit, but it was surprisingly quiet. 3 Siskin, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest the combine migrant total after nearly 2 hours searching, although we thought we briefly heard a Yellow-browed Warbler.

An impromptu sea watch in the lea of a dune for 30 minutes was much more successful, with 2 Med Gull, 3 Little Gull, 15 Brent Geese, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Skua, 13 Wigeon and numerous distant Gannet, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern. Bird of the day however went to a Black-throated Diver heading south.

We briefly looked in the bushes around the totem pole, but the wind was rushing through them so we decided to get some lunch. Walking back to the car we flushed a single Wheatear and 5 Skylark. Back at the car park c50 Common Scoter were close to the beach, but contained nothing rarer. We had planned to look for the Rose-coloured starling at Caister, but mum called and would soon need collecting.

Throughout the dunes we found lots of large hairy caterpillars, which i believe to be Fox Moth caterpillars.

A Morning at Strumpshaw and Scouting the Patch

On Tuesday I caught an early bus and soon found myself at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB with the mist still hanging over the reeds. I seemed to be the first person to walk along the Lackford Run as a continual steam of spiders webs stuck to my face. The Lackford Run path was quiet with a few Blue Tit and 2 juv. Reed Warbler on the deck and above me 2 Marsh Harrier were constantly harassed by a large group of Lapwing. From Tower Hide I could see that the winter wildfowl have started to return, 100+ Teal, c30 Wigeon and a large group of Shovler frequented the main pool. The margins were also lively with 31 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Sanderling and 18 Ruff, as well as the for mentioned Lapwing. I had just counted the Snipe and found the Jack Snipe when all hell was let lose, and i soon located the culprit, a female Hobby skimming over the reed bed. I had the hide to myself so spent some time looking through the ducks and waders before heading off along the river bank. The Fen Hide held 6 people but not a single pair of binoculars, just big lenses and cameras pointing at nothing in particular so i soon left. Two Great Spotted Woodpecker sat in the dead by the path back and allowed me to get very close. Grabbing a flapjack from Reception hide I was mid-munch when a Bittern flew past the front of the hide, a few seconds later two of the photographers walked in, hard luck guys. By the feeders i watched a pair of Marsh Tit and a Goldcrest in the Yew tree before heading back towards the main road and bus home.

On Wednesday I needed to be in North Walsham late afternoon, but decided to catch an early bus and scout out a bit of my 'new patch'. Dad dropped me off on Skyton Road after we'd been to the bank and I wandered off to re-discover Felmingham Heath, which I haven't visited in over 10 years. The wet woodland edges to the south and west were full of fungi, which made up for the lack of birds. The main area of dry heath is much patchier than i remember, with large area of gorse, but it was nice to see many areas being re-opened up by habitat management. While watching a group of young Willow Warbler I caught the silhouette of a raptor, initially i thought it was a buzzard, but as it flew closer and into better light i didn't need my binoculars to see it was in fact a Goshawk, a bird i really wasn't expecting. After more fungus hunting i took the back roads and footpaths towards another area of my new patch, the quiet lanes south of Antingham. Although again few birds were about i took my time to re-familiarize myself with lanes, hedgerows and fields, nothing the different habitat, and what i might expect to see in the future. Part of this areas forms the 1km square that i plan to monitor for all species of plant, animal and insect, so i made lots of mental notes of things to look out for next year.

A Quiet September

I haven't really had much to report over the last couple of weeks, with the only local bird of note, the Wilsons Phalorope at Cley appearing and then disappearing while i was working.

On 10th September I did manage a brief sea watch from Walcott, but having to meet the solicitor first it was 10am before dad  and I arrived. We stayed in the car as waves broke on the sea wall, sending spray high into the air. We only scanned the sea for about 30 minutes before a heavy shower reduced visabily and we gave up. But not before spotting a few marine specialists, 4x Sandwich Tern, 1x Arctic Skua, 1x Great Skua, 2x Manx Shearwater, 3x Eider, 2x Common Scoter and 1x Red Throated Diver. I then got thoroughly wet and cold waiting nearly 2 hours for my delayed train home.

I wandered along the River Yare towards the UEA on 20th, but this time on a much cooler day i failed to find any more Willow Emerald Damselfly. With autumn migration not really noticable inland i was concentrating on hunting for fungi rather than the birds, but with a dry summer i failed to find very much.

After a warm afternoon and with a cloudy evening i decided to run the moth trap on 21st, but by midnight the cloud had cleared, and i could get the trap in without the aid of a touch as the moon was full. Unsurprisingly the the trap was nearly empty with only 5 moths in total, the highlight being a Brimstone moth - just because it was yellow!

The Yare Valley and a Willow Emerald

With my planned house purchase starting to gather pace, i decided to spend sometime looking around the areas local to my current Norwich home, it may be the last chance i get to spend some time in the area.

On 30th August i wandered down to Marston Marshes, it was waiting on a call from the estate agents and needed to get out of the house to relieve the tension. Lots of people were out enjoying the sun, but the birds were not. Only 17 species were seen, a rather disappointing total if it were not for a female Redstart found along Marston Lane.

Visting the estate agents in North Walsham gave me the excuse to have a quick wander along the cliff top by Mundesley Holiday Camp on the 2nd September. The wind wasn't great for any migrants coming from the South-west. Two distant Arctic Skua and a few Sandwich Tern were out to sea, as well as the commoner gulls. A Yellow Wagtail flew west along the cliff, a handful of Swallow flew Eastward and a large flock of Linnet were on the nearby stubble field.

A walk along the River Yare from Trowse to Lakeham proved rather fruitless on the 3rd September, 3 young Willow Warbler, a family of 4 Mistle Thrush the probable highlights. I did spend a while however watching a Hornets nest near the electricity substation but didn't have my camera to take any photos.

Whitlingham has been the closest thing i have had to a patch in the city for the last 5/6 years, but i have neglected it of late. Starting at Trowse water meadows i was rewarded with a Kingfisher fishing from a perch, and also a family of Willow Warbler being feed in the river side willows. From Whitlingham Lane 2 Buzzard circled overhead a a Green Woodpecker was in a dead tree. The Little Broad was quiet but a close in Treecreeper was appreciated. On the river my the Water Sports Center a family was 4 Kingfisher were feeding and playing, and 2 Bullfinch flew across the river. The conservation area was rather noisy with lots of juvenile gulls harassing the adult birds. Walking clockwise my attention was caught by a bird flicking about the top of some alders, expecting a warbler i was surprised to see a Spotted Flycatcher. Not far away i found a family of Cetti's Warbler being feed in the scrub,  they looked fully fledged but still begged for food. Scanning Thorpe Station Marsh a lone Lapwing was the only bird i could see. The south show was equally quiet 2 further Kingfisher and a pair of Kestrel over the Meadow the only birds of note as i wandered home.

On Monday 9th September i wandered from Eaton to the UEA following the river year. I continued my trend for seeing Kingfisher everywhere i go with a family group of 3 on the River and another one on the UEA Broad. Other birds of note were 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Tawny Owl, the owls called for a couple of minutes before flying alone the woodland edge south of the UEA Broad. It was very strange hearing them call at 10.30am! But the highlight of the day was a probable Willow Damselfly found by the river. (i say probable because my damselfly ID isn't the best, so if some one could confirm the ID i would be grateful.) As far as i am aware this would be a new site for the species that seems to be spreading in East Anglia.

Wyneck Wyneck Everywhere but None in Sight of Drink

Has summer ended? Yesterday and today saw a steady flow of migrants arriving along the whole of the east coast including large numbers of Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Wheatear and Wryneck. As well as smaller numbers of Greenish Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Black Tern.

Despite it being a Bank Holiday Weekend Laura and I after a lazy morning headed to Salthouse to see what migrant we could catch up with. We parked in the beach car park and could see a large group of birders on Gramborough Hill, at least 1 but probably 2 Wryneck were close by but not showing once we got there. A Whinchat was on the wires close to the car, A family of Stonechat confused a few people as Whinchat, Stonechat and Wheatear created a mixed flock including 6 Whinchat, 5 Stonechat and and 5 Wheatear. In the Gramborough Hill bushes 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Pied Flycatcher occasionally made short fly catching darts and at least 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a female Redstart kept themselves well hidden. We did think about leaving as there was no sign of the Wryneck for over an hour, but the other birds had kept us there, the Wryneck then reappeared perched up with a Wheatear  on the wires, giving clear if a little distant views. A quick look over the shingle back didn't offer any Shearwater or Skua but a juv. Black Tern was a bonus bird. 20+ Wryneck have been reported on Spurn today and 12+ in Norfolk so it was likely we would see one the only disappointing thing was that the bird wasn't viewable from a Public House that would have topped the day off.

Little Nugget of Gold

I manged to run the moth trap last night but just before i went to bed an unexpected shower forced me to bring the trap in at 12.30. The trap was dominated by Copper Underwing (9), with at least one probable Svensson's Copper Underwing. New for the Garden were a rather warn Gothic, Flame Shoulder (3), Poplar Hawk Moth and Tawny Speckled Pug (1). The most attractive moth without doubt was a Gold Spot also new. Other moths among others included, Bloodvein (1),  Dunbar (2), Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (5), Brimstone (2), Silver Y (5), Mother of Pearl (3) and Willow Beauty (4).

Cantley to Brundall

Yesterday i caught the train to Cantley and planned to walk back to Brundall, via Buckenham and Strumpshaw, quite a punishing walk if you include getting to and from the station. I decide to start with the Beet Factory and soon found lots of Green Sandpiper. But before reaching the cooling pools i stumbled across a mixed tit flock holding young Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler and a loosely associating family of Whitethroat. The cooling pools to the north held 8 Green Sandpiper and 1 Common Sandpiper however visibility was hindered by tall vegetation. I had much more success with he pools to the east of the factory with 8 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 7 Ruff, 5 Dunlin and a Spotted Redshank. There was lots of eclipse duck which despite picking through all look quite common.

Walking along the river back towards Buckenham i found the best birds of the day, 2 Wood Sandpiper were in a muddy pool and also Ruff in ones and twos at various spots. A female Hobby flew through and I found 3 Grass Snake sunbathing, but until i reached the Mill at Buckenham I had to make do with watching Dragonflies which filled the air as few birds seemed to be around. What was left of the quite dry flooded pools was dominated by a large flock of Canada Geese, which were joined by 17 Barnacle Geese and 2 Snow Goose type birds. 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Common Sandpiper found space in the margins before 2 Wood Sandpiper arrived, probably the two I had seen earlier. By  the Fisherman's Carpark a lonely summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher were joined by two further Green Sandpiper and Yellowhammer was a nice bird to find as i walked towards Buckenham Station.

At Strumpshaw Fen RSPB my first stop was the pool by the feeders to look for Small Red-eyed Damselfly, which i found but I was also entertained by a family of Blue Tits bathing and a Chiffchaff having a drink. Walking along the river bank a juvenile Cuckoo flew from reed bed and i spotted my second Hobby of the day. From the Tower Hide 32 Ruff were causing confusion as they varied from bright white to golds and browns, a good gathering of Lapwing were also present along with a rather drab eclipse drake Wigeon and you guessed it another Green Sandpiper. Walking back towards the railway line i bumped into Ben who pointed out 8 rather nice Swallowtail caterpillars, before we discussed the possibily of seeing the Willow Emerald Damselflies quite soon. Walking along the rather over grown footpath back towards Brundall i'm not sure who was more shocked, as i pushed through overhanging bracken a Tawny Owl perch on a low branch was startled and flew only a few feet over my head. Getting home i examined my blistered toe and reflected on a nice day out. I did run the moth trap but with little success, an Orange Swift the only moth of note and new for he garden.

Birding Gary's Patch

Or should that be Insecting Gary's Patch? On Monday I found myself in North Walsham with a few hours to kill so headed off along the disused North Walsham - Mundesley Railway and Pigny's Wood, part of Gary's Patch. It was a lovely sunny afternoon, and i soon had a large list of Butterflies, but birds were in short supply. Upon reaching the steps down to Pigny's Wood I had 13 species of Butterfly all quite common but nice to see. Banded Demoiselle, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter were near the river Ant. Not far from the 'Old Oak'  I found a colony of Purple Hairstreak defiantly the butterfly of the day. I sat and watched c 12 for a while and managed a few pictures as they briefly settled between chasing and dancing around. Walking across the Meadow area towards the 'Barn' i spotted a Harvest Mouse in some tall grass, I've only ever seen them in captivity so was taken for a while until it spotted me. By the scrape I saw Broad-bodied Chaser and Black-tailed Skimmer, before watching a Green Sandpiper on the muddy margins. I followed the course of the River Ant back towards Bacton Road, seeing 2 Painted Lady Butterflies and a surprise Kingfisher, considering the over grown nature of the channel. All in all a rather nice couple of hours, with 18 species of butterflies on the wing and 8 species of Dragonfly/Damselfly, it was only the poor total of 20 birds that let the walk down.

It's just too HOT!

Since my last post i haven't really done much birding. A brief half hour walk around Spa Common on 24th July about covers it. Although I did see 2 Kingfisher by the small bridge along with an Otter, also in the area 7 Stock Dove and various juvenile birds including, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff and Great Tit. A surprise garden tick on the 17th July was Little Egret flying over.

Dispite the hot weather I've been struggling to run the moth trap as overnight storms have threatened or I've been out and about (strange I know). When running the trap I've had a mixed bag some nights getting nothing more than a trap full of flies and dross and other nights new species for the garden.

New Species:
9th July   - Pale Oak Beauty, Heart and Clubs, Clouded Boarder, Woodworm Pug and Dark Spectacle
12th July - Double Square Spot and Dark Grey Dagger.
13th July - Miller and  Dingy Footman.
29th July - Campion, Scalloped Oak, Silver Y and Phoenix.

 

Can anyone help ID the bottom carpet moth sp.?

A Short Summer Stroll?

Despite Monday being forecast as possibly one of the hottest days of the year, i had already decided to go out birding, but where? There's never much new to find at this time of year, apart from maybe an early returning wader, but the coast would be full of beach goers and offer little shade. I decided i would walk my regular spring route from Rockland to Norwich. I caught the 9am bus to Rockland and started my walk from the New Inn. There were lots of hindrines in the air over the meadows and broad including at least 2 Sand Martin but i'm not sure where they would nest locally and 2 Grasshopper Warbler were reeling from the tussocky grass in the meadow. Halfway to the hide i was sure i heard a short burst of Nightingale song, but despite waiting about and looking again on the walk back it only called once. A Whitethoat perched up allowing a couple of quick photos,  and i also got good views of young Willow Warbler being fed. From the hide i saw two Kingfisher busily flying back and forth no doubt feeding young somewhere nearby. The only other thing of note the 50+ Mallard more than I've ever seen here at any time of the year. Walking back i located one of the the Grasshopper Warbler before taking the footpath towards Surlingham.

As the day was nice i had a quick wander through part of the Wheatfen Reserve, no birds of note, but a Swallowtail was one of the many species of butterfly, damselfly and dragonfly i saw during the day. Nearby i watched a female Kestrel with two fledglings learning to hunt, they hadn't quite perfected the hover! Walking through the village a Sparrowhawk circled overhead before i took the Wherryman's Way down towards the Coldham Hall a diversion i wouldn't normally take but i fancied investigating the pub. (As it happens i was to early, it was closed.) Approaching the Ferry House Pub by the river i could hear a Cuckoo nearby and soon found it not far from the gate to Surlingham Church Marsh, looking for the Cuckoo i forgot about my lunchtime pint! The pool on Church Marsh has held Green Sandpiper of late but i had to make do with a young fox playing along the back edge. Looking out over Postwick Marshes i did pick up a Barn Owl and two Buzzard circling high.

From here to Bramerton i saw little and the new look pub looked a little to posh for a birdwatching lunch so i headed on towards Whitlingham. The track to the Sewage Farm held a nice little surprise, a Little Owl digging about under an oak tree for beetles, there was also young Goldcrest and Coal Tit in the pines. The Sewage works held its normal pair of Oystercatcher and a Song Thrush was singing from the top of the Barn by the flyover. Dispite walking through the woods and around the back of the Great Broad, 2 Common Tern and a few Tufted Duck were the only extra birds i added before walking back to the Flint Barn for a much needed sandwich. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the dead tree by the new archery range and a Green Woodpecker was on the large dead tree opposite the Canoe Club. Walking back via the city to pick up some new shoes, i finally got home at 3.30, with rather achy feet. Including but detours it turns out my short summer stroll was just over 17 miles long, at least for most of the day it was cloudy so i wasn't burnt to a crisp.

June Update

During June despite the Roller in Holt and the Pacific Swift in Suffolk I just haven't managed to get out birding much. All the good stuff appeared while i was at work or otherwise engaged! I have however managed to run the moth trap more frequently if only for a few hours at a time because of the threat of overnight rain.

12th - Marston Marshes was particularly quiet however a few orchids on Eaton Common brightened the walk along with the regular Kingfishers in the area and close views of a Green Woodpecker eating ants.

17th - Thorpe Station Marsh / Carey's Meadow - The orchids at Eaton encouraged me to go to Carey's Meadow, where i found only two spikes, at least four different species are present on site so i was very disappointed. On the Marshes at least 4 Male Reed Bunting where singing. Lots of Warblers about though  only briefly seen now that everything is finally thick with leaves. Garden, Cetti's, Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warbler all seen along with Whitethroat and Blackcap.

18th - Strumpshaw Fen - A belated Father's Day outing. A distant Osprey was seen towards Rockland, 3 Common Sandpiper from Tower Hide and 2 Swallowtail on Lackford Run covers the highlights, but all the normal stuff was about. 3 different broods of Blackcap being feed was nice to see. I also managed to walk straight past the Bee Orchids near the reception hide! Lunch at the Fur and Feather in Woodbastwick meant i also got to try Woodforde's 'new' ale Bure Gold which went down a treat in the sun. 

Moths - New Garden Moths included Mottled Pug (7th), Common Swift (7th), Pinion Streaked Snout (11th), White-Spotted Pug (11th), Treble Lines (16th), Lime Hawk (21st), Poplar Grey (21st), Clouded Silver (29th), Buttoned Snout (29th) and Small Clouded Brindle (29th). 

Another Rare Thrush & Yorkshire Holiday

On Saturday 18th Gary collected me mid afternoon and we headed off for Kent and a female Dusky Thrush. Arriving at Margate Cemetery we soon found ourselves viewing the bird perched up in a sycamore. Luckily i had a clear view through the recently emerged leaves. The bird then spent a while feeding in the open and perched in a pine offering crippling views at times. My second rare thrush of the Spring, not to wish away the summer but some rare autumn thrushes would be nice. As we left a stream of Ring-necked Parakeets started to flow into the cemetery to roost including a group of 25+.

On Tuesday 21st Laura and i called into Bempton Cliffs RSPB on route to Whitby. A strong Northerly wind blew up the cliff face and wasn't pleasant. We managed to pick out all the usual seabirds including Puffin, always a great bird to see, and watched the good numbers of Tree Sparrow by the Visitor Center, before having our sandwiches and continuing north. Staying in Whitby for 3 days it was nice to see Fulmer nesting on the cliff but the strong winds meant i didn't spend too long on the cliff top. A brief drive through the moors after riding on the North York Moors Railway proved rewarding with Red Grouse, Golden Plover and Merlin on the 23rd. A wet day in York offered no bird life but this wasn't meant to be a birding holiday. Before coming home we spent 2 days around Leeds, staying with friends. 10 Red Kite north of the city and a Sparrowhawk in the Garden added to my relatively small holiday list.

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.