NORFOLK BIRDING TRIPS

 I have just returned from a short break staying with my sister  where we  had the opportunity to make a couple of trips into Norfolk.

Our first day trip was to Norfolk's north coast which is a very  popular area for birders. We decided to work our way along the coast from west to east between Titchwell marsh and Cley then if suitable weather take a boat trip out to Blakeney point to see the seals there to end the day.

The weather turned out to be fine and sunny with little wind so a perfect day for our trip. Starting at Titchwell we arrived before the visitor centre opened and made our way straight onto the reserve. Following the path towards the beach we scanned the fields to our left , spotting little egrets, canada and greylag geese as well smaller birds like linnets and stonechats. A wren was in full song too. 

Visits to the hides revealed avocets as well as the expected ducks and waders such as redshanks. We also found a curlew poking around in the a muddy ditch just next to the path.

On the beach we saw oyster catchers whilst a lady with a telescope pointed out a raft of  common scoters out at sea, just visible as black dots through our binoculars. 

Returning along the path we saw a large flock of brent geese fly in and watching the reed beds, were eventually rewarded with sightings of a couple of bearded tits. 

curlew

comma butterfly - my first of year

brent geese

linnets

wren

avocet

Having gained  a  few year ticks it was time to move on to Holkham pines, a National trust  beach  known for its wintering flocks of shore larks and and  snow buntings which feed on the short vegetation. The snow buntings hadn't been reported recently but a small flock of shorelarks were still said to be there, frequently using a fenced off area to the east of the gap. We had no idea how far away from the car park this was but on reaching the beach and dunes started to work our  way east. Eventually we could see an area which was fenced off but on reaching it  could not see any birds at all. Maybe we had missed them or perhaps they were feeding elsewhere. 

We noticed someone with a telescope and he told us they were still around and he could just make them out in the far end of the area we were looking at. We eventually located them through binoculars. Starting to walk along the perimeter we hadn't gone all that far when I suddenly noticed a group of active little birds not too far away. Without us realising they had been running  in  our direction stopping here and there to probe the ground to feed. 

We stopped to watch and they seemed to halt too, remaining about 15  metres  away for some time and allowing plenty of time for photos. We counted about ten birds though they were well disguised apart from their yellow and black markings on their heads. 

We did not wait to visit the hides in the western side of the beach ( that will have to wait for another day) as we still wanted to fit in a visit to Norfolk wildlife trust's reserve Cley Marshes which was  further 20 minutes or so along the coast.  However we did stay to buy some tasty soup at the  café before we left.

The weather had remained fine  without any sign of the originally predicted cloud and rain  so we decided to book the seal boat trip from Morston Quay which was scheduled to leave at 5.15 pm. After phoning to make a booking we went to the visitor centre to purchase a permit. I was glad I had read the car park notice advising visitors that car parking was free to visitors who had paid to visit the reserve. It would have been easy to have paid for parking then realise you could have saved some money!

Although Cley Marshes is a large reserve we decided to limit our visit to the four hides. The first of these was on its own, up a path  accessed from the opposite side of the road from the Centre. A long billed dowitcher had been seen here for the past week or so but on entering the hide we were informed it had moved but  was now visible from one of the other hides. Meanwhile a heron and great white egret standing together gave us the opportunity to compare sizes . Leaving the hide we made our way along the path parallel to the road which led to a cluster of 3 hides. As expected the middle hide was crammed with photographers all trying to get a view of the dowitcher which was half hidden behind some godwits and asleep ! However a bittern was showing well as  it stalked in front of the reeds and a guide kindly allowed us to see it through his scope just as it retreated into the reeds. Two bitterns in two days as we had seen one in flight the previous day on a quick visit to Ouse Fen reserve.  Eventually the godwits shifted slightly and allowed a slightly better  ( but not much!) view of the sleeping dowitcher.

We went into the remaining two hides but there was nothing extra to be seen, and therefore we returned to the café for a cuppa and  a cake before driving back to Morston Quay for our boat trip. 

long billed dowitcher is smaller bird in centre of photo!

We picked up our tickets and were warned it would probably be colder out in the boat but with 5 layers already on that didn't worry us! The tide looked completely out apart from a narrow band of water running up the middle of the channel but we were assured that in half an hour the tide would be well in and it was. We were surprised at the speed at which the channel filled. 

Our boat trip lasted just over an hour, with the evening sun making a nice light as we set out,  Our friendly guide gave us information about the spit at Blakeney and amazed us by telling us that over 16,000  seals occupied the harbour over the winter months with all their pups! However these had mainly disappeared back to the sea and had left a core party of approximately fifty, mostly lying up on the spit  apart from a large male one which kept popping up beside the boat then disappearing under the water just as you reached for your camera! These were all grey seals, the common seals were just starting to come into the harbour for the summer but as far as I know there were none to see. We did have a great view of a peregrine falcon sitting up on the shingle, though my focussing was not what it should have been and I did not get the shots I would have liked. Other birds we saw included many oyster catchers and gulls. As  we returned  to shore, it was getting quite a bit darker ( and colder!)  and we glad to get back in the warm car for our two hour journey home. 

The following morning started sunny but was significantly breezier. This time, I was the driver and we headed off to Lynford Arboretum to look for woodland birds, in particular hawfinches which are regularly seen there. Just outside Lynford  we stopped at Weeting  to look for a great grey shrike. On arrival at the area described in Bird Guides, we met  someone returning who had seen the shrike although he said it was remaining low and therefore harder to see. We found the spot and walked up to a few people to ask for their assistance, they were  talking rather than staring through telescopes which could only mean one thing, and indeed one of them confirmed that the shrike had been fairly close, but had just flown off! Another case of 'You should have been here 15 minutes ago!'   We waited but it didn't return although at least another half a dozen birders had meanwhile turned up. We did see a goshawk soaring and a sparrow hawk flying past, also a few distant yellow hammers and a stonechat.  Slightly disappointed  I'd dipped a shrike again, we returned to the car and carried on to Lynford Arboretum. One of the birders we had been talking to at Weeting,  had got there before us and passing us said that   a hawfinch had  just been down in  the 'tunnel' where the feeders are just beyond the gate. At least that sounded a little more hopeful!  At first no birds were present but gradually they came back and we saw bramblings, siskin, yellowhammers and chaffinches feeding on the ground at the back, almost camouflaged amongst the leaves.  There was a quick visit by a female hawfinch but  sadly I didn't  get to see it, as it was out of my vision so we decided to walk further on and see what else was about. 

At the bridge we saw a siskin in the alders as well as other small garden birds but a walk in the trees didn't yield any hoped for crossbills. Back at the feeding a station a small crowd was gathered and we were shown a female hawfinch half hidden motionless at the back. Then a couple of male hawfinches showed slightly nearer. , A successful visit!

 

BIRDS OF POOLE HARBOUR

This afternoon I went on a pre-booked  boat trip  for  a Low Tide Cruise organised by the Birds of Poole Harbour.  Despite the welcome sunshine, there was a chilly easterly wind blowing and I was glad I had put on 5 layers!  I arrived in good time and sat on a bench by the harbour to wait. A couple of starlings perched up on the wall next to me, and I couldn't help noticing the beauty of their iridescent feathers.  

One of the attractions in Poole harbour is the pair of white tailed eagles from a relocation programme  which have taken up residence in the harbour so our guide was constantly on the lookout for these! On my last trip back last May we had failed to find them, although we did have distant views of an osprey. However, the ospreys have not yet returned for the season. 

We started our three hour trip by going up the North channel, where we looked for divers and grebes. We had good views of  at least 7 or 8 Great Northern Divers, as well as  short glimpses of a black throated diver, a black necked grebe and several great crested grebes. 

I was also keen to see Red breasted merganser, a species I'd never seen, so was pleased to see quite a few of these during our trip too. We passed the Brownsea lagoon, where there were a number of waders including spoonbills but couldn't get too near as the tide was low. I learned today that Poole Harbour is surprisingly only one metre deep! 

Sailing round the harbour, many of the mudflats were now exposed with plenty of waders, including curlew, redshank and spotted redshank, avocets, also dark bellied Brent geese. On the mammal front we saw common and atlantic seals and sika deer.

We made our way toward the Wareham channel  for the final part of our tour, but then did an about turn because one of the guides had spotted one of the resident white-tailed eagles sitting on a spit in the distance and many of the passengers were hoping to see one.  Initially it was just a dark blob in the distance although we could see that it was a very large bird compared to everything else!  Even at our nearest point it was hard to make out the eagle but zooming in on my photos it can be clearly seen.

Throughout the trip, we had some excellent commentary by the two team members on board, and despite the wind it was a great trip. 

great northern diver

brent geese

amazing feathers!

low tide at Poole harbour

red breasted mergansers

a raft of mergansers

a seal popped up to say hello!

shag

sika deer

spotted redshank

male white tailed eagle

Brean Down rock pipits

A bit of a road trip today, without much in the way of pictures to show for it. I started off early for  NT area in Somerset called Brean Downs. It lies between  Weston Super Mare and Burnham ion Sea and is a peninsular jutting out beyond a large array of holiday parks which have been built adjacent to the beach. The area I was interested in was some rocks which lie at the northern end of the beach just below a National trust car park. I had read that as well as rock pipits there is an occasional black redstart wintering here and it was these I hoped to find.  The tide  had been high and was now on its way out, leaving a vast expanse of wet sand. After driving through a rainstorm on the way, the sun was now out and it was turning into a very pleasant morning. The beach was empty apart from the odd dog walker though I knew it would soon become busier. Making my way down to the sand, I proceeded to walk along towards the rocks,  looking out for any signs of bird life. It wasn't long before saw and heard some little brown birds - rock pipits - flitting about the rocks ahead of me. As I approached they flew up into the ledges of the sheer rock face above me, and continued their search for food among the crevices. Further along, I found a couple of rock pipits on the  rocks on the beach so watched these for a while. I continued along the wet pebbles below the rocks but didn't go too far as I was conscious of the dangers of slipping on wet seaweed. Up above, I suddenly realised there was a whitish shape on one of the grassy ledges. It put its head up and I realised it was a goat!  There were about four altogether including one male with some good horns. Sadly I didn't find a black redstart but it was  a nice peaceful hour on the beach. As I returned to the car, I found the car park was now considerably busier than when I had arrived, and I decided to leave. I looked towards the peninsular but decided that the steepness of the path and steps would be better left for another day! 

Getting back in the car I set my SatNav to  a RSPB reserve called Greylakes. It is a small reserve with a short reedbed walk and a couple of hides, fairly close to each other which look over a wetland area. Here were good numbers of ducks, including wigeon and teal, and I also noted a couple of great white egret in the distance. A smaller white  bird gave the appearance of a little egret, but I overheard the people next to me saying it was a cattle egret. Not being able to identify it myself, it hasn't made my year list yet.

The rspb carpark and hides were busy and it was hard to find a suitable viewing position amongst the telescopes.  The main reason for this was the presence of a Baikal teal, an attractive species of duck which has been at this site since before Christmas. On asking, I was told that it was partly hidden behind some other teal, only visible through a 'scope!  However, a kind gentleman did offer to let me look through his scope, which was focussed on the duck. All I could see was its head markings as it was asleep. It was obviously not going to  be very obliging like on some previous days. As I scanned the view through my binoculars I suddenly noticed a type of bird of prey flying low  over the fields in the distance.  I watched it for a while,  and then someone mentioned they could see a 'ringtail' ( female hen harrier). I soon realised that was the bird I had been watching though I wasn't in a position to take a photo and it was soon gone. 

There wasn't much  else to see so I decided to head off. As it was still only lunch time, I realised I  would have time to head straight up the M5 to Slimbridge which I did. To cut a long story short, I didn't see the spoonbill, water rail or whooper swan  but I did tick off the black tailed godwits which had been missing from my last visit. 

Four more year ticks and a pleasant  day out in the winter sunshine. 

FIRST BUTTERFLY OF THE YEAR

 An unusually mild and sunny day brought out the first butterflies of the year. In my garden I spotted three male brimstones flying along the ivy hedge, and around the garden. One even settled on an ivy leaf for about 15 minutes.

TURNSTONES AT OARE MARSHES

 

It was a pleasant sunny day for my visit to Oare Marshes on the north coast of Kent. The reserve lies on the edge of the Swale estuary and is owned by the Kent Ornithological Trust and is a nice sized reserve for a morning's walk. There are a three hides, and  as usual, I hoped to be able to use the opportunity to add a few more species to my year list. 

Driving up the access road, I soon realised that the main lake, where there are usually plenty of  birds to be seen especially at high tide, had been taken over by a work party, obviously preparing the site for the nesting season. About a dozen people, armed with noisy strimmers and such like,  were spread across the area, and were obviously burning the waste in two bonfires! No wonder the area was almost bereft of birds!!

However, there still seemed quite a few 'birders' about, and I  found a  space  to park on the edge of the road between two cars. I walked up to the seawall and climbed the steps to see over to the estuary. The tide was coming in and it would only be about an hour until the mud was covered in sea water. A few curlew and oyster catchers were feeding on the mud and further along, I could make out a group of smaller birds on some seaweed covered rocks.  Walking towards them I could see a group of about 14 turnstones, busily poking amongst the seaweed looking for food. They were well disguised, their bright orange legs making a splash of contrast amongst the rocks.

I  watched them for a while, as the tide came nearer, a group of avocets flew in  , before taking off again shortly after. I walked on a bit but the sea was already covering much of the mud, and the path along the seawall was muddy too. I decided against  following it as it just led round to the area being worked on. 

Re-tracing my steps, I noticed the flock of turnstones had been pushed  closer up onto the rocks below the seawall, remaining active as they jumped from rock to rock. I left them to it, and continued  walking beyond the slipway, following the  path up the estuary. There were a few tufted ducks and    greylag geese   and a little egret, but I saw nothing else of note  in this area. 

Meanwhile the  turnstones had relocated to the end of the slipway and as I walked back toward them, they took off and landed on some rocks just below were I was standing, allowing me some close views. Finally they flew back  to an old boat moored in the river, as if they meant to wait there until the tide receded. 

Having done justice to the turnstones, I walked back down the road to view the lake which was now quiet again. A couple of mute swans were preening, and on an island I  spotted a spoonbill. Apart from a few gulls in the distance, they appeared to be the only birds there. though doubtless many more would return to roost in the evening. 

tide edging closer

well disguised- how many can you spot?

DARTFORD WARBLER AT GREENHAM

With gorse bushes now starting to flower and a sunny afternoon, I decided at the last minute to make a trip over to Greenham Common. My target bird was the dartford warbler, a resident species there, although not easy to spot. On previous visits I've managed to spot the odd one or two, but never managed any decent photos. 

Dartford warblers are secretive birds but in spring they may be seen at the tops of gorse bushes. I knew from past visits some likely places where I might find one, so headed for the main disused runway and started to walk westwards listening out for any bird song  as I went. It was pretty quiet, not even a stonechat which can often give a clue to the dartford warbler's presence. 

I spotted a lady with a camera standing amongst an area of gorse so approached her to ask if she'd managed to find any birds. She told me she'd just seen a couple of dartford warblers fly down in to the gorse, but they had not reappeared. We waited and listened but they seemed to have disappeared so the lady went on her way. I decided to hang around, and walked twenty or so metres further along the path. Then I heard something and looking up  and could see a small bird silhouetted against the sky at the top of a small bare tree. I thought it must be a dunnock or robin, but through binoculars I could see the pink and grey colouring which told me that it was, in fact, a dartford warbler. I wasn't particularly close but it soon flew down into the gorse nearby. I decided to wait. 

Sure enough I heard its song again  and before long the dartford warbler flew out and perched firstly in a tree then into a gorse bush where it could be seen clearly. I quickly grabbed my camera and managed a few photos before once again, the bird disappeared. This time it stayed in the undergrowth although I did spot it flit about between bushes from time to time. 

I could have waited but with time passing, I decided to return home, satisfied with one more species for the year and a few fairly respectable images on my camera.