Titchwell RSPB, Holme and a Surprise Visit!

Shoveler at Titchwell RSPB.

SATURDAY
I stayed in bed until half way through the morning because of low mood, due to crappy stuff going on at work. This wasted my precious day off, but tried to make up for it later. No sun this morning until lunchtime.

Lots of bright yellow hammers in the hedgerows at Choseley. Arrived at Titchwell RSPB for lunch and also met up with Eddie. As we wandered along the main path, I was shocked to see that the pool on the west side (not owned by the RSPB) was completely drained. I found out that there was a land dispute going on – won't say any more than that. It was weird seeing it like this, but it does potentially look good for waders! Also bumped into Chris and Jackie Mills and we all spent a good while here, photographing pintail and shoveler – the light was beautiful. Saw the red-crested pochard distantly, loads of golden plover, teal, lapwings, avocets, spotted redshank, a ring-tail hen harrier, marsh harrier and snipe. Walked round the Fen Trail – very little seen here. I heard from another birder, via someone else, that the White-tailed Eagle had been seen flying across the wash in Lincolnshire, so maybe its departed? If this is the case, again as last week, its a pity they didn't ring the bird news services to let people know!

 

 

Shovelers at Titchwell RSPB.

 

Mallards at Titchwell RSPB.

 

Pintail at Titchwell RSPB.

I left Titchwell and went to NWT Holme Marsh Reserve, where I saw a water rail, pair of gadwall and a marsh harrier. I was intrigued by 15+ magpies who, in ones and twos were perching on the stems of reedmace briefly, before departing inland to roost.

Visited my parents for a while and then drove to Syderstone to surprise and visit my friend and work colleague Caraline, who is not very well at the moment.