Congratulations Andy!!!
The first British man to win since 1936!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19554524
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/11/andy-murray-us-open-novak-djokovic1
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/video/2012/sep/11/andy-murray-us-open-dunblane-video
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Monday, 10 September 2012
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at Titchwell!!!
I was lucky I did the early shift at work today, so was able to get away at a decent time.
Wonderful scope views this evening of the Baird's Sandpiper at 5.30pm at Titchwell RSPB, found by Alan Davies (Biggest Twitch). You need an 800mm lens (see Steve G's picture here) at least or digiscope if you want decent pictures though! Didn't even need to go in Island Hide, walked just past here and viewed from the bank. Best views I have had of one. It flew up with the flock of dunlin, curlew sandpipers and ringed plovers several times whilst I was there, but was fairly easy to pick out again, being much smaller than the dunlin, with longer body and very long wings. Head on it could be mistaken for a pectoral sandpiper for a second. I also heard through the grapevine that someone had seen a possible Pec Sand at Holme NWT Wader pools last night!!! Could this have been the same bird maybe? I was showing a lady the bird through my scope who wanted to know what it looked like - it was her first visit to Norfolk - whilst I was doing this a whole sheen of light and sunshine bathed across the waders and the Baird's - the best photo opportunity I had and I missed it! Took loads of pictures, but none any good really. It was absolutely freezing cold there this evening with strong, chilly winds and this did not help my still sore tooth - more painkillers when I got home and an early night.
Looks like it was first seen on Sunday!!! - See HERE
UPDATE: Late news of a stunning Dotterel on Holme beach at midday - see picture HERE
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Wonderful scope views this evening of the Baird's Sandpiper at 5.30pm at Titchwell RSPB, found by Alan Davies (Biggest Twitch). You need an 800mm lens (see Steve G's picture here) at least or digiscope if you want decent pictures though! Didn't even need to go in Island Hide, walked just past here and viewed from the bank. Best views I have had of one. It flew up with the flock of dunlin, curlew sandpipers and ringed plovers several times whilst I was there, but was fairly easy to pick out again, being much smaller than the dunlin, with longer body and very long wings. Head on it could be mistaken for a pectoral sandpiper for a second. I also heard through the grapevine that someone had seen a possible Pec Sand at Holme NWT Wader pools last night!!! Could this have been the same bird maybe? I was showing a lady the bird through my scope who wanted to know what it looked like - it was her first visit to Norfolk - whilst I was doing this a whole sheen of light and sunshine bathed across the waders and the Baird's - the best photo opportunity I had and I missed it! Took loads of pictures, but none any good really. It was absolutely freezing cold there this evening with strong, chilly winds and this did not help my still sore tooth - more painkillers when I got home and an early night.
Looks like it was first seen on Sunday!!! - See HERE
UPDATE: Late news of a stunning Dotterel on Holme beach at midday - see picture HERE
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Severe traffic delays and the Barred Warbler!
I decided to leave my house at 6pm to go to Holme to attempt to see and photograph the elusive Barred Warbler. As I turned onto the A149 at Knight's Hill roundabout I was shocked to see a queue of traffic coming from Hunstanton (south bound). As I continued along the road, the traffic back log was the worst I have ever seen here, even worse than a bank holiday – I could not believe that this queue continued as far as The Methodist Chapel on the main road at Hunstanton!!! Unbelievable!
Parked up just past the pay hut at Holme and looked for the Barred Warbler. It was in here, no doubt and I saw it bomb across a couple of times, but not once did I see it posing anywhere, not even for a nano of a second! Stood on the Hun Bridge in the dusk in the vague hope of seeing an otter maybe, well you never know! Visited my parents and chatted with them until 9.30pm as no point in going home early, the traffic jams I saw would take hours to disperse.
The traffic had cleared but was stationary when I reached the Dersingham bypasss, so turned round and went through Snettisham on the old road, through to Dersingham and at the traffic lights turned left, through West Newton and then came out on the A148 at Roydon, and up to the Knight's Hill roundabout and straight home – this was an excellent move!
Main Highlights in Norfolk today - RBA
Ortolan Bunting, Red-backed Shrike and 20 Whinchats at Winterton
Barred Warbler at Holme
Pectoral Sandpiper, Garganey and Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
38 Common Cranes, Horsey Mere
Parked up just past the pay hut at Holme and looked for the Barred Warbler. It was in here, no doubt and I saw it bomb across a couple of times, but not once did I see it posing anywhere, not even for a nano of a second! Stood on the Hun Bridge in the dusk in the vague hope of seeing an otter maybe, well you never know! Visited my parents and chatted with them until 9.30pm as no point in going home early, the traffic jams I saw would take hours to disperse.
The traffic had cleared but was stationary when I reached the Dersingham bypasss, so turned round and went through Snettisham on the old road, through to Dersingham and at the traffic lights turned left, through West Newton and then came out on the A148 at Roydon, and up to the Knight's Hill roundabout and straight home – this was an excellent move!
Main Highlights in Norfolk today - RBA
Ortolan Bunting, Red-backed Shrike and 20 Whinchats at Winterton
Barred Warbler at Holme
Pectoral Sandpiper, Garganey and Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
38 Common Cranes, Horsey Mere
New Blogger Interface!
Blogger informed me that the new interface will be forced on me in the 'next few days' which I am extremely unhappy about. They trialled this a year ago and you had the option of updating to this new design/layout and also the option of going back to the old version. The new version I decided was absolutely rubbish, unnecessarily complicated and takes ten times longer to do. I Immediately reverted back to the old version. Reading blog forums, everyone else seems to feel the same and have requested that they have the option of staying on the old interface, but blogger are forcing us all to use this new version whether we like it or not. The most annoying feature on the new template is that the quick edit icon/option to each post has been removed, so this means that you have to go to into 'Design', then 'Dashboard', then search for the post you want to edit, click edit and open! Now if you are like me and go back and edit your post as soon as you have published it, not having the quick edit icon will be very annoying and time consuming! I often correct and change what I have written several times before I am happy with it!
I am just praying that I will still be able to add all my photographs that I NEED/WANT to add for the many months I am still behind. I know that most people won't even bother looking at them now, but this is my on-line diary aswell and I would like to be able to add them!
I think its a case of Blogger have paid someone alot of money to re-design this new interface and now have to go ahead with it, regardless of what their bloggers think. Well if you are reading this, PLEASE consider our wishes rather than your bank balance!
I am just praying that I will still be able to add all my photographs that I NEED/WANT to add for the many months I am still behind. I know that most people won't even bother looking at them now, but this is my on-line diary aswell and I would like to be able to add them!
I think its a case of Blogger have paid someone alot of money to re-design this new interface and now have to go ahead with it, regardless of what their bloggers think. Well if you are reading this, PLEASE consider our wishes rather than your bank balance!
Too Hot!!!
The alarm went off at 5am - bashed it down again and again and again! I gave into the fact that I needed more sleep and got up much later! I then decided it was too late to obtain 'early' morning photos of the Barred Warbler at Holme and that the traffic would now be horrendous and the weather too hot. I don't do hot weather, I can't bear it. I know one shouldn't moan about glorious weather, but I am! All birding gear is sitting by the door just in case I have to escape quickly, but today I have decided to stay in and edit and add photos to blog – about time too I hear you say!
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Barred Warbler highlights the day!
Had my first full night's sleep last night since my tooth was extracted a week ago! Got up very early – beautiful, sunny morning and not a cloud in the sky. Delivered newspapers to my parent's and then continued to Titchwell at just after 8am.
Titchwell RSPB
Parked the car in a nice shady spot in preparation for the heatwave later. A couple of chiffchaffs were in the picnic area and some greenfinches were on the main feeders at the beginning of the Meadow Trail. Just past the Fen Hide along the new boardwalk to the new trails, I discovered an Otter spraint! I passed Richard who works at the centre on route who said that the spraint wasn't there when he had walked out to the trails this morning, so an otter had been there this morning! 8 Egyptian Geese flew over the pool. 2 Sparrowhawks were seen and I could hear a Cetti's Warbler. Mute Swans, coot, mallards and teal were on the pool and also a grey heron. At the furthest viewing point that looks over the fresh marsh I enjoyed fantastic views of loads of Spoonbills including babies begging for food - soooo sweet! Because of my height I couldn't count the spoonbills accurately, but someone else counted 19 whilst I was there. At least 8 Bearded Tits were whizzing around 'pinging', but did not stop for the paparazzi! 2 Little Egrets flew over. A juv Shelduck was close to the viewing point, also a reed warbler was seen fairly close as were goldfinches feeding on thistles. Other birds seen here: at least 6 Golden Plovers, a single Sandwich Tern, loads of black-tailed godwits, redshanks, dunlin, teal etc etc. I would like to make a request for this viewing point please? Although there are many beautiful seats on route on the trail, one is really needed for this viewing point as this is where most people are spending their time, as its such a beautiful view – after a while you just wish you were sitting down! You can't sit on the ground as the screen would then be in the way. A birder standing to my right pointed out a bittern flying low over the reeds, but I was being blonde and couldn't pick it up! I wasn't the only one, which made me feel slightly better! Ray Kimber then joined me and not long after he arrived he got a message from the office at Titchwell RSPB to say a juv. Sabine's Gull was going west from Titchwell!!! I didn't panic, there was no way I was going to get to the beach in time from here!
It was incredibly hot now and still only about 10am. I walked back to the centre and was just about to buy breakfast when I heard from staff that someone had seen 1, possibly 2 Spotted Flycatchers on the Meadow Trail from the new clearing. I knew exactly where this was, I had just passed it moments ago! I returned to the spot, quickly found where they were and enjoyed distant views of 2 Spotted Flycatchers flicking about, from the very top of a dead section of tree – wonderful! Back at the centre I enjoyed scrambled eggs on toast and a cup of tea in the shade.
Went back to my car which was still in the shade and had a glorious nap for over an hour!
Holme - Firs Road
Parked the car up just past the NWT pay hut and stood with others to attempt to see the Barred Warbler. I could see Steve G. here with camera, so went to join him, as this was obviously the best spot to view the bird! Unbeknown to me at the time, I had walked straight passed Sue who had been sitting in their car - sorry Sue! Steve and Sue gave me the lastest issue of Birding World which had in the photo of my Alpine Swift, taken at Beeston Bump, Sheringham. Anyway, shortly after I arrived, I spotted the BARRED WARBLER sitting in a elder for a split second and then it bombed into another bush. Steve said that was the best views he had seen. We all waited and we waited. Every now and again, well I say every now and again, it was anything between 30 minutes or more before you got another glimpse of a head, beak or tail of this very mischievous bird! Even Steve only managed to get a picture of 'its eye'!!! I obtained no pictures whatsoever, not even a smudge on the lens!
Now, I am pretty good at remembering people's faces, but rubbish with names and I saw someone here who I recognised, but just couldn't place them – all was revealed later when Rob Lambert came up to me and introduced himself along with his beautiful girlfriend/wife (I presume), Lucy – Rob was one of the four contestants in 'Wild Brain of Britain' at Rutland Bird Fair on Day Three. Nice to meet you both. I'm trying to remember how he knew who I was, oh yes, something to do with my blog!!! My first Pink footed Geese, 26 of them, flew overhead west.
Struggling to write now, very tired.
I decided to leave and went to look around the NWT Forestry which produced absolutely nothing! Returned to the Barred Warbler, where it was not showing! I walked round onto the coastal footpath, the otherside of the elders where the Barred Warbler favoured and stood and watched from here. I had a brief view of the Barred Warbler along with much longer views of a beautiful, Lesser Whitethroat. A man then joined me who questioned my Barred Warbler sighting with 'are you sure it was?' 'yes' I replied. As he stood there I then pointed out a male Blackcap to him. I was chatting to someone else to my left, when I just caught the man saying to his friend who had just joined him 'can you see a blackcap there?' Obviously females can't ID Blackcaps never mind a Barred Warbler!!!!!!!!!! So obviously I saw neither! This made me determined to obtain a picture and slap this bird on the net this evening in full frame – BUT this was not to be! Although I did have some much closer views later on (up until 7.30pm), as it bumbled about in the elders and generously showed off bits of its body including the eye. Pity it didn't show all the bits in one go – that would have been helpful! 46 more Pink-footed Geese flew over west just before I left.
Redwell Marsh NOA
Common Sandpiper right in front of the hide, set against pink, streaky skies to end the day.
Main Highlights in Norfolk today – RBA
Caspian Gull, Pectoral Sandpiper at Cley NWT
22 Common Buzzards at Cley
Roseate Tern reported off Thornham Point
Barred Warbler at Holme
Sabine's Gull (juv.) seen at Titchwell, Holme and Hunstanton.
5 Turtle Doves and a Whinchat also seen at Holme
469 Med. Gulls!!! at Breydon Water
Quail at Winterton
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Titchwell RSPB
Parked the car in a nice shady spot in preparation for the heatwave later. A couple of chiffchaffs were in the picnic area and some greenfinches were on the main feeders at the beginning of the Meadow Trail. Just past the Fen Hide along the new boardwalk to the new trails, I discovered an Otter spraint! I passed Richard who works at the centre on route who said that the spraint wasn't there when he had walked out to the trails this morning, so an otter had been there this morning! 8 Egyptian Geese flew over the pool. 2 Sparrowhawks were seen and I could hear a Cetti's Warbler. Mute Swans, coot, mallards and teal were on the pool and also a grey heron. At the furthest viewing point that looks over the fresh marsh I enjoyed fantastic views of loads of Spoonbills including babies begging for food - soooo sweet! Because of my height I couldn't count the spoonbills accurately, but someone else counted 19 whilst I was there. At least 8 Bearded Tits were whizzing around 'pinging', but did not stop for the paparazzi! 2 Little Egrets flew over. A juv Shelduck was close to the viewing point, also a reed warbler was seen fairly close as were goldfinches feeding on thistles. Other birds seen here: at least 6 Golden Plovers, a single Sandwich Tern, loads of black-tailed godwits, redshanks, dunlin, teal etc etc. I would like to make a request for this viewing point please? Although there are many beautiful seats on route on the trail, one is really needed for this viewing point as this is where most people are spending their time, as its such a beautiful view – after a while you just wish you were sitting down! You can't sit on the ground as the screen would then be in the way. A birder standing to my right pointed out a bittern flying low over the reeds, but I was being blonde and couldn't pick it up! I wasn't the only one, which made me feel slightly better! Ray Kimber then joined me and not long after he arrived he got a message from the office at Titchwell RSPB to say a juv. Sabine's Gull was going west from Titchwell!!! I didn't panic, there was no way I was going to get to the beach in time from here!
It was incredibly hot now and still only about 10am. I walked back to the centre and was just about to buy breakfast when I heard from staff that someone had seen 1, possibly 2 Spotted Flycatchers on the Meadow Trail from the new clearing. I knew exactly where this was, I had just passed it moments ago! I returned to the spot, quickly found where they were and enjoyed distant views of 2 Spotted Flycatchers flicking about, from the very top of a dead section of tree – wonderful! Back at the centre I enjoyed scrambled eggs on toast and a cup of tea in the shade.
Went back to my car which was still in the shade and had a glorious nap for over an hour!
Holme - Firs Road
Parked the car up just past the NWT pay hut and stood with others to attempt to see the Barred Warbler. I could see Steve G. here with camera, so went to join him, as this was obviously the best spot to view the bird! Unbeknown to me at the time, I had walked straight passed Sue who had been sitting in their car - sorry Sue! Steve and Sue gave me the lastest issue of Birding World which had in the photo of my Alpine Swift, taken at Beeston Bump, Sheringham. Anyway, shortly after I arrived, I spotted the BARRED WARBLER sitting in a elder for a split second and then it bombed into another bush. Steve said that was the best views he had seen. We all waited and we waited. Every now and again, well I say every now and again, it was anything between 30 minutes or more before you got another glimpse of a head, beak or tail of this very mischievous bird! Even Steve only managed to get a picture of 'its eye'!!! I obtained no pictures whatsoever, not even a smudge on the lens!
Now, I am pretty good at remembering people's faces, but rubbish with names and I saw someone here who I recognised, but just couldn't place them – all was revealed later when Rob Lambert came up to me and introduced himself along with his beautiful girlfriend/wife (I presume), Lucy – Rob was one of the four contestants in 'Wild Brain of Britain' at Rutland Bird Fair on Day Three. Nice to meet you both. I'm trying to remember how he knew who I was, oh yes, something to do with my blog!!! My first Pink footed Geese, 26 of them, flew overhead west.
Struggling to write now, very tired.
I decided to leave and went to look around the NWT Forestry which produced absolutely nothing! Returned to the Barred Warbler, where it was not showing! I walked round onto the coastal footpath, the otherside of the elders where the Barred Warbler favoured and stood and watched from here. I had a brief view of the Barred Warbler along with much longer views of a beautiful, Lesser Whitethroat. A man then joined me who questioned my Barred Warbler sighting with 'are you sure it was?' 'yes' I replied. As he stood there I then pointed out a male Blackcap to him. I was chatting to someone else to my left, when I just caught the man saying to his friend who had just joined him 'can you see a blackcap there?' Obviously females can't ID Blackcaps never mind a Barred Warbler!!!!!!!!!! So obviously I saw neither! This made me determined to obtain a picture and slap this bird on the net this evening in full frame – BUT this was not to be! Although I did have some much closer views later on (up until 7.30pm), as it bumbled about in the elders and generously showed off bits of its body including the eye. Pity it didn't show all the bits in one go – that would have been helpful! 46 more Pink-footed Geese flew over west just before I left.
Redwell Marsh NOA
Common Sandpiper right in front of the hide, set against pink, streaky skies to end the day.
Main Highlights in Norfolk today – RBA
Caspian Gull, Pectoral Sandpiper at Cley NWT
22 Common Buzzards at Cley
Roseate Tern reported off Thornham Point
Barred Warbler at Holme
Sabine's Gull (juv.) seen at Titchwell, Holme and Hunstanton.
5 Turtle Doves and a Whinchat also seen at Holme
469 Med. Gulls!!! at Breydon Water
Quail at Winterton
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Friday, 7 September 2012
‘Overwhelming’ response to Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s £1m Cley Marshes appeal - Environment - Eastern Daily Press
‘Overwhelming’ response to Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s £1m Cley Marshes appeal - Environment - Eastern Daily Press
HAD to go back to the dentist today. Pain relief was administered and then a deeper medicated dressing was applied. Don't what kind of pain relief the dentist injected, but I could bl**dy well feel it, thank you very much! Went back to work and managed to scrape through the rest of the afternoon.
I have since found out from my good friends Christina and Frank that a dentist called Ian Smith at The Grange Dental Surgery at Snettisham is very good, so will be book in here next time!
HAD to go back to the dentist today. Pain relief was administered and then a deeper medicated dressing was applied. Don't what kind of pain relief the dentist injected, but I could bl**dy well feel it, thank you very much! Went back to work and managed to scrape through the rest of the afternoon.
I have since found out from my good friends Christina and Frank that a dentist called Ian Smith at The Grange Dental Surgery at Snettisham is very good, so will be book in here next time!
Thursday, 6 September 2012
Norfolk - Main Highlights Today!
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and Pectoral Sandpiper - Cley NWT
Common Redstart at Titchwell RSPB's NEW East & Autumn Trails -
(see my review, updated today)
Barred Warbler (still) Burnham Overy Dunes
Barred Warbler at Holme NWT
Common Redstart at Titchwell RSPB's NEW East & Autumn Trails -
(see my review, updated today)
Barred Warbler (still) Burnham Overy Dunes
Barred Warbler at Holme NWT
Can't take much more!
I feel so selfish going on about one pathetic tooth, which isn't even there anymore!!! BUT This bl**dy tooth is beyond boring now. Anti-biotics not working and painkillers, not working. Sat downstairs watching TV this morning at 3am as couldn't sleep with the increasing pain. It seems worse when I am lying flat. How the hell I am supposed to operate efficiently at work I really don't know. I seem to have winged it at work so far this week though. I phoned a friend this evening to get the name of their recommended dentist. I really don't want to go back to the dentist who extracted my tooth when a girl at work informed me that the same dentist whom she had seen, extracted the wrong tooth when she went for an appointment awhile back!!!!
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Norfolk Bird News - Main Highlights
With north in the wind this morning a few good seabirds were seen today including:
9 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Manx Shearwaters and 3 great skuas at Cley
Sabine's Gull, 2 Pom Skuas, 20 Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 5 Manx Shearwaters at Holme
Barred Warbler still at Gun Hill (there yesterday too)
9 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Manx Shearwaters and 3 great skuas at Cley
Sabine's Gull, 2 Pom Skuas, 20 Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 5 Manx Shearwaters at Holme
Barred Warbler still at Gun Hill (there yesterday too)
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Twitter sorted and tooth being sorted!
Finally deleted all weird messages in my DM box in twitter and logged out. I have a bad habit of not logging out of forums such as twitter, facebook, birdforum etc etc - I will ensure I do so in future! This may help with hackers – possibly! I feel desperately sorry for people that hack into people's accounts and create virus's etc, they must lead a very shallow and boring life indeed.
I don't actually understand the meaning of the word 'bored' - I don't have time to do a quarter of the things I would like to do in life. Besides work, birding, photography and blogging – IF I had the time, I would go back to painting, drawing, dressmaking, embroidery, reading more – and that's just for starters. Oh and I would do freelance typesetting, advert design, book design etc etc – the list goes on. How can anyone say they are bored!!!! Life is far too short to be bored!
This is a long shot, BUT, if anyone knows the whereabouts of at least four paintings I did of the Black-winged Stilts that bred at Holme and sold for £10 each at the time – it would be great to know where they are now please?
Tooth pain not too bad this morning, BUT turned evil later in the afternoon, so have now given in to the course of anti-biotics for 7 days.
I don't actually understand the meaning of the word 'bored' - I don't have time to do a quarter of the things I would like to do in life. Besides work, birding, photography and blogging – IF I had the time, I would go back to painting, drawing, dressmaking, embroidery, reading more – and that's just for starters. Oh and I would do freelance typesetting, advert design, book design etc etc – the list goes on. How can anyone say they are bored!!!! Life is far too short to be bored!
This is a long shot, BUT, if anyone knows the whereabouts of at least four paintings I did of the Black-winged Stilts that bred at Holme and sold for £10 each at the time – it would be great to know where they are now please?
Tooth pain not too bad this morning, BUT turned evil later in the afternoon, so have now given in to the course of anti-biotics for 7 days.
Monday, 3 September 2012
Twitter Hacked!!!
It was highlighted to me from some of my Twitter Followers that my account had been hacked into and I was apparently sending strange direct messages to people. Several people have been hacked into including myself already. There are some pretty sad people out there that need to get a life!!!! Apologies to anyone that received these messages and hope your accounts have not been affected. If you have been affected, carry out the following: change your password, log out of your account, log back in and then delete all odd direct messages. Apparently your direct message box is an outbox aswell, as I thought loads of people were sending me these odd messages, when in fact it was a list of messages that I had sent to other people!!!
I GIVE UP - JUST LOGGED BACK INTO TWITTER AND I HAVE LOADS MORE ODD MESSAGES - IF ITS STILL THERE TOMORROW, I WILL DELETE THE WHOLE ACCOUNT, THAT WILL SOLVE IT!!!!!!
No time to update my post from yesterday now, will have to do this on Wednesday.
Dentist again this morning as chronic pain all last night with tooth. Medicated dressing applied and was like a zombie at work all day and have anti-biotics to take - oh joy!
I GIVE UP - JUST LOGGED BACK INTO TWITTER AND I HAVE LOADS MORE ODD MESSAGES - IF ITS STILL THERE TOMORROW, I WILL DELETE THE WHOLE ACCOUNT, THAT WILL SOLVE IT!!!!!!
No time to update my post from yesterday now, will have to do this on Wednesday.
Dentist again this morning as chronic pain all last night with tooth. Medicated dressing applied and was like a zombie at work all day and have anti-biotics to take - oh joy!
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Review of the New Titchwell RSPB Trails!
As I ambled along the Fen Trail towards Fen Hide, I passed a couple of birders I knew who said it was a pity it was not a circular walk, as you have to return the same way. Maybe, eventually the walk will be a circular trail. The new trails start from the Fen Hide. It was a beautiful evening. I congratulate the RSPB on opening up a new part of the reserve - it was so exciting to be walking here. Spectacular new photographic opportunities - I later photographed mute swans in the orange reflection of the setting sun on the pool. I can't praise these new trails enough and I can see some good birds being seen here in the autumn with lots of trees and bushes to be searched – a whole new world! Lots of nice seats on route. Paths veer off from the main path to viewing points over the pool. At each viewing point there is a slatted wooden screen with tiered viewing slots for different height viewing. However, these viewing slots won't suit all, depending on your height, neither will they prove popular if there too many people of the same height trying to view from the same gap with a 2ft wide camera lens (you know what I mean!) My guess is though, that this a temporary measure until eventually when funds allow, the RSPB will build hides here. You need to allow at least an hour from the Fen Hide to enjoy these new trails. Other plus points - no dogs! I had lovely views of a Red-crested Pochard from the first viewing point. The furthest viewing point looks over the main freshwater pool/marsh at Titchwell and it was fascinating being the other side of this and looking across towards Parrinder Hide!
A board by the Fen Hide reads the following:
Titchwell Marsh
As you've never seen it before
Believe it or not, the area in front of you was once a meadow, grazed by sheep. But, as part of the Titchwell Coastal Change Project, we transformed the pool you see today.
To protect Titchwell's freshwater habitat and wildlife from coastal erosion and flooding, we had to strengthen our existing sea defences and build new ones, using thousands of tonnes of earth. By digging this earth from the reserve itself, we created a great big hole, just perfect for a new reedbed.
As you walk down the East trail, you will pass the end result – Patsy's reedbed. In the next few years, the pool will fill with reeds providing vital homes for rare bitterns, bearded tits and water voles.
Another board reads:
As part of our work here, we've created two brand new trails giving you unprecendented access to areas of this reserve that have never been open to the public before.
East Trail
East trail starts here and snakes past Patsy's reedbed, up to Willow Wood. Look out for pretty orange tip butterflies flitting over the reeds in summer, migrating warblers in autumn and striking teal in winter. By spring, the banks of this 400m path will be awash with colourful flowers.
Autumn Trail
Where the East Trail ends, the Autumn trail begins. This 400m trail is open from 1 August to 31 October and gets you close to all kinds of wading and migrating birds at the peak of autumn migration. Visit in the morning and you'll be treated to fantastic views over the freshwater marsh with the sun rising behind you.
My only criticisms are the following:
There definately needs to be a screen to the right of Fen Hide, as everyone walking past here will disturb birds being watched from the hide (I'm sure the RSPB already have this in hand).
More importantly I am wondering how much impact we will all have on the roosting cormorants and little egrets. I sat on a seat near the dead trees where they normally roost and watched cormorants flying in – they definately seemed uneasy about my prescence and circled round initially as if to leave, but then opted for the trees furthest from where I sat. The marsh harriers didn't seem too bothered though. Only after I got up and walked further away (on my way back) did they start to fly in and settle on all of the dead trees. Now there was only me here, there could have been several people and people chatting etc. Hopefully they will get used to people being here, but I'm not so sure.
Lastly, its going to be a long march if a rare bird is seen on a different part of the reserve!!!
I am really looking forward to returning again at the weekend in morning light.
UPDATE – 6 September
Paul Eele, Warden at Titchwell kindly informed me that the Fen Hide will be screened with willow scrub, when they start coppicing next month which is good news. Also he will be monitoring the dead trees roost over the next few weeks to see if there is any impact from the trails. Also re: the circular walk - the RSPB did look into creating this, but the cost involved would have been massive, along with the amount of screening required along the East Bank and and Parrinder Bank etc.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
A board by the Fen Hide reads the following:
Titchwell Marsh
As you've never seen it before
Believe it or not, the area in front of you was once a meadow, grazed by sheep. But, as part of the Titchwell Coastal Change Project, we transformed the pool you see today.
To protect Titchwell's freshwater habitat and wildlife from coastal erosion and flooding, we had to strengthen our existing sea defences and build new ones, using thousands of tonnes of earth. By digging this earth from the reserve itself, we created a great big hole, just perfect for a new reedbed.
As you walk down the East trail, you will pass the end result – Patsy's reedbed. In the next few years, the pool will fill with reeds providing vital homes for rare bitterns, bearded tits and water voles.
Another board reads:
As part of our work here, we've created two brand new trails giving you unprecendented access to areas of this reserve that have never been open to the public before.
East Trail
East trail starts here and snakes past Patsy's reedbed, up to Willow Wood. Look out for pretty orange tip butterflies flitting over the reeds in summer, migrating warblers in autumn and striking teal in winter. By spring, the banks of this 400m path will be awash with colourful flowers.
Autumn Trail
Where the East Trail ends, the Autumn trail begins. This 400m trail is open from 1 August to 31 October and gets you close to all kinds of wading and migrating birds at the peak of autumn migration. Visit in the morning and you'll be treated to fantastic views over the freshwater marsh with the sun rising behind you.
My only criticisms are the following:
There definately needs to be a screen to the right of Fen Hide, as everyone walking past here will disturb birds being watched from the hide (I'm sure the RSPB already have this in hand).
More importantly I am wondering how much impact we will all have on the roosting cormorants and little egrets. I sat on a seat near the dead trees where they normally roost and watched cormorants flying in – they definately seemed uneasy about my prescence and circled round initially as if to leave, but then opted for the trees furthest from where I sat. The marsh harriers didn't seem too bothered though. Only after I got up and walked further away (on my way back) did they start to fly in and settle on all of the dead trees. Now there was only me here, there could have been several people and people chatting etc. Hopefully they will get used to people being here, but I'm not so sure.
Lastly, its going to be a long march if a rare bird is seen on a different part of the reserve!!!
I am really looking forward to returning again at the weekend in morning light.
UPDATE – 6 September
Paul Eele, Warden at Titchwell kindly informed me that the Fen Hide will be screened with willow scrub, when they start coppicing next month which is good news. Also he will be monitoring the dead trees roost over the next few weeks to see if there is any impact from the trails. Also re: the circular walk - the RSPB did look into creating this, but the cost involved would have been massive, along with the amount of screening required along the East Bank and and Parrinder Bank etc.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
The Tooth, and Slide Show by Sophie Barker!
Isn't it incredible how one tooth can cause so much pain and change the whole weekend!
I went to bed early last night and slept on and off throughout the pain, but was woken up properly at about 2.30am by serious pain. Took ibuprofen and paracetemol and eventually got back to sleep, although I didn't get up until nearly lunchtime. I felt so weak and exhausted, had more pain killers and decided there was no way I could do a bank shift this afternoon, so phoned and cancelled. My face was so sore I could barely touch it. Gurgled warm, salty water for ages. Then I sat at computer and updated my blog from yesterday. Cooked lunch, had shower and had a doze.
I decided later on to go to Sophie Barker's slide show talk "The History of Holme Bird Observatory" at 4.30pm. I didn't make the AGM at 3pm though. Dropped in some shopping to parents on route. The talk was held in Holme Village Hall, which I have not been into for many years. The hall was where I did gymnastics and country dancing, as a pupil at Holme Primary School a few yards away. My father also held Nature Exhibitions in this hall, which I used to man and sell tickets for - that's going back some years! The village hall has recently been refurbished and now has a huge kitchen and another room out the back - looked very impressive to what it used to look like. I had timed it perfectly when I arrived, the AGM had finished and people were eating and chatting. There was a fantastic spread of food along with teas and coffees, pity really that after all the effort that had been made, that there weren't many people there!
Sophie conducted a brilliant talk which she made very interesting and entertaining. Wonderful to see some of the old pictures again.
I went to bed early last night and slept on and off throughout the pain, but was woken up properly at about 2.30am by serious pain. Took ibuprofen and paracetemol and eventually got back to sleep, although I didn't get up until nearly lunchtime. I felt so weak and exhausted, had more pain killers and decided there was no way I could do a bank shift this afternoon, so phoned and cancelled. My face was so sore I could barely touch it. Gurgled warm, salty water for ages. Then I sat at computer and updated my blog from yesterday. Cooked lunch, had shower and had a doze.
I decided later on to go to Sophie Barker's slide show talk "The History of Holme Bird Observatory" at 4.30pm. I didn't make the AGM at 3pm though. Dropped in some shopping to parents on route. The talk was held in Holme Village Hall, which I have not been into for many years. The hall was where I did gymnastics and country dancing, as a pupil at Holme Primary School a few yards away. My father also held Nature Exhibitions in this hall, which I used to man and sell tickets for - that's going back some years! The village hall has recently been refurbished and now has a huge kitchen and another room out the back - looked very impressive to what it used to look like. I had timed it perfectly when I arrived, the AGM had finished and people were eating and chatting. There was a fantastic spread of food along with teas and coffees, pity really that after all the effort that had been made, that there weren't many people there!
Sophie conducted a brilliant talk which she made very interesting and entertaining. Wonderful to see some of the old pictures again.
Titchwell RSPB - New Trails Now Open!!!
'East' and 'Autumn' Trails were opened on Saturday 1st September!!!
John Furse just highlighted this on Birdforum. I phoned Paul Roney, Centre Manager at Titchwell RSPB who said these trails are perfect for the light in the morning. This will possibly entice people to stay the whole day at Titchwell now, as many of us only visit in the afternoon because of the light! I am really looking forward to seeing these new trails!
Write up on the Eastern Daily Press Website
Guided tours for the new trails here:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-322630
John Furse just highlighted this on Birdforum. I phoned Paul Roney, Centre Manager at Titchwell RSPB who said these trails are perfect for the light in the morning. This will possibly entice people to stay the whole day at Titchwell now, as many of us only visit in the afternoon because of the light! I am really looking forward to seeing these new trails!
Write up on the Eastern Daily Press Website
Guided tours for the new trails here:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-322630
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Holme Bird Observatory 50 Year Celebration!
I arrived at my parent's house early and tried to entice my father to come with me to H.B.O, but for a start he didn't look very well when I first arrived and seemed confused. I haven't really said on my blog, why father was taken ill back in April, but I now feel that maybe I should say, as I don't want people thinking that he should have been there today, without understanding the situation. My father suffered a Stroke on 13th April and very, very sadly it affected his cognition, his way of thinking, doing, speech, eyesight, well everything really. Also as is typical with stroke when someone is aphasic, he finds it difficult to name things. You see the object, you know what it is, but you can't say the name – as we call it at work 'word finding difficulties'. He wasn't your typical 85 year old at all pre stroke – he kept himself very active, busy doing things, writing, photographing etc, but can't do those things now. He was very determined initially and stubbonly went to the town on the bus with his one stick, when he should have been using a more stable walking aid, which the Stroke Community Team advised him to use. His speech has improved alot to how it was, but finds it difficult to hold a conversation. Recently his eye sight has decreased to the point where he knows that he is not safe to go out on his own now. I know I don't need to justify why my father didn't attend the 50 year celebration, but he simply isn't well enough to cope with lots of people in that situation. From my work on a stroke unit I find that stroke patients cannot tolerate more than a few people, when they are trying to speak or mobilise, depending on what type of stroke they have had. I really tried hard to get father to come with me, which really I shouldn't have, but I very selfishly wanted him to be there.
Anyway, mother decided she definately wanted to attend, but insisted on cycling down to the HBO seperately. Incidentally, anyone that doesn't know my mother, she is fiercely independent! My mother was almost as important a figure as my father when he was at the observatory. In fact thinking about it, she was as important, she was part of the team. Part of a team that dedicated their lives to H.B.O. She led a tough life bringing up three daughters, with a husband that worked 7 days a week and no car! I can remember clearly her walking with the silver-cross pram, with my youngest sister Vivien in the pram, Lucy sitting on the front edge of the pram and me walking alongside to Hunstanton to do grocery shopping on a regularly basis! When she considered me older enough to look after my little sisters, she cycled to the town several times a week to get groceries, which she still does today! She was and still is an excellent birder - she wasn't just the wife of a warden! She spent all the time that she could at the observatory, as we did as children. She had her first nature article published in 'The Times' at age 18, long before she met my father! I found her article via 'The Times' in a library once - don't know if I would be able to find it on the net, I will have to investigate this and link here if I can. I also worked as Assistant Warden along side my father in my teens which I am sure some of you will remember – I had a 'C' ringing permit up until I left home! Anyway I am waffling now!
Arrived at the NOA carpark at about 8.30am. It was drizzling with rain - that isn't what they forecast! I walked up to the observatory in the rain with a tin of Roses chocolates, a small contribution for Sophie et al. Sophie and team had done an excellent job of erecting marquees and all kind of things. There was a display board with old newspaper cuttings from the past. Hot and cold drinks were on offer and nibbles etc. Raffle and second-hand books for sale. I was fascinated looking through the books as there were lots of old NOA reports here and also old Norfolk Bird & Mammal Reports. I found an 1976 NOA Report with a picture of me in - aged 11, I am sitting on a seat by the obs. wearing a furry hooded coat feeding 'Fred' the mallard as I affectionally called him - he came daily for bread! I have this report already (got the whole set), but bought it again along with several old Norfolk Bird & Mammal Reports which I don't have including one from 1962! Ray Roche and his wife were displaying/selling some of their son David's artworks who has developed into a brilliant artist (watercolour and pencil). The moth traps were opened at 11am but I missed the main start of this as I was birding round the back of the obs. I spent a long time round the pine trees behind obs as I discovered that after the rain stopped (just after 9ish) the place was dripping with goldcrests - I estimated there were at least 50+ along with at least 4 chiffchaffs, a common whitethroat, a few robins, 2 great tits, 2 blue tits, a coal tit (ringed), hedge sparrow, a party of 9 long tailed tits. It was buzzing - I felt quite excited, there had got to be something good here! I kept looking and felt very positive I was going to find a good bird to add to the celebrations! I didn't! I reported back to Connor about all the goldcrests etc. Anyway I crossed over to the NOA carpark seeing a green woodpecker on route. 13 Snipe flew west over the carpark. I walked a short way along the path to the NWT hides as this is a good spot for Barred Warbler, but none appeared! Went back to my car and spent ages trying to eat a banana (sore tooth). Bumped into a few people in the carpark. Rob Gordon was on carparking duties along with someone else. Walked back to the observatory and shortly after this my mother appeared with a pile of books she had donated to be sold along with biscuits etc. Connor kindly took a rare picture of mother and I together. 5 Greenshanks flew over west. My mother excitedly found a Volucella Zonaria (Hoverfly) on the plants around the pond – she sees this hoverfly regularly in her garden, but they were extremely rare in Norfolk until fairly recently. I think my mother would have liked to have stayed longer, but she was worried about leaving father too long. I left the same time as mother to go home to see if I could persuade father again. I had my lunch with them - well I had soup and mashed potato, couldn't tolerate anything else. Father quite simply didn't feel able to go. The telephone rang, it was Connor 'they have caught a BARRED WARBLER and they are releasing it in 10 minutes' - BOTHER! I knew there was something good there today, fabulous for the whole day and I am really pleased they caught that Barred Warbler, but incredibly annoying that I missed it!
I returned to the observatory to join several people standing looking for the Barred Warbler, but I didn't see it. A few people did catch a glimpse of it though I heard. I took a picture of Sophie and Gary (Warden and Assistant Warden). Later on I walked to the NWT Forestry to find nothing more than a couple of whitethroats on route. The pines that had held all the goldcrests earlier were now motionless. I passed Dave Holeman and his wife late afternoon, who also had been searching for the Barred Warbler in vain.
I spent the rest of my time alone at the observatory and I had the most wonderful evening. The sunset was stunning and the most magical spectacle occurred. Hundreds and hundreds of hirundines filled the air, all hurtling through the skies west - swallows, house martins and sand martins. Some settled on the bramble bushes on the Thornham Bank (now known as the East Bank) momentarily before continuing their journey west. There were so many it was though they were jostling for space to fly through - seriously! A wonderful sight indeed.
As I drove along the Firs Road I had a lovely surprise of a Tawny Owl, who was sitting on a post next to the River Hun, by Sandy Ridge (house) - it then relocated to the copse of trees adjacent to the house.
A wonderful day and congratulations to everyone that organised the event.
Note: Eddie found a Pectoral Sandpiper at Stiffkey Fen today - his second good bird found this week - what will the third be?
Also an Osprey flew west over Choseley Barns and the Suffolk SPANISH SPARROW has been seen again at Languard!!!! So it never left!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Anyway, mother decided she definately wanted to attend, but insisted on cycling down to the HBO seperately. Incidentally, anyone that doesn't know my mother, she is fiercely independent! My mother was almost as important a figure as my father when he was at the observatory. In fact thinking about it, she was as important, she was part of the team. Part of a team that dedicated their lives to H.B.O. She led a tough life bringing up three daughters, with a husband that worked 7 days a week and no car! I can remember clearly her walking with the silver-cross pram, with my youngest sister Vivien in the pram, Lucy sitting on the front edge of the pram and me walking alongside to Hunstanton to do grocery shopping on a regularly basis! When she considered me older enough to look after my little sisters, she cycled to the town several times a week to get groceries, which she still does today! She was and still is an excellent birder - she wasn't just the wife of a warden! She spent all the time that she could at the observatory, as we did as children. She had her first nature article published in 'The Times' at age 18, long before she met my father! I found her article via 'The Times' in a library once - don't know if I would be able to find it on the net, I will have to investigate this and link here if I can. I also worked as Assistant Warden along side my father in my teens which I am sure some of you will remember – I had a 'C' ringing permit up until I left home! Anyway I am waffling now!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Arrived at the NOA carpark at about 8.30am. It was drizzling with rain - that isn't what they forecast! I walked up to the observatory in the rain with a tin of Roses chocolates, a small contribution for Sophie et al. Sophie and team had done an excellent job of erecting marquees and all kind of things. There was a display board with old newspaper cuttings from the past. Hot and cold drinks were on offer and nibbles etc. Raffle and second-hand books for sale. I was fascinated looking through the books as there were lots of old NOA reports here and also old Norfolk Bird & Mammal Reports. I found an 1976 NOA Report with a picture of me in - aged 11, I am sitting on a seat by the obs. wearing a furry hooded coat feeding 'Fred' the mallard as I affectionally called him - he came daily for bread! I have this report already (got the whole set), but bought it again along with several old Norfolk Bird & Mammal Reports which I don't have including one from 1962! Ray Roche and his wife were displaying/selling some of their son David's artworks who has developed into a brilliant artist (watercolour and pencil). The moth traps were opened at 11am but I missed the main start of this as I was birding round the back of the obs. I spent a long time round the pine trees behind obs as I discovered that after the rain stopped (just after 9ish) the place was dripping with goldcrests - I estimated there were at least 50+ along with at least 4 chiffchaffs, a common whitethroat, a few robins, 2 great tits, 2 blue tits, a coal tit (ringed), hedge sparrow, a party of 9 long tailed tits. It was buzzing - I felt quite excited, there had got to be something good here! I kept looking and felt very positive I was going to find a good bird to add to the celebrations! I didn't! I reported back to Connor about all the goldcrests etc. Anyway I crossed over to the NOA carpark seeing a green woodpecker on route. 13 Snipe flew west over the carpark. I walked a short way along the path to the NWT hides as this is a good spot for Barred Warbler, but none appeared! Went back to my car and spent ages trying to eat a banana (sore tooth). Bumped into a few people in the carpark. Rob Gordon was on carparking duties along with someone else. Walked back to the observatory and shortly after this my mother appeared with a pile of books she had donated to be sold along with biscuits etc. Connor kindly took a rare picture of mother and I together. 5 Greenshanks flew over west. My mother excitedly found a Volucella Zonaria (Hoverfly) on the plants around the pond – she sees this hoverfly regularly in her garden, but they were extremely rare in Norfolk until fairly recently. I think my mother would have liked to have stayed longer, but she was worried about leaving father too long. I left the same time as mother to go home to see if I could persuade father again. I had my lunch with them - well I had soup and mashed potato, couldn't tolerate anything else. Father quite simply didn't feel able to go. The telephone rang, it was Connor 'they have caught a BARRED WARBLER and they are releasing it in 10 minutes' - BOTHER! I knew there was something good there today, fabulous for the whole day and I am really pleased they caught that Barred Warbler, but incredibly annoying that I missed it!
I returned to the observatory to join several people standing looking for the Barred Warbler, but I didn't see it. A few people did catch a glimpse of it though I heard. I took a picture of Sophie and Gary (Warden and Assistant Warden). Later on I walked to the NWT Forestry to find nothing more than a couple of whitethroats on route. The pines that had held all the goldcrests earlier were now motionless. I passed Dave Holeman and his wife late afternoon, who also had been searching for the Barred Warbler in vain.
I spent the rest of my time alone at the observatory and I had the most wonderful evening. The sunset was stunning and the most magical spectacle occurred. Hundreds and hundreds of hirundines filled the air, all hurtling through the skies west - swallows, house martins and sand martins. Some settled on the bramble bushes on the Thornham Bank (now known as the East Bank) momentarily before continuing their journey west. There were so many it was though they were jostling for space to fly through - seriously! A wonderful sight indeed.
As I drove along the Firs Road I had a lovely surprise of a Tawny Owl, who was sitting on a post next to the River Hun, by Sandy Ridge (house) - it then relocated to the copse of trees adjacent to the house.
A wonderful day and congratulations to everyone that organised the event.
Note: Eddie found a Pectoral Sandpiper at Stiffkey Fen today - his second good bird found this week - what will the third be?
Also an Osprey flew west over Choseley Barns and the Suffolk SPANISH SPARROW has been seen again at Languard!!!! So it never left!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
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