Lee Evans highlighted these amazing photos on his website, taken of a peregrine attacking a snowy owl.
See: http://www.nabirding.com/2012/02/16/when-a-snowy-met-the-locals/
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Common Yellowthroat in Gwent!!!
Found on 10th February, but only positively identified on 16th February.
http://gwentbirding.blogspot.com/2012/02/yellowthroat-gwent.html
http://gwentbirding.blogspot.com/2012/02/yellowthroat-gwent.html
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Lots of miles walked for little return!
You know there's not much around when RBA only have 12 messages for Norfolk!!! Coues's Arctic Redpolls at Titchwell and Kelling, Rough-legged Buzzard at Dersingham, a Great White Egret at Colney and an Osprey at Marlingford were the highlights in Norfolk today.
Arrived at Holme via the Coastliner bus to drop shopping at my parents. A dull, rainy day. Walked through the village, across NOA Redwell Marsh and only saw 2 Egyptian Geese on route. Walked to Gore Point and saw a single oystercatcher - continued through the NWT Forestry - where I saw a meadow pipit – yep that was the only bird! I have never seen so few birds around! Walked down to the NWT Firs and continued walking through to H.B.O. and sat in the Dell Hide having my lunch - birds seen at the feeders and around from the hide were: 3 blue tits, 1 great tit, 1 coal tit, 3 hedge sparrows and a song thrush feeding under the brambles in the now pouring rain. Walked into the observatory and had a nice chat with Sophie and then continued my walk along the coastal path along Thornham Bank. Several tufted duck and shoveler on the broadwater. Walked up to Thornham harbour where there were 3 skylarks, one of which was singing away high up in the sky, which made me think of summer days – 3 curlew, 3 shelduck, 4 redshanks and 3 red-legged partridges. Also 14 bar-tailed godwits by the sluice. Loads of distant brent geese, gulls and waders by Thornham Point. Walked past the coal barn and then turned east along the path through the reed beds and over the wooden bridge by the big copse – here I saw my first snowdrops. Continued along the road to the bus stop at Thornham to catch the coastliner bus to Titchwell RSPB arriving at 3.20pm. Loads of snowdrops on the path near the picnic area and the usual robins. On my arrival at Titchwell the sun came out and everything looked beautiful – this cheered me up, as the day had been pretty dismal up until now. At the beginning of the main path a barn owl sat on a fence post close to the path and a water rail was under the main feeders. Further along the path a great crested grebe was in one of the channels and a marsh harrier glinted with gold and bronze as it glided over the reed beds. A nice surprise on the tidal marsh of a pair of goldeneye and also several more on the sea. There were loads of waders on the shore in beautiful light, including sanderling, redshanks, ringed plover, oystercatchers, gulls etc. Apart from goldeneye and gulls I couldn't see anything else sitting on the sea. Several other birders here and no one could see any long-tailed ducks whilst I was here, but they had been seen this morning. I wanted to go into Parrinder hide on the way back, but alas I had to speed walk to catch the 5.11pm bus as the next and last bus was 6.23pm and I didn't fancy hanging around Titchwell in the dark!
Arrived at Holme via the Coastliner bus to drop shopping at my parents. A dull, rainy day. Walked through the village, across NOA Redwell Marsh and only saw 2 Egyptian Geese on route. Walked to Gore Point and saw a single oystercatcher - continued through the NWT Forestry - where I saw a meadow pipit – yep that was the only bird! I have never seen so few birds around! Walked down to the NWT Firs and continued walking through to H.B.O. and sat in the Dell Hide having my lunch - birds seen at the feeders and around from the hide were: 3 blue tits, 1 great tit, 1 coal tit, 3 hedge sparrows and a song thrush feeding under the brambles in the now pouring rain. Walked into the observatory and had a nice chat with Sophie and then continued my walk along the coastal path along Thornham Bank. Several tufted duck and shoveler on the broadwater. Walked up to Thornham harbour where there were 3 skylarks, one of which was singing away high up in the sky, which made me think of summer days – 3 curlew, 3 shelduck, 4 redshanks and 3 red-legged partridges. Also 14 bar-tailed godwits by the sluice. Loads of distant brent geese, gulls and waders by Thornham Point. Walked past the coal barn and then turned east along the path through the reed beds and over the wooden bridge by the big copse – here I saw my first snowdrops. Continued along the road to the bus stop at Thornham to catch the coastliner bus to Titchwell RSPB arriving at 3.20pm. Loads of snowdrops on the path near the picnic area and the usual robins. On my arrival at Titchwell the sun came out and everything looked beautiful – this cheered me up, as the day had been pretty dismal up until now. At the beginning of the main path a barn owl sat on a fence post close to the path and a water rail was under the main feeders. Further along the path a great crested grebe was in one of the channels and a marsh harrier glinted with gold and bronze as it glided over the reed beds. A nice surprise on the tidal marsh of a pair of goldeneye and also several more on the sea. There were loads of waders on the shore in beautiful light, including sanderling, redshanks, ringed plover, oystercatchers, gulls etc. Apart from goldeneye and gulls I couldn't see anything else sitting on the sea. Several other birders here and no one could see any long-tailed ducks whilst I was here, but they had been seen this morning. I wanted to go into Parrinder hide on the way back, but alas I had to speed walk to catch the 5.11pm bus as the next and last bus was 6.23pm and I didn't fancy hanging around Titchwell in the dark!
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????
For the past few days I have been receiving tons and tons of exactly the same emails. It is driving me crazy. Yesterday I received around 70. I have never had this kind of problem before. I have to spend ages deleting them all on the iphone as well!!! Today I have received 101 emails which are titled the following:
"Delivery Status Notification (Failure) Inbox" etc etc etc
ANYONE ANY IDEAS PLEASE?
"Delivery Status Notification (Failure) Inbox" etc etc etc
ANYONE ANY IDEAS PLEASE?
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Titchwell RSPB - a glittery world of ice and birds!!!
I got up very early this morning. Left the house at 6.15am and went to buy newspapers for my parents. It was unbelievably cold - I had every layer on imaginable. I caught an early bus to Hunstanton and then caught the Coastliner bus to Holme to deliver newspapers, arriving at 7.55am. My mother seems to have an adopted a stray cat which now has first choice of where to sit! Father was very fed up with the icy weather and stated that he had not been out of the house for 11 days due to the fact the road where they live, is still compacted ice. Had breakfast with my parents and then caught the next Coastliner bus to Titchwell RSPB arriving at 9.20am.
Titchwell RSPB
My Russian Style Cossack Hat I bought a year ago is so warm - I just love this hat and its also a good disguise - I said hello to several people today who didn't respond back how they normally would - they didn't know it was me! Anyway I started walking along the main path - glittering white snow and frost blanketed everything and the sun was shining brightly with blue skies. Eddie joined me half way along the path. Mealy and Lesser Redpolls were feeding on the Alders on the main path near the visitor centre. Goldfinches were feeding next to the path and also several meadow pipits and reed buntings were seen and of course several cute robins. The fresh marsh was completely frozen over and looked amazing, although I am sure the birds didn't think so! Two Chinese Water Deer were on the west side of the main path.
From the sea we had stunning views in the sunshine of 5 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Velvet Scoters, tons of Golden Eye, 5 Eiders, a Great Crested Grebe, Sanderlings, 2 Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover etc. Standing on the viewing platform I attempted to stab my walking pole into the sand to balance my scope on (too much to carry tripod on bus/walk aswell) when I discovered that the sand was frozen!!!!! I have never seen the sand like that before! We walked back along the main path to watch 3 beautiful Smew on the Volunteer Marsh, a 1st winter drake along with 2 red heads at 11.10am and also close enough to get some record shots! Further along the path we watched along with others a Bittern on the Thornham pool - there were three at one point apparently! Couple of grey herons there also.
Had an early lunch in the Feeding Station - I am normally hard core and sit outside, but it was a joy to sit inside today!
Burnham Overy Staithe
Quick stop here to see if there were any rough-legged buzzards. A female Peregrine was seen over Holkham pines. Paul Lee was here, who is 60 tomorrow Eddie told me - you don't look it! - Happy Birthday for tomorrow.
Holkham Lake
I have not been here for a long time - it was a beautiful walk. The carpark is still free - hope its stays that way! The path to the lake held several woodland species including nuthatch (heard) and several treecreepers, although no woodpeckers were seen or heard at all. Fieldfare, redwings, mistle thrush and chaffinches were also seen along with loads of deer grazing and looking very photogenic in the snow by the hall. On the lake by the hall were a mass of wildfowl including loads of pochard, tufted duck, mallard etc, but nothing more excting. A few egyptian geese around too. I then had one of my best wildlife experiences ever - we followed the path along the lake and I suddenly spotted a Woodcock sitting inches from the path up ahead - I spent a long time stalking it and got so close with the camera that I filled the frame - it was magical being so close to this beautiful bird - its beady eye was keeping a close eye on me though - it eventually flew off into the woodland.
Wells-next-Sea
Common Buzzard seen along Beach Road. On the boating lake by the carpark we had fabulous views in the setting sun of 4 Red-headed Smew and also 5 Goosander (1 drake) along with 5 little grebes and loads of mallards. We were really chuffed with finding these birds here as RBA had a report earlier that the lake was frozen solid with no birds - the water had since melted enough in places for the smew and goosanders to return.
Stiffkey Campsite Carpark.
Got here a bit too late really, but did see a barn owl, whilst drinking coffee.
I got the 5.43pm Coastliner bus from Stiffkey, arriving back in King's Lynn at 7.10pm and then had a 20 minute walk home. Fell asleep as soon as I got in!
The Met Office reported: "Temperatures on Friday night fell widely below minus 10 degrees Celsius across parts of southern and eastern England with Holbeach in Lincolnshire recording a minimum -15.6C, making it the coldest night of the winter across the UK so far and also the coldest night since Boxing Day 2010."
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Titchwell RSPB
My Russian Style Cossack Hat I bought a year ago is so warm - I just love this hat and its also a good disguise - I said hello to several people today who didn't respond back how they normally would - they didn't know it was me! Anyway I started walking along the main path - glittering white snow and frost blanketed everything and the sun was shining brightly with blue skies. Eddie joined me half way along the path. Mealy and Lesser Redpolls were feeding on the Alders on the main path near the visitor centre. Goldfinches were feeding next to the path and also several meadow pipits and reed buntings were seen and of course several cute robins. The fresh marsh was completely frozen over and looked amazing, although I am sure the birds didn't think so! Two Chinese Water Deer were on the west side of the main path.
From the sea we had stunning views in the sunshine of 5 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Velvet Scoters, tons of Golden Eye, 5 Eiders, a Great Crested Grebe, Sanderlings, 2 Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover etc. Standing on the viewing platform I attempted to stab my walking pole into the sand to balance my scope on (too much to carry tripod on bus/walk aswell) when I discovered that the sand was frozen!!!!! I have never seen the sand like that before! We walked back along the main path to watch 3 beautiful Smew on the Volunteer Marsh, a 1st winter drake along with 2 red heads at 11.10am and also close enough to get some record shots! Further along the path we watched along with others a Bittern on the Thornham pool - there were three at one point apparently! Couple of grey herons there also.
Had an early lunch in the Feeding Station - I am normally hard core and sit outside, but it was a joy to sit inside today!
Burnham Overy Staithe
Quick stop here to see if there were any rough-legged buzzards. A female Peregrine was seen over Holkham pines. Paul Lee was here, who is 60 tomorrow Eddie told me - you don't look it! - Happy Birthday for tomorrow.
Holkham Lake
I have not been here for a long time - it was a beautiful walk. The carpark is still free - hope its stays that way! The path to the lake held several woodland species including nuthatch (heard) and several treecreepers, although no woodpeckers were seen or heard at all. Fieldfare, redwings, mistle thrush and chaffinches were also seen along with loads of deer grazing and looking very photogenic in the snow by the hall. On the lake by the hall were a mass of wildfowl including loads of pochard, tufted duck, mallard etc, but nothing more excting. A few egyptian geese around too. I then had one of my best wildlife experiences ever - we followed the path along the lake and I suddenly spotted a Woodcock sitting inches from the path up ahead - I spent a long time stalking it and got so close with the camera that I filled the frame - it was magical being so close to this beautiful bird - its beady eye was keeping a close eye on me though - it eventually flew off into the woodland.
Wells-next-Sea
Common Buzzard seen along Beach Road. On the boating lake by the carpark we had fabulous views in the setting sun of 4 Red-headed Smew and also 5 Goosander (1 drake) along with 5 little grebes and loads of mallards. We were really chuffed with finding these birds here as RBA had a report earlier that the lake was frozen solid with no birds - the water had since melted enough in places for the smew and goosanders to return.
Stiffkey Campsite Carpark.
Got here a bit too late really, but did see a barn owl, whilst drinking coffee.
I got the 5.43pm Coastliner bus from Stiffkey, arriving back in King's Lynn at 7.10pm and then had a 20 minute walk home. Fell asleep as soon as I got in!
The Met Office reported: "Temperatures on Friday night fell widely below minus 10 degrees Celsius across parts of southern and eastern England with Holbeach in Lincolnshire recording a minimum -15.6C, making it the coldest night of the winter across the UK so far and also the coldest night since Boxing Day 2010."
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Killer Whale seen off Sheringham, Norfolk!!!!
News about this from "Rare Bird Alert" "Killer Whale east past Sheringham at 8.15am" today. Wow what a sight that must have been - a female, seen by Giles Dunmore (ex Norfolk County Bird Recorder) and Phil Vines. See here: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/first_ever_killer_whale_sighting_off_norfolk_at_sheringham_1_1206930#.Tzb1acFBj0g.blogger
Heavy snow again late afternoon and its still snowing now at 10.30pm - looks like another trudge in the snow to work again in the morning!
Its my mother's birthday today and my sister Lucy's tomorrow - expensive time in February! Currently baking a chocolate cake for Lucy.
Norfolk Bird News
Some really good birds around in Norfolk the last few days with good numbers of Smew around the county including 23 at Saddlebow in King's Lynn yesterday and a count of 19 today. Also 3 smew at Wells, 2 at Hickling, 3 at Downham Market, 1 at Whitlingham Country Park. Rough-legged buzzard at Holme and Holkham. 2 Firecrests and 4 Shorelarks at Holkham. 440+ Red-throated divers (incl 391 west in 30 mins) off Titchwell!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 Twite at Cley. 2 Ross's Geese at Holme. 35 Waxwings at Great Walsingham. Also 22 Goosander on Wells boating lake today see here. Also 25 Goosander at Downham Mkt (Relief Channel) on the Nar Valley website!!! Also more smew counts from the narvalley email group!
Heavy snow again late afternoon and its still snowing now at 10.30pm - looks like another trudge in the snow to work again in the morning!
Its my mother's birthday today and my sister Lucy's tomorrow - expensive time in February! Currently baking a chocolate cake for Lucy.
Norfolk Bird News
Some really good birds around in Norfolk the last few days with good numbers of Smew around the county including 23 at Saddlebow in King's Lynn yesterday and a count of 19 today. Also 3 smew at Wells, 2 at Hickling, 3 at Downham Market, 1 at Whitlingham Country Park. Rough-legged buzzard at Holme and Holkham. 2 Firecrests and 4 Shorelarks at Holkham. 440+ Red-throated divers (incl 391 west in 30 mins) off Titchwell!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 Twite at Cley. 2 Ross's Geese at Holme. 35 Waxwings at Great Walsingham. Also 22 Goosander on Wells boating lake today see here. Also 25 Goosander at Downham Mkt (Relief Channel) on the Nar Valley website!!! Also more smew counts from the narvalley email group!
Sunday, 5 February 2012
10 inches of Snow!!!
When I opened the front door - snow fell in! It took me an hour to walk to work this morning and I was late. It was seriously hard work walking through 10 inches of snow on the pavements. Not snowing this morning though and hopefully it won't! I don't think we need any more today!
I was supposed to be working until 9pm but I couldn't go on any longer and asked to finish at 8pm - took me 20 minutes to get dressed up for the walk with wellies etc and it took the slightly less time of 40 minutes to walk home. No more snow had fell since this morning, but with fog and ice predicted for the morning I will have to allow at least an hour to walk to work.
I was supposed to be working until 9pm but I couldn't go on any longer and asked to finish at 8pm - took me 20 minutes to get dressed up for the walk with wellies etc and it took the slightly less time of 40 minutes to walk home. No more snow had fell since this morning, but with fog and ice predicted for the morning I will have to allow at least an hour to walk to work.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Snowed in!!!
I awoke to a magical, sunny, sparkly white scene - the heaviest frost I have seen lately. I didn't hurry this morning as I was birthday shopping for my mother and Lucy, so knew I wouldn't get much birding done. Topped up the bird feeders and table and bashed out the solid block of ice from the bird bath. Put a second bath outside and filled that one with warm water - I read somewhere that birds love to bathe in warm water in this kind of weather and why not! Whilst having my breakfast I sat and watched a good selection of birds in my garden: a song thrush, 2 robins, collared dove, wood pigeons, hedge sparrow, blue tit, blackbirds and 2 starlings who ate my daily ration of meal worms at a tremendous speed! The robins raided the raisons first, almost as soon as I had shut the patio door!
Walked into town to buy presents and do some errands and then ended up in the Wimpy, which actually was really nice - nice because a plate of food was put in front of me and I haven't cooked it and because it was relaxing sitting and people watching. I know a fast food take away is not exactly the Ritz but I prefer simple food and you can't beat fried eggs, hash brown and beans with toast and a cup of tea! All good for the waistline! Its pretty hectic at work at the moment and I tend to get quite stressed and very emotionally involved with my job - probably too much so. My one day off needs to be relaxing!
Caught the 1.30pm Coastliner bus to Holme to deliver mother's presents. As the bus arrived at Hunstanton I noticed that there was a light covering of snow, which I hadn't expected as King's Lynn was clear of snow. I had a really nice time chatting with my parents. At 3.30pm I decided to go for a walk in Holme. I walked along the main road and down Eastgate and past the church - a green woodpecker was feeding in the churchyard and a large flock of goldfinches were in a tree. Next to the church is my old primary school, which is now a weekend cottage. I have such fond memories of this little school. I continued to the junction with Peddars Way and walked north along 'Busseys Lane' and through 'NOA Redwell Marsh' to the pay hut and along the boardwalk path to 'Gore Point' and across the beach to the seas's edge. Good numbers of lapwing on the marsh and a marsh harrier distantly, but little else. From the boardwalk I watched a short-eared owl and a barn owl hunting over Holme marsh and 15 curlew flew over towards the 'Saltings'. On the shore there were sanderling, oystercatchers, redshanks, herring and black headed gulls etc. A group of what looked like eiders were sitting mid-distance on the sea, but with now fading light I couldn't be sure and also I didn't have my scope with me. The dunes had a good sprinkling of snow which made the beach look very atmospheric. The walk along the beach was so peaceful, there wasn't another person or dog in sight - a rare occurence! I walked back the same way and heard a tawny owl on route. I arrived back at my parents house just in time to pick up Lucy's presents (from my parents) and walk to the crossroads to catch the Coastliner back to King's Lynn. Still no sign of snow. I had another 25 minute walk to my house from where the bus dropped me.
7.45pm - snow started to fall. After dinner I baked a chocolate cake - a practice one before I make another for my sister's birthday next Friday. A major blizzard outside and several inches building up - can't see the cars by 10pm. 12am - just measured outside, there are 6 inches so far and its still falling heavily. Can't see the bird baths at all! Looks like I will be walking to work in wellingtons in the morning - bother!!! Also means my shifts will be seriously hard work as loads of staff won't be able to get in!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Walked into town to buy presents and do some errands and then ended up in the Wimpy, which actually was really nice - nice because a plate of food was put in front of me and I haven't cooked it and because it was relaxing sitting and people watching. I know a fast food take away is not exactly the Ritz but I prefer simple food and you can't beat fried eggs, hash brown and beans with toast and a cup of tea! All good for the waistline! Its pretty hectic at work at the moment and I tend to get quite stressed and very emotionally involved with my job - probably too much so. My one day off needs to be relaxing!
Caught the 1.30pm Coastliner bus to Holme to deliver mother's presents. As the bus arrived at Hunstanton I noticed that there was a light covering of snow, which I hadn't expected as King's Lynn was clear of snow. I had a really nice time chatting with my parents. At 3.30pm I decided to go for a walk in Holme. I walked along the main road and down Eastgate and past the church - a green woodpecker was feeding in the churchyard and a large flock of goldfinches were in a tree. Next to the church is my old primary school, which is now a weekend cottage. I have such fond memories of this little school. I continued to the junction with Peddars Way and walked north along 'Busseys Lane' and through 'NOA Redwell Marsh' to the pay hut and along the boardwalk path to 'Gore Point' and across the beach to the seas's edge. Good numbers of lapwing on the marsh and a marsh harrier distantly, but little else. From the boardwalk I watched a short-eared owl and a barn owl hunting over Holme marsh and 15 curlew flew over towards the 'Saltings'. On the shore there were sanderling, oystercatchers, redshanks, herring and black headed gulls etc. A group of what looked like eiders were sitting mid-distance on the sea, but with now fading light I couldn't be sure and also I didn't have my scope with me. The dunes had a good sprinkling of snow which made the beach look very atmospheric. The walk along the beach was so peaceful, there wasn't another person or dog in sight - a rare occurence! I walked back the same way and heard a tawny owl on route. I arrived back at my parents house just in time to pick up Lucy's presents (from my parents) and walk to the crossroads to catch the Coastliner back to King's Lynn. Still no sign of snow. I had another 25 minute walk to my house from where the bus dropped me.
7.45pm - snow started to fall. After dinner I baked a chocolate cake - a practice one before I make another for my sister's birthday next Friday. A major blizzard outside and several inches building up - can't see the cars by 10pm. 12am - just measured outside, there are 6 inches so far and its still falling heavily. Can't see the bird baths at all! Looks like I will be walking to work in wellingtons in the morning - bother!!! Also means my shifts will be seriously hard work as loads of staff won't be able to get in!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Friday, 3 February 2012
Snowy Weekend Ahead!!!
With fog warnings thrown in aswell, l am glad I am not driving at the moment!
Snow forecast by 1pm on Saturday.
Severe weather warnings for the weekend here:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ee/docking_forecast_weather.html
http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/hunstanton/pe36-6/hourly-weather-forecast/329722?hour=8
Snow forecast by 1pm on Saturday.
Severe weather warnings for the weekend here:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ee/docking_forecast_weather.html
http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/hunstanton/pe36-6/hourly-weather-forecast/329722?hour=8
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
Saturday, 28 January 2012
A Beautiful Day!
Our intention was to arrive at Holkham at first light to watch and photograph Firecrests in the sunshine. But news of 17 Cranes yesterday at Titchwell changed our plans.
Driving through Ringstead along the 'Thornham Road' by "Blue Stone Farm" we watched 2 Corn Buntings on wires at 8am which was a good start to the day. It was a beautiful morning, with early morning mist, making beautiful landscape scenes.
The message to RBA yesterday at 6.01pm of 17 Common Cranes being seen at 9am east of Chalkpit Road, Titchwell was enough to get several birders out looking in the area this morning. Several birders, who had travelled quite alot of miles to get here - that's petrol, money and time. Time is something very precious to most of us nowadays. It certainly is very precious for me - I work most Sundays doing an 11 hour split shift, aswell as working a full 37.5 hour week, Monday to Friday. Birding time for me on a Saturday is very precious indeed. We searched and scanned along with several other birders around the roads and fields, but no sign of any cranes. Obviously they have moved on I thought? We saw a ring-tailed Hen harrier at 9am between Ringstead and Thornham and also a sparrowhawk. After much searching, we ended up at Choseley Barns and had lovely views of 9 fieldfares, a mistle thrush, song thrush and a common buzzard.
Titchwell RSPB - a Siskin was feeding on the alders next to the main feeders. We didn't see the Coues's Arctic Redpoll this morning. We were sitting having breakfast in the feeding station when I noticed on RBA via my iphone that the cranes had been seen again! This is what the message at 10.10am read: "19 Common Cranes south of Titchwell in field at 8.30am then flew off" - bit selfish I thought to watch them at 8.30am and then put the message out an hour and a half later and also why didn't they say which direction they cranes had flown? THEY DIDN'T SAY, BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANY CRANES ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME!!! I phoned RBA to find out it was the same person who had reported them yesterday. I did some homework and asked around to find out that the person who reported the cranes is a hoaxer. Very sad really, because besides wasting alot of people's valuable time and money, if they do ever find anything good, no one will ever believe them!
Brancaster Staithe harbour - stopped here briefly and photographed turnstones and dunlin. One of the turnstones was colour ringed (got photo of).
Burnham Overy Staithe - 11.45am. 5 Lapland Buntings flew over the stubble field adjacent to the A149. 2 Rough-legged Buzzards with 2 Marsh harriers distantly over Holkham pines.
Wells Quayside - there were 6 little grebes by the quayside. Holkham - north west corner, 3 common buzzards circling overhead.
Holkham Pines - how things have changed. Twenty odd years ago, there would have been hardly any cars at this time of the year parked in Lady Ann's Drive. It looked like a bank holiday weekend! Dogs barking, children screaming and general mayhem - not a peaceful scene. Walked west along the path through the pines and eventually had good views of at least two Firecrests in the Holm oaks by "Salts Hole". Several goldcrests about too and a lovely view of a Chiffchaff which I managed to photograph (back end of!) high up in a Holm oak only 50 yards west of Lady's Ann's on the way back to the car.
Cley NWT - Visitor Centre - scones and jam with a pot of tea! Daukes's Hide - Eddie saw the Western Sandpiper distantly - it flew off and we couldn't refind it again. Several marsh harriers cruised round, scattering all the wildfowl.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Driving through Ringstead along the 'Thornham Road' by "Blue Stone Farm" we watched 2 Corn Buntings on wires at 8am which was a good start to the day. It was a beautiful morning, with early morning mist, making beautiful landscape scenes.
The message to RBA yesterday at 6.01pm of 17 Common Cranes being seen at 9am east of Chalkpit Road, Titchwell was enough to get several birders out looking in the area this morning. Several birders, who had travelled quite alot of miles to get here - that's petrol, money and time. Time is something very precious to most of us nowadays. It certainly is very precious for me - I work most Sundays doing an 11 hour split shift, aswell as working a full 37.5 hour week, Monday to Friday. Birding time for me on a Saturday is very precious indeed. We searched and scanned along with several other birders around the roads and fields, but no sign of any cranes. Obviously they have moved on I thought? We saw a ring-tailed Hen harrier at 9am between Ringstead and Thornham and also a sparrowhawk. After much searching, we ended up at Choseley Barns and had lovely views of 9 fieldfares, a mistle thrush, song thrush and a common buzzard.
Titchwell RSPB - a Siskin was feeding on the alders next to the main feeders. We didn't see the Coues's Arctic Redpoll this morning. We were sitting having breakfast in the feeding station when I noticed on RBA via my iphone that the cranes had been seen again! This is what the message at 10.10am read: "19 Common Cranes south of Titchwell in field at 8.30am then flew off" - bit selfish I thought to watch them at 8.30am and then put the message out an hour and a half later and also why didn't they say which direction they cranes had flown? THEY DIDN'T SAY, BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANY CRANES ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME!!! I phoned RBA to find out it was the same person who had reported them yesterday. I did some homework and asked around to find out that the person who reported the cranes is a hoaxer. Very sad really, because besides wasting alot of people's valuable time and money, if they do ever find anything good, no one will ever believe them!
Brancaster Staithe harbour - stopped here briefly and photographed turnstones and dunlin. One of the turnstones was colour ringed (got photo of).
Burnham Overy Staithe - 11.45am. 5 Lapland Buntings flew over the stubble field adjacent to the A149. 2 Rough-legged Buzzards with 2 Marsh harriers distantly over Holkham pines.
Wells Quayside - there were 6 little grebes by the quayside. Holkham - north west corner, 3 common buzzards circling overhead.
Holkham Pines - how things have changed. Twenty odd years ago, there would have been hardly any cars at this time of the year parked in Lady Ann's Drive. It looked like a bank holiday weekend! Dogs barking, children screaming and general mayhem - not a peaceful scene. Walked west along the path through the pines and eventually had good views of at least two Firecrests in the Holm oaks by "Salts Hole". Several goldcrests about too and a lovely view of a Chiffchaff which I managed to photograph (back end of!) high up in a Holm oak only 50 yards west of Lady's Ann's on the way back to the car.
Cley NWT - Visitor Centre - scones and jam with a pot of tea! Daukes's Hide - Eddie saw the Western Sandpiper distantly - it flew off and we couldn't refind it again. Several marsh harriers cruised round, scattering all the wildfowl.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
17 Cranes my Ass!!!
Done a bit of homework on the person reporting the cranes at Titchwell yesterday and today and very sadly, it looks like it was a hoax. I could name and shame them, but I won't be that cruel. They have wasted mine and others valuable time this morning. When they grow up and get a job, they will realise how precious time is. This person's blog gives so much away about them - birds apparently photographed in the wild, when in fact they are photographed in captivity and in a very well known place!
Friday, 27 January 2012
17 Cranes at Titchwell today!!!
On RBA - 17 Common Cranes SE of Titchwell in field east of Chalkpit Road at 9am. Y'day 10 Common Cranes (for 3rd day).
It would have been really nice to have known about these in daylight hours and to have seen those on my birthday, would have made my day. Oh well - nice for whoever saw them.
Update: HOAX
It would have been really nice to have known about these in daylight hours and to have seen those on my birthday, would have made my day. Oh well - nice for whoever saw them.
Update: HOAX
Its My Birthday!!!
21 Today!!!
Have a day's holiday and going birding!!!
A beautiful sunny, but cold day.
The day didn't start well - I missed the first two coastliner buses - eventually arriving at Holme at 10.15am. Walked through the village and went to Holme Marsh Bird Reserve. From the first hide there was a grey heron, loads of teal, mallard and tufted duck. A water rail called and two bullfinches were seen. A marsh harrier was seen from the second hide, but little else.
Walked to my parents house and sat chatting for a while. Father was chuffed to bits with, as he called it 'a fan mail letter' in the EDP complimenting his dedication etc as warden at Holme Bird Observatory in response to last week's front page article (January 17th) in the EDP and double page spread on the 50th year anniversary of Holme Bird Observatory. The anniversary is actually on 6th September this year.
I caught the bus to Titchwell RSPB where I met Eddie. Had my best views ever of the Coues's Arctic Redpoll feeding on alder catkins almost above our heads in the sunshine along with Lesser Redpolls. An incredibly sweet, fluffy robin posed every possible pose for my camera by the seat on the Fen trail. Had lunch at the Feeding station.
Flight views of 23 Lapland Buntings in the stubble field adjacent to the A149 at Burnham Overy Staithe and a lone Common Buzzard sat on a tree. Barn owl at Burnham Overy Mill and another one near Wells.
Went to Holt and bought a new pair of sealskinz waterproof gloves. Now back in King's Lynn and out birding early tomorrow.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Have a day's holiday and going birding!!!
A beautiful sunny, but cold day.
The day didn't start well - I missed the first two coastliner buses - eventually arriving at Holme at 10.15am. Walked through the village and went to Holme Marsh Bird Reserve. From the first hide there was a grey heron, loads of teal, mallard and tufted duck. A water rail called and two bullfinches were seen. A marsh harrier was seen from the second hide, but little else.
Walked to my parents house and sat chatting for a while. Father was chuffed to bits with, as he called it 'a fan mail letter' in the EDP complimenting his dedication etc as warden at Holme Bird Observatory in response to last week's front page article (January 17th) in the EDP and double page spread on the 50th year anniversary of Holme Bird Observatory. The anniversary is actually on 6th September this year.
I caught the bus to Titchwell RSPB where I met Eddie. Had my best views ever of the Coues's Arctic Redpoll feeding on alder catkins almost above our heads in the sunshine along with Lesser Redpolls. An incredibly sweet, fluffy robin posed every possible pose for my camera by the seat on the Fen trail. Had lunch at the Feeding station.
Flight views of 23 Lapland Buntings in the stubble field adjacent to the A149 at Burnham Overy Staithe and a lone Common Buzzard sat on a tree. Barn owl at Burnham Overy Mill and another one near Wells.
Went to Holt and bought a new pair of sealskinz waterproof gloves. Now back in King's Lynn and out birding early tomorrow.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Raining Redpolls!!!
Fabulous Day's Birding!
I was speed walking along the road from my house to catch the coastliner bus and had intended on walking Burnham Overy Dunes and Holkham, when Eddie unexpectedly cruised along the road beside me! So change the plan and went to Fakenham to see the Great Grey Shrike, which obliged straight away - as soon as we got out of the car it flew up from the hedge, but I was not able to capture it on my camera at all.
Salthouse - wonderful scene of 50+ turnstones feeding in the carpark along with a flock of around 30+ snowbuntings, which were very mobile due to wind and flushing photographers with exceptionally bad fieldcraft! I lay down and stayed motionless on the west side of Beach Road waiting for the snowbuntings to return to a favoured spot - they flew back near me and were gradually getting closer for some decent shots, when several big lens photographers walked straight towards them and flushed them without a thought for anyone else. I suppose being female and only having a baby lens I don't really count or matter in the slightest! I was not a happy bunny (Eddie was even less happy), but remained calm and just left - can't be doing with it.
Kelling - the two Coues's Arctic Redpolls showed beautifully in the garden near the teashop, along with an unbelievable scene of at least 70+ Lesser and Mealy Redpolls all feeding on the lawn and on the niger feeders. Goldfinches and house sparrows added to the scene. I got a frame filling picture of one of the 'Coues's just by the wall! Bumped into a few familiar faces here too! It felt so cold, it felt like it was going to snow!
Cley NWT Visitor Centre for warm up, lunch and catch up with several good friends - nice to see you all.
Kelling - again for more views of the Redpolls. The Coues's showed again and sat in the tree with now failing light, but did not feed on the ground this time - too late in the day. Had a nice surprise and bumped into John (BF Reader) http://www.coventrybirder.co.uk/ The owner of the garden, kindly requested that a maximum of two people stand by the wall at any one time and the others stand on the other side of the road to view. Eddie gave us all a laugh - he was standing on the turf lining the stream and stepped back into it - I received one of Eddie's 'you are going to die' stares for laughing - couldn't help it x!!!!!!!
Mid Norfolk - waited in the dark to see a Long-eared Owl and we were just about to give up when the Long-eared Owl flew over the hedge at 5.30pm, across our car headlights and sat in the tree next to us briefly before flying off again - fabulous end to the day!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
I was speed walking along the road from my house to catch the coastliner bus and had intended on walking Burnham Overy Dunes and Holkham, when Eddie unexpectedly cruised along the road beside me! So change the plan and went to Fakenham to see the Great Grey Shrike, which obliged straight away - as soon as we got out of the car it flew up from the hedge, but I was not able to capture it on my camera at all.
Salthouse - wonderful scene of 50+ turnstones feeding in the carpark along with a flock of around 30+ snowbuntings, which were very mobile due to wind and flushing photographers with exceptionally bad fieldcraft! I lay down and stayed motionless on the west side of Beach Road waiting for the snowbuntings to return to a favoured spot - they flew back near me and were gradually getting closer for some decent shots, when several big lens photographers walked straight towards them and flushed them without a thought for anyone else. I suppose being female and only having a baby lens I don't really count or matter in the slightest! I was not a happy bunny (Eddie was even less happy), but remained calm and just left - can't be doing with it.
Kelling - the two Coues's Arctic Redpolls showed beautifully in the garden near the teashop, along with an unbelievable scene of at least 70+ Lesser and Mealy Redpolls all feeding on the lawn and on the niger feeders. Goldfinches and house sparrows added to the scene. I got a frame filling picture of one of the 'Coues's just by the wall! Bumped into a few familiar faces here too! It felt so cold, it felt like it was going to snow!
Cley NWT Visitor Centre for warm up, lunch and catch up with several good friends - nice to see you all.
Kelling - again for more views of the Redpolls. The Coues's showed again and sat in the tree with now failing light, but did not feed on the ground this time - too late in the day. Had a nice surprise and bumped into John (BF Reader) http://www.coventrybirder.co.uk/ The owner of the garden, kindly requested that a maximum of two people stand by the wall at any one time and the others stand on the other side of the road to view. Eddie gave us all a laugh - he was standing on the turf lining the stream and stepped back into it - I received one of Eddie's 'you are going to die' stares for laughing - couldn't help it x!!!!!!!
Mid Norfolk - waited in the dark to see a Long-eared Owl and we were just about to give up when the Long-eared Owl flew over the hedge at 5.30pm, across our car headlights and sat in the tree next to us briefly before flying off again - fabulous end to the day!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Friday, 20 January 2012
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