Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Easter weekend petrol tanker strike!!!
On the Guardian website it reads "the AA warned of the danger of panic buying. Andrew Howard, an AA spokesman, said: "If people begin panic buying we could well have shortages in fuel even before the strike.
The average British person buys petrol once a fortnight, but if everybody goes out and buys it in say the three days leading up to strike action that could be a problem."
Of course people are going to buy petrol before a strike - what do they expect people to do - wait until the strike and then either spend hours queueing for petrol or not be able to get any at all!!!
The average British person buys petrol once a fortnight, but if everybody goes out and buys it in say the three days leading up to strike action that could be a problem."
Of course people are going to buy petrol before a strike - what do they expect people to do - wait until the strike and then either spend hours queueing for petrol or not be able to get any at all!!!
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Lunchtime Birding!
Whilst I was sitting in the car for my lunch at work, I had wonderful views of three treecreepers on one tree!!! There seemed to be a real flurry of birds including great, blue tits, robins, hedge sparrows, chaffinches and chiffchaffs - another glorious sunny day. It was hard getting up for work an hour earlier this morning!
Saturday, 24 March 2012
New Car and cruise to Cley!
I walked for an hour this morning to collect my new car from the garage - a Skoda Fabia 1.6 TDi SE. I only added one extra feature to the car and I am so glad I did - isn't technology amazing! I have the telephone preparation kit (GSM II) with Bluetooth® which connects your iphone to the car - a computerised panel just behind the steering wheel allows you to scroll through the menu using the up and down buttons on the end of the control stalk and ring anyone at the touch of a button, receive a call (through the car's speakers) or play any music on the phone through the radio - so cool! The car drives like a dream - I love it! It's also got far more welly than the Hyundai!!! A very useful feature on the car is to set an alarm if you drive over 60mph - VERY useful for me and will hopefully stop me getting any more points!!! The driver's and front passenger seats raise up/down - very useful for short people! So far I haven't found anything I don't like about the car, apart from the boot space which is definately not big enough for a birder/photographer/female!!! But I have managed to condense it! It took a while to set up the Bluetooth at the garage and I did not get home until mid morning. I spent a long time putting all my usual bits and pieces back in the car, had some lunch and then cruised along the coast road in the sunshine to test the car out.
Visited my parents to show them the car. Father found it much easier getting into the passenger seat of this car - the Hyundai Coupe was too low for him to get into really. My mother has such a wonderful way with words - her first comment was 'it doesn't look too flashy - in fact it almost looks second hand' - thanks mother!!! Father was sunbathing by the greenhouse when I arrived - an unusual sight in March!
Poodled along the coast road to Cley and my first stop was Walsey Hills NOA. It was wonderful to be in Cley again - its ages since I have been here. Sadly though, I realised I had missed the wonderful sight of all the blackthorn in flower at Walsey Hills. I walked all round the reserve and was very pleased to find the centre path has been re-opened. A lovely surprise of a singing male Blackcap at the end of the bottom path and seen briefly too. 2 Chiffchaffs singing and a goldcrest flicking about half way along the path. The usual birds on the feeders and bird table included long-tailed tits, blue and great tits, chaffinches, hedge sparrows, greenfinches and goldfinches. 2 Marsh Harriers were gliding over Arnold's Marsh. As I walked back to the car a water rail was reeling in Snipe's Marsh. Popped up to the NWT Visitor Centre briefly and said hello to Pat who said the car looked like a 'Golf' - yes, it is - its just got a Skoda badge on it!!! Drove to Coastguards and walked to North Scrape. It was a beautiful evening, as it had been all day. 2 Wheatears were on the Eye Field, a few pied wagtails flitting about, a meadow pipit on the wire fence and several greylags and brents on the field. From the hide a Spoonbill dropped in briefly, before being harrassed by a marsh harrier and relocated to Billy's Wash. Usual avocets, redshanks, dunlin, bar-tailed godwits, shelduck, pintail, shoveler, wigeon, teal and cormorants. As I walked back to the car the red sun was setting and it felt good to be back here.
Sat in the Holt fish 'n' chip shop having vege burger and chips and then drove home. Work all day tomorrow. Lighter evenings from tomorrow, which will allow time to go birding after work! Roll on Easter!
Visited my parents to show them the car. Father found it much easier getting into the passenger seat of this car - the Hyundai Coupe was too low for him to get into really. My mother has such a wonderful way with words - her first comment was 'it doesn't look too flashy - in fact it almost looks second hand' - thanks mother!!! Father was sunbathing by the greenhouse when I arrived - an unusual sight in March!
Poodled along the coast road to Cley and my first stop was Walsey Hills NOA. It was wonderful to be in Cley again - its ages since I have been here. Sadly though, I realised I had missed the wonderful sight of all the blackthorn in flower at Walsey Hills. I walked all round the reserve and was very pleased to find the centre path has been re-opened. A lovely surprise of a singing male Blackcap at the end of the bottom path and seen briefly too. 2 Chiffchaffs singing and a goldcrest flicking about half way along the path. The usual birds on the feeders and bird table included long-tailed tits, blue and great tits, chaffinches, hedge sparrows, greenfinches and goldfinches. 2 Marsh Harriers were gliding over Arnold's Marsh. As I walked back to the car a water rail was reeling in Snipe's Marsh. Popped up to the NWT Visitor Centre briefly and said hello to Pat who said the car looked like a 'Golf' - yes, it is - its just got a Skoda badge on it!!! Drove to Coastguards and walked to North Scrape. It was a beautiful evening, as it had been all day. 2 Wheatears were on the Eye Field, a few pied wagtails flitting about, a meadow pipit on the wire fence and several greylags and brents on the field. From the hide a Spoonbill dropped in briefly, before being harrassed by a marsh harrier and relocated to Billy's Wash. Usual avocets, redshanks, dunlin, bar-tailed godwits, shelduck, pintail, shoveler, wigeon, teal and cormorants. As I walked back to the car the red sun was setting and it felt good to be back here.
Sat in the Holt fish 'n' chip shop having vege burger and chips and then drove home. Work all day tomorrow. Lighter evenings from tomorrow, which will allow time to go birding after work! Roll on Easter!
Friday, 23 March 2012
Chiffchaff singing at work!
My first singing Chiffchaff at work today when I sat outside for lunch with the girls. Even Jules remembered the song from last year! Will any of them become birders? - you never know! Such a beautiful day - much too warm for March! Also spotted a peacock butterfly and a bumble bee around the copse in front of us and with pink blossom in full bloom on the tree next to where we sat, set against cloudless blue skies, it felt very spring like!
Its been a busy week. Cycled after work on Wednesday to the garage to sign final papers for the new car, flew back to the hairdressers for my three monthly appointment. Also finished weeding and tidying the front garden and laid more shingle between the two strips of slabs, which Sarah very kindly took me to get from Wickes this week.
Collect my new car tomorrow morning!!!!! I feel both excited and also terrified of driving a brand new car! Also looking forward to birding in Cley again - too far to go really on the coastliner bus during the winter months. Clocks go forward this Saturday which will allow twitching in the evenings after work - wahoooooo!!!!!
Its been a busy week. Cycled after work on Wednesday to the garage to sign final papers for the new car, flew back to the hairdressers for my three monthly appointment. Also finished weeding and tidying the front garden and laid more shingle between the two strips of slabs, which Sarah very kindly took me to get from Wickes this week.
Collect my new car tomorrow morning!!!!! I feel both excited and also terrified of driving a brand new car! Also looking forward to birding in Cley again - too far to go really on the coastliner bus during the winter months. Clocks go forward this Saturday which will allow twitching in the evenings after work - wahoooooo!!!!!
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
URGENT ATTENTION!!!
A male, birding friend of mine is urgently looking for a flat/bedsit/lodgings (house/cottage if cheap enough!) to rent in the Briston/Holt area. He is working in Briston so ideally would like to be in a 5 mile (ish) radius of work. Due to unforeseen circumstances, (he will explain why) he has to be out of his present accommodation by the 8th April. Even if anyone can help out with a temporary room etc, until permanent accommodation can be found this would help him out enormously.
Please email me on pennyclarke@dsl.pipex.com
Please email me on pennyclarke@dsl.pipex.com
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Spring is here!!!
Hunstanton Cliffs to Holme Reserves
I hardly slept last night because of my cold and when I did wake up, I felt awful. I caught the 9.10am Coastliner bus and arrived in Hunstanton at 9.38am. As I got off the bus a very familiar face stood in the queue to get on the bus to go to Holme - my father!
On route to the cliffs I walked through the Millennium gardens - the only birds seen here were mallards in the pond. It rained most of the day and the sun only attempted to shine briefly twice. From the cliffs I counted at least 400+ Brent Geese feeding along the shoreline and rock pools at low tide - it was a spectacular sight! Also at least 50+ turnstones and loads of other waders including oystercatchers, redshanks and black-headed gulls in summer plumage. At the lighthouse a pair of blackbirds were tugging worms from the wet soil and the house sparrows were chattering away in the bushes on the cliff top, along with a couple of hedge sparrows.
I walked past the Le Strange Arms Hotel at Old Hunstanton where to my horror they have cut down loads of bushes which lined the coastal footpath - why does everything have to be cut down and made to look like a boring, sterile town garden! I continued my walk in the rain through the beach huts - shortly after the last hut, I was rewarded with stunning views of my first spring Wheatear sitting on the wire fence along with a robin at 11.15am - it flew off seaward side and I didn't see it again. Further along the path at Holme main beach gap I was lucky to see two more Wheatears together on the wire fence at 11.35am!!!
The Saltings opposite the 5-bar gate, half way down the Firs Road produced a few meadow pipits and skylarks and on the pools 7 avocets, 2 shelduck and a single little egret. 20+ curlew on the fields by Holme church. The NWT Forestry produced nothing at all, apart from 2 grey herons flying over west. As I left the forestry area, along the long path just before the double block houses I had a wonderful surprise of a Chiffchaff flitting about in the large Sallow and also close by a pair of Stonechats and 3 hedgesparrows.
Dell Hide, Holme Bird Observatory - 3 goldfinches, 2 blue tits, 1 great tit, female blackbird and a moorhen. Chatted with Sophie (warden) and scanning over the marshes Sophie picked up a Tundra Bean Goose amongst the pinkfeets. 2 Marsh Harriers were also seen. Leaving H.B.O I bumped into Connor, Billy and Ray - have not seen them for ages - they had seen a Chiffchaff on the reserve. Went to chat with Gary H. at the Firs House briefly before returning through the NWT Forestry, hoping there might be some wheatears here, but none were seen. I had another Chiffchaff (not the same one) in a bush just before the 5-bar gate and my mother also had one at Holme Marsh Reserve late afternoon, so that's at least 4 chiffchaffs around in Holme at the moment. I walked across NOA Redwell Marsh from the NWT payhut and watched loads of toads swimming in the long dyke that runs parallel to the footpath leading to the River Hun. Walked to my parent's house, but didn't go in as did not want to pass my cold on to anyone. Father sat on a chair by the front door and I sat outside by the gate, so we could chat! I felt so ill, I caught the 4.18pm bus back home and dozed on the sofa all evening.
I hardly slept last night because of my cold and when I did wake up, I felt awful. I caught the 9.10am Coastliner bus and arrived in Hunstanton at 9.38am. As I got off the bus a very familiar face stood in the queue to get on the bus to go to Holme - my father!
On route to the cliffs I walked through the Millennium gardens - the only birds seen here were mallards in the pond. It rained most of the day and the sun only attempted to shine briefly twice. From the cliffs I counted at least 400+ Brent Geese feeding along the shoreline and rock pools at low tide - it was a spectacular sight! Also at least 50+ turnstones and loads of other waders including oystercatchers, redshanks and black-headed gulls in summer plumage. At the lighthouse a pair of blackbirds were tugging worms from the wet soil and the house sparrows were chattering away in the bushes on the cliff top, along with a couple of hedge sparrows.
I walked past the Le Strange Arms Hotel at Old Hunstanton where to my horror they have cut down loads of bushes which lined the coastal footpath - why does everything have to be cut down and made to look like a boring, sterile town garden! I continued my walk in the rain through the beach huts - shortly after the last hut, I was rewarded with stunning views of my first spring Wheatear sitting on the wire fence along with a robin at 11.15am - it flew off seaward side and I didn't see it again. Further along the path at Holme main beach gap I was lucky to see two more Wheatears together on the wire fence at 11.35am!!!
The Saltings opposite the 5-bar gate, half way down the Firs Road produced a few meadow pipits and skylarks and on the pools 7 avocets, 2 shelduck and a single little egret. 20+ curlew on the fields by Holme church. The NWT Forestry produced nothing at all, apart from 2 grey herons flying over west. As I left the forestry area, along the long path just before the double block houses I had a wonderful surprise of a Chiffchaff flitting about in the large Sallow and also close by a pair of Stonechats and 3 hedgesparrows.
Dell Hide, Holme Bird Observatory - 3 goldfinches, 2 blue tits, 1 great tit, female blackbird and a moorhen. Chatted with Sophie (warden) and scanning over the marshes Sophie picked up a Tundra Bean Goose amongst the pinkfeets. 2 Marsh Harriers were also seen. Leaving H.B.O I bumped into Connor, Billy and Ray - have not seen them for ages - they had seen a Chiffchaff on the reserve. Went to chat with Gary H. at the Firs House briefly before returning through the NWT Forestry, hoping there might be some wheatears here, but none were seen. I had another Chiffchaff (not the same one) in a bush just before the 5-bar gate and my mother also had one at Holme Marsh Reserve late afternoon, so that's at least 4 chiffchaffs around in Holme at the moment. I walked across NOA Redwell Marsh from the NWT payhut and watched loads of toads swimming in the long dyke that runs parallel to the footpath leading to the River Hun. Walked to my parent's house, but didn't go in as did not want to pass my cold on to anyone. Father sat on a chair by the front door and I sat outside by the gate, so we could chat! I felt so ill, I caught the 4.18pm bus back home and dozed on the sofa all evening.
Friday, 16 March 2012
Spring Migrants arriving!!!
I have developed a horrible cold today and have just been sipping lemsip - feel awful. I was really looking forward to going birding tomorrow and hope I will feel well enough in the morning to escape into the wilds of Norfolk. I have not been birding for three whole weeks and I have serious withdrawal symptoms!!!
Birds seen in Norfolk today via RBA:
A very lucky person saw 3 Hawfinches drinking from the Fen Hide Pool at RSPB Titchwell today - they then flew west!
Wheatears at Cley, Kelling, Horsey, Burnham Overy Staithe.
2 Sandmartins at Cley
Great Grey Shrikes at Fakenham and Egmere.
Spoonbill at Cley and Titchwell.
Red Kite at Holkham
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe
2 Garganey at North Wootton
Coues's Arctic Redpoll remains at Titchwell
Birds seen in Norfolk today via RBA:
A very lucky person saw 3 Hawfinches drinking from the Fen Hide Pool at RSPB Titchwell today - they then flew west!
Wheatears at Cley, Kelling, Horsey, Burnham Overy Staithe.
2 Sandmartins at Cley
Great Grey Shrikes at Fakenham and Egmere.
Spoonbill at Cley and Titchwell.
Red Kite at Holkham
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe
2 Garganey at North Wootton
Coues's Arctic Redpoll remains at Titchwell
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Saturday, 10 March 2012
A Beautiful Day
A beautiful sunny day. I spent the entire day weeding and clearing the front garden and drive in preparation for my new car. Its not how I wanted to spend the day, but it had to be done.
I now have about 20 dustbin sacks of garden waste and no way of getting rid of it - there is too much to compost in my small garden. I will ring the council on Monday and see if they will take it away.
First Wheatear of the spring at Cley today I see, when I looked at R.B.A.
Great White Egret and American Wigeon at Marlingford still.
Four Glossy Ibises at Reedham.
I now have about 20 dustbin sacks of garden waste and no way of getting rid of it - there is too much to compost in my small garden. I will ring the council on Monday and see if they will take it away.
First Wheatear of the spring at Cley today I see, when I looked at R.B.A.
Great White Egret and American Wigeon at Marlingford still.
Four Glossy Ibises at Reedham.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Environmental groups abandon opposition to King’s Lynn incinerator - Environment - Eastern Daily Press
Environmental groups abandon opposition to King’s Lynn incinerator - Environment - Eastern Daily Press
SO the RSPB, Natural England and the Environment Agency are now happy for the Incinerator to be built in King's Lynn - WELL I AM NOT!!!!!!!
In the EDP today it states that the RSPB have received 'new information' which 'addressed their concerns'. I have emailed the RSPB to ask them what the 'new information' is. I will post their reply on here when received*.
Also see Ian Borrman's letter to the Lynn News today stating that he is ceasing his membership with the RSPB: http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/community/letters/why-i-m-giving-them-the-bird-1-3596618#.T1fne2P0yaQ.blogger
REPLY TO MY EMAIL SENT TO THE RSPB
*"Dear Penny
Thank you for your email to the RSPB on 7th March regarding the RSPB’s position on the incinerator proposal in King’s Lynn.
With the King’s Lynn incinerator we were worried about the potential impact of emissions on the incredible habitat of the Wash Estuary, its birds and other wildlife. We challenged the developers to provide additional information on emissions. Once provided with this, we studied it against our knowledge of the tolerance levels of the birds and their prey species found in the Wash. We concluded that there was no scientific basis for our original concerns.
This information came from a document entitled 'Appendix 7: Information to inform an appropriate assessment' and was part of the further information submitted by the applicant to Norfolk County Council on 13 January 2012, in response to the initial consultation period in 2011. This information was available on the County Council website during the January to February consultation period earlier this year, and is still available there for reference.
We are absolutely passionate about protecting special places like the Wash, so rest assured that if hard science shows a risk to an important habitat we will work tirelessly and actively campaign to protect it. We are confident that based on our research, this is not one of those cases.
I am sorry that this decision has upset you and that you seen it as us supporting the plans for the incinerator. I’d like to emphasise that this is not the case, we neither support nor object to the incinerator.
I hope this helps explain why we have made this decision and I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Please, if you do have further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
I hope this letter reassures you about the RSPBs continued commitment to protect the natural world.
Paul Forecast
Regional Director, Eastern England"
SO the RSPB, Natural England and the Environment Agency are now happy for the Incinerator to be built in King's Lynn - WELL I AM NOT!!!!!!!
In the EDP today it states that the RSPB have received 'new information' which 'addressed their concerns'. I have emailed the RSPB to ask them what the 'new information' is. I will post their reply on here when received*.
Also see Ian Borrman's letter to the Lynn News today stating that he is ceasing his membership with the RSPB: http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/community/letters/why-i-m-giving-them-the-bird-1-3596618#.T1fne2P0yaQ.blogger
REPLY TO MY EMAIL SENT TO THE RSPB
*"Dear Penny
Thank you for your email to the RSPB on 7th March regarding the RSPB’s position on the incinerator proposal in King’s Lynn.
With the King’s Lynn incinerator we were worried about the potential impact of emissions on the incredible habitat of the Wash Estuary, its birds and other wildlife. We challenged the developers to provide additional information on emissions. Once provided with this, we studied it against our knowledge of the tolerance levels of the birds and their prey species found in the Wash. We concluded that there was no scientific basis for our original concerns.
This information came from a document entitled 'Appendix 7: Information to inform an appropriate assessment' and was part of the further information submitted by the applicant to Norfolk County Council on 13 January 2012, in response to the initial consultation period in 2011. This information was available on the County Council website during the January to February consultation period earlier this year, and is still available there for reference.
We are absolutely passionate about protecting special places like the Wash, so rest assured that if hard science shows a risk to an important habitat we will work tirelessly and actively campaign to protect it. We are confident that based on our research, this is not one of those cases.
I am sorry that this decision has upset you and that you seen it as us supporting the plans for the incinerator. I’d like to emphasise that this is not the case, we neither support nor object to the incinerator.
I hope this helps explain why we have made this decision and I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Please, if you do have further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
I hope this letter reassures you about the RSPBs continued commitment to protect the natural world.
Paul Forecast
Regional Director, Eastern England"
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Urban Birding!
Its going to be incredibly difficult to make this post sound in the least bit exciting, so I will keep it short!
Today I went on the train with my sister Lucy to visit youngest sister Vivien in Ely. As I walked to the train station I realised that I had not been on a train since I went to Aberdeen on route to Fair Isle in May 2010 - it seems so long ago! Life has been extremely difficult over the past few weeks in all aspects of my life and still is. What I needed today was a long solitary walk - in fact Blakeney Point would have been perfect, had I not pre-arranged a 'family' day that I couldn't really get out of! I am sure you all know what I mean!
After Lucy and I got on the train I was determined to tick some birds off - I have seen short-eared owls and buzzards on this route before, but not today. Best birds seen were several flocks of mute swans on route, starlings, wood pigeons and a few blackbirds. Arriving in Ely the rain decided to make the day even more dismal. There is a small population of Muscovy Ducks in Ely - mentioned on wikipedia and these were dotted around the city, quite contentedly snoozing on the grass verges next to the roadsides. Few house sparrows around and that is about it on the bird front! Its going to be a long week having not been birding properly today!
Been working every Sunday, but will be having a mini break at Easter - pure birding and in my new car!
BIRD NEWS IN NORFOLK:
• Sand Martin in Norfolk today - at Titchwell RSPB!
• Northern Bullfinch at Surlingham
• Glossy Ibis x4 at Burgh Castle
• Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren
• Coues's Arctic Redpoll remains at Titchwell RSPB
• American Wigeon and Great White Egret at Marlingford
Today I went on the train with my sister Lucy to visit youngest sister Vivien in Ely. As I walked to the train station I realised that I had not been on a train since I went to Aberdeen on route to Fair Isle in May 2010 - it seems so long ago! Life has been extremely difficult over the past few weeks in all aspects of my life and still is. What I needed today was a long solitary walk - in fact Blakeney Point would have been perfect, had I not pre-arranged a 'family' day that I couldn't really get out of! I am sure you all know what I mean!
After Lucy and I got on the train I was determined to tick some birds off - I have seen short-eared owls and buzzards on this route before, but not today. Best birds seen were several flocks of mute swans on route, starlings, wood pigeons and a few blackbirds. Arriving in Ely the rain decided to make the day even more dismal. There is a small population of Muscovy Ducks in Ely - mentioned on wikipedia and these were dotted around the city, quite contentedly snoozing on the grass verges next to the roadsides. Few house sparrows around and that is about it on the bird front! Its going to be a long week having not been birding properly today!
Been working every Sunday, but will be having a mini break at Easter - pure birding and in my new car!
BIRD NEWS IN NORFOLK:
• Sand Martin in Norfolk today - at Titchwell RSPB!
• Northern Bullfinch at Surlingham
• Glossy Ibis x4 at Burgh Castle
• Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren
• Coues's Arctic Redpoll remains at Titchwell RSPB
• American Wigeon and Great White Egret at Marlingford
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Seawatching Extravaganza!!!
The day started with sightings of a Camel and Zebra, grazing in a field at Knights Hill roundabout, King's Lynn – seriously!!! (Circus in town)
Got the first bus at 6.55am to Hunstanton and then the first Coastliner bus to Titchwell arriving at 8.03am.
Titchwell RSPB
It was wonderful to be out early, the sun was shining with blue skies and it was a beautiful crisp start to the day. 4 grey partridges plummeted from the field by the main road as I got off the bus. I meandered round the carpark before going to catch the high tide at 8.22am. I had fabulous views of 2 pairs of bullfinches all sitting together in the same tree in the far carpark - couldn't get the camera out of rucksack quick enough for a picture though! Loads of pink footed geese, greylags and canada's in the ploughed field adjacent to last carpark and also several red-legged partridges and 2 black pheasants!.
Walking through the picnic area produced the usual fluffy robins, long tailed tits, great and blue tits, hedge sparrows, blackbirds, 2 wrens and chaffinches. By the feeders next to the cafe a Song Thrush was foraging for food, which I spent some time photographing. The main feeders produced the usual greenfinches, goldfinches, chaffinches etc. Around the Fen Trail a Cetti's Warbler was heard. Nothing of note from the Fen Hide. 4 Carrion crows flew over north west. Along the main path I watched at least 4 Lesser Redpolls in the Alders west of the path. Near Island hide I heard a Bearded Tit 'pinging'. 2 Avocets were on a shallow pool on the west side of the path.
Seawatching 9.25am-11.15am.
This was one of the best seawatching stints I have had at Titchwell for a long time!
4 Eider (flying east)
9 Goldeneye, then stopped counting as dotted all over the sea!
1 Scaup (sitting on sea with goldeneye)
2 Velvet Scoter (on sea)
5 Long-tailed Ducks
1 Red-throated Diver
1 Black-throated Diver (sitting on sea and then took off)
5 Red-breasted Mergansers (landed on sea)
2 Slavonian Grebes (on sea)
1 Red-necked Grebe (on sea)
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Razorbills
2 Guillemots
1 Fulmar
6 Shelduck
35 Sanderlings
2 Ringed Plovers (feeding along the shore)
2 Lapland Buntings at 10.05am, picked up by Tony (RSPB volunteer, can't remember his surname) coming in off the sea and flew almost over our heads!!!
I attempted to photograph the long-tailed ducks, but realised that they were still way too far off for my lens! Loads of oystercatchers sitting on the shore towards Brancaster. I crossed the wet sands and walked for what seemed like miles to watch 5 Common Seals basking in the sunshine – rubbish photographs though, as the sun was directly behind them. It was such a beautiful day, it almost felt like summer. I walked over the dune ridge to get out of the wind and sat in the marram grass to eat my sandwiches. A skylark serenaded me, ascending into blue, cloudless skies. It would have been very easy to have 40 winks here! I plodded back over the sands to RSPB Titchwell. I half expected this long walk to produce some snow buntings, but none were seen. Tons of razorshells on the beach.
Back along the main path I sat on the concrete block not far from the boarded section that runs up to the beach, to sit and wait for a possible chiffchaff to appear. I was told earlier that an 'interesting' chiffchaff has been appearing here over the last 4 weeks and it had been seen earlier this morning. I sat for ages gazing into the sueda bushes, stood, walked about, sat, 'pished', squeaked and all kinds, but no chiffchaff appeared for me! I continued along the path and watched a black-tailed godwit close to the path, 2 spotted redshanks and 2 reed buntings. From Parrinder Hide I saw several pintail, teal, mallard, shoveler etc, redshanks, black headed gulls, 23 Avocets, 2 snipe, marsh harrier and a single pied wagtail. People had been watching 5 bean geese amongst the pink footed geese on the marsh west of main path, but I couldn't see any when I looked. Walked to the 'Feeding Station and sat outside eating a vege pasty and succumbed to a piece of carrot cake and a cup of tea. Whilst sitting here I watched (presumably) the same song thrush I had seen early this morning by the feeders. Walked round the Fen Trail again and saw very little from the Fen hide. Back onto the main path I had a brief but good view of a Bittern flying east over the main path at 3.50pm! Walked back to the carparks and counted 75 Lapwings in the large ploughed field! Raced to the bus stop to catch the 4.10pm bus to Holme - it was 20 minutes late and not only was it full, but people were standing all along the aisle! Got off at Holme and walked to Holme Marsh Reserve.
Holme Marsh Reserve
As soon as I walked through the first kissing gate I had fabulous views of a Short-eared Owl over my head at 4.45pm!!! From the first and second hide: gadwall, pochard, tufted ducks, shelducks, teal and mallard. A Tawny Owl was heard distantly.
Walked to my parents house to visit them for a short while. Father had his second cataract removed a few days ago, which had been extremely painful, unlike the first one where he experienced almost no pain at all. He seemed more settled today, but hadn't really noticed a massive difference in his vision so far. He very clearly informed mother and I, that he would NOT be going back to the hospital for any other treatment or check-ups!!! Also on the subject of father - the Lynn News seemed to have stopped adding his last two or three "NATURE NOTES" to their website, so I have not been able to link them on my blog - I have emailed them to ask why, but still have not received a reply. Yesterday's Nature Notes is added to the website I have just noticed, so have linked this in my next post.
I caught the last bus home arriving back in my house at 7.30pm and fell asleep!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
Got the first bus at 6.55am to Hunstanton and then the first Coastliner bus to Titchwell arriving at 8.03am.
Titchwell RSPB
It was wonderful to be out early, the sun was shining with blue skies and it was a beautiful crisp start to the day. 4 grey partridges plummeted from the field by the main road as I got off the bus. I meandered round the carpark before going to catch the high tide at 8.22am. I had fabulous views of 2 pairs of bullfinches all sitting together in the same tree in the far carpark - couldn't get the camera out of rucksack quick enough for a picture though! Loads of pink footed geese, greylags and canada's in the ploughed field adjacent to last carpark and also several red-legged partridges and 2 black pheasants!.
Walking through the picnic area produced the usual fluffy robins, long tailed tits, great and blue tits, hedge sparrows, blackbirds, 2 wrens and chaffinches. By the feeders next to the cafe a Song Thrush was foraging for food, which I spent some time photographing. The main feeders produced the usual greenfinches, goldfinches, chaffinches etc. Around the Fen Trail a Cetti's Warbler was heard. Nothing of note from the Fen Hide. 4 Carrion crows flew over north west. Along the main path I watched at least 4 Lesser Redpolls in the Alders west of the path. Near Island hide I heard a Bearded Tit 'pinging'. 2 Avocets were on a shallow pool on the west side of the path.
Seawatching 9.25am-11.15am.
This was one of the best seawatching stints I have had at Titchwell for a long time!
4 Eider (flying east)
9 Goldeneye, then stopped counting as dotted all over the sea!
1 Scaup (sitting on sea with goldeneye)
2 Velvet Scoter (on sea)
5 Long-tailed Ducks
1 Red-throated Diver
1 Black-throated Diver (sitting on sea and then took off)
5 Red-breasted Mergansers (landed on sea)
2 Slavonian Grebes (on sea)
1 Red-necked Grebe (on sea)
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Razorbills
2 Guillemots
1 Fulmar
6 Shelduck
35 Sanderlings
2 Ringed Plovers (feeding along the shore)
2 Lapland Buntings at 10.05am, picked up by Tony (RSPB volunteer, can't remember his surname) coming in off the sea and flew almost over our heads!!!
I attempted to photograph the long-tailed ducks, but realised that they were still way too far off for my lens! Loads of oystercatchers sitting on the shore towards Brancaster. I crossed the wet sands and walked for what seemed like miles to watch 5 Common Seals basking in the sunshine – rubbish photographs though, as the sun was directly behind them. It was such a beautiful day, it almost felt like summer. I walked over the dune ridge to get out of the wind and sat in the marram grass to eat my sandwiches. A skylark serenaded me, ascending into blue, cloudless skies. It would have been very easy to have 40 winks here! I plodded back over the sands to RSPB Titchwell. I half expected this long walk to produce some snow buntings, but none were seen. Tons of razorshells on the beach.
Back along the main path I sat on the concrete block not far from the boarded section that runs up to the beach, to sit and wait for a possible chiffchaff to appear. I was told earlier that an 'interesting' chiffchaff has been appearing here over the last 4 weeks and it had been seen earlier this morning. I sat for ages gazing into the sueda bushes, stood, walked about, sat, 'pished', squeaked and all kinds, but no chiffchaff appeared for me! I continued along the path and watched a black-tailed godwit close to the path, 2 spotted redshanks and 2 reed buntings. From Parrinder Hide I saw several pintail, teal, mallard, shoveler etc, redshanks, black headed gulls, 23 Avocets, 2 snipe, marsh harrier and a single pied wagtail. People had been watching 5 bean geese amongst the pink footed geese on the marsh west of main path, but I couldn't see any when I looked. Walked to the 'Feeding Station and sat outside eating a vege pasty and succumbed to a piece of carrot cake and a cup of tea. Whilst sitting here I watched (presumably) the same song thrush I had seen early this morning by the feeders. Walked round the Fen Trail again and saw very little from the Fen hide. Back onto the main path I had a brief but good view of a Bittern flying east over the main path at 3.50pm! Walked back to the carparks and counted 75 Lapwings in the large ploughed field! Raced to the bus stop to catch the 4.10pm bus to Holme - it was 20 minutes late and not only was it full, but people were standing all along the aisle! Got off at Holme and walked to Holme Marsh Reserve.
Holme Marsh Reserve
As soon as I walked through the first kissing gate I had fabulous views of a Short-eared Owl over my head at 4.45pm!!! From the first and second hide: gadwall, pochard, tufted ducks, shelducks, teal and mallard. A Tawny Owl was heard distantly.
Walked to my parents house to visit them for a short while. Father had his second cataract removed a few days ago, which had been extremely painful, unlike the first one where he experienced almost no pain at all. He seemed more settled today, but hadn't really noticed a massive difference in his vision so far. He very clearly informed mother and I, that he would NOT be going back to the hospital for any other treatment or check-ups!!! Also on the subject of father - the Lynn News seemed to have stopped adding his last two or three "NATURE NOTES" to their website, so I have not been able to link them on my blog - I have emailed them to ask why, but still have not received a reply. Yesterday's Nature Notes is added to the website I have just noticed, so have linked this in my next post.
I caught the last bus home arriving back in my house at 7.30pm and fell asleep!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
Friday, 24 February 2012
Penelope Pitstop on the road soon!!!
Pity the Skoda doesn't look like this!!!Had some exciting news today - my new car has arrived at the garage - Wahooooooooo!!!!! It has to be registered yet etc etc so hopefully will be on the road by middle/end of March, ready for spring migration!!!
Five Glossy Ibises!!!
Five Glossy Ibises at Berney Marshes RSPB, Norfolk yesterday. No sightings today so far.
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