Birding with Pam and Anne

North Norfolk At last

2010-12-10T21:49:00.008Z

New Blog for 2010 - this is the last posting on here

December 10
The forecast rise in temperature - to +3 - saw an 8.30 start for Snettisham. Rather later than usual but we wanted to make sure road conditions were safe - they've had a lot more snow and even lower temperatures in the west. Our lowest was -6.
We had a lovely morning which included Tree Sparrows at two locations, Harpley and Flitcham, a covey of Grey Partridge, a random smattering of Fieldfare and a few Redwing. Still no sighting of Little Owl at Abbey Farm though. The pond there had thawed in places which the myriad ducks were enjoying. I always keep a day list on days out, it's the salt on my chips, makes all bird species equally important and sought after. 25 by Flitcham was a good tally.
To keep up the food analogy..... Snettisham was the cream/icing/jam on to-day's cake.
An hour past high tide, the mud was teeming with birds. The expected Knot, so many Grey Plover, Bar T Godwits, Dunlin and all the other commoner waders. The duck included Pintail and our first Goldeneye of the winter, two lovely males. The pits on the reserve were mainly ice free - unlike the lake in front of the chalets. Two Sanderling fed on the snow cum frozen froth which ringed the shore.

Now comes the dessert topping.......
Stopping politely so that we didn't disturb the only other birder on the reserve, we saw what he was looking at. A flock of 60+ Waxwings festooning the Hip strewn bushes along the path edge.
Afetr giving him enough time to take some photos, we drove as far as the first hide before turning round to return on the seaward track so that I could attempt some photographs. A very happy half hour later, we left them to feed in peace as they were easily spooked by Kestrels, Cormorants, Geese, anything large and flying.

A Selection

Some of the Flock

Waiting for Food

Dragging ourselves away, the next surprise was a Fumar cruising the cliffs at Hunstanton - we don't usually see them until the new year.

Thornham creek on a fast receding tide, produced an actively feeding Spotted Redshank, racing along in the centre of the channel.

Icy Roads and Snow = No Birding

2010-12-10T21:18:00.001Z

December 5
Late news of a Ross's Goose at Horsey sent us on our way at 3.00 - drizzling and very dark. We had good views (sic) of the bird before it flew off to roost with the large flock of Pinks. Appalling photo.........

December 9
Suffering from birding withdrawal. Our road had thawed at last, whilst our front path, which faces north, is still lethal. Getting to the car involves hugging the garage wall whilst ducking under the hanging baskets. The Horsey Run beckoned.
Frozen ground and water has meant unusual waders in unusual places. A Woodcock rose off the grass road verge outside Sea Palling whilst 20 Dunlin, 25 Redshank and a few Turnstone fed in the P and D beach car park. Before the Horsey gap turning and after Walnut Farm, 36 Snipe probed the softened mud around some standing water pools. A few more Redshank too.
5 Red -throated Divers flew through off Winterton Dunes but the sea was otherwise empty.
An enjoyable outing.

Winter Cley in Sun

2010-11-18T17:02:00.005Z

Thursday November 18
We left home late morning on a very grey day. As we travelled north, the sun came out and blue sky appeared.We decided to bird first before, lunch at the cafe (Pam anyway). Negotiating the muddy track on the way to Pat's Pool, surprised to find two fresh molehills in the middle of it, we found the hide empty. Great. We had a good 20 minutes to ourselves enjoying the spectacle of 1,000 Golden Plovers huddled on an island. A flock of at least 150 Dunlin scurried about in front of the central hides and a few dozen Black-tailed Godwits fed at the back of the pool. Suddenly, everything leapt into the air, flying about for 5-10 minutes before settling again. A Sparrowhawk had flown through.

Black-tailed Godwits coming in to land

Two Common Snipe fed quietly in front of the hide - until others joined us.

A fraction of the Golden Plover flock

Shopping and Pinks

2010-11-16T22:58:00.003Z

Tuesday November 16
After taking Rai and Barbara to the station, Pam decided that she wanted to go to Lathams to get some more fertiliser for the garden. Such a lovely day after a clear, frosty night, it was a pleasure to enjoy the countryside - Potter Heigham via Winterton is definitely going the 'pretty way'.
Nearing Horsey, there was a partly harvested sugar beet field with about 5,000 feeding Pinkfeet, others flighting in to join them. . The sun was totally wrong for pics as was the field containing 500+ Golden Plover.
Flat calm and birdlesss at Winterton, we didn't stay long.
It was mid afternoon by the time we left Lathams, deciding to return via Horsey again. The Pinks were my side of the road this time. Despite the fast sinking, low and hazy winter sun, I took some photographs.

The sun on its breast, it honks its way in

Good light for these

A small section of the flock

There were four Ruff feeding amongst the geese

Missing a Man U Match !!!

2010-11-13T21:10:00.002Z

Saturday November 13
Titchwell on a sunny, blue sky, cool, early winter day, lovely. The near gale force winds of the last few days had dropped but the water levels were still disappointingly high. Fen Trail with no sign of the long staying Pallas' Warbler - it wasn't seen all day - one Goldcrest the reward for our limping (me) effort.
There are several new seats, all placed on the side of the path nearest to the reserve - at last. We sat on one before Island Hide, quietly scanning the expanse of water with distant ducks. As I reached the tufted -grass island behind Island Hide, I caught a pair of wings rising from the undergrowth. Then, I saw the white patches as an adult Great Skua rose and flew directly towards us and almost over our heads. I was so awe-struck that I forgot I'd got my Canon Ixus in my pocket. Later, when I tried to photograph the impressive new Parrinder Hide (s), I found both the battery in my camera and the spare were flat. That's the first time ever.......
I was able to admire and scope the Skua again on the return journey. It flew in from the landward side, settling on the Freshwater pool.
We tried again for the Pallas's, still no sign. Several Redpoll around the Centre's feeder area, we only saw a dead Little Auk in a box. A couple had found it at Snettisham and brought it to be identified.
Brancaster Staithe on a falling tide whilst Pam ate her sandwich, then, off to Burnham Marshes, more in hope than certainty. We had to drive past as there was no car parking room, turning round, we were lucky to find one roadside. Almost immediately, Pam spotted a Rough-legged Buzzard sat on top of a Hawthorn before flying off towards Holkham. A small flock of Barnacle Geese amongst the Pinkfeet were added to the month list before we drove to Wells and a Black Brant on the putting green. Not a 'good' one, probably a hybrid.
Man U drew - again - at Aston Villa.

Incidental Birding

2010-11-10T17:03:00.000Z

Tuesday November 9
Waking to near gale force wind lashing rain against the window, we aborted the planned birding day with Aileen and Bridget, opting for lunch at Cley NWT cafe instead. The splendid panoramic view from there added Avocet and Gannet to our month list. A cloud of Golden Plover rose from the Eye Field - far too distant to distinguish the American Golden amongst them.

Wednesday November 10
After a phone discussion with the Walmsley Sanctuary warden last night, my long awaited trip to Cornwall was cancelled, no sign of the American Bittern since Saturday. So disappointing but not unexpected - it's been there 6 days after 4 days at Zennen. It's taken that long to get Pam to find two clear days in which to travel. Frustrating.......
Late morning, we made a trip to the Harnser to get the menus for Christmas dinner with Mags and Anne in mid December. Good sunshine between the black clouds encouraged a trip to Winterton Beach. We stayed 45 minutes seeing few birds but the ones we saw were good. Five female Common Scoter close inshore, 25 Eider including two bright males flew through and two Red-throated Divers fished amongst the troughs and rollers remaining from yesterday.
The highlight for me was at least two Little Auks heading west, always a delight. Unidentified Auks scurrying through, much further out, as were the Gannets.
Scratby produced a Skua sp, very distantly flying and then ditching, probably a Bonxie. That's the problem with sea-watching from the east coast, birds are seldom close in.

The Reason - a Filthy Car

2010-11-07T17:32:00.003Z

November 5
Sugar beet season equals filthy car on our rural lanes. The car wash near Asda does the best job on our CRV as they hand wash the difficult parts before the drive through. first though, a bit of Gt Yarmouth birding.
The Mediterranean Gulls were scattered on the beach behind the Sealife Centre, perched on a wire enclosure - very photogenic.

2nd winter

1st winter

About 20 Waxwings were perched on tree tops near Lidl's car park in Pasteur Road, too distant to photograph well,
Breydon viewed from under the Haven Bridge was packed with birds, as usual, most of them very distant. Could't see any Avocets, thousands of Golden Plover, hundreds of Wigeon, Lapwing and Teal, tens of Shoveller.

Chance Encounter

2010-11-03T17:48:00.001Z

Wednesday November 3
A busy social day. Coffee morning followed by lunch with friends at Salhouse garden Centre. Pam decided to call in at Walcott PO instead of going straight home. The shortest route from there is past the Seal Rescue place. Shortly before Point House, we both saw two Waxwings feeding in a hawthorn bush on the north side of the lane. Turning round as soon as we could, we returned to enjoy the view of these delightful birds and to attempt to photograph the, Definitely not the best I've ever taken but pleasing considering the low grey overcast with drizzle in very poor late afternoon light. They spent much of their time on the wires above the hedge, not spooked at all by passing traffic. One pierced a berry onto its upper mandible and took quite a while to manoeuvre it off. I have a photo of this but it's even worse !

Wing pattern shown

November 1

2010-11-02T16:02:00.004Z

A calling Tawny Owl saw us on our way for our 'first of the month' outing. Not to begin with, but eventually, a beautiful late Autumn day. Warm sunshine with little wind enhanced the warm russet, yellows and red of the still well-leafed trees. We both like ploughed fields too, a soul warming morning.
Three different coveys of Grey Partridges, one before Abbey Farm and the others after, skeins of Pinkfeet making their constantly pattern-changing waves across the sky, what could be lovelier.

Actually seeing a Little Owl at Abbey probably......we're too early for raptors to be flying there.
Beautiful Snettisham. Acres of glistening mud reaching out to a low tide sea. Snaking, water filled gullies, scoping for heads appearing from the multitude of crevices.

The clouds of Knot springing from the shore, swirling and morphing before settling again. About 600 Golden Plover rose as one, soaring skywards, flashes of gold and then pale under body as they careered about in a cloud mass - for no apparent reason.

Plenty of Little Grebes on the pits, no Goldeneye yet.

Finding a Grey Plover feeding on the grass verge of Snettisham beach car park was surprising.

Plenty to eat

Not able to walk, my calf muscle is still too sore for more than a short stroll - and instructed to rest it (how frustrating) by a physio - Holme was a visit to the hide overlooking Broadwater only.
A Common Buzzard sat on an NWT hide roof, almost impervious to bold Magpies creeping ever nearer - until one tweaked its tail. Even then, it only moved its head.

A few Redwings and Fieldfare still hanging about, we saw many more of the former to-day.
For the first time in three months, there were Corn Buntings in the hedge opposite Choseley barns, plus a few Yellowhammers.
Lunch at Brancaster Staithe watching the tide come in was quite delightful. So enjoying the view that I forgot to photograph until there was too much water. Mud adds texture and depth to the scene.
Despite trying hard, scoping towards Gun Hill and Burnham Overy Marshes from the roadside, I couldn't find either of the two Rough-legged Buzzards. Neither could anyone else. Got home before a pager message announced one sitting in a field late afternoon.
Cley to add a few list birds after failing to see any Waxwings or the reported Great Grey Shrike in Old Woman's Lane.
Eighty species from the car was very pleasing, especially after such a lovely day. Bliss for me, sunshine, birds and photography - not necessarily in that order.

October's End

2010-11-02T15:27:00.000Z

Thursday October 28
After a week of rain and enforced leg rest, I was pleased to spend an hour at Cley watching Pat's Pool. The American Golden Plover - not even a month tick - had left, but the Green-winged Teal was on view briefly before disappearing behind an island. To rest I assume as it didn't re-appear.
Friday October 29
With the G Y Waxwings as the final destination, we went the pretty way, via Sea Palling and Winterton. A single Red-throated Diver flying by. Patience short as it's still half term, no parking places and hordes of children and dogs everywhere. Good that they're out and about I suppose - but not where I am ! Grouch......
Several adult Med Gulls on the beach behind the Sealife Centre, oblivious to the throng of people strolling by.
Crossing Haven Bridge, we saw a flock of Waxwings hurtling about, turned at the roundabout and drove into the estate near Tesco. From here, we could see the flock still flying restlessly about. No sign of them settling so we drove home.
BVD.

Last Day on Scilly

2010-10-27T13:08:00.000+01:00

Wednesday October 20
A lot cooler to-day, I actually wore my birding jacket - not done up though. Spider took us to the Longstones cafe entrance where we had a sausage bap lunch, sitting at an outside table enjoying the Autumn sunshine. The highlight was pods of Common Dolphins passing Porthcressa Bay, distantly viewed from the cafe. Small pods but it must have taken 20 minutes for them all to pass through; diving Gannets accompanying them as usual. I was able to enjoy scoping them.
A Bar-tailed Godwit flew over as did Crossbills and Golden Plover and then, a flock of Siskins on the way to Carreg Dhu gardens.
On entering the gardens, we heard a racket from a sycamore tree. We coudn't see the source of the agitation but did identify a male Blackcap, Firecrest and Goldcrests.
I sat in a glade watching a large Sycamore whilst Pam went off to look at the plants. Most of the flock dispersed but I added another Yellow-browed Warbler amongst the Goldcrests and Chaffinches.
Rocky Hills is, as its name implies, a difficult walk, although downhill and a much shorter route to Porth Loo than via the road.
We love sitting on a bench looking over Port Loo beach, we've seen many good brds here. Not to-day but it was good to see six Sanderling back, they've been absent for the last few years.
Addition
Whilst at Lower Moor yesterdays, we saw an Accipiter which I initially called as Merlin but decided it was bigger - but small for a Sparrowhawk. Was it the suspected Sharp-shinned Hawk first reported by Spider, pooh poohed by everyone but now appearing on the pager as 'possible' ? Armchair tick........

Lower Moors

2010-10-18T21:12:00.000+01:00

Monday October 18
Not a lot of incentive to go out to-day. Grey skies, lack of birds and sore joints. We eventually contacted Spider who dropped us off at Lower Moors, early afternoon. A flurry of common birds just inside the gate, including a Chiffy and a fleeing Water Rail, before lunching in the Hilda Quick hide, watching a Jack Snipe bobbing and doing its sewing machine feeding action in the mud. Two Water Rails crept through the reeds and a female Sparrowhawk made two unsuccessful fly throughs, the second almost into the hide windows.

Moving on to the ISBG hide, a very close Jack Snipe gave excellent opportunities for photographs, I had to move back to get it in focus.
This Common Snipe, mud encrusted beak, made it scurry back into cover before re-appearing under the bank.

Old Town Cafe had closed - open this morning - doing us out of an anticipated Cream Tea treat.

We sat on the bench, talking to various friends, before Spider took us back to Hughtown.

Perfect Day on Scilly

2010-10-18T12:34:00.000+01:00

Sunday October 17
After a week of resting my right leg (suspected Achilles tear turned out to be a muscle tear, one which governs the Achilles - local doctor), I was anxious to do some birding. We'd managed some short outings or taxi rides but nothing more.
Taxis are not available on Sundays here, Peninnis was the walk of choice. Half way along Church Street, I started to regret the decision but, decided to try to walk through it. Negotiating the steep hill up to Buzza and the Health Centre, the seat outside was very welcome. The sun shone warm and bright from a blue sky with occasional white cloud to make it interesting; this reflected by the sea which was barely textured by the light wind. Visibility was excellent, The Bishop lighthouse and the Cornish coast all showing clearly . All the islands look within swimming distance (if you swim well) from the top of Peninnis.
Refreshed, we plodded on, Pam making side detours wherever possible, me slowly walking straight ahead along the grandly named King Edward Road - it's a wide, stony farm track along the centre of the Headland. An oncoming birder gave us the rough whereabouts of the reported Lapland Bunting, a relief to know it was still here.
About a 100 metres before the millstone, there was a gap in the wall and through the escallonia hedge, deep tractor tracks marking its purpose. Pam was on another of her sorties. To my astonishment and delight, the only bird in view was the Lap. Bunt, roadside, feeding happily. Pam joined me and the bird stayed whilst I got my camera out of my backpack. I fired off several shots, cursing having to do so into the sun whilst enjoying the present.

Moving to get a better position, with the sun behind me, flushed it into the shade, so we moved on.
Peninnis always has flocks of Meadow Pipits feeding in the pasture, so many Starlings too. Harold Wilson's seat was empty for a quick sit before walking to the end seat with good views over the Head and its Lighthouse, Old Town Bay to the left, the rocky west coast to the right. A single Redwing flew in to the hedge nearby.
We lunched here, basking in the sun, watching a small herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle grazing inside their electric-fenced enclosure. They're obviously moved around as the area to our right was devoid of heather, looking strangely bare. A pair of Stonechats led me a merry dance.....

I decided to walk back to Hughtown along the western side of Peninnis, ending behind the Allotments, scene of many a twitch. Maybe if my memory had been more accurate - and there hadn't been the possibility of seeing a Wryneck - I would have made a different decision. The 'path' is a steep rocky descent down the rugged hillside dotted with granite boulders for much of the way. It becomes less steep but just as bad underfoot. Five Siskins flew over as we set off, alerting us with their calls.
The one seat along the way was occupied. We found some large rocks on which to sit and look for the Wryneck, unsuccesfully, it hasn't been reported to-day. Stunning views of Hughtown, across the narrow neck between Town Beach and Porthcressa to Telegraph in the far north of St Mary.

Good views of the Red-throated Diver in Porthcressa Bay from here too, the sun in the right place but too distant to photograph.
At last, we arrived at Hughtown. I was very tired with weak knees and an aching leg, necessitating another sit on the benches at the end of Porthcressa Bay. This route back is longer as well as being more arduous than the one we used to access the headland. Daft decision, BUT I enjoyed it. Must be a closet masochist. The stairs up to the flat are a killer at the end of a hard day.

Expensive Injury

2010-10-13T21:38:00.000+01:00

October 13
My Achilles hasn't improved, another lovely sunny morning sitting in the flat watching the Chilean miners being brought to the surface. What a feat of engineering.
If the Pied Wheatear had been reported, I'd planned a Bants Carn trip. The island seems to have emptied of birds overnight, all the reports of the regulars of the past few days were negative .After lunch, we caved in and took a taxi to Porth Loo, where we could bird whilst sitting on a bench. The next couple of hours were most enjoyable. Long strings of Shags fished the other side of Taylor Island, there must have been almost a hundred. Big shoal? Waders gradually revealed themselves amongst the tidelines of thick seaweed. Two Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, one Whimbrel, two Curlews and a dozen Ringed Plover. A single Mediterranean Gull on distant rocks.

The highlight was the tamarisk corner where a Common Redstart, two Wheatears and a Stonechat occasionally showed, before moving out of the rocks onto the shore.

Common Wheatear

Common Redstart

'Common' seems an utterly inappropriate first name for such lovely birds.

Island taxis home again, another £5 for a 2 mile trip. Come back on duty please Spider, he'd charge us half of that.

22 miners on the surface so far......

Carn Friars Afternoon

2010-10-12T20:20:00.000+01:00

October 12
Such a beautiful looking day, warm and sunny. Couldn't stay in another day to rest my achilles, all those birds out there.....
Spider's not working, Duncan's busy - he gave me Island Taxis' number - and Rob picked us up at the Town Hall at 2.00., dropping us at Carn Friars Lane. No sign of the reported Wryneck at the farm buildings. A short walk down the track, we arrived at the horse jump field and immediately saw a Little Bunting, feeding in the grass. The easiest Little Bunt ever, we stood in this area for hours last year. I attempted some photos.

A Clouded Yellow danced its manic way from daisy family yellow flower to yellow flower.

Arriving at the end of the path, Porthellick Bay at low tide is not at its best. A tight, narrow mouthed , horseshoe-shaped, bay, showing an expanse of sand, rocks and seaweed. What a delight, we found two whole, white, plastic chairs where we sat in comfort for over an hour basking in the sun whilst birding. A flock of about 50 hirundine fed around us, at least one House Martin amongst the Swallows. One Black Redstart and a male Stonechat sallied forth after insects from the nearest boat deck and ropes. We couldn't manage to ID the Plover sp in the bay nor its short-billed companion. Were they the AGP and the Pectoral Sandpiper reported here this morning? Looking into the sun, distance and lack of scope mitigated against a positive ID.
News of the Wryneck 'showing well' in Carn Friars lane took us back up the hill, pausing for another view of the L Bunting, feeding on the path.
No Wryneck but, a Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler and a Goldcrest (only our second of the year) in one willow tree near the farm. Taxi home to eat and get ready to watch to-night's footie.

Help, Please Send a Buggy....

2010-10-10T20:57:00.003+01:00

The highlight of our stroll to Porth Low via Porthmellon and the coast path, was sighting the mystery Falcon which is occasionally turning up. Eleanora's has been mentioned....We were resting on a seat overlooking Thomas Porth when a flurry of small birds attracted my attention. Causing the scare was a large falcon, our immediate reaction was Peregrine BUT, the poor light made seeing any ID features impossible. Did it have long wings and tail? Pass. It flew over us quite low and fast. It was almost immediately reported on the CB as having flown up Lower Moors towards the coast. Hm. Eleanora's would be great.
Pam photographed a beautiful Wheatear which flew up onto a gate beside her.

It became cold sitting on a seat at Porth Low, scoping towards Taylor Island, scrutinising the extensively exposed rocks and sand of a very low tide . We saw a Blue Rock Thrush here on Pam's birthday, in the 90's I believe. Notable for the sight of Justin in his canary yellow and green Norwich City shirt standing out amid the largely drab clad birders.

Eventually the lack of sun and a cool NE wind moved us on. Not before we'd seen a Med. Gull, a Dunlin, four Ringed Plovers and two Black Redstarts, hearing a Common Sandpiper.
No sign of the Turtle Dove near the duck pond, not a lot else either until we got to the ISBG hide at Lower Moors. There, a very bright and lovely Jack Snipe showed unusually well in the open but, too distant for a compact camera. I carried my scope to-day. It's manic bobbing made me wish I'd taken Stugeron.
A Common Snipe flew in close enough for Pam to take this photo with her Ixus compact.

For the first time in many years, Old Town Cafe is open. A hot drink was welcome.
News of a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the churchyard sent us around the bay. A Whimbrel flew in to feed on insects in the swathes of seaweed left by the tide.
The Fascicularia are looking good at the moment. We tried to grow them in pots at home, they grew lots of greenery but never flowered like this.

No sooner had we got there than we learnt that the R B Fly had disappeared as news broke of a possible Blackpoll Warbler and an R B Fly at the Trelegraph end of Lower Moors.We re-traced our footsteps, running the gauntlet of many birders on the narrow, tree - enshrouded footpath, wet marsh on either side, squeezing past tripods, backpacks and paunches. No sign of either bird. It was a very slow trudge/hobble back to the flat, my right achilles was very painful. That's a new experience. Pam's back and hips not good either. Oh for transport.
Pam was looking at the Turnstones which scurry about on the beach under our window at high tide when, leaning out, she noticed a half grown Grey Seal Pup beached below. It was nearly dark but I managed to lighten the photo.

I asked for help on the CB and was advised to phone Heike the vet. She was lovely, saying that its mother lived in the harbour and the pup often spent the night resting on the beach. I am to phone her again in the morning if it's motionless.

The Garrison Again

2010-10-09T21:34:00.001+01:00

Preparing for a relaxed morning, which included a big cook-up for the next few days, before walking to Porth Loo, the pager doing its exciting 'mega' alarm and the CB bursting into life put paid to that. A Black-eared Wheatear on the Garrison in private grounds near the Star Castle. Thank goodness for the CB which kept me fully informed of progress from then on. 'Now flown out of view and hasn't been re-located' slowed our hasty preparations....We met a proud and beaming Spider outside the Co-op, he'd been asked to look at someone's photo - taken in the Star Castle grounds - on a camera screen. His ID was upheld by Ron Johns and the message put out.
As we panted to the top of the hill and passed through the arch, the CB told us the bird was on the shore under a cliff, this side of Steval.
We followed a stream of birders coming back down the hill to turn towards the shore just inside the archway entrance.

This mainly grassy track - a new one for me - led along the shore for half a mile or so to where what passes as a cliff in Scilly was being scrutinised by 50+ birders. I turned off the path and fought my way through thick spongy grass down to the edge so that I could lean on a fence, where I hoped I'd have a better chance of viewing than in the throng ahead. It didn't take long to see a very active white rump flitting about the muddy cliff face and among the rocks below. Where was Pam? Just making her way down towards me. Five minutes later, she got a tickable view too, thank goodness. After walking further in the hope of a better view of a UK tick, we slowly made our way back to the flat for lunch - at 2.30!

We'd missed the Stiffkey bird in the 90s by two minutes, I wish we hadn't stopped for the Black-throated Thrush in Sheringham - which wasn't a tick.
It's been warm but foggy all day to-day, Tresco out of view for most of the time. This view of some more autumn Scilly plants would have been improved by sun.

Around the Garrison

2010-10-08T21:21:00.000+01:00

After a day of rest, we decided to walk the Garrison, which towers over Hughtown, walls and batteries built in the 18C. For probably the second time ever, we did the walk in an anti clockwise direction, which, in the first place, entails a very steep climb up to the Star Castle Hotel. Here we saw a Pied Flycatcher in a small clump of pine trees. We've never walked all around the perimeter either, we usually cut across the middle and the camping ground.
Steval Point had a Snow Bunting but we decided not to do the steep climb down to it, across rocks. We did walk the sea-side of the walls, sighting a Stonechat and a Wheatear, before reaching our favourite seat looking over the Sound to St Agnes. The seat nestles against the massive granite block walls, giving some shelter from the southerly wind.
As we ate lunch, the Scillonian, now on her winter schedule , hove into view, passing between us and St Agnes. Still misty, the sun didn't break through until early afternoon.

Walking back along the western path was much easier, we were tired by now. The variety of plants which grow 'wild' in Scilly is amazing.
This roadside group, looking across to Peninnis contains Brugmansia.

Another planting uses the walls as shelter.

Belladonna Lilies

A thoroughly enjoyable walk, back to the flat for a rest!

Four Year Ticks

2010-10-06T21:36:00.001+01:00

Not an early start, both of us reluctant to start the walking so necessary on Scilly. Spider drove us to Porthellick, offering to take us to the Airport en route. We turned him down as the birds had last been reported at the turning circle, the thought of the yomp up the hillside past Tolman's was not attractive.
Such a beautiful day, warm and sunny, we sat in the Stephen Sussex hide, overlooking the pool, for over an hour, loving the view.

We were well rewarded. A Kingfisher flew through - and back again five minutes later, Swallows buzzed the pool surface and the Spotted Sandpiper was just visible on the far seaward side of the pool. I'd carried my camera to-day rather than the scope......wrong decision?
No, it wasn't. Just us left in the hide and the juvenile Spot Sand flew the length of the pool, landing on the grassy edge to our left. I took many photographs, this is one of the better ones.

It stayed for about ten minutes before flying back to its original feeding place, where it joined a Redshank, 3 Greenshanks and a Pectoral Sandpiper. Much too distant for even a record shot.
As we were eating lunch, a very pleasant and friendly couple joined us. Chatting away, they offered to drive us to the Airport where the birds had been all along , the CB message was wrong. Excellent. They were understandably secretive about where they'd managed to get a 2010 reg VW Golf. Acquiring transport other than taxis and bicycles is impossible on the islands.
Neither wanted bird was in view from the terminal building, having disappeared 5 minutes before our arrival. The field is not flat. Time for a cuppa.
Ten minutes later, the American Golden Plover and one of the two Buff-breasted Sandpipers were in view under the tailplane of Skybus. This is the record shot of all record shots.....

Happy, we walked back via our favourite seat looking over Old Town Bay, chatting to a couple we'd met at the airport. Next along were Reston and Pat on their way to the terminal - after a lengthy chat with us - Pat is deafer than ever. Spider then pulled up to tell us about a small accipiter cruising the island. He'd seen it perched and thought it might be a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Watch this space.

Pam had noticed building work in the Carngwavel school playing field as we flew in. Not only on the playing field, it's huge. Excavation and major building in the two large fields on either side too. The new 'Five Island School' the notice said. Is it an all age school I wonder. A shame for the small island schools and for the young ones having to travel daily, especially in the winter. However, the numbers have been falling drastically. Will they all board Monday to Friday as the seniors always have. We'll find out.

A very sturdy path has been laid around the side where the skate ramp is, ending at the school gate.

More than enough of a walk for our first day.

Cornwall and Scilly Season

2010-10-05T21:40:00.002+01:00

Sunday October 3
Not too early a start, 6.15, we made good time to St Austell, despite several rest stops, the longest at Collingford Lakes. I decided not to make the detour to East Prawle for the House Finch Asking Pam to drive those one track lanes with very occasional passing places at the end of a long drive, was not reasonable.
After settling in to the Travelodge, we drove to Mevagissey and a few other nearby seaside places without finding anywhere with a view to park and eat supper. A grassy car park was the best we could manage.
Monday Oct 4
Truro and The Lizard -Kynance Cove
THE place to look for Choughs. Such a beautiful day, warm, almost cloudless, the views were stunning. We walked from the Nat. Trust car park to the viewpoint which gave extensive views of the rocky coast and the tiny Kynance settlement below, nestled against the cliffs . Many more visitors than we'd ever seen here before, most walking down to the cafe far below and then climbing all over the cliffs beyond.

Good views of Ravens and a Peregrine in the two hours before departing for an Ann's pasty and an icecream at the Lizard village. With so many tourists around, the narrow drive down to the end with its very small car park was not a viable option. We returned to Kynance for lunch in the hope of a different corvid from the dozens of Jackdaws.
Eating and reading with the window open......two short calls ...views of two Choughs flying east. Result, but fairly unsatisfactory. Thank goodness they're vocal birds, more alerting calls. This time, four birds flying west, rising against the cliffside and along the ridge before disappearing once more.
A short detour to log in at the Hayle Travelodge, before driving through Penzance to park on the western promenade and sea watch. I saw a probable actively diving Grebe before sighting another birder scoping further on. We walked towards him and soon saw a dark duck-shaped blob towards Newlyn. Pam walked to the birder whilst I looked through my small hand-held travel scope. The white neck bar and yellow blob bill became more obvious. A handsome adult male Surf Scoter. Excellent.
Tuesday October 4
The 11.10 helicopter flight was over 5 minutes late leaving and, into a headwind, took 5 minutes longer than usual . The male flight attendant was great, commentating on the landmarks and giving interesting historical detail of lighthouses and reefs passed. For example, the reef where the Torrey Canyon was grounded spilling millions of gallons of crude oil - taking a short cut from Kuwait to Milford Haven.
Duncan was waiting at the heliport, waxing lyrical about the lack of birders and the greediness of the island's property owners. It's the first time ever that we've been the only binocular hung passengers on the helicopter.
The afternoon was spent unpacking, shopping at the Co-op, sorting laptops, drinking coffee and snacking. Much needed respite.

Thank you James

2010-09-20T15:12:00.002+01:00

We'd checked earlier in the month, on the date for 08/09, to see if the Osprey had returned to some fairly local lakes. Not there, we forgot about it in the Autumn migrant scene.
An Email from James this morning, alerted me to its presence. An early afternoon visit brought immediate success, it flew over our heads. Where was my camera? In the car. I returned for it, with little hope of seeing the bird again but wanting to photograph some lovely fungi.
The Osprey was perched in the same distant tree as when I'd photographed it last year. It then flew again but into the light. A Cetti's Warbler called from the far reed bed, no other passerines seen nor heard.

Fungi

Posting - dereliction of Duty.......

2010-09-15T16:08:00.000+01:00

September 15
Black Terns at Whitlingham Great Broad, Wryneck at Cley East bank, several fairly fruitless trips to Winterton - one ChiffChaff at Horsey gap - since the last posting.
Yesterday was our monthly (approx) birding with Bridget and Aileen. They both needed Arctic Warbler and it's a while since we've seen one; we arranged to meet at Holme NOA car park.
After a chat with Sophie as to the bird's habits, we spent the next hour or so searching the pines along the back track. Plenty of birders, none of whom had seen the bird. After a last circuit, in a strong wind, we gave up and drove to Titchwell.
The new path to Island Hide was opened last Saturday, hurrah. Both sides of the path have been denuded of vegetation and shrubs/trees after the turning to Fen Hide, black plastic mesh laid and the banks re-seeded. The drop off to the east looks rather alarming, Aileen could envisage invalid buggies careering down there !!
A passing birder alerted us to a Kingfisher perched low down in a small drainage channel on the west, only visible from an acute angle. Pam and I saw it before it disappeared. She did find it again for A and B on the return journey.
The freshwater marsh has had a large area of reeds near the path cleared and there was plenty of mud showing. The waders were distant. We saw 6 Little Stints, Redshank, 50+ Ruff (didn't count) Black-tailed Godwits, 10+ Ringed Plovers and an abundance of ducks still in eclipse. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was reported later..... A few Pintail and Pochard swam at the very back of the pool.
Brancaster Staithe for lunch at an hour past high tide, with a few Grey Plover, a single Bar-tailed Godwit and a moulting Sandwich Tern. The pager alerted us to the re-appearance of the Arctic Warbler at Holme. A return visit, patience and perseverance brought success, albeit a rather unsatisfactory view. Against the light, popping about from branch to branch in thickish cover. Undoubtedly the Arctic though. Heavy rain drove us car-ward, ten minutes in an NOA reserve hide at the height of the downpour.
My trousers had dried by the time I got home but my fleece is still wet a day later. Should have worn a waterproof!

Buckenham and North Coast

2010-09-06T15:03:00.000+01:00

September 4
A short afternoon visit to Buckenham Marshes, after the chimney sweep had been, produced a Hobby chasing dragonflies over the railway line, 6 Snipe and a lovely Whinchat.
September 5

Redwell Marsh at Holme held one bird only - a Red-necked Phalarope. It performed well, spinning like mad stirring up insects, shame it was the far side of the pool and into the strong sun. When did that stop me trying for a photo.......
No sign of the Shrike on the drive to the NOA reserve, but views of the juvenile Red-backed Shrike on the way back after half an hour scanning the NOA bushes. A Lesser Whitethroat the only bird of note there, we were hoping for Barred Warbler and Redstarts.
We did have flying views of a Barred west of the Stiffkey car park. It was skulking in a bramble, occasionally flying to the other side of the path and back again. Typical Barred.

First of the Month- on the 2nd

2010-09-03T21:09:00.000+01:00

Another disappointing number seen on an otherwise enjoyable day. Patchy yet irregular fog hampered viewing in the early morning, couldn't see much beyond the pool at Abbey. Low tide at Snettisham but the mud was full of distant waders including a smattering of lovely Grey Plovers. A juvenile Whitethroat in pristine plumage flitted through the bushes.
Much of the time at Holme was spent in the Broadwater Hide, drinking coffee, eating elevenses and talking to Sophie. One Greenshank on the small mud island and a Green Sandpiper flew in. The NOA reserve area was empty to-day.
We miss the walk at Titchwell which usually adds 10+ species, roll on the path re-opening.
We were both very lacking in sleep and retired home soon after mid-day.

Cantley

2010-08-31T22:58:00.000+01:00

Much later than we planned, it was mid morning before arrival at the Beet Factory on a warm sunny day. What a change from yesterday. Two Greenshanks behind the gate where we parked started well.
Surprise. The Lumpy Lagoon isn't. It's full of water without a lump of mud in sight. We startled a Green Sandpiper and there were a few Teal.
The pools at the far end were also full until we got to the reed fringed tank which is being drained, showing a lot of mud. At least two more Green Sandpipers here, 2 Curlew, 20 Ruff, 6 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Snipe. Cetti's called in the distance and a Reed Warbler flitted below us.
Buckenham RSPB Hide was the next port of call. I love looking out on a sunny, reedy Norfolk Marsh, usually what we do at Strumpshaw. Two Marsh Harriers to-day, we left before we were reduced to counting Coots again.

More sea-watching

2010-08-31T22:50:00.000+01:00

Monday August 30
We started at Walcott where the wind rocked the car so much and the troughs were so deep that we thought it best to go somewhere higher. I did get a close Leach's though......
Seeing the density of parked cars at Sheringham, we guessed that the shelter would be full and braved the top one. Not for long. The intensity of the wind made my eyes water constantly and the only birds we saw in a half hour were gannets. The later list that came through on the pager looked good - but it was in five hours watching.
Standing behind the clifftop hedge was a vast improvement but only added more Scoter.

Sea-watch at Sheringham

2010-08-29T16:41:00.000+01:00

Ideal conditions forecast, we rose at 5 a.m., arriving at the Sheringham shelter at 6.20 - to find it virtually empty. Just one other birder. That's a first, we're usually lucky to get a seat. Maybe they didn't believe the forecast. Yes it was a bit windy but not the promised strong north westerly. We added over a dozen Bonxies, a few Arctic Skuas, 3 lone Common Scoter, a single distant Sooty Shearwater and regular groups of Teal and Wigeon. A highlight was a juvenile Peregrine hassling a Gannet, being a yob basically. The Gannets were ever present in small numbers. We also saw a Greater Black backed Gull take off from its watchpost and steal a biggish fish from a Cormorant. Enjoyable but not the feast we'd hoped for.
Walking out to Simmonds, Cley, in an increasing wind we saw no birds at all. The pools held about 20 Dunlin, a few Ruff and Black-tailed Godwits and two juvenile Yellow Wagtails in addition to the large number of Greylag. The Crane present in the area for a week or two, flew towards Cley from Weybourne Camp, landing on Pope's Marsh.
We moved to Avocet Hide to avoid a constantly talking, when not humming, man. Soon after we arrived the Crane flew in and landed in front of the Hide on the grassy bank at the back - followed by the arrival of the noisy man. Time for a bacon bap and coffee breakfast at the cafe before driving home.
It's now teatime and the wind is very strong. Early morning again?

SE Peru Blog

2010-08-27T22:09:00.000+01:00

I've more or less finished the Blog for our Peru trip. Definitely a Blog rather than a true birding trip report - but there are plenty of birds mentioned and photographed.

http://pandainperu.blogspot.com/

Back from Peru

2010-08-26T16:00:00.000+01:00

August 24
One week after returning from a birding trip to SE Peru with Campylobacter (intestinal infection), I felt well enough to do some Norfolk birding. Not a propitious day weather-wise, very gusty wind with occasional showers. And...Titchwell east bank still closed.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day out but hardly cleared 70 bird species.
Highlights were two Sparrowhawk sightings, flying along the road in front of us, and, both Grey and Red-legged Partridge families. Bigest surprise was an adult Arctic Tern flying over us at Brancaster Staithe.
I'll post a link to my Peru Blog when it's complete, a trip report rather than a birding report.

Titchwell Disturbance

2010-07-21T16:50:00.005+01:00

July 20
None of us enjoy the heat. We arranged to meet A and B at Titchwell - at 7.30. It takes us an hour and a half but the early start was worthwhile.
Walking an empty West Bank, our first bird was a Bittern which flew across the path ahead of us. As we were admiring the close Bearded Tit family being fed by the male, a couple of female wardens carrying petrol strimmers overtook us, ' apologies for the noise they said'. The benches overlooking the Freshmarsh pool have already been removed in preparation for the work due to start next week, we parked ourselves in Island Hide. Just in time to admire the flock of Ruff, four Green Sandpipers, a few Black-tailed Godwits and a single Greenshank before a couple of checklist toting, wellied men appeared in the middle of the pool. Everything fled. The strimmers had disturbed nothing, just served to move the birds to our end of the pool.
We cut our losses and moved on to Holme via Thornham.
Almost at the NOA car park, a singing Grasshopper Warbler brought us to a halt. What's more, we could SEE it on top of a middle distance bush. I took a few shots through Pam's car window before two more cars forced us on. I walked back and it was still visible.

Pam had noticed a Burnet feeding on thistles which I managed to re-locate, a Six Spot this time.

A little early for high tide at Snettisham, we whiled away some time in the NOA hide overlooking the Broadwater. Bridget noticed a Wood Sanpiper on the Gull Island, our first of the year, and a delightful male Ruddy Duck strutted his stuff below us.

Snettisham 'high tide' was a low one but it did bring the thousands of waders nearer. Our first returning Turnstones in summer plumage was the highlight other than the sheer numbers spectacle.
Last port of call, Abbey Farm. Two Little Owls sitting on the back fence, same posts as last time! No, they're not stuffed nor super-glued...... Two Turtle Doves feeding along the edge of the pool delighted us all.
Having said our farewells, we went our seperate ways, us to catch a Grey Wagtail flying across the road in front and Aileen and Bridget to add Tree Sparrow at Harpley and a Grey Wag at Lyng.
Really enjoyed some good birds to-day but the heat was enervating. Gets us acclimatised for Peru on the 30th I suppose.

Mad Dogs and Birders...

2010-07-10T14:29:00.004+01:00

July 9 - Friday

Due to her terminally ill mother commitments, Sue hasn't been birding with us for some time. What a day to choose. 30C +.
We started with excellent views of the Spot Fly feeding fledged young in a tree. Very low tide at Snettisham so Titchwell - again. All the waders were lying down in shade apart from a few Godwits and Spot Reds. I spent some time looking for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper along the edge. I found an elusive Sandpiper, occasionally appearing for a short while in distant heat haze, but it looked like a Green Sandpiper to me. The male Ruddy again on the first pool.
Holme was not inspiring either but a chat with Pat at the NWT is. Breeding Spoonbills with 3 about to fledge young in the Holkham area and, a 'secret' breeding Warbler in the Cley square. I bet it's a Marsh. Hope they put the news out when they've fledged.
A few year birds for Sue and she enjoyed the break.
Memo - to me - people I don't know read this Blog ! Although I haven't given exact locations, I hope I haven't divulged too much.

July 18
After coffee and a chat with Dave and Jackie Bridges at Cley cafe, Pam and I walked out to Simmonds hide and scrape where we ticked our first Curlew Sandpiper of the year.

Black Pollen Beetles

2010-07-06T17:41:00.003+01:00

In the middle of cooking for to-morrow's coffee morning - here - a Norfolk Wildlife Email alerted me to an infestation of Black Pollen Beetles in south Norfolk to-day. Some plants in our garden were full of them, mainly Asters and Peonies. They're minute, the adults only 1.5 - 2.5 mm long, the larvae are bigger, one shown here.

Good - for Early July

2010-07-03T13:31:00.004+01:00

July 2
We were really looking forward to a day's birding, after a purely social visit to Suffolk yesterday. Waking earlier than the alarm, we left home at 5.30 a.m. on a warm and sunny morning. Many more Swifts than 'usual' obvious to-day, especially along the coast. The inland groups could include newly fledged young by now.
A pair of Spot Flys were busily hunting and feeding young, their nest seems to be under a shed's eaves, maybe inside? They certainly weren't visiting the nearby climber tangle.

Abbey Farm had a single Little Owl sitting on a back fencepost; still no sign of a Kingfisher despite the record book reporting a sighting at 6 a.m. to-day.
Snettisham.....guess what... coming up to high tide again. But, we were there to see it come flooding in.Many hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits in breeding plumage were a concerning sight. A sign of failed breeding on the tundra? The shore looked lovely, the flowering Mullein at its best before the Mullein Moth lays its eggs and the caterpillars decimate them.

Not often does one see a field full of red poppies these days. This one was roadside east of Kings Lynn.

Getting out to open the gate to Holme NWT and NOA, I saw my first Five-spot Burnet Moth of the year. One of the day fliers.

Black-headed Gulls have taken over the Broadwater island breeding area, we didn't see any Avocet chicks.
We met Pat in the Holme NWT Centre (Ronaldo's ice-cream time), who mentioned a large flock of early returning Knot, something seems to have gone wrong.
As we passed the first pool on the left at Titchwell, I saw a Bittern make a short flight, hassled by Gulls. It was leg-scorching hot, sitting on the seat surveying the Freshmarsh. More Ruff than the previous visit and the largest group of 'black' Spotted Redshanks, 24, that I've ever seen. A single Greenshank amongst them. Half an hour at the Picnic Site saw many Speckled Wood butterflies but not the Camberwell Beauty still present yesterday. That would have been lovely. Pat said that were rumours that it may have been an escape. These rumours abound.
A quick Corn Bunting detour, lunch with the Little Terns at Brancaster Staithe, another ice-cream at Salthouse and we were home by mid afternoon to watch the second half of the Holland/Brazil match. Holland won...!! ?
The total for the day is a disputed 90 at the moment, must count again.Now a confirmed 90 - I'd missed marking Black-headed Gull!

BirdingPals

2010-06-21T17:51:00.002+01:00

My primary purpose in registering with BirdingPals some years ago, was to enable me to use the service. Many countries in the world have registered birders prepared to take others out for the day for a contribution towards petrol or lunch - or both.
I was contacted by Bob a few weeks ago, staying in Cley and hoping for a day's guided birding. We met Bob and friend Paul outside the Three Swallows in Cley where they are staying in a cottage, with their wives, for a week. Both are well travelled Australians and very pleasant and affable company. Not the best time of year to go birding, too much greenery, birds have stopped singing so much and migration is over.
We made for Titchwell via our Spotted Flycatcher site. It showed very well and quickly.
On a very warm and sunny day, we spent a couple of hours sorting through the birds on the freshwater marsh. An extremely large flock of Knot, threaded through by Black-tailed Godwits, swirled cloud-like from time to time. It was a bit of a novelty having to SEE the singing birds. We don't bother much after the first of the year. Only the elusive Cetti's eluded us. Despite many big misses e.g. Jackdaw and Mute Swan, we managed middle sixties in four hours birding.
They seemed more than happy with the day and we enjoyed it too.

May 20 -Garden

2010-06-21T17:48:00.002+01:00

Getting up after dinner and idly looking out at the back garden, Pam saw a Turtle Dove under the feeders which then wandered away around the back of the raised Alpine bed. In trying to see it, we saw a Green Woodpecker investigating the grassy paths between the veg beds. The Garden Warbler has started singing again too.

Gardening...

2010-06-16T21:23:00.002+01:00

Pam was moving and emptying pots to-day. She found this newt under one of them. We believe it to be a female Common (Smooth) Newt. If a reader disagrees, please let me know.

A Busy Few Days

2010-06-11T20:24:00.006+01:00

Wednesday June 9

After a busy day in the vegetable garden, we'd promised to help Rai and Barbara do their RSPB garden bird watch. We did the winter one when they were in Thailand when they realised that they wouldn't have recognised a good half of them. We spent an hour camped out in their kitchen, seeing very few species indeed. Regulars such as Chaffinch and Greenfinch were missing as were the Tree Sparrows. At least they know Dunnock now.
Pam noticed a struggle in the netting protecting the fish from the Heron. It was a newly emerged Emperor Dragonfly which I was more anxious to free than to take a photograph. Its wings were in danger of damage. Another, lower down, was partly free from the nymph so I WAS able to photograph it, after disentangling it into a free position.

Thursday June 10
On a very misty morning - could hardly see the bottom of the garden - we set off to meet Bridget and Aileen at Titchwell. Fortunately, whilst still misty, the visibility improved greatly. Starting with a hot drink, we braved the brisk, gusting north easterly wind in our faces as we trudged to the Freshwater marsh. The Red-crested Pochard on the first scrape on the right disappeared fast into the reeds. The viewing highlights were four Little Gulls, 160 Black-tailed Godwits and a single Greenshank.
Fen Hide was a respite from the 9C temperature and further wind chill, a lone male Marsh Harrier idling through.
Time for lunch at Brancaster Staithe on low tide with a distant fishing Little Tern. We've never seen so few birds here.
Little point in going elsewhere so we came clean about our plans to drive to Leigh Delamere Travelodge to-night, ready for an early drive to Blorenge in the morning. This caused much consternation, which is why we'd with-held the news until the last minute - so that it didn't affect the birding date.
We left home at 3.15 and had a comfortable journey, arriving at the Travelodge at eight o'clock. Three Red Kites over the M4.

Friday June 11
Awake at 4.45, driving on our way by 5.30. It was not many miles to Blaenafon but a tortuous route (AA route map)across valleys. It was great to be back in South Wales (my birth place) with its narrow wooded valleys and hills. Shame about the heavy grey overcast!
Blaenafon looked interesting with its C18 iron works and status as a 'Heritage Town'. Not an area I'm familiar with. Lee's instructions said 'unmarked track onto the moor, on the right about a mile after leaving the town'. We found it and drove a mile past some masts before dropping down a further 700 yards to a small parking area. One car already there and the first summer male Marmora's Warbler (sarda species) singing steadily. He's been building a nest in a gorse bush beside the road. We soon located him, having a good view of him low down beside the road, flicking through a dead gorse and some bracken. A British tick, thank goodness it became a long stayer..

Not my photo unfortunately.

We stayed for an hour, me hoping for a photo opportunity which never came - I stayed in the car park area as suggested. At least two Tree Pipits performed their display flight and a handsome male Whinchat made its territory circle.

The valleys far below looked much lighter but it remained a cold 11C and overcast on the moor.
The bird's territory is shown in this photo.

We were home at 2.00, in time to watch the South Africa/Mexico opening match of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. 1-1.

What a Moth Catch

2010-06-06T22:46:00.004+01:00

Last night was overcast, warm, showery and turned out to be ideal moth trapping conditions (our bulb is protected). The variety and number was overwhelming, we're still identifying them. A new Hawkmoth for us, a Large Elephant. I have a seperate Blog for moths, the address is : http://brintonmoths.blogspot.com/

I'll post the latest photos some time to-morrow

Large Elephant Hawkmoth

Pager Message

2010-06-06T22:41:00.002+01:00

Saturday June 5
Ready for a drive home to feed the cats........5 Black-winged Stilts at Titchwell. Then they flew to Gypsy Lane. Couldn't walk there at the moment. Back at Titchwell on the Freshmarsh. Would they stay?
Pam dropped me off at the Centre, parked the car and we walked to the Freshmarsh on a very warm morning. I hadn't collected the scope and Pam forgot it, what hope of seeing the distant birds in a tremendous heat haze against the sun. Dave Holman to the rescue, I am tall enough to see through his scope. That's the largest number of Stilts I've ever seen in the UK.

Hot Fenland

2010-06-04T18:35:00.007+01:00

We haven't visited the RSPB reserve near Manea for several years, even longer in the summer months. Ambling to the Welches Dam Hide very slowly, we then sat for an hour enjoying the sunshine, view and birds. Nothing special except for the Yellow Wagtails tripping across the gunge in the dykes, collecting insects. An LRP appeared from nowhere and disappeared as mysteriously, Lapwings bombed a loitering Grey Heron and a Common Tern patrolled the river. Lovely.
Welney WWT reserve is nearby and a contrast in facilities. The pond across which a bridge/walkway leads ont to the Visitors' Centre held much of interest. Swallows collecting reeds and mud for a nest under the walkway, landed whilst waiting for us to pass.

A pair of Reed Warblers were busy feeding unseen young whilst a few Damselflies zoomed about.

From the main hide, a few remaining Whooper Swans fed in distant pools; probably injured in some way so haven't made the journey north.
The 10 minute walk to Lyall Hide in mid-day heat seemed longer. The hide was described by Pam as 'the worst ever, everything that could be wrong was'. The seating benches were very high - even my legs were swinging - and did not afford a decent view out of the slots. If I craned I could see fairly close but Pam had to stand up to do so, the static benches cutting into the back of her legs. Enough of that.......
What a repetitive song the Reed Bunting has.

Reduced to counting Redshank (45), we tired of waiting for the elusive White-spotted Bluethroat to appear and left to lunch on a sandwich at 3.00 p.m.
This Year's Greylag Flotilla

Fordham Bridge, our old favourite for Golden Oriole, doesn't appear to have any this year. Lakenheath is more reliable these days.

West Norfolk Evening

2010-06-03T23:22:00.003+01:00

The Trumpeter Finch had gone so, straight to our hotel in Heacham, arriving at 4.10. After settling in to our very comfortable room, we drove to Roydon Common. What with the noise from the model aeroplane club flying their large boys toys in the next field and the noisy traffic on the road, it was hard to hear any bird noise. Four Curlew rose from the heath and a Linnet posed for me on a fence wire.

Tiring of the noise, Abbey Farm produced a Buzzard for me and a Turtle Dove for Pam. The hide had been swept......
The Ffolkes Arms at Hillingdon for a most acceptable evening meal before driving back to Roydon. The boys were still flying, including a couple of very nimble boomerang shaped flying wings which tumbled around high in the sky. A lovely Hobby swooped through nearby, catching an insect in its talon and transferring it to its beak mid air - as they do.
It's been a beautiful sunny and cloudless day, the setting sun suffused the horizon with apricot changing to deep red as we sat overlooking Dersingham Bog. On the John Denver Seat. Why? Great singer but why Dersingham...?
Our first Woodcock chirped as it started its roding flight at about 9.20. The first of several sightings , just the one of Green Woodpecker though.
The first Nightjar didn't start up until 9.35, still very light. We heard at least 4 intermittently churring whilst we were being plagued by tiny midges needling into any areas not covered in repellant. They found them all. We saw one Nightjar flying nearby and escaped.
Always a 'better views desired' bird. Oh for infrared eyes.

Damselflies - Garden Pond

2010-06-03T23:21:00.001+01:00

Emerging Damselfly

Nymphs and emerging Damselfly

Drying out and warming up on the pond edge

Car Birding

2010-06-02T15:41:00.006+01:00

Setting off in a thick haar at 6.00 a.m. which turned to rain by mid-day was not ideal birding conditions. Our first 2010 Norfolk Red Kite of the year wheeling over the small wood near Harpley Cottages, was very pleasing. The Spot Fly at Sculthorpe kept us waiting a while but duly obliged.
Abbey Farm Hide is becoming run down. The concrete approach path ever more thickly strewn with dead foliage, fence in a poor state of repair and a hide in need of a sweeping. I think Ill take a yard broom next time, it's slippery for a start. I was in time to see a Turtle Dove fly away but no sign of either Kingfishers nor Little Owl.
The back road to West Newton had a male Grey Partridge fossicking near a wheat field. I managed a few shots from Pam's window before he stole away.One day I'll get a photo I'm pleased with.......

Oystercatcher Family

Avocet young diving for warmth

Multi-legged parent

High tide at Snettisham - again - nesting birds on the shingle ridge the main attraction. Quite delightful.
The wader flocks at high tide are very distant on the far point, not even scopeable. I still love the place, whatever the tide.
Coffee at Holme, not much singing to-day. Who could blame them ?
Lunch at Brancaster Staithe enjoying Little Terns fishing on the ebbing tide, our coastal drive ending at Salthouse.
An astonishing 81 birds clocked up on a less than propitious Norfolk June day.

Finding Birds for Sue

2010-05-27T21:07:00.004+01:00

Maybe it was time to sit in a field........the raptor watchpoint at Great Ryburgh. It's two years since we did so and the parking area has been moved to a concreted square further away from the trudge up the hill. At least cars will not get bogged down now.
We sat for an hour enjoying the banter amongst a trio of older men we know well by sight, the Thursday Club. We saw at least three Common Buzzards including something I haven't seen before; their swooping, plummeting, steep rising territorial display.Several distant views of Hobbies and a hunting Barn Owl but no Honey Buzzard. The men left, stating that no-one had seen a Honey for three days. Hm.
We had to stop in a field opening soon after leaving - loo stop - where I startled a Hare into flight and we all saw - mine a fleeting glimpse - a Honey Buzzard female glide across the field. We've seen one here before, it must be a flight path.
(Thanks 'anonymous' - who says that there are no Honeys back at GR as yet. Source of imformation? Pam and Sue are both experienced Common Buzzard watchers and were convinced this wasn't one. Who to believe? The jury's out until I ID one for myself).
Titchwell was much warmer to-day, the birds even fewer but interesting with several year ticks for Sue. A Bittern boomed so near to the path that we could hear the intake of breath before the very loud throaty boom. Her mate fed a Little Tern a sand eel which was so large that, despite several attempts, she failed to swallow. Eventually it was pinched by a Gull. Our soporific mood was changed by 2 male and one female Red-crested Pochard flying in.
News of a Red-backed Shrike at Salthouse sent us home via a roadside view of Gramborough Hill - no time to walk there, Sue had an appointment. We quickly scoped the bird perching and, flying from bush to bush, on the landward side of the hill. Excellent.

Birding with A and B

2010-05-26T21:36:00.002+01:00

May 25
We met Aileen and Bridget at Holme, the start of a very leisurely day's birding - and chatting - and coffee.Still looking for our 100 May birds in Norfolk, we added Sparrowhawk and a Gropper from the NOA car park.
An hour at Titchwell, mostly spent sitting (Aileen and I), on a bench overlooking the fresh marsh, sharing it with a man we know well by sight. Two Little Stints and a Little Gull were year birds, LRP and Bearded Tit month additions. A most enjoyable day despite the cold NNE wind.

After 4 days without Birding!

2010-05-22T14:18:00.004+01:00

What a beautiful day for enjoying the countryside. Not a perticularly early start, 8 a.m , still recovering from falls, much travel etc. Sculthorpe mill didn't let us down but, it required patience before our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year perched on a wire.
Breakfast at Abbey Farm, watching a Kingfisher perched below the nesting hole, little else.
An hour before high tide at Snettisham when we checked the timetable, probably worth a look. The usual multitude of Shelduck and Oystercatchers with a small flock of Knot, only a few in breeding red. Non breeders? Half a dozen scampering Sanderling, a few Ringed Plover and two winter plumaged Black-tailed Godwit bumped up the day list.
Brancaster Staithe was packed with boats, boaters and parked oldies (like us). I love the place.

A single Little Tern cruised by. Quick snaps through the open window resulted in reasonavble photos despite the camera still being set to close-ups of moths! Why can't they learn to fly the right way of the sun........

A pager message re a Spoonbill at Burnham Overy west of Holkham woods, came through as we approached said area. The Spoonbill flew for a short distance as we scanned. Jammy.
This most enjoyable day brought our Norfolk month list to about 81.

Last Full Day

2010-05-16T19:24:00.003+01:00

A gargantuan breakfast - didn't eat again until 3.00 - it arrived on a plate mounded with 2 sausages, 3 rashers of bacon, fried potato, mushrooms, 2 fried eggs and black pudding. I've never eaten the latter and, one taste was enough to ensure I never would again. Pam rather liked it. She couldn't finish hers, so Fiona put it in a Tupperware to take away. This was after a choice from at least a dozen cereals after refusing porridge. And..Tesco's finest yoghurt. All at £25 each per night in an enormous bedroom plus bathroom with glass washbasin - once we'd found out how to work the tap thing.
We were at Inch Road lookout, Newburgh by 8.50. The bird hadn't been reported since it flew off yesterday but we're optimists. When I surveyed the hundreds of Common Eider sleeping on the far banks, climbing the dunes, paddling about in the many pools and swimming in the fast ebbing water, my heart sank a bit. I ploughed on, searching methodically from left to right. Pam moved the car so that I could see further and.....I saw a grey head amongst the sleeping ducks on the far shore. Only a short wait before a lovely adult male King Eider showed himself in all his splendour. Ten minutes later, he flapped his wings before flying strongly up river.
Next, a nostalgic visit to Crawton, now known as RSPB reserve Fowlsheugh. My first birding holiday was forty years ago, with George Crichton based in Brechin. Pam and I stayed on for a couple of extra days and George recommended a visit to the unmarked sea cliffs of Crawton. Then, as now, the sheer numbers of auks present is phenomenal. The sea below the cliffs holds thousands of Guillemots and Razorbills loafing about, even more on the cliff ledges and flying past out to sea. Pam walked the steeply stepped path down to the brook and up to the cliff path whilst I scoped from the car. The smell is quite something too....
The unusual sight of a herd of Belted Galloway including a bull and calves, filled a pasture on the lane out.

Only time for a few pictures from the car window - single track lane and cars kept coming.
St Cyrus wasn't worth the call but there are decent loos.
Vane Farm is another RSPB reserve on Loch Leven, famous for the thousands of wintering geese. The upstairs cafe has a bench and 4 telescopes, usable by the public, for scanning the extensive water. After a pretty ordinary soup and the sort of rustic bread they have to serve in thick lumps, we found an empty chair, a pair of nesting Great Crested Grebes and a single male Pochard for the trip list. The young Tawny Owls showing well until a couple of days ago, had disappeared, unfortunately.
We are now settled in our room in Glenrothes, both connected to the internet and intending to make an early start for the comforts of home in the morning.

Hits and Misses

2010-05-15T21:43:00.007+01:00

Saturday May 17
We were both awake at 5.00, car packed and away at 5.45.The sun is directly in front when driving east - as we were - which was not comfortable.
Waulkmill Hide is as dilapidated as ever, only one flap would open. Not much variety either but three Black-tailed Godwits in breeding plumage were welcome. We’d read that the road was closed at Forvie Bridge but didn’t know where this was.....Right outside Waulkmill Hide! It would have meant a return trip adding over 10 miles to our journey. It’s Saturday, no sign of any workmen, just loads of cones, we carried on. Apart from half the road being unsurfaced, it was a smooth journey through to Newburgh.
Entering the car parking area at the end of Inch Road, a man was scoping the far bank. By the time we’d stopped, the King Eider had flown off over the dunes towards Forvie. Bother. Maybe it will be there in the morning.
Meikle Loch had a workman at the edge, the ducks were distant but mostly Tufted. Best was a Merlin swooping through, perching on a post for a little while before disappearing fast.
Bullars of Buchan is the most accessible site for Auks and Gulls - and they’ve improved the footpath.Many raucous Kittiwakes festoon the first cliffs, a mixture of Kittis, Fulmar , Guillemots and Razorbills on the next tenement.

We didn’t walk any further, a single Puffin on the sea was a full house for the day - and enough for my legs after yesterday.
A less than welcome start to the Starnafin Farm, Loch of Strathbeg Centre. We parked at the same time as four cars of oldies led by a man with a very loud voice. They filled the car park wuth noise and laughter whilst viewing the increasingly less occupied feeders. I took a photo of one of the resident Tree Sparrows before they disappeared.

The best plan seemed to be to sit and wait until they vacated the small viewing area in the centre. They had done so after half an hour BUT....there were four local birders doing a ‘Big Sit’ We eventually found a couple of chairs, adding Gadwall to the trip list. I’ve never known the area to be so lacking in variety,the only wader a single Ringed Plover. The big sit team was complaining too.
A few miles further north at St Combs, south of the Tufted Duck (we stayed the night there when we flew up for a Black Stork)a very large and undulating field held 16 Dotterel, we saw 8. All were bright females. Two Corn Buntings perched nearby.

We lunched overlooking the small beach at St Combs which is a small 19C fishing village with a completely unspoilt sandy bay. No sign of any shops etc at all, just cottages right up to the edge. Another look at the Dotterel, another visit to the Strathbeg Centre, a drive to the Crimond airfield hide and it was time to drive to our B and B.
It’s a long story... In brief, we couldn’t find it, the sddress had been left at Fairwinds. We eventually did so and settled in for the night - with internet access in our comfortable room.

Last Day...Clean-up?

2010-05-15T19:35:00.005+01:00

Friday May 14
With the thermometer reading 8C, it felt positively balmy this morning. It stayed warm and sunny all day.
The Slav wasn’t visible at the Boat of Garten pool, nor a Wagtail at the bridge. Loch Mallachie called. We only walked about 300 yards (I was wearing shoes this morning) before hearing a Crested Tit call and then seeing it, high in the treetops and flitting from tree to tree.
Forest Lodge for a cup of coffee, before walking down the hill past the dog kennels. A Tree Pipit sang but the best surprise was our first Sparrowhawk of the trip.
Coire na Coiste in Glen More for lunch again but, no birds - not that we tried very hard, much too interested in eating .
Less snow on the hills to-day, overnight rain will have seen to that. Still more than in previous years, as was proved when we reached Ptarmigan Cafe via the cable car. Straight out to the viewing platform where a pair of Ptarmigan showed well although distantly. The male was still very white-take out your bins to find it in the pic.

At least six people were delighted to see them through my scope, it was a pleasure to see how thrilled they were.

The view from the top is stunning, even better on a clear and sunny day.

The viewing area closed at 2.30 for a wedding party, we couldn’t wait for the Snow Buntings that turn up in the afternoon. We both had a cup of ‘Cairngorm Mountain Chocolate’ whilst watching a Snowcat construct a ‘hill’ for the still busy skiers ,a ski-lift in operation too. The snow was very deep outside the cafe.

Did we clean up on highland specialities? Yes we did, the first time in about 5 years. Scottish Crossbills have long been our bugbear. Crested Tit has become ever more difficult in May when they're nesting and high in the canopy.
No more birding to-day, time to return for a last internet farm and to pack. We intend leaving early in thre morning so as to make the most of birding opportunities.

Nothing Much Day

2010-05-14T16:33:00.003+01:00

Thursday May 13
After a leisurely start, we repaired to the Hotel to use the WiFi connection. Pam’s connection caused her a few problems, tractor working too slowly and haphazardly ! Therefore it was mid morning by the time we left for Aviemore. The tops were heavily snow covered but relatively clear of cloud which changed our plans. After a stop at the Glen More shop to buy the last postcards, we parked at Coire na Coiste to scan the slopes.Very cold......Pam luckily saw a female Ring Ouzel fly on to a scree area which I managed to get on to as it flew far away, never to be seen again. No sign of any Ptarmigan. A Raven flew through, no other birdlife.
To get warm, we drove to the upper car park, no birds at all there so back to Coire na Coiste for another barren scan and lunch.
Inchriach Alpine Plant Centre is not as good as when Jack Drake was alive but still worth a visit for the beauty of the gardens which have a brook running through, edged with yellow arum lilies, erythronium, drumstick Primulas and many other waterside plants. Pam took this photo.

After a chat with the owner, choosing a few plants, the ‘Potting Shed’ called. That’s what they call their small cafe which has an extension overlooking a bird feeding area. Here there is a window bench table with high stools. The feeding area is very close and massive, huge feeders mounted on tree stumps, topped with lumps of fat. Moistly Chaffinches, a few Coal, Blue and Great Tits. Three Red Squirrels arrived but one very territorial beast chased the others off. They have good home-made cakes too........
Glen Feshie is usually reserved for the last day. Uath Lochan, no birds at all. A possible Spotted Flycatcher calling nearby on the road up the Glen but not seen. A small flock of Crossbills flew at treetop height but didn’t stop, We were alerted by their calls. Probably Common again.
Loch Inch brought our third sighting of Goosander for the trip, we often see none. A pair showed at Carrbridge on Tuesday morning but not since.
A last shop at Tesco in Aviemore for milk and rolls before returning to the warmth and comfort of Silver Birch.

East and North

2010-05-13T10:10:00.009+01:00

Tuesday May 11
Gently fluttering snowflakes greeted the curtain opening this morning, 0C but still no wind to speak of. Maybe the north east coast would be the best bet. Via Lochindorb of course. A beautiful Black-throated Diver floated in the middle of the loch, bill well tucked away. He did wake up to show himself in all his beauty before tucking away again.
Findhorn Bay was notable for the number of plane spotters around the RAF Kinloss runway. Apparently an exercise taking place, we saw about three large planes take off, none of them a Nimrod which has been replaced I know. I think one was a Russian plane. Two Sandwich Terns and a lone Gannet on an otherwise empty sea.
The usually productive Burghead Bay wa similarly barren. Two Curlews and 4 Ringed Plovers on the rocks at high tide, a single Guillemot out at sea. How disappointing.
Culbin Sands and Cloddymoss........no better. One Blackcap. The whole day was punctuated by some very heavy sleet showers too.
Our first Swift before Tesco shopping at Inverness and driving to Aviemore to have another go for Dipper. Instant success. Both Dippers came to the nest carrying food. We were obviously too close for comfort, a few quick pics and away. The nest is very near the bridge on which we were standing.

Back to the chalet to unpack the shopping, collect our laptops and off to the Hotel to access the internet. We had farming to do ! I had 83 Emails awaiting my attention including one from Pauline at Mellon Charles with details of the Red Kite feeding station they’d visited in southern Scotland.
We intend making an early start for Dunnett Head to-morrow. Fingers crossed for better birding.

May 12
I didn’t expect to wake to snow lying on the ground. Not a lot but enough.

The A9 was shrouded in cloud, snow on the ground and the delicate bare branches of the Birch magically encrusted with heavy frost. It looked like a Christmas grotto scene. Should we continue?

Starting the descent into Inverness, it was as though a curtain had been drawn. Cloud behind us, cloudless blue sky in front. Amazing.
The drive to Embo on the Dornoch Firth is scenically stunning, it’s the sun that does it. Our usual drive through the caravan park to the stone jetty at the end, always remembered for Bridget’s excellent fruit cake. About 60 Long-tailed Ducks bobbed about on the calm sea, diving in unison before corking back to the surface. The only duck I can think of which is lovelier in wiinter plumage.
Past the wallowing Grey Seals to breakfast at The Mound, immediately on the left over the Dornoch bridge. It’s a lovely parking spot.

Brora for the papers before turning off at Helmsdale for the Flow Country road . Pam loves it. The first part is along a tumbling, stony, mountain river, gorse covered hills on either side, before reaching the stretches of lichen festooned, stunted growth, sessile oaks. The vista soon becomes bleak and extensive, peat bog, lochs and heather. An acquired taste. Two miles before Kinbrace, a Golden Eagle idled its way from east to west, giving good views.
Forsinard station - in the middle of emptiness - doubles as an information centre run by the RSPB. We didn’t stop to-day but we did for the half a dozen black-aproned Golden Plover on the pasture just below. The season is definitely late, the Marsh Marigolds photographed in full flower last year are only beginning to unfurl.
Castletown, overlooking Dunnett Bay, has a disused harbour area where we can park on a raised section to scan the bay. At first look, it seemed empty apart from a nearby Great Northern Diver. Scanning with scopes produced another flock of Long-tailed Ducks, a small group of Common Scoter, half a dozen scampering Sanderling and a smattering of Razorbills plus a single Puffin. A Bonxie flew steadily along the far cliff before disappearing, disinterested in the few Common Terns, a Red-throated Diver hove into view. This place never lets us down.
It’s a 3 mile drive out to Dunnett Head, punctuated by a walk down to St John’s Pool. The track is being improved by laying some rather rough stones on the wettest bits. Some areas have smaller gravel, much more comfortable walking. As we approached the hide, Arctic Terns screamed into the air above us, giving us a great aerial display, including courtship flight.

Shame the hide always faces into the light, it makes photos silhouettes. A relatively near pair strutted on a shingle island before settling to start a scrape.

Lunch at Dunnett Head car park, the Orkneys look within touching distance from here. The fenced off viewing area is very small, down a steep path and, at the edge of the cliff. All three Auks were visible as were regular squadrons of Kittiwakes, inspecting Fulmars and a few Gannets. A Rock Pipit paid a quick and wary visit as we were leaving.

A lovely day was marred by a 3 mile, 65 minute tailback on the stretch of road leading down to the Cromarty Bridge. An accident. It had all been cleared away by the time we were allowed through, many police but the ambulance and recovery truck had gone. Home at 7.40 for a hastily cooked dinner.

Grouse Days

2010-05-11T17:56:00.007+01:00

Sunday May 9
After a domestic morning, cooking meals for the rest of the week, we bought a newspaper and drove up Station Road. It’s a dead end track starting at the bridge and leading up into the hills. The devastation caused by the heavy winter snows is so saddening. Broken branches everywhere, trees snapped at the top, scars starkly white. Nowhere seems to have escaped.
Disappointed at the lack of birds, it didn’t take long before our return trip. Pulling in to allow a car to pass, Pam spied a large dot soaring above the hill. Our first mainland Golden Eagle of 2010. The stop allowed us to scope a Tree Pipit atop a small juniper. Not so bad after all.
Determined not to drive far to-day, we stopped at Loch Vaa, admiring the snow topped Cairngorms en route.

Pam couldn’t see any of the reported Slavs but a stop at the viewpoint for a small roadside lochan outside Boat of Garten, came up trumps. A handsome Slavonian Grebe, Goldeneye male, four Pinkfeet and a Barnacle Goose. New trip birds.
Lunch at Abernethy Forest Lodge, very little activity. On the way back through the forest on the dreadfully potholed track, Pam stopped having glimpsed a flying bird . Lucky stop. I saw a female Scottish (Parrot)Crossbill and one young in a nearby pine. Excellent, they can be tough.
Not as tough as Crested Tit in May. Pam talked to two men we’d met on Iona at the Garten Osprey Centre ( we were checking that the Caper watch is still on),and they’d seen two, 50 metres down the Loch Mallachie track. We just had four Goldcrests.
Nesting Dippers was another piece of intelligence we’d gleaned, under a bridge near the Glen More road. We didn’t stay long, rather cold and spitting with rain, didn’t see any either.
Back to access our Emails at the hotel before retiring for the night.

Monday May 10
Having forgotten what time the RSPB Capercaillie watch started, we didn’t get there until 6.30. Slightly later than planned anyway as we’d stopped to photograph a handsome male Common Crossbill in a roadside puddle. Welcomed by the news that a male ‘had been showing until 5 minutes ago when it flew into a tree’ we hobbled up to the hide, seeing an Osprey fly away through the trees. The bird had been re-located and, through a scope, showed as a big black blob preening happily. That was enough for us, we both hate the ‘caper scrum’ but it serves a useful purpose in keeping disturbance to a minimum. The jostling for position without regard for others is not for me.
Tulloch Moor next call, several cars but most people were leaving. Good. I then enjoyed the best Black Grouse display I’ve ever seen. At least 4 males jumping into the air, puffing out their chests, whilst splaying and cocking their pristine white tail feathers. tail held like outriggers. All the while uttering their cooing, purring calls.

These pics of distant birds (they're easily spooked) were taken through my scope.

A nearby Tree Pipit called and displayed too.
Lochindorb, our first visit, was very disappointing. No sign of Black-throated Diver, just a Red-throat flying off to feed. Red Grouse were showing well, they’re more readily seen here than anywhere else.

After a welcome breakfast, more like brunch, we drove my favourite Valley, Findhorn. The surrounding hills were powdered by overnight snow, it looked lovely under a weak sun. We sat for an hour or more seeing nothing but enjoying the changeable landscape - it snowed. On and off all day actually, sometimes more like hail, at other times,　sleet. Plenty of feral goats grazed the hillsides,only a few Red Deer obvious on the skyline.
Pam always has to drive the Farr road to Ruthven at least once annually. It’s a narrow, twisting, track with few passing places, winding upwards to bleak moorland, supposedly good for raptors. We usually see a couple of Meadow Pipits in the 8 mile journey......To-day was a record. We added 2 Red Grouse and a Wheatear to the Pipits! All in a mini blizzard and a temperature of -3C. I can understand why she takes this route, it's the shortest by far (!!). After a coffee at Ruthven we drove Lochindorb again. Four Red-breasted Mergansers,still no divers, -1C and sleet.
Lindsey and Alison are away for the night so no internet access to-night.

To the Highlands

2010-05-09T17:53:00.002+01:00

Saturday May 8

At last I could have a shower, it’s a step -in one at Tranquillity, not a climb into the bath job. My various joints have eased at last so that helps a lot.
After the obligatory stop at the Gruinard layby on a beautiful sunny morning, we motored on to Loch Broome. At least 20 Red Breasted Mergansers, 2 Guillemots and a Grey Heron. A juvenile Great Northern Diver is no longer a pitfall. It’s obviously pale bill makes it look like a Yellow-billed to the novice, we learnt the hard way, at Dunnett Head a few years ago. The recorder for Northern Scotland gently put us right. Two Greenshanks flew the lengthnof a loch further on where we often see Black-throated Diver, but not to-day. Some stunning scenery along the way.

It clouded over as we approached Inverness but the sun was soon restored. Alturlie Point was a sea of mud, the water very distant at low tide. We scoped 24 Scaup and a Curlew before moving on to St George for our first Sandwich Terns of the trip. Loch Flemington.was very empty apart from a Little Grebe and a singing Reed Bunting.
Shopping at Tesco was a real chore, noisy, crowded and really, rather unpleasant, we were both dischuffed with it. Pam reccied a Clark’s shoe shop where I then bought a pair of navy velvet grandad slippers. My feet are so swollen still that my shoes are very uncomfortable indeed. What a sight. At bleast they’re not the tartan sort.....
We arrived at Fairwinds at 4.20, Pam went to see the owners and we completed the task of emptying the car and convoying the cases and umpteen bags up the steps. We went over to the hotel later in order to gain the WEP key so we could use our laptops. We have an open invitation to use he bar area at any time. I accessed my Emails before returning to the chalet hoping I could connect from there. No luck. Will have to load this onto my Blog to-morrow when an easy day is planned.

Taking it Easy

2010-05-07T21:01:00.005+01:00

Waking up to this view from the window in our chalet bedroom gives the day a glowing start. From my bed actually, Pam's is round the corner.

Late breakfast and a leisurely start, first stop Mellon Udrigle - after admiring the RB Mergansers and the scarce Redshanks in the local bay.
I spent quite a while at Udrigle trying to photograph from the car, a male twite feeding very actively, relatively close to the car park. On downloading the pics to-night, one of the worst photos showed the pink rump well, none of the others did.

Pam walked to the beach finding several children playing, not good for waders. Just a few Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Yet more White Wagtails too. This area is always good for Twite and Wheatears.
We ate our splendid packed lunches in the layby overlooking Gruinard Island, the extensive bay and the loch opening. Probably the smallest variety of birds we've seen here, no terns nor auks. A couple of Great Northern Divers, a Raven and two male Mergansers. Sunshine, superb view and solitude though.
The scenery improves again after passing through Gairloch. The drive to Red Point is stunning. Woodland, sheltered bays studded with boats appearing around corners, views of islands and rocks beyond. We stopped in a small parking spot opposite a hotel and saw Wood Warbler. A repeat stop on the return journey added Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Treecreeper.
The road then climbs through a more barren and higher area giving a great view of Skye and another lovely red sand bay far below. We always stop at the top and survey the sea. A few auks, divers and shags as seems normal.
After a cup of coffee, and another stop where the sea was nearer, we added two beautifully summer plumaged Red-throated Divers.
Back to Pauline and Phil's at Tranquillity B and B for a 'snack' dinner. Cheese omelette, salad and chips followed by home made raspberry ice-cream. Everything is home produced here including the bread and the choice of 4 jams at breakfast. Phil is the main cook and a very good one too. It's a joy to have a cooked breakfast on a hot plate devoid of fat.
We don't intend making a very early start for Carrbridge to-morrow, it's not far and we can't book in until 4 anyway.

Early Departure

2010-05-06T21:09:00.006+01:00

Up at 5.30, away at 6.30 on a lovely Mull morning. Soft silvery sunshine on lit yet shadowed, cloud - shrouded mountains and reflective lochs. Almost the first bird we saw on leaving Bunessan was a Golden Eagle, didn't expect them up this early. We needed thermals rather than the land producing them.
A last stop at Loch Beg, no brown log this time but then, a 'plank' appeared, spiralling lazily upwards before gliding fast out of view. Was it the same juvenile White-tailed Eagle? I didn't notice missing feathers yesterday.

The roads were empty, only one car travelling towards us before Glen More. The latter had heavier clouds and no sunshine giving a louring atmosphere - just like Glen Coe always seems to be. Fantastic, a male Hen Harrier flew across in front of us. No-one else we met had seen one and it's the third sighting for us.
The short detour partway to Grass Point to hear the liquid trill of a Wood Warbler before queuing for the ferry. Last book-in time is 30 minutes before departure, we ate our sausage sandwich and drank orange juice whilst waiting. We weren't the first on and we're always apprehensive about getting out of the car and reaching the stairway. The cars are packed on like sardines and stantions get in the way of doors. A gap of a few inches between cars is a tight squeeze for getting through to the central stairwell. Joy. We were guided to pole position, right in front of the exit door with plenty of room either side.I took a couple of photos through the windscreen......

The 40 minute journey was very calm , a few distant Auks but little else.

The 200 mile plus drive to Mellon Charles via Fort William and Beauly seemed to be endless to-day despite the spectacular scenery and a handsome Red Kite near the Glen Ord Distillery.
Welcomed by Pauline and Phil, settled into our familiar bedroom with a spectacular view over loch and mountains before 5.30.
A later start to-morrow.........

Migrants, Flowers and Shag Pile

2010-05-05T19:44:00.008+01:00

Visibility at Fionnphort was horrible, Iona was almost lost to view. We'd planned to drive the old road, western coastal route to Salen. Should we?
Loch Beg's marshy end at Pennyghael is always worth a look. We have a parking spot on the grass near the bridge. The passing places are, quite rightly, a no no. A shaggy brown blob looking like an old tree stump, transformed into a juvenile White-tailed Eagle. It took off., made a half hearted pass at a pair of Red breasted Merganser which dived frantically, waited until it had gone and were never seen again. Single Greenshank, Redshank, Curlew and a few handsome summer plumaged Golden Plover were ticked off before departing for the White Tailed Eagle nest. The green tagged female perched nearby, the male on the nest. Only a mile or two further on, on the road to Loch na Kiel, the mist was so thick we made a dodgy turn in a passing place flanked by mud and a slopeboth sides, taking the Craignure road instead.
We found the small area where Butterwort grows, not yet in flower.

Bending over to take a close-up, Pam found - and recognised - three minute Sundew plants. Well done.

Craignure for lunch food, Garmony to view the Sound of Mull - our only Turnstone of the trip - nothing at Fishnish. Couldn't find the garage at Salen and Tobermory was but 8 miles away (Pam said and she was driving), so on we drove. The petrol is in the parking area at the bottom of the hill which leads to the 'largest village on Mull' and offers a good view of the houses made famous in the opening credits to the children's programme, Balamory.

Only one stop on the way back, Grass Point, a very good one too. No traffic behind us so we could stop and listen in the oak woods astride the extremely narrow and steep track. Wood Warbler, Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler and a Tree Pipit announced their presence through song. Lovely.
At the foot of the hill, several Highland cattle were grazing, much too inquisitive for comfort at times, their horns were too near the tyres as they licked the rubber ! An essential part of the scenery.

Mobile Shag-pile

Only half an hour in the small designated parking place to-day. The whole of the area, and all the passing places, has yellow police signs forbidding parking or waiting at any time. The oldest pair of White-tailed Eagles have their nest in the area and someone was successfully prosecuted for disturbance last year.
An unplanned but very enjoyable and successful last day before our departure on the 8.45 ferry to Oban in the morning. We have to be there by 8.15 so have ordered a packed breakfast. Sausage sandwiches and anything else John can find in the fridge ! His words.

Iona - shall we SEE one?

2010-05-04T20:00:00.005+01:00

We caught the 8.45 ferry to Iona - most of the passengers are workers going across to the hotels plus a few birders. We saw a bird in flight behind the fire station last year so we went there first. One was calling loudly but the cold wind and overcast skies drove us up the hill after 20 minutes. More calling from the Abbey gardens, still no sign. My knee and ankle did not encourage further walking, we returned to the field opposite theNunnerywhere we sat a while.on the kerb. One called loudly again... no movement at all...typical. This field is clumps of tall tussocky grass not the favoured iris beds. I leaned on the gate, binning the area and eureka !! The head and neck of a Corncrake appeared from the grass and stayed there for 5 minutes, peering about.

Elated, we went to buy post cards and to tell the other birders.
We also had a singing Chiffchaff, Rook and Guillemot to add to our list. After a cuppa, we caught the mid-day ferry, seeing a Great Skua, Gannets and Common Terns from the shelter of the cabin.
The afternoon was spent touring Fidden, Uisken - where we ate lunch - and then the climb to Loch Assopol. Not good visibility to-day, thick mist and heavy overcast.During the next 2 hours, we saw little, apart from the beautiful and ubiquitous Wheatears.

I did the Telegraph crossword and Pam read the Mull Bird Report. Just as we were stirring to leave, a Kestrel flew by, followed by a male Hen Harrier and a White-tailed Eagle showed briefly along the ridge. Bumping our way down the very rough track, a Peregrine swooped through chasing a Meadow Pipit. Exciting 15 minutes.

Mooching About.....

2010-05-03T20:55:00.004+01:00

Lovely day again - until it clouded over early evening.
Fidden was notable for a small flock of Dunlin and definite Twite, the latter fossicking on the road verge.

We watched whilst a farmer and his wife hoisted a sheep and her THREE lambs into a trailer behind their quad bike. The young ones looked a bit weak, I expect they were being taken for extra care.
Canoeists at Uisken again, the beach was empty save for a few White Wagtails, we're seeing more White than Pied. But we did tick our first Gannets of the trip.
A hour and a half surveying the very lovely view across lochs at Glen More was fruitless, the Goldens were hiding.
We lunched at Grass Point. Pam noticed a large bird perched, silhouetted, on a tree atop a distant hill. An adult White-tailed Eagle, another flying through, maybe a nest changeover time.
When we spent the day birding with Richard of a Mull Wildlife Tours, we drove Loch Spelvie but haven't since - until to-day. We actually drove new ground, down to the very end which is called Loch Buie. A small car park overlooking the sea where we enjoyed a coffee and a Great Northern Diver. Pam then found 2 Black Guillemots in the bright sun - silvered sea.
Apart from the eagles, my highlight of the day was 3 different Whinchats.

Is it Phionnophort?

2010-05-02T21:16:00.008+01:00

The place name is spelt differently on sign posts, maps and brochures. Which is correct? I've used the one on the signposts.
After cooked breakfast and a leisurely sort of belongings, we drove to Fidden, enjoying the views in the sunshine.
An Caolas

The first of the dozens of Wheatears seen to-day, a flock of 8 Whimbrel and a Raven catch-up for Pam (phew). Just 3 Mountain Hares lolloping the moorland, one still had a white back-end. We always drive to the end of the track the first visit of the trip, finding this new and rather splendid sign on the wall of the scruffy farm buildings where we have to turn round.

The many sheep look in good condition, the lambs quite delightful.

No Hen Harrier at Kintra this year, dozens of Wheatears though.

We love Uisken but not to-day. The small parking area at the beach was full of people preparing their canoes. We stayed long enough to enjoy the Sand Martins before leaving for Bunessan. A rather distant Cuckoo flew down from the wires just outside the village, returning with a very large caterpillar which it didn't seem to know how to tackle.

The rough track to Loch Assopol, an unnamed turning beyond Bunessan, had even more Wheatears and a small paddock containing 3 spotted, 1 black and two ginger half grown pigs. They were delightful.
Parking at the end of the allowed track, we sat for three hours scanning the ridges all round, admiring the sweeping view across the loch down to the distant sea. A superb male Hen Harrier hunted from right to left, returning an hour later, one Common Buzzard hovering for minutes on end and, at last 1 Golden Eagle patrolling a ridge over 2 miles away.
Still time to visit the nest on the old Salen Road - via an ice-cream at Pennyghael PO. Very little on the marsh there to-day. We saw another Goldie en route, rather high but I attempted a photo through the sun roof. One day I may take a good one.....

The biggish lay by where we usually park has sprouted a look out - which is reminiscent of as bus shelter - at the top of some wooden steps, labelled 'Nest Lookout'. The door was padlocked. We very quickly scoped the enormous nest from the car, one adult White-tailed Eagle sitting, showing reasonably from time to time.An hour's patience brought its reward. The sitting adult took off , soaring majestically against the blue sky, did a circle and returned to perch in the nesting tree, it's mate ghosting in to perch on a branch below. One adult - blue wing tag - flew to a nearby tree, showing well, the other returning to the nest. Excellent. Must look up the tag on the Mull Birds website, we can't tell the sexes apart.
An enjoyable drive 'home' in soft evening sunlight, past sea loch and blue tinged rocky hillsides. It's a lovely island.

Scotland - Days 1 and 2

2010-05-01T20:02:00.004+01:00

April 30
Very stiff and sore, we made a 5.30 a.m. departure, arriving at Caerlaverock at about 1.15 p.m. despite a humungus diversion east, in an enormous loop, off the A17. Don't know why....
Caerlaverock WWT reserve is primarily for a wintering flock of Barnacle Geese, the first returnees arrived in Norway on April 11. Very quiet place to-day in a cold NE wind, overcast sky with occasional heavy showers. A single Whooper Swan remained amongst the large flock of Mute.

We arrived in the hide just before 2 to find it was feeding time.

We found 3 White Wagtails, a single Sedge Warbler, 1 female Yellowhammer and a small flock of Siskin. No sign of any Avocets this year.
We stayed the night at Dumfries Travelodge, retiring to bed at 9 ready for an early start in the morning.

May 1
Another 5.30 departure, re-fuelling the car, buying papers etc at the next door garage before an empty motorway to Glasgow. The latter was easily bypassed, they seem to have built more trunk roads leading to the Loch Lomond road north, we used to have to negotiate a fair bit of the city.
Breakfast beside Loch Lomond was beautiful. Morning sun not strong enough to disperse the mist hanging over the lake and mountains. An extra bonus was a male Goosander, floating in the mist before a small boat put it to flight.

The road to Crianlarich hugs the loch shore, narrow, wet and twisty. The winter frosts have made the surface evn more potholed than usual - but it's very beautiful. As is the road to Oban, fast and undulating through moorland, bogs, rushing streams and brooding mountains. Only a little snow left on the occasional top.
Time to bird en route, picking up our first Common Sandpiper and Raven (me only, oh dear !!). After shopping in Tesco - specially petrol which is exorbitant on Mull - and ticking a Black Guillemot, we queued for the ferry. People seemed to have done so very early and departed for the town, many cars in ront of us, all empty.
Parking on the ferry is sardine tin like, still don't know how I got out and through the cars to climb two flights of steep stairs. We usually climb another two flights and sit on the deck for the crossing. It was raining and cold so we sat at a window seat in the cafe, the others were full.
Mull in the rain..... unusual for us. After leaving Craignure, we still diverted and drove down to Grass Point. Just a calling Cuckoo and Wheatear to-day.
All roads to Fionnphort are single track, very narrow so punctuated by diving into passing places, especially for the coaches returning from Iona. Only three to-day. A couple of handsome Great Northern Divers lit up the journey to Pennyghail PO where we can usually see some birds on the loch and marsh. Greenshank, Golden Plovers and Red -Breasted Merganser to-day.
We arrived at Seaview Guesthouse, Fionnphort, greeted by John and a welcoming Megan (brown Lab) who kept coming to see us. We loved it but John was embarrassed.
Breakfast is booked for 7.30 in the morning, we'll decide where to go when we see the weather.

An Auspicious Outing

2010-04-29T13:05:00.002+01:00

With much preparation to complete before we leave for Scotland early to-morrow, we set off for Winterton South Dunes. A Lesser Whitethroat showed well in the bushes as we entered the dunes, a Common nearby. I don't think any bird warrants the forename of Common.... So warm and sunny, the pleasant walk was rewarded with very good scope views of a Woodchat Shrike in bright plumage. I had another go at digiscoping.......must do better !

Just as rewarding was a spanking new male Whinchat.
There was a small group of birders parked at the sharp bend just past Brograve Farm. With rumours of a Tawny Pipit, we parked on the field verge before walking to join them. Just as I got there, I turned my ankle in an unseen pothole and fell full length, most of the weight on my right knee and left elbow. I find it most humiliating to fall in public. John Geeson said ' when you're ready, I've got a ringtail Monty's here'. That brought me staggering to my feet for distant hazy scope views. Just as well it had been identified by a reputable birder.
Inspection of injuries showed a grazed, bruised and cut right knee, soon covered in Savlon. By the time I got home and out of the car it became obvious that my left ankle was very painful and swollen too... I didn't know which leg to limp with ! It's now had the cold/hot treatment and an elastic bandage applied, fingers crossed for some mobility to plant tomatoes and pack the car.

Round-up

2010-04-27T16:17:00.002+01:00

April 22
'Our' House Martins returned and are nest building
April 24
Horsey Gap - Waxham Sands Holiday Park.
1 female Ring Ousel, 1 Wheatear and a steady passage of Sand martins with Swallows. 2 White Wagtails, Grasshopper Warbler
April 25
Lunch at Cley centre. First Sandwich Terns heard at Coastguards, Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails (inc 1 Blue-headed male) in Eye Field. Still a flock of Brent in the field.
April 27
Beautiful day. Sunny, little wind and warm.
Titchwell.
Walk to the sea. Marshes are dreadful, one full of water, another virtually dry, the only waders Avocets and Lapwings. At least 6 singing Sedge Warblers along the path, Cetti's seen and heard, Bearded Tit , several Black-caps, 1 Willow Warbler. First of the year Turtle Dove flew east towards Thornham.
Sea
Over 1,000 Scoter, very distant though. 3 Eider, 4 GC Grebes, Knot, Bat T Godwits, a few Sanderling and Dunlin on the sea edge. Our first Little Terns (2) flew through as did 2 Sandwich Terns and 8 Whimbrel. One of the RSPB staff was looking for - and found - Dune Tiger Beetle
'probably the rarest creature we have on the reserve'. It has pink spots.....
Returned via Fen trail and our first Reed Warbler near the dragonfly pool.
More Sandwich Terns at Cley Coastguards.

April 22. Migrant search

2010-04-22T17:29:00.002+01:00

What a beautiful day. Shame we had to wait until the post had been - and the promised letter did not arrived! I love to see Ring Ousels on spring passage. the reports of arrivals are now steady with a few in Norfolk yesterday. Hindringham was the nearest, a playing field seemed a better bet than finding them on Beacon Hill. No sign of the two males reported earlier but our first House Martins , two flying in and out of a nest site on a nearby house.
Beacon Hill had four other birders looking, including the Holmans. We saw 4 Ring Ousels perched in the far hedge and flying down to the far field. Very flighty and intermittent views. One female and 3 males. Up to 8 Wheatears fed on the plough.
The walk out towards the sea wall at Burnham Norton was a pleasure on this warm and sunny morning. We heard a Yellow Wagtail tseep as it flew over but failed to see one. Our first Greenshank called as it flew off from a pool, ensuring we didn't miss it. A single bugle alerted us to 3 Common Cranes approaching high overhead, spiralling ever higher. From Horsey or continental birds? Returning to the car we found we'd missed a Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove. The otheres would have loved the cranes, we'd have done a swap!
The Yellow Wagtail which had been just down the road was gone so we tried Holme which was very quiet. To-day's migration finished I should think, the winds go southerly at the weekend which is promising.
I saw a Kestrel being followed into Gunton Park by a Cuckoo as we drove past, giving me a good comparison of size and flight. Pam was driving and missed it which always takes the gilt off.

Monday April 19

2010-04-22T17:19:00.002+01:00

Sue arrived before 8 so we were able to make an earlier start than usual on her day's birding. News came through of a Gropper at Cley, which seemed too good to miss. We stood on West Bank near the sluice gazing at a Blackthorn bush in the reeds. Despite the chill, the Grasshopper Warbler reeled for a short time and eventually showed in the top of the bush. A dozen Whimbrel passed through, one short whinny alerting us to their presence.
A light shower as we approached Snettisham Coastal Park which persidted as Pam and I ate a delicious bacon bap for breakfast, bought from a van in the car park. We meandered through the scrub, listening to Chiffs and Willow Warblers and watching a scattering of Swallows but little else. A couple of birders we met on the return journey had seen a Swift but we didn't....Several flocks of Pinkfeet around still, landing on the marsh to feed.
Holme Paddocks was very chilly, one Common Whitethroat sang without much enthusiasm, it pleased Sue as did the Sedge Warblers now well in.

Migration Fever

2010-04-18T13:36:00.003+01:00

Saturday April 17
Not only migration fever but a wish to avoid watching the Manchester Derby, awful for the nerves, was the motivation for driving to The Paddocks at Holme. We met Dave and Chris Holman on the dunes which helped us to locate two Common and one Lesser Whitethroat. We'd planned to visit Jed and Sophie at the NOA but, the paths were cordoned off with police tape. A bomb had been found near the NOA dune hide. Talking to Pat at the NWT, they were sure that it wasn't there in the morning and had been picked up on the beach by a kid and then ordered to leave it by a panicked parent. Sounds feasible.
We snacked our way home, lunch at Titchwell, icecream at Salthouse and heard Scholes score the only goal in extra time at the City ground to put us one point behind Chelsea who were playing Spurs later. Then, Norwich City clinched promotion back to the Championship and Spurs beat Chelsea. Game on. What a great day !!

Barton Broad

2010-04-18T13:27:00.004+01:00

Late Friday April 16 afternoon
Plenty of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap song plus two Cetti's as we took the boardwalk to the lookout platform. There, the icy wind hit us. Eyes streaming, I scoped long enough to count 9 Common Terns, several pairs of displaying Great Crested Grebes, a few Swallows and little else.

As we drove away, a Green Woodpecker was startled on to a rather distant post.

April 15

2010-04-17T18:29:00.007+01:00

We were not due to meet Bridget and Aileen until 9, woke early and had time to make a leisurely way there via Abbey Farm and the Wolferton Triangle. Not a lot of birds but a lovely sunny morning. Shame about the icy NE wind............
On an ebbing tide, Snettisham produced the expected waders, huge ribbons of Knot leaving their pit-side roosting beach in squadrons of several hundred. Spectacular always. A male Wheatear flew across the path, posing on a rock to be admired.
Holme produced a singing Sedge Warbler and our first flock of Pinkfeet for the month.
Leaving the lull of the tree- lined path at Titchwell, the north easterly brought an unwanted glow to the cheeks. A chance meeting with John who was with us in Brazil, a mothing chat with the Geesons and a pair of Red-crested Pochards on the Freshwater pool before a rapid departure for the sanctuary of the car.
A and B wished to visit Sculthorpe Moor, one of our favourite places. We walked to Whitwell Hide first, settling to watch the feeding table activity. A handsome pair of Bullfinches, Tits - including Coal - and one fleeting visit by a Marsh, a horde of Chaffinches, and one pair of Reed Bunting kept us more than happy. A single Common Buzzard soared over the marsh, a Marsh Harrier actually landed on a visible mound in the reeds.

Two tiny Bank Voles kept darting out - apparently legless - from the reed bed, snacking on dropped seed and disappearing rapidly before repeating the performance. Mesmerising.

On leaving the hide a Treecreeper did its thing on a nearby birch but we saw nothing else before reaching Jarvis Hide where we heard a Golden Pheasant's, need of WD40 skreek, from the holly thicket outside. Eventually he showed himself in all his strutting splendour - apart from the very worn tail end feathers which drag on the ground.

More than happy with the day's outing, we said our goodbyes and made our seperate way home.

North Coast April 11

2010-04-12T22:42:00.002+01:00

Bingo. Gunton had a small flock of hirundine over the fishing lake, mostly Swallows with a few Sand Martins. A male Grey Wagtail perched on top of the sawmill thatch ridge.
Holme Paddocks was very cold and birdless as were the dunes and Broadwater. We warmed up at Titchwell with a lunch of sausage and onion baguette whilst watching a Norfolk month by month DVD showing in the cafe.
Home to watch the second half of the Man U /Blackburn match where we waved goodbye to the title with a toothless 0-0 draw.

April 8th - a Day in the Brecks

2010-04-09T15:27:00.006+01:00

What a beautiful day. 16C, blue sky with enough fluffy clouds to make it interesting. Not an early start, we were after the morning Norwich traffic rather than before. Would we have better luck at Weeting this year? Not a lot... but at least a sitting Stone Curlew's head was visible beside a clump of emergant green nettles, just left of the elm tree at 12 o'clock from West Hide. Not visible when sitting down in the hide either, a scope was essential.
Hockwold Washes was an improvement. Good scope views of out first drake Garganey of the year, a Sedge Warbler song bursting forth from the nearby reeds.
May Day farm was butterfly-active, mainly speeding Brimstone, one Peacock, several Commas and a single Large White.

The Blackthorn blossom the biggest attraction.
We didn't have to wait long before a Woodlark rose from from the newly planted area to the right of the crossroads, feeding on the grassy area to the left before flying back to perch and sing.
Driving to St Helen's to eat a late lunch, a group of four birders roadside, intent on something, brought us to a halt. A female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was feeding avidly on a high branch no more than 30 feet away. We watched her through the scope for 30 minutes and, eventually, left her to it. Our most extensive views ever. Walking away from a Lesser Spot.......!
I attempted a photo through the scope, hand held without an adaptor. I'm not proud of it. More practice needed.

A 'just in case' drop-in to Wroxham Broad on the way home, where I was photographing an Egyptian Goose family when a single Common Tern showed briefly before disappearing out of sight. A most enjoyable day.

Look very carefully for the Tern!

A very Good Friday

2010-04-02T17:13:00.005+01:00

A lovely looking morning and not as cold either (6C). After some hesitation, we found the un-named track down to Kessingland sewage works. Unsure as to the legality of driving down the unmade track, we checked with some returning birders, parked, walked 200 yards past the sewage works and joined about 30 others scattered about admiring the aerial display of a long staying Pallid Swift. Only our second UK bird.
After firing off some hopeful shots of the actively hunting bird, we returned to view several White Wagtails and a single Grey Wagtail feeding on the filter beds. Blackcap and Chiffchaffs sang in the hedgerow, lovely.

'Record' shots

No news of the Lesser Kestrel this morning, we drove to Dunwich cliffs scanning all Kestrels seen - including the promising one seen whist viewing the display flight and song of a Dartford Warbler.
A most enjoyable morning's birding.

April 1 - Very Cold

2010-04-02T16:47:00.003+01:00

A Song Thrush, Robin, Wren, Blackbird and Dunnock were all singing when we left home at 5.55 - after scraping ice off the windscreen. We usually manage 30+ by the time we reach Abbey Farm, including Tree Sparrow, to eat breakfast in the hide. Our first Blackcap of the year sang above the hide and a single Kingfisher flashed through. The record book spoke of a pair of the latter every day in the last week but no record of Little Owl at all.
Again, it was a very high tide at Snettisham with very few birds to be seen, apart from a scatter of Oystercatchers and Great Ringed Plover along the tideline.It was bitterly cold in the strengthening wind too.
100+ Curlew and 50 Avocets along the back of the Broadwater at Holme, a fly by male Peregrine causing absolute panic. We saw it again at Titchwell, from Fen Hide, the only time we ventured forth in the blustery wind as we both have painful sinuses already. We also had views of a single White Wagtail on the area where the soil was removed for the new seawall and heard our first Willow Warbler past the dipping pool.
The wintering Spotted Redshank, still in winter lumage, was visible at Morston where I was able to take some hasty shots before it moved away.

A 'might as well' drive out to Cley Coastguards rewarded us with our first Swallow, poor thing. To-day's total only 80 but, nearly all ticked from the warmth of the car.

UK Lifer

2010-03-31T11:13:00.002+01:00

March 28
At 4.10, the pager went ballistic, at 4.15 we were on our way to Minsmere, hoping to see the adult male Lesser Kestrel reported as sitting on a fence-post along the access road. Another message when we were driving through Lowestoft, said it had flown off north west. Oh dear. We ploughed on but drove to Dunwich cliffs rather than Minsmere, as it was a lovely evening. Should we return to Kessingland and hope the Pallid Swift hadn't gone to roost?
Scanning the heath as we returned from looking at an empty sea, a group of about a dozen parked cars appeared, their drivers running back, including Lee. One took off in front of us so we followed, down Dunwich road . As soon as more parked cars appeared in the distance, we parked, walked 300 yards down the road and turned left through a footpath kissing gate. We walked as fast as we were able - everyone passed us (!) - for at least a quarter of a mile before coming upon about 80 birders lining a bank on the left looking across a gorse and tree strewn heath. The bird was a brown blob on top of a bush until it flew a 100 yards or so before returning. As it was frequently out of view and not exactly crippling views - I'd wrongly carried my camera and not my scope - we ambled back to the car and were home just before eight.
2009 was the first year I'd ever been tickless, at least 2010 will not be barren, taking my British list to 494, I don't count Irish birds. Will I ever make 500?

March 26 Swift Morning

2010-03-27T14:31:00.011Z

Sue was early. The planned visit to Sculthorpe before Sue had to pay an entry fee (we're members) started with a diversion to Cromer. We'd found a shorter way to the Lighthouse in the dark morning visit to catch the Little Swift before it left its roost. Some years ago now. Leaving the short footpath onto the clifftop, four other birders were standing on a rise scanning the town area. The Alpine Swift wa swooping about high above the rooftops. Even better, it then flew towards us not far above our heads, cruised the trees, the nearby cliffside and pretty low above our heads. It repeated this circuit giving excellent views.

I wish the photograph was mine.....

Sculthorpe was, comparatively, devoid of birds. Surprisingly, a few scarlet Elf Caps showed, didn't realise they fruited this early.

A small flock of Lesser Redpoll, zipped in the treetops, a Golden Pheasant remained hidden but called twice.
Whitley Hide had very few birds on and under the feeders. The highlight was a Long Tailed Tit taking a sunflower seed, hanging on the feeder and eating it from the other foot. A second seed was taken to a tree before the action was repeated. Delightful.

Our first Comma butterfly landed on the boardwalk on the return journey. I only had my long lens with me so had to retreat yards before I could get it in focus.

Couldn't find any Wheatears at Cley for Sue. She'll have to be satisfied with the lifer!
Home to put the moth trap out.
PS An astonishing catch of 74 moths of at least 8 species. Still trying to ID them.

Sunday March 21

2010-03-23T13:35:00.000Z

After listening to Man U beat Liverpool - couldn't bear to watch after Torres' early goal - we drove to Buckenham and the old mill pool.Dot and Steve were watching a male Garganey disappear into a small dyke. It did not re-appear in the next hour. We did see Little Ringed Plover, a White Wagtail and another Water Pipit, hearing a Cetti's. Justin turned up too so there were plenty of good eyes around. Promising to show him a yellow Horned (moth) at to-morrow's bird club, we drove home to set up the moth trap admiring a magnificent sunset. One of the glories of Norfolk.

Migrant foray

2010-03-19T22:58:00.002Z

We had a couple of hours spare. The threatened overnight rain hadn't appeared, it was our fourth lovely warm, sunny morning, 16C yesterday.
First stop Felbrigg, no sign of any Sand Martins nor the Chiffchaff reported by another birder. Salthouse car park. I binned the area and mound and thought I'd seen a possibility flying near the top. Quickly setting up my scope, we were rewarded by views of two lovely male Wheatears. Nothing in ten minutes at Cley Beach, we returned to Salthouse for another view and a cuppa from the van before driving home for lunch.
As I sat at my PC with the sun lounge doors open, a Chiffchaff sang twice but not again - Pam didn't hear it. Not happy......

March 17 Correct car park

2010-03-19T22:52:00.003Z

Where is the Lions Mouth car park mentioned on the pager? It's what we knew as the back entrance to Felbrigg at the bottom of Lion's Mouth. We'd been looking - unsuccessfully - in the wrong place. It only took 20 minutes of searching the conifers in the car park to find a handsome Firecrest, the other 3 birders there were very pleased as they'd been there ages.
A Mealy Redpoll was a fine bonus as we'd missed them all.

Will it Ever Get Warm

2010-03-10T15:03:00.002Z

Sculthorpe was bitterly cold, not a strong north wind but a bone chiller. 1C was the highest reading all morning. I thoroughly enjoyed our two hours on the reserve but still hadn't warmed through by the time I got home.
The Frank Jarvis hide did not reward our patience, a handful of common woodland birds only. We were very surprised to find a large and fully open scarlet Elf Cap fungus near Old Gits corner (I hate that name). One Treecreeper and several Long tailed Tits en route to Whitley Hide, a single Little Egret along the stream. We sat on a dedicated bench with a clear view across the river to a large cleared area beyond, hoping for a Willow Tit really as we'd seen one here before. Amazing... a Goshawk rose from the right hand wood, spiralled lazily upwards and drifted off left. My best views ever, much closer and just as lengthy as at Ollie's farm. Time to study the longer tail and protruding head, a bulkier bird than Sparrowhawk.
Whitley Hide is usually worth the visit in itself. Three Bullfinches including two males fed on the bird table, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, a Water Rail on the ground below. A nearby nest box held a Tawny Owl sitting fully exposed in the open section. I didn't carry my camera............! Mainly because it was such a dull day. If only. I have never photographed Bullfinch nor Goshawk nor Tawny Owl.

Mandarin Day

2010-03-08T15:52:00.003Z

Parking roadside, we walked the Weavers Way down to Felbrigg Lake. The path is usually very muddy and wet in the middle section. We approached with trepidation and found it to be the best ever, just the occasional boggy bit which could be easily circumvented. They'd improved the area around the lake too. No Mandarins in sight - as usual for us - I set up scope at the far gate so that I could inspect the tree roots on the far side.After about 15 minutes scanning, a small brown blob at the base of a root, lifted its head. A drake Mandarin. We'd been joined by two other birders, getting everyone else onto the bird was not easy ! Especially as it didn't even twitch when a float of noisy Greylag hemmed it in. Andy departed to walk round behind the trees - there's a footpath - as we hoped, 2 drakes and a female flew out, one drake posing in the centre of the water before the other two joined it and they all flew around the small headland. Andy and friend left to try for a photo, we had good scope views from the wood edge. Andy should be sending me a pic, I'll post it when it arrives.

At least two Nuthatches were calling in the woods, we both heard Treecreeper, Pam saw one - I'd walked on - but couldn't re-locate it.
Couldn't find any Firecrests at Lion's Mouth, probably searching in the wrong area as it came through on the pager when we got home. That's very annoying ! A male Tawny Owl called loudly which was a bonus. Neither of the two local pairs are doing so this year.

Second Try

2010-03-06T15:06:00.003Z

We didn't arrive at Lynford until 8.45. By 9a.m. we'd seen six Crossbills - apparently eating leaf buds in a tall Paddocks tree -and then 3 Hawfinches, 1 male and 2 females.
St Helens picnic ground to eat breakfast and try for Lesser Spot en route. No sight nor sound. The picnic area still held about 50 Brambling in the riverside scrubby area, disturbed by a dog walker.
Just before the Recruiting Sergeant in Coltishall, a Woodcock flew 20 feet high across the road in front of us. Luck indeed.

Strumpshaw and Buckenham Marshes

2010-03-05T17:54:00.003Z

Strumpshaw brick hide was freezing cold. After an hour's viewing when we were reduced to counting Coot (18 max) we drove to Buckenham marsh with the heater at full blast. A hide is being erected on the Fisherman's car park, that was a surprise. To replace the Mill hide?
Scoping from the track to the Mill, 26 Taiga Bean Geese flew in from the direction of Cantley, still here. Later than usual I think.
Some Greylags appeared on the far bank of the river before entering the water. Amongst them were the four orange neck-ringed birds, ringed in Orkney and which previously appeared here a couple of winters ago.

March 4, a Full Day's Birding

2010-03-05T17:18:00.004Z

The first opportunity for a day's birding after 3 days of sunshine. Would the weather hold....yes it did. A glorious sunny day, although still very cold, 5C being the highest temperature all day. Leaving home at 6.15 a.m., the birds singing well including a local Song Thrush, we'd added 40 species by Abbey farm at Flitcham. The list included Tree Sparrows at our favoured location and a calling male Grey Partridge along with three females at the back of the farm field.

Expecting the usual fruitless drive around Wolferton Triangle... I saw a male Golden Pheasant appear and, just as quickly disappear, into the rhododendron thicket. Pam missed it!
Abbey was disappointing, devoid of birds. The man walking in the field waving his arms about gave us a clue - as well as the notice on the hide door saying that they were moving the Canada and Greylag Geese on before they settled to breed. They're causing havoc to the water system, eating the vegetation and eroding the banks.
High tide at Snettisham is rightly famous for the roosting waders - but not for viewing the variety of species usually present. After finding the two Shorelarks near the entrance gate at the chalets, we walked to the second hide, from which the pit-side bank of roosting Knot 'shingle' van be viewed.

At last, our first visit to Gore Point at Holme NNT. Persistence in scanning an apparently empty sea paid off with 3 Red-throated Divers, Eider, about a dozen delightful Long-tailed Ducks and a flock of 20 Snow Buntings on the beach.
Well satisfied, the next walk was Titchwell, only as far as the first pool to view Avocets and a male Red-crested Pochard, occasionally showing its head and neck on a reedy island. The breeding pair has returned. Luckily, someone was already viewing a Woodcock on the path to the car park. Difficult as always, a limbo stance was needed for a good (!) view. Well, I saw the whole roosting bird.
After a quick lunch at Brancaster Staithe, a 'just in case' visit to Burnham Norton was immediately succesful. The Snow Goose had been reported as only visible from the seawall, about a mile's walk. It flew about with a very large flock of Brent as we arrived. We only saw a small number of Pink-feet all day, they must have started the journey north.
Black Brant at Wells plus a pair of Scaup on Abraham's Bosom, nothing new at Morston nor Cley. A Little Owl at Felbrigg flew into it's nesting tree and some Long-tailed Tits on the feeders at home brought the score to a very pleasing 94. Despite not trying for the Glaucous as we'd seen it on Monday, missing Grey Heron, Snipe, Coal Tit and a few other bankers. An excellent day's birding and very enjoyable too.

Some Birding at Last

2010-02-25T20:16:00.002Z

Needing a rest from funeral arrangements, an after breakfast drive to Titchwell. Not a promising start, thick mist and then rain. The mist proved to be patchy and the rain stopped before arriving at the reserve. We then spent some time with Ray Kimber looking for the Mealy Redpoll 'it was here half an hour ago', in the alders around the Centre. Lee didn't see it yesterday despite spending all day on the reserve. It consorts with Goldfinches, found those......... A Water Rail picking up spills under the bird feeder was a bonus. I've often wondered why they don't do that here when they do at Sculthorpe and Lackford.
The Freshwater pool was well under water, many pairs of Pintail, a few Goldeneye, about 10 Avocet, a single Golden Plover (!) and the usual common ducks, didn't keep us long. We were both devoid of any hwyl and aborted the planned Gore Point walk. Choseley barns had a flock of 35+ Corn Buntings flying about and perching occasionally. The Little Owl showed well in its usual tree for the first time this year. We were pleased to find the coast road open again.
Careful scanning brought a Black Brant on Wells putting green and then a couple of female Smew on Abraham's Bosom. A drive through Holkham Park was pleasant but nothing of note.
The coastal drive ended at Salthouse Beach car park where the flock of Snow Bunting showed well on the grassy bank east of the car park. As we got nearer, black sunflower seeds sprinkled liberally on the ground there showed why. So near that photography was difficult with my 1-400 zoom lens.

Registry Office and Snettisham

2010-02-18T22:29:00.003Z

Having to register a death within five days of occurrence and North Walsham's Reg Office only open Thursday and Friday morning within the time date, scuppered plans for an early start. Our monthly outing with A and B was due to begin at Snettisham. Aileen is hampered by a newly broken arm, we can bird from the car there. We didn't make it until mid-day to find a very low tide, plenty of waders scattered nearby, mostly Knot. A flock of 20 Avocets was a year's first and there was a flock of 20 Snow Buntings on the shingle at the reserve end of the last chalets.
Still looking for the Shorelarks, I heard an unfamiliar call as a bird flew west. We reversed our tracks and found two birds feeding on the shingle. Very dark by now but they were reasonably close.
Poor photograph.........

Hunstanton Cliffs for the regular Fulmars, a very large flock of Scoter viewable in the thick mist. Two Red-breasted Mergansers fished closer in and the tideline had many Bar-tailed Godwits - missing from Snettisham. Many waders feeding on the exposed rocks and sand at the east end car park too.
Bitterly cold with poor visibility so we called it a day. Again, a return via Ringstead due to road closure. As we left H a snow shower swept in, large flakes which settled. By Fakenham the snow got steadily wetter until it became solid rain - it still is.

Buckenham Marshes

2010-02-16T21:51:00.002Z

Heavy rain as we arrived hampered viewing. A clearer spell enabled scoping, finding about thirty Taiga Bean Geese rather distantly. Despite diligent searching, no sign of the Orkney neck-ringed Greylags which have returned this winter. Retired.....wet.

Local outing

2010-02-14T19:54:00.002Z

The sun shone this afternoon, far too tempting to stay indoors yet too late to go far afield. Would the Little Owl be warming itself? Yes, it was, perched in the thick ivy on the trunk of an old oak tree. Thank you James.
Returning to Ridlington the pretty way - via Heath Road and Crostwight - stopping and looking along the way, we stopped near what we know as Bluebell Wood, to allow a car to pass. There was some action so we lingered. I heard a quiet woodpecker call followed by some fast low drumming. Despite patience and searching, no sight of the bird which moved further and further away. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker close to home. We last saw one locally over 20 years ago.

Waxwings

2010-02-13T17:24:00.002Z

At last...thought we were going to miss out this winter. There's been a small influx of Waxwings during the past week, shortage of food in Scandinavia I guess - lots of snow there. A mid afternoon pager alert reported 17 at the old favourite haunt of Dussingdale Road, Norwich. The estate is very large and labyrinthine. We hunted about fruitlessly in the reported roads, meeting a few others also looking. After sitting out another snow shower, a second pager message sent us scurrying to a new location, as it was getting dark. Just in time to see two Waxwings settle and then fly from a berried tree in a front garden. Startled off by a woman getting into her car directly underneath -she had to!

Two good Norfolk winter ticks

2010-02-13T17:20:00.001Z

Friday February 12
No Med Gulls in Great Yarmouth, must ask Keith where they've gone.
We parked in a gateway between St Olaves and Haddiscoe and, after 15 minutes, Pam was getting antsy and considering walking at Chedgrave. I persuaded her to stay another 10 mins, got my scope out (it had started to sleet) and, after a few minutes scanning,spotted a distant Short-eared Owl. I was very happy with that, having just said I'd almost prefer that to the Buzzard. One last scan and I found the Roughie sat on a broken gate post preening. Excellent.
We returned via GY seafront - still no Med - and then Caister to Winterton. Just a couple of Red-throats on the sea. We saw two Barn Owls on the way home, one just past Sea Palling sat on a roadside sign and another near Ingham.

Some Time for Ourselves

2010-02-08T21:34:00.002Z

Pam's 101 year old mum was sent back to her Residential Home yesterday to be 'kept comfortable'. It's been a hard week, last Friday the only break.
After morning snow and some essential chores, a mid-day drive to Winterton via Walcott PO. As we left Bachelors Lane, a female Merlin shot across the road in front of us.
Soon after leaving Waxham, stopping to look at some Fieldfare, a beauutiful male Hen Harrier showed fleetingly flying low behind a hedge. Whilst admiring 10 Common Cranes in the back of the field immediately past Brograve Farm, the Hen Harrier passed by my window, just 10 feet away, appearing from behind the bushes. Stopping beyond Horsey Mill to scan a field of Lapwing and Starlings, we found a small group of Golden Plover. They seem to be scarce at the moment. An old Norfolk man with whom I worked, always said that if the Lapwings and Peewits diappeared the weather was going to be bad. Wrong tense I reckon.
The sea at Winterton was angry, foaming onto the beach propelled by a strong NE wind. No birds at all in ten minutes - until two Red-throated Divers flew past, soon disappearing.
An Email I received to-day wrote of the displaying Goshawks at Sculthorpe and said that the management was willing for the news to be broadcast. I phoned it in to the RBA team but it still wasn't reported on the pager - the Cranes etc were.

Birding with Sue

2010-02-05T21:34:00.002Z

What a dreadful day to go birding. It rained solidly until early afternoon. We aborted our plan to walk to Gore Point at Holme and went to Snettisham so that we could bird from the car. High tide! Very few birds within binocular view.Another road closure, unknown to us beforehand, had to drive to Thornham via Ringstead, coast road out of Hunstanton closed. Nothing at Thornham.......
We decided to walk at Titchwell, whatever, as the rain had eased. We picked up a male Ruddy Duck and two Ruff from Island Hide. As we walked back, a Bittern flew from the west, across the bank in front of us towards Fen Hide. Long and good views. A small flock of Twite in the same area. Seven Corn Buntings and about eight handsome Yellowhammers at Choseley and then a Rock Pipit at Brancaster Staithe.
The Snow Goose was still showing at Holkham, a Black Brant on the putting greens and the pair of Scaup on Abrahams Bosom at Wells before having to cut inland again.That road closure is due to last a month.

More Snow

2010-02-01T21:54:00.002Z

Drawing the curtains at 6.00 exposed the snow falling steadily. That postponed departure until 9.15. The road into North Walsham was an polished ice covered by half an inch of fresh snow. Once in the town itself, roads were fine for the rest of the day, the sun shone and the countryside looked lovely.
Bird numbers were not great to-day but we saw some good additions to the year list. Still no Little Owl at Abbey Farm but a new and unsettling experience. Suddenly, a rabbit shot out of the bushes to the left of the hide hurtling towards the water, soon followed by a chasing Stoat. The rabbit swam to the far bank, managed to drag itself out of the water and collapsed in a clump of sedge. Would it survive the icy water and 0C temperature? All the widfowl congregated nearby, gazing intently at the clump of sedge. Extraordinary.
An extra high tide at Snettisham early morning meant an extra low one when we arrived. Two Shorelark fed along the tideline on the shingle ridge, thousands of the usual waders scattered along the shore. A flock of Golden Plover was our first of the year.
Thornham to eat lunch was a lucky decision; a Peregrine flew across the marsh and then the road behind us. It was pretty quiet apart from that, quickly off to Choseley Barns and a successful sighting of Corn Buntings.
Holkham Church entrance gave good views of the thousands of geese amassed in front of Meals House, stretching into the far distance. Amongst the Pinks we identified several Barnacles and the unmistakeable white blob of the Snow Goose. The field next to the road held a flock of Whitefronts.
Many Brent Geese on Wells pitch and putt but, no Brant to-day, the Scaup on Abrahams Bosom were more obliging. The Wells to Stiffkey road is closed for the whole of February - don't know why - we had to detour inland to the A148, turning off for Cley at Glandford to see Marsh Harrier and Mute Swan (!). As always, a most enjoyable day, ending with a superb sunset over Cley Marsh from Salthouse Beach.We managed Tree Sparrows at two sites and loved watching superb male Goldeneys displaying to the females. I think the final total was 78, haven't done the final list yet.

North Walsham via Sidestrand.

2010-01-31T22:55:00.003Z

A large chunk of to-day was given over to the RSPB garden watch. An hour in our garden and another in Rai and Barbara's - they're in Thailand. Just opposite but their garden puts ours in the shade with regard to species variety. Backing on to farmland and a group of large mature oaks nearby must help.
We were on the way to Sainsbury's when the pager informed us that a Tundra Bean Goose was now viewable from a layby opposite the school in Sidestrand. Good to get a full house of Bean geese and it wasn't much of a detour....
Joining several others, at first look the field was empty - apart from a single Egyptian Goose. Careful scoping found the Bean Goose asleep in a furrow. Not exactly crippling views nor easily identifiable either. Most unsatisfactory, will try again in the week.

What a Day to Go birding

2010-01-29T23:17:00.003Z

Showers at first, clearing later. It didn't. We made it to the Frank Jarvis woodland hide at Sculthorpe Moor in the dry but bitingly cold north westerly wind. We at last ticked off Goldfinches (!!) en route - we usually have a flock in the garden. A wintry shower kept us sitting, admiring a male Brambling and chatting to Ray Kimber about the plans for Titchwell. A clear patch saw us leave to walk the boardwalk towards Whitley Hide, getting our first sighting of a big flock of Chaffinches and Siskin. Down came a deluge of first granular white stuff followed by a blizzard of the real McCoy. Hastening back to the car, it was too far to avoid a soaking.
A drive to Wells warmed us up a bit, eating lunch on the way. The Scaup on the boating lake were not viewable from the car but, it was dry so we walked to the woodland end to view a pair of lovely adult Scaup. Much too distant to photograph but that didn't deter me from trying.

Maybe we should try our luck at Sculthorpe again. As we walked from the car park to the entrance gate, a male Goshawk gave a short display flight before drifting off towards the river. We saw it again over the trees as we approached the drainage dyke on the way to Whitley. Only two others in the hide and they soon left. We sat for an hour enjoying the constantly changing hordes of birds coming in to the feeders. One Willow Tit, great. Many Marsh Tits, a tableful of delightful Long-tailed Tits to entrance us, a male Bullfinch and dozens of Chaffinches, Great and Blue Tits. As we reached the time we'd decided to leave, the wind increased and we waited out another blizzard, the snow settling on the trees and reeds and billowing in through the open viewing slots. Ad it stopped, a male Sparrowhawk gunned through, landed momentarily on a nearby bush and shot off again. Pam had a glimpse of a Water Rail, right place at the right time, it didn't re-appear. Nor did the spooked birds.
Seeing blue sky in front of us, we left the hide and walked briskly (well, I did) back along the path to warm up. I should have looked at the sky behind us...... Another blizzard. Bitterly cold too. A hot chocolate from the centre dispenser helped warm the insides, the AC on the way home, did the rest. And,....we really enjoyed the day.

Hawfinch Dip

2010-01-26T19:44:00.002Z

Too late a start really. We didn't get in from Yarmouth Bird Club until after 11 last night. An excellent presentation on his 4 week birding trip to the Phillipines by club member Dr Paul Noakes. He's an excellent photographer. An overturned Morrisson's lorry on the roundabout outside Thetford didn't help either.
A lovely clear, sunny day but very cold, cheek bitingly so. Arriving at Lynford at gone 11, we spent half an hour walking the perimeter of the Paddocks, one Hawfinch had been seen soon after 10 by a single person, we saw nothing. I've never seen the paddocks so devoid of birds. Deciding to cut our losses, the return journey was enhanced by a small flock of six Crossbills and another of Siskins. A Marsh Tit called from the wood.
Lunch at St Helen's picnic site, always a pleasure. Don't know about the reported 200 Brambling but we certainly saw at least a 100. They were very easily spooked by passing trains, railway men, a dog etc but we had good views from time to time, mainly moving through in the trees.
The overturned lorry had been righted, the road south closed and a long tailback on our side of the A11. It took half an hour to drive from one roundabout to the next. Swine flu injection to-morrow.

Impulse Birding

2010-01-26T19:30:00.002Z

Tuesday January 25
Pam's early visit to the doctor ended in a referral to Cromer hospital for an Xray. Her chest is clear but the cough still persistent. Only a 15 minute wait, what to do now? Cley for lunch. Salthouse Beach car park added a Stonechat, two Snow Buntings feeding close by amongst the stones, could hardly see them.
We took the last seats at the windows in the cafe. Despite the fog, we added a flock of Black-tailed Godwits, a Towering Snipe and four Barnacles amongst the 1,000 plus Brents which firstly landed on Pat's Pool and, then flew past the cafe to a nearby field. An awesome sight.
Even better, as we left the village, a Barn Owl ghosted by, hunting along the grass verge.

Less Fog

2010-01-24T22:13:00.003Z

Mid morning looked brighter. Maybe we could try Buckenham again in the hope of Ruff and Peregrine. Couldn't resist going via Walcott. Not a good place to stop, only a quick photograph possible of at least 30 Pale-bellied Brent with hardly more Dark-bellied. The largest number we've ever seen together in Norfolk. I'm not proud of this photograph....

Strumpshaw car park was full, as was the roadside parking. What was happening? We saw more birders at Buckenham, tramping the road to Fishermans car park, than we saw in the whole of last year. Must be several organised outings. Distant views of Whitefronts and a few Pinks, thousands of Wigeon and Teal, Shelduck, a hunting Marsh Harrier, Egyptian and Greylag Geese and, a flying view of a Reed Bunting was the sum total . The large pool near the mill was deserted. Thousands of birds, little variety. Still enjoyable though.
The Hrota had come through on the pager so we drove home that way to see how many birders had responded. None - the field was deserted.

Thank you James

2010-01-23T12:41:00.002Z

The planned outing to Buckenham Marshes was aborted as soon as we drove up the road and met thick fog. After a tip from James, we drove to Walcott, found a convenient field entrance and saw a small flock of dark-bellied Brent Geese behind the gulls. Amongst them were at least 12 handsome Pale-bellied hrota sub sp.

Winterton

2010-01-21T20:00:00.003Z

Mid morning, dark, overcast and misty. Maybe Winterton would be the best option. No cars at all to-day, we parked on the grass beyond the turning place and sea-watched. The nearest diver was an adult Black-throated in winter plumage, several Red-throated flying past in the murk. About a dozen Sanderling scurried at the tides edge.
What chance of this again........four Cranes flying towards Horsey Mere.
A field outside Ingham had a flock of at least a 100 Redwing, the most we've seen for some years, Fieldfare are more numerous.

A Day in Norwich

2010-01-20T13:16:00.006Z

Tuesday January 19
Despite the morning fog - again - we drove to Whitlingham Country Park on the outskirts of Norwich. Recent weather has made the track even more pot-holed and muddy. The juvenile Great Northern Diver was visible nearby on the Great Broad and, I could just about see murky waterfowl shapes the far side of the water. Scoping from the car, I paused to wipe what I thought was condensation from the eye-piece. The fog had rolled in making viewing impossible. Time to see Bridget and Aileen for a drink and a catch up before Pam's physio appointment and my eye clinic check-up.
We left the N and N hospital at 2.15 in good light, deciding to have another go at Whitlingham despite my eyes being full of anaesthetic and pupil dilator - they then water in daylight. A helpful man who appeared to know us well (!!?) pointed out the Red-necked Grebe just as I found the Slav the first time I looked through my scope. A male Goosander showed well in the same view, a good trio. We were soon joined by Dot and Brenda, catching up on the news whilst continuing to scan the far shore - and wiping my eyes. The Scaup was found first followed by the female Smew. Full house, great. Good month additions were Pochard and Great Crested Grebe.Year total now 96.
PS The latest pager message reports the Scaup as 'an aythya hybrid'. I thought it was a funny looking beast but put it down to an unfamiliar winter plumage. Good birder eh?

Back from Australia

2010-01-18T05:39:00.005Z

Pam and I were in Queensland - with a week on Bruny Island, Tasmania, from Dec 2 - Jan 15 09/10. We missed all the snow , the month of December and half of January. Time for some serious 2010 birding.
Sunday January 17
Must see the Taiga Beans before they depart, any time now. Watching from our usual spot in School Road, Cantley, we could see a Grey Heron and nothing else. Would we be disappointed for the first time? Five minutes later, a small flock of 30 Bean Geese flew in, landing in front of us, orange legs and feet down seen through my scope. Great. One White-front showed its head above the tall vegetation.
The sight of a deeply car lined road out to Winterton persuaded us to reverse and drive to Somerton. No sea watching to-day. The other side of the village three large flying birds became our first Cranes of the year. They landed out of sight east of Horsey Mill but one of them kept flying towards the Mere. One Marsh Harrier and a short and distant view of a Buzzard sp (was it a Roughie), no Golden Plovers.....
As we drew in to the lay-by near Ludham Bridge, swans started to fly off. A few Bewicks remained and we managed two Whoopers amongst the departing flock. A pasture outside Catfield held a flock of Fieldfare and a few Redwing.
Monday January 18
We're sleeping badly. Jetlag? We delayed setting off until 7 a.m on a very dark and murky morning. We didn't see a single bird for the first hour, not even a Blackbird scurrying off the verge, visibility was poor. Abbey farm Hide for breakfast, we wouldn't have been able to see if 20 Owls were sitting in THE oak tree! Resigned to the day, a single circuit of the Wolferton Triangle where we saw two Coal Tits on the ground before driving to Snettisham beach RSPB via the chalet park. All the usual waders - apart from Golden Plover - and ducks here, including several Pintail. Best was three seperate views of a female Merlin flying low across the mudflats and a small flock of Snow Buntings.
Visibility had improved greatly by late morning, good enough to add Fulmar, Eider and a flock of Common Scoter off Hunstanton Cliffs (we had second breakfast at Tesco!).
A flock of Fieldfare of varying plumage, gorged on the Sea Buckthorn berries at the entrance to the NOA car park at Holme.
We added Shovellers on roadside pools.
Thornham beach added what was to be the only Little Egret of the day.
Brancaster Staithe car park to eat lunch hoping for a Turnstone and Ringed Plover; success. Careful scanning produced a sleeping Red-breasted Merganser on the distant shore.
Still no Mute Swan so drove the coast road to Holkham, stopping at the church entrance where a large white blob amongst the thousands of Pink-feet in front of Washington Hide was the Greater Snow Goose. Excellent. Might as well drive Beach Road Wells. Hundreds of Brent Geese on the putting course, one good adult Black Brant amongst them. Yes, we saw two Mute Swans at Cley.......
As my printer/ PC USB ports are not working, we still haven't got our 2010 year lists printed. Adding up the day's total that evening, it came to a surprising 82. What can be seen from a car by two unwell jetlagged oldies.

Minsmere

2009-11-23T15:51:00.002Z

Friday November 20
Raining when we left, rained at lunch time, rained on the way home. We kept dry as we spent most of the time having a drink with Jen and Marj in the cafe on arrival and then a long lunch still talking. We haven't seen them since June.
Pam and I stopped in the overflow carpark, overlooking Island Mere, on the way in and saw a great White Egret. Coal Tits and the usual finches and tits on the feeders, hundreds of Wigeon and Teal and 2 Blackwits from West Hide, nothing from South Hide. Very disappointing.
We showed Marj and Jen the way to the overflow on the way out and the Gt White turned up trumps for them.