Weather: same as before. From 10:45am.
Nice view of a Stoat as it scampered along the approach road looking for a gap amongst the vegetation to disappear into which it duly did.
As usual on the golf course, good numbers of Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet & Swallow.
On the shore Oystercatcher, Redshank, Black-Tailed Godwit (1), Ringed Plover (quite a few), Grey Plover (~3), Turnstone (up to a dozen). A Fulmar also sailed picturesquely over the waves.
I could also hear a loud hubbub of Sandwich Terns but it took me a while to pick them out against the slate-grey sky but once I had I was impressed with their numbers; they were in big flocks of 50+. Also a Cormorant on the water & a few Common Gull amongst the terns.
Finally Goldfinch on returning to the car.
15 species.
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Ken Hill Wood, Snettisham, Norfolk, 15/04/2009
Weather: Grey, cold easterly wind, sun trying to come out.
From 8:30am. A quick drive round Wolferton triangle, no golden pheasant, just a couple of Red-Legged Partridge in a field by the road.
From 8:40am. Up into the woods on the hill (Ken Hill) hoping it would yield some migrants but where I actually wanted to be was at Snettisham Coastal Park; I thought this wood was part of it but found out later that it wasn't!
Anyway it was a decent mixed wood but nothing other than the usual woodland species seen plus plenty of birds on the farm land next to the wood over which the hill gave good views: Jay, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff from the carpark; a lone Marsh Tit also quickly flitted by; Wren, Woodpigeon, Red-Legged Partridge, Black-Headed Gull, Curlew, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, Lapwing, Shelduck, Kestrel, Brown Hare, Crow, Starling, all on the fields or wood's edge; Chaffinch, Blackbird, Muntjac; Sparrowhawk cruising over the fields into some trees; Long-Tailed Tit & Dunnock back at the carpark.
24 species.
From 8:30am. A quick drive round Wolferton triangle, no golden pheasant, just a couple of Red-Legged Partridge in a field by the road.
From 8:40am. Up into the woods on the hill (Ken Hill) hoping it would yield some migrants but where I actually wanted to be was at Snettisham Coastal Park; I thought this wood was part of it but found out later that it wasn't!
Anyway it was a decent mixed wood but nothing other than the usual woodland species seen plus plenty of birds on the farm land next to the wood over which the hill gave good views: Jay, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff from the carpark; a lone Marsh Tit also quickly flitted by; Wren, Woodpigeon, Red-Legged Partridge, Black-Headed Gull, Curlew, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, Lapwing, Shelduck, Kestrel, Brown Hare, Crow, Starling, all on the fields or wood's edge; Chaffinch, Blackbird, Muntjac; Sparrowhawk cruising over the fields into some trees; Long-Tailed Tit & Dunnock back at the carpark.
24 species.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk, 14/04/2009
Weather: warm but cloudy, usual stiff breeze. From 3pm.
A trip out with the nephews, a pal of theirs & my sister-in-law. Many of the usual species but Titchwell is always great to visit.
In the carpark: Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, House Sparrow.
On the way to the beach either side of the path: Black-Headed Gull, Curlew, Redshank, Mute Swan, Coot, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Greylag Goose, Avocet, Canada Goose, Oystercatcher.
From the Parrinder Hide, additionally: Black-Tailed Godwit, Mallard, Brent Goose flock on the salt marshes; Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Wigeon, Moorhen, Ruff, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Pochard, Tufted Duck.
Nothing on the except the dunes for he boys to jump around in, but on the way back a great view of a Spotted Redshank coming into its breeding plumage.
Finally back at the visitors' centre an additional Greenfinch, a nice, infrequently seen Siskin & very frequently seen Robin in the carpark.
37 species.
After dinner I dropped by RSPB Snettisham's carpark at dusk in the hope of a barn owl on the surrounding fields. Initially though I was surprised by a flock of Pink-Footed Goose doing their usual dusk movement out onto the Wash, obviously much less in number but still impressive enough. After that I headed to the first sea wall & looked for owls but instead of a barn owl I was again surprised to hear a Tawny Owl hooting from nearby trees. My final surprise was at the number of bats that were skimming the side of the scrape & over the wall. I watched for sometime & noticed Pipistrelle as well as at least 20 of a larger species which I assumed to be Daubenton's.
A trip out with the nephews, a pal of theirs & my sister-in-law. Many of the usual species but Titchwell is always great to visit.
In the carpark: Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, House Sparrow.
On the way to the beach either side of the path: Black-Headed Gull, Curlew, Redshank, Mute Swan, Coot, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Greylag Goose, Avocet, Canada Goose, Oystercatcher.
From the Parrinder Hide, additionally: Black-Tailed Godwit, Mallard, Brent Goose flock on the salt marshes; Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Wigeon, Moorhen, Ruff, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Pochard, Tufted Duck.
Nothing on the except the dunes for he boys to jump around in, but on the way back a great view of a Spotted Redshank coming into its breeding plumage.
Finally back at the visitors' centre an additional Greenfinch, a nice, infrequently seen Siskin & very frequently seen Robin in the carpark.
37 species.
After dinner I dropped by RSPB Snettisham's carpark at dusk in the hope of a barn owl on the surrounding fields. Initially though I was surprised by a flock of Pink-Footed Goose doing their usual dusk movement out onto the Wash, obviously much less in number but still impressive enough. After that I headed to the first sea wall & looked for owls but instead of a barn owl I was again surprised to hear a Tawny Owl hooting from nearby trees. My final surprise was at the number of bats that were skimming the side of the scrape & over the wall. I watched for sometime & noticed Pipistrelle as well as at least 20 of a larger species which I assumed to be Daubenton's.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Fisher Fleet to the Point, King's Lynn, Norfolk, 13/04/2009
Weather: sunnier, warmer than earlier. From 2:30pm.
Out to King's Lynn docks with mum & down to the Point.
Usual species: Woodpigeon, Black-Headed Gull, Mallard, Redshank, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Magpie, Sparrowhawk across the Ouse; quite a few Willow Warbler singing from the low trees; Goldfinch, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Mute Swan.
Across the tributary on the mud banks of the Ouse: Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Brent Goose (~30), Oystercatcher.
On the boardwalk over the salt marshes a sun-bathing Common Lizard allowed great close-up views; amongst the hedgerows of the few houses: House Sparrow, Pheasant, Collared Dove,
Finally, the main reason we visited was to see if we could find Peregrine couple that had been recently reported in the local press - quite the celebrity pair! Initially we couldn't see anything but once on the road & able to view the main grain silo from another angle I spotted a lone bird perched on an edge. After pulling into the Farm Foods carpark I was able to setup the scope & get some good views of the female before it flew off spooking the large flocks of pigeons, i.e., the pantry.
27 species.
Out to King's Lynn docks with mum & down to the Point.
Usual species: Woodpigeon, Black-Headed Gull, Mallard, Redshank, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Magpie, Sparrowhawk across the Ouse; quite a few Willow Warbler singing from the low trees; Goldfinch, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Mute Swan.
Across the tributary on the mud banks of the Ouse: Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Brent Goose (~30), Oystercatcher.
On the boardwalk over the salt marshes a sun-bathing Common Lizard allowed great close-up views; amongst the hedgerows of the few houses: House Sparrow, Pheasant, Collared Dove,
Finally, the main reason we visited was to see if we could find Peregrine couple that had been recently reported in the local press - quite the celebrity pair! Initially we couldn't see anything but once on the road & able to view the main grain silo from another angle I spotted a lone bird perched on an edge. After pulling into the Farm Foods carpark I was able to setup the scope & get some good views of the female before it flew off spooking the large flocks of pigeons, i.e., the pantry.
27 species.
RSPB Lakenheath, Suffolk, 13/04/2009
Weather as before, sun trying to break through. From 9:30am.
Final port of call in the Brecks; this reserve seems to fast maturing into something special, though unfortunately the shrike had departed a week earlier.
From the carpark to the visitors' centre & along the main path to the top of the reserve: Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Sedge Warbler, Mallard, Rook, Blackcap; Great Spotted Woodpecker - first drumming then a bit further along a couple active together in the treetops; Blackbird, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Great-Crested Grebe, Wren, Crow.
Over the reedbeds the Marsh Harrier were in good form, with some sky-tumbling & also very vocal with a mewing sound I haven't heard before.
Further along the distinctive booming of a Bittern was heard, a first for me at Lakenheath but I didn't look for it in the thick reedbeds as I didn't fancy my chances against its camouflage; overflying Shelduck & Greylag Goose, Tufted Duck (7 - 4 male) on a small reedbed pool before taking wing.
In the reedbeds at the end of the reserve I heard 'pinging' Bearded Tit & as I waited I caught a few seconds view of a couple of squabbling bright orange males - the typical view. Later from the viewpoint another male appeared at the top of a reed & stayed there for a good 30 seconds or so giving me an excellent view in the sunlight, & probably my best view of the species to date.
After the reedbeds I walked up onto the washland wall; on the water or in the vegetation & reeds on either side: Mute Swan (pair), Reed Bunting, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Magpie, Redshank (pair), Little Egret (pair), Willow Warbler (heard), Green Woodpecker (heard), Canada Goose, Great Tit (2), Pheasant.
Towards the end of the wall, nearer the main washland 'lake': Egyptian Goose (pair), then a pipit flew over with a much stronger call note than 'mipit', a likely Water Pipit but it flew off into the distant (another good indication); Black-Headed Gull, Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall, Moorhen, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Swallow, Lapwing.
38 species.
Final port of call in the Brecks; this reserve seems to fast maturing into something special, though unfortunately the shrike had departed a week earlier.
From the carpark to the visitors' centre & along the main path to the top of the reserve: Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Sedge Warbler, Mallard, Rook, Blackcap; Great Spotted Woodpecker - first drumming then a bit further along a couple active together in the treetops; Blackbird, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Great-Crested Grebe, Wren, Crow.
Over the reedbeds the Marsh Harrier were in good form, with some sky-tumbling & also very vocal with a mewing sound I haven't heard before.
Further along the distinctive booming of a Bittern was heard, a first for me at Lakenheath but I didn't look for it in the thick reedbeds as I didn't fancy my chances against its camouflage; overflying Shelduck & Greylag Goose, Tufted Duck (7 - 4 male) on a small reedbed pool before taking wing.
In the reedbeds at the end of the reserve I heard 'pinging' Bearded Tit & as I waited I caught a few seconds view of a couple of squabbling bright orange males - the typical view. Later from the viewpoint another male appeared at the top of a reed & stayed there for a good 30 seconds or so giving me an excellent view in the sunlight, & probably my best view of the species to date.
After the reedbeds I walked up onto the washland wall; on the water or in the vegetation & reeds on either side: Mute Swan (pair), Reed Bunting, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Magpie, Redshank (pair), Little Egret (pair), Willow Warbler (heard), Green Woodpecker (heard), Canada Goose, Great Tit (2), Pheasant.
Towards the end of the wall, nearer the main washland 'lake': Egyptian Goose (pair), then a pipit flew over with a much stronger call note than 'mipit', a likely Water Pipit but it flew off into the distant (another good indication); Black-Headed Gull, Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall, Moorhen, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Swallow, Lapwing.
38 species.
Weeting Heath, Norfolk, 13/04/2009
Weather as before. From 9am.
After the forest I called in to see if the stone curlews had arrived; the carpark was a hive of activity: Goldfinch, Chaffinch & Crow; Skylark on the other side of the road; Woodpigeon, Rook, Pheasant, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Great Tit all along the path to the hides or on the heath itself. Again from the field opposite the main reserve I could hear Song Thrush & Curlew, but no stone curlew yet.
11 species.
After the forest I called in to see if the stone curlews had arrived; the carpark was a hive of activity: Goldfinch, Chaffinch & Crow; Skylark on the other side of the road; Woodpigeon, Rook, Pheasant, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Great Tit all along the path to the hides or on the heath itself. Again from the field opposite the main reserve I could hear Song Thrush & Curlew, but no stone curlew yet.
11 species.
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