VOTE HERE NOW: http://www.votenationalbird.com/
The polls may close tonight in Britain's general election but there is
another big vote happening - to find out Britain's favourite bird.
Tens of thousands of
people have already made their choices online and the Robin, the Barn
Owl and the Kingfisher have all made the ten-strong shortlist.
Tim Muffett reports on the man who has ruffled a few feathers in a vote which will give Britain a new national figurehead.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32620947
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/07/dont-forget-to-vote-for-britains-national-bird
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Bluebells, Up Hill & Down Dale, Glittering Streams, Grey Wagtails & More!
GREY WAGTAIL
Perched on a willow tree at Sculthorpe Mill
The weather was far better than was forecast for this morning. I started the day with brilliant sunshine, but very strong winds. It turned very nasty later though, with lashing rain, increased wind strength and much colder. I hadn't planned the entire day, but know I wanted to head to 'Natural Surroundings' at Glandford, in an attempt to look for yesterday's Wood Warbler. I really wish I had gone yesterday now, but I had to complete some important jobs, so ploughed on. In any case, very few people saw this stunning little warbler yesterday, so don't suppose I would have been lucky anyway. Wood Warblers are just magical, with bright lemon yellow upper parts, throat and chest and contrasting white underparts and their distinctive trilling song is to die for.
Sculthorpe Mill
I had a wonderful time here, in fact this was the highlight of the day. Parked the car in the pub car park and walked down to the mill stream, sat at the picnic table and waited. 2 Drake Mallards and 1 female were having a massive fight in the mill pond – this subsided eventually. Blackcap singing in the willow tree and with the rippling water over the stones in the sunshine, it all looked very idyllic. Suddenly a streak of grey and yellow bounded across the water and under the bridge and there it was – a stunning Grey Wagtail! In fact there was a pair here and I spent a long time photographing them as they collected food, posed on walls and best of all perched on a leaning willow tree as a treecreeper would look! I could have stayed all day to be honest – so beautiful here. Got some good flight shots too – I was very pleased with the morning so far. Highland cattle were in the field adjacent to the mill. I watched a Blackbird and a Goldfinch collecting food for young, but no other birds of note seen here.
Grey Wagtail at Sculthorpe Mill.
Natural Surroundings, Glandford
I walked to the end of the car park by the 5-bar gate and followed the track up hill – who said Norfolk was flat! It was quite a climb up into the woods and the walk was stunning – bluebells adorned the slopes and Orange Tip Butterflies set the scene. It was so beautiful here and I felt quite ashamed that I had not explored this area before. The views from the top were wonderful and the walk back down was equally so. Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing, no hint of any trilling Wood Warblers though!
Had soup and a roll in the cafe, resisted the home-made cakes and then the heavens opened. Took pictures of the amazing gunnera plants that have just started growing and then left.
Glandford Ford
Watched another pair of Grey Wagtails busily collecting food and heading back and forth to the mill. Sedge Warbler singing by the stream, Blackbirds x 2 in the horse paddock, 2 Whitethroats in a bramble and that was about it here.
Cley NWT Visitor Centre
To use the posh new loos! But also far more importantly, had a long overdue catch up with Pat D., whom I have not seen for months and months – wished him happy new year! He has been going through a really rough time too and we sympathised with each other's situations.
Moved my car to car park by Old Woman's Lane and scanned the cows for Yellow Wagtails – but none seen.
Cley Coastguards
It was so peaceful here, there was only one other car in the car park! Nothing of note on the Eye Puddle other than a few Linnets and a Shoveler. Also Brent and Canada Geese in the field. Blakeney Point Ranger Ajay turned up in a little buggy type vehicle – I walked across to say hello and asked if there had been anything exciting turn up on BP – the best they had had recently was a Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in The Plantation – 'we're waiting for the big one' he said. As I sat in my car to warm up, a Meadow Pipit flew down to have a bathe in a puddle and then had a preening session afterwards, which made some nice pictures from my mobile hide! The NWT have a new green pay hut in the carpark, as the previous one was stolen recently. I couldn't believe that, when I read Ajay writing about it in the Blakeney Point Blog – how did anyone get away with stealing that!? Obviously it must have done under the cover of darkness.
Walsey Hills NOA
Had a mooch round here, but didn't find anything really. The rain fell torrentially when I was round the back of Walsey, so made a beeline for the NOA hide (kept locked) which I never go in, but very handy when its raining. I couldn't open the hide flaps that faced Snipe's Marsh as the rain just lashed in there, so opened the side flap overlooking the yellow gorse and the East Bank/Arnold's Marsh. It was nice to sit in the dry, however it was freezing and had to put my gloves on. I was so pleased when suddenly I spotted a Spoonbill 'spooning' in 'The Serpentine' at 4.20pm – lovely! There were at least 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, Greylags, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Lapwings, Avocets, a Kestrel hovering over the East Bank and lots of Swallows, Sand Martins and a few Swifts flying through west. Bumped into Mark G. who like Pat, I haven't seen in months, so had a catch up with him. As we stood looking at the feeders, a blackbird with white in both wings appeared briefly, which explained my recent sighting of what I thought was a 'rare' the last time I was here!
I couldn't decide what to do next, I had planned on going to Kelling Water Meadows, but as Mark said, with these winds and rain etc there wouldn't be much to see and the day was disappearing. Went to Coastguards, had a coffee and had a lovely time photographing a very photogenic male Wheatear in the car park, who obligingly walked towards me – there was also a second one on the marsh, along with 2 Golden Plover, presumably the same Shoveler that I had seen earlier and more Linnets. Mark then left to walk along Beach Road and I continued taking pictures.
East Bank
After a tip off from Eddie that 4 Spoonbills had headed for 'The Serpentine', I left and started to walk The East Bank, but then found out that the Spoonbills had then left and headed west. I didn't walk too far along the bank as the wind was wickedly cold.
Bayfield Hall – River
Stopped here briefly to scan the fields. Lots of cows with inquisitive calves, 3 Grey Herons, Tufted Ducks, Jackdaws and hirundines. Suddenly I spotted a Common Buzzard with prey in its talons, sitting on big round post at the edge of the river! I decided this would make a fabulous phone-scope video and rushed back to my car to get my gear. I had just set it all up and was just about to start the video, when the cows got spooked by something and all lurched forward running and this in turn spooked the buzzard who flew off clutching his heavy prey, which looked like a rabbit or hare. I was gutted, as this would have made fantastic footage, oh well.
Drove home in torrential rain, which then stopped when I reached the Fakenham roundabout. The sunset was so dramatic, I had to turn off down a side road to take some pictures. No rares, but a fabulous day all round.
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpiper at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Dotterel x 11 at Choseley Barns.
Spoonbills x 4 from East Bank, Cley NWT.
Spoonbills x 2 flew west, Lapland Buntings x 3, Little Terns x 6 at Sheringham.
Short-eared Owl at Cromer.
Ravens x 2 (reported on Monday) flew over Caister-on-Sea.
Spoonbill, Whimbrels x 18 at Breydon Water.
TURTLE DOVE at Titchwell RSPB.
Black Terns x 6 (probable) flew south past Gorleston-on-Sea.
Firecrest at Felbrigg Hall NT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpiper at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Dotterel x 11 at Choseley Barns.
Spoonbills x 4 from East Bank, Cley NWT.
Spoonbills x 2 flew west, Lapland Buntings x 3, Little Terns x 6 at Sheringham.
Short-eared Owl at Cromer.
Ravens x 2 (reported on Monday) flew over Caister-on-Sea.
Spoonbill, Whimbrels x 18 at Breydon Water.
TURTLE DOVE at Titchwell RSPB.
Black Terns x 6 (probable) flew south past Gorleston-on-Sea.
Firecrest at Felbrigg Hall NT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Pectoral Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Redstart at Great Yarmouth Cemetery.
Ring Ouzel, Spoonbills x 5 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
WOOD WARBLER (elusive) singing near Bayfield. (captured on camera by S.G!)
Ring Ouzel in churchyard, Spoonbill at Cley.
Dotterel x 7 at Choseley Barns.
Iceland Gull flew west past Mundesley.
Blue-headed Wagtail at Holme Dunes NWT.
Spoonbill at Blakeney Freshmarsh.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Pectoral Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Redstart at Great Yarmouth Cemetery.
Ring Ouzel, Spoonbills x 5 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
WOOD WARBLER (elusive) singing near Bayfield. (captured on camera by S.G!)
Ring Ouzel in churchyard, Spoonbill at Cley.
Dotterel x 7 at Choseley Barns.
Iceland Gull flew west past Mundesley.
Blue-headed Wagtail at Holme Dunes NWT.
Spoonbill at Blakeney Freshmarsh.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Monday, 4 May 2015
Bank Holiday Monday – Cley & Salthouse!
The late Richard Richardson's birthday would have been today – this date always stays in my mind and Mother had said earlier that a Wryneck always turns up on Richard's birthday and one did as well!
I spent rather a lazy day at Cley and Salthouse. No megas, no rarities, but a nice selection of birds on what must have been the hottest day of the year so far! Met several new blog readers – nice to meet you all and the most touching story was when a birder told me that his father-in-law, who had recently passed away, enjoyed reading my blog so much, in his last remaining days – almost bought a tear to my eye.
I arrived in Cley just after 8am and started off at the Deli – parked up in the carpark where there was loads of bird action: several House Sparrows chattering away in the apple tree along with a Goldcrest stealthily catching flies amongst the ivy leaves and also 2 Blackbirds and several Goldfinches in the willows! Good start to the day. Purchased some naughty food from the shop, just in case I needed to bomb down Blakeney Point later, excuses, excuses!
Parked up on Beach Road and Julian B. arrived here a few moments after me. Walked along the footpath to view the same field and cows as last night. 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail and 1 Pied Wagtail with the cows, but no sign of last night's Grey-headed Wagtail, much to the disappointment of those birders who couldn't get here last night. A big cycle race was obviously going on and we all got really fed-up with cyclists commenting as they flew past "they must be watching the cows" along with sneering chuckles. I knew Eddie would blow at some point, encouraged by me as well I must admit! After about the fifth comment, Eddi swung round and said in a really loud voice (even for Eddie) "Are you cycling?". Did they really believe we were watching cows through our binoculars – how stupid can you get!!!
Cley Visitor Centre – had a cheese scone! Watched 7 Swifts going west (my first ones this year) from the VC. Parked up at Walsey Hills NOA and had fabulous views of a Common Sandpiper on Snipe's Marsh which flew across, landed and then flew off again calling at 11am. A local birder had counted 200+ Swifts flying through west from first light this morning and Holme NWT Warden Gary H. had also had 200+ going west past Hunstanton Cliffs early this morning.
Walsey Hills NOA held a very vocal Male Blackcap, Whitethroat, Wren, Blackbirds x 2 and a Speckled Wood Butterfly. A lost dog decided it would go for a crap, bang in the middle of the path, so after the owner had called her dog back round the corner, I followed to catch them up, which actually was the car park where she was just about to drive off – I caught her just in time and informed her politely what had happened and she returned to clear up the mess. If the dog had been in control in the first place this wouldn't have happened.
Iron Road, Salthouse – walked along here with Eddie M., as far as the shingle bank. On route we saw 2 White Wagtails, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, 1 Yellow Wagtail with the cows and a Male Peregrine heading west at 1.15pm. Sitting on the shingle we watched Sandwich Terns heading west and a stunning Brimstone Butterfly.
Beach Road, Salthouse to look for the reported Wood Sandpipers, but no sign. Eddie went off to the top of the road to get his coffee fix and I had my lunch, sitting in my deckchair in the sunshine! Too hot for me today – shouldn't complain though, it was a stunning day. I left and then parked up by Salthouse church and had a walk round the churchyard, where I found a beautiful patch of cowslips – I then followed a fabulous little footpath that leads down into Salthouse village and this is where I found a pristine Speckled Wood butterfly. This path looks potentially brilliant for migrants and overlooks lots of gardens and lawns all the way along. I returned to my car having seen no migrants whatsoever!
I went off to the Cley VC to use the posh new loos and met two more blog readers who were doing a bird race. Parked up at Old Woman's Lane to search for more Yellow Wagtails – the cows had been moved to the field east of the boardwalk that leads out to the NWT hides, but there were no wagtails with them now.
Went to Coastguards and on route along Beach Road, I bumped into and had a chat with John F. and Dave H and we discussed the swift (see yesterday's post) and the lack of 'rares'. At Coastguards I watched Linnets by the Eye puddle, but no wagtails seen. There were a couple of Wheatears along with Meadow Pipits, Swallows and several Sandwich Terns flew overhead. Saw my first Little Terns this Spring – 5 of them flew over the car park. I had a brief snooze in the car and a late lunch. No exciting news from Blakeney Point or anywhere in Norfolk today, apart from a Wryneck at Santon Warren, there was nothing to get the heart racing. The Wood Warbler reported at Salthouse House was not seen or heard by any other birders after the first pager message.
I returned to Walsey Hills for a look round, but found nothing new. Went back to Salthouse to see if the Wood Sandpipers had returned, but no sign. Gave up and decided to be sensible for once and returned home in daylight – unusual for me! With tomorrow's weather forecast, I may stay in to do some jobs – maybe!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
I spent rather a lazy day at Cley and Salthouse. No megas, no rarities, but a nice selection of birds on what must have been the hottest day of the year so far! Met several new blog readers – nice to meet you all and the most touching story was when a birder told me that his father-in-law, who had recently passed away, enjoyed reading my blog so much, in his last remaining days – almost bought a tear to my eye.
I arrived in Cley just after 8am and started off at the Deli – parked up in the carpark where there was loads of bird action: several House Sparrows chattering away in the apple tree along with a Goldcrest stealthily catching flies amongst the ivy leaves and also 2 Blackbirds and several Goldfinches in the willows! Good start to the day. Purchased some naughty food from the shop, just in case I needed to bomb down Blakeney Point later, excuses, excuses!
Parked up on Beach Road and Julian B. arrived here a few moments after me. Walked along the footpath to view the same field and cows as last night. 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail and 1 Pied Wagtail with the cows, but no sign of last night's Grey-headed Wagtail, much to the disappointment of those birders who couldn't get here last night. A big cycle race was obviously going on and we all got really fed-up with cyclists commenting as they flew past "they must be watching the cows" along with sneering chuckles. I knew Eddie would blow at some point, encouraged by me as well I must admit! After about the fifth comment, Eddi swung round and said in a really loud voice (even for Eddie) "Are you cycling?". Did they really believe we were watching cows through our binoculars – how stupid can you get!!!
Cley Visitor Centre – had a cheese scone! Watched 7 Swifts going west (my first ones this year) from the VC. Parked up at Walsey Hills NOA and had fabulous views of a Common Sandpiper on Snipe's Marsh which flew across, landed and then flew off again calling at 11am. A local birder had counted 200+ Swifts flying through west from first light this morning and Holme NWT Warden Gary H. had also had 200+ going west past Hunstanton Cliffs early this morning.
Walsey Hills NOA held a very vocal Male Blackcap, Whitethroat, Wren, Blackbirds x 2 and a Speckled Wood Butterfly. A lost dog decided it would go for a crap, bang in the middle of the path, so after the owner had called her dog back round the corner, I followed to catch them up, which actually was the car park where she was just about to drive off – I caught her just in time and informed her politely what had happened and she returned to clear up the mess. If the dog had been in control in the first place this wouldn't have happened.
Iron Road, Salthouse – walked along here with Eddie M., as far as the shingle bank. On route we saw 2 White Wagtails, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, 1 Yellow Wagtail with the cows and a Male Peregrine heading west at 1.15pm. Sitting on the shingle we watched Sandwich Terns heading west and a stunning Brimstone Butterfly.
Beach Road, Salthouse to look for the reported Wood Sandpipers, but no sign. Eddie went off to the top of the road to get his coffee fix and I had my lunch, sitting in my deckchair in the sunshine! Too hot for me today – shouldn't complain though, it was a stunning day. I left and then parked up by Salthouse church and had a walk round the churchyard, where I found a beautiful patch of cowslips – I then followed a fabulous little footpath that leads down into Salthouse village and this is where I found a pristine Speckled Wood butterfly. This path looks potentially brilliant for migrants and overlooks lots of gardens and lawns all the way along. I returned to my car having seen no migrants whatsoever!
I went off to the Cley VC to use the posh new loos and met two more blog readers who were doing a bird race. Parked up at Old Woman's Lane to search for more Yellow Wagtails – the cows had been moved to the field east of the boardwalk that leads out to the NWT hides, but there were no wagtails with them now.
Went to Coastguards and on route along Beach Road, I bumped into and had a chat with John F. and Dave H and we discussed the swift (see yesterday's post) and the lack of 'rares'. At Coastguards I watched Linnets by the Eye puddle, but no wagtails seen. There were a couple of Wheatears along with Meadow Pipits, Swallows and several Sandwich Terns flew overhead. Saw my first Little Terns this Spring – 5 of them flew over the car park. I had a brief snooze in the car and a late lunch. No exciting news from Blakeney Point or anywhere in Norfolk today, apart from a Wryneck at Santon Warren, there was nothing to get the heart racing. The Wood Warbler reported at Salthouse House was not seen or heard by any other birders after the first pager message.
I returned to Walsey Hills for a look round, but found nothing new. Went back to Salthouse to see if the Wood Sandpipers had returned, but no sign. Gave up and decided to be sensible for once and returned home in daylight – unusual for me! With tomorrow's weather forecast, I may stay in to do some jobs – maybe!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Dotterel x 9 at Choseley Barns.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Ring Ouzel at North Dunes, Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field, Common Cranes x 2 at Winterton.
Wood Warbler singing at Salthouse Heath.
Short-eared Owl at Weybourne.
Black Redstart at Walcott.
Whinchat, Tree Pipits x 3 at West Runton.
Whimbrel x 9, Hobby at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Wood Sandpipers x 2 on pool left of Beach Road at Salthouse.
Spoonbills x 2 at Martham Broad.
Spoonbills x 2, Hobby at Breydon Water.
Wryneck at Santon Warren.
Ring Ouzel at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Common Cranes x 2 at Lakenheath Fen RSPB.
Little Gull at Cley NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Dotterel x 9 at Choseley Barns.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Ring Ouzel at North Dunes, Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field, Common Cranes x 2 at Winterton.
Wood Warbler singing at Salthouse Heath.
Short-eared Owl at Weybourne.
Black Redstart at Walcott.
Whinchat, Tree Pipits x 3 at West Runton.
Whimbrel x 9, Hobby at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Wood Sandpipers x 2 on pool left of Beach Road at Salthouse.
Spoonbills x 2 at Martham Broad.
Spoonbills x 2, Hobby at Breydon Water.
Wryneck at Santon Warren.
Ring Ouzel at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Common Cranes x 2 at Lakenheath Fen RSPB.
Little Gull at Cley NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Sunday, 3 May 2015
Burnham Overy Dunes, Gun Hill and Cley NWT!
GREY-HEADED WAGTAIL
This evening at Cley NWT
Phone-scoped video with iphone 5s & Swarosvski ATS 65mm HD & 25-50xW Zoom Eyepiece
Phone-scoped video with iphone 5s & Swarosvski ATS 65mm HD & 25-50xW Zoom Eyepiece
It rained solidly ALL morning, but the forecast was sunshine for the afternoon at some point! I carried out some laborious jobs at home until the weather improved. Suddenly the sun appeared and I was off!
Burnham Overy Dunes and Gun Hill
It was beautiful now and very mild indeed – the light after the rain was stunning. As I walked along the track from the main road, I saw a Whitethroat perched on a fence post by the stile briefly. Further along a Reed and Sedge Warbler were singing. Lots of Egyptian and Greylag Geese on the marsh, no sign of any wagtails amongst the distant cattle though, or anywhere else for that matter. Several Lapwings and Jackdaws around. At the bushes at the end of the sea wall I saw nothing at all, but a short distance east I saw 2 Wheatears, a Hedgesparrow and good numbers of brightly coloured Linnets. I continued walking east and had fabulous views of at least 20+ Wheatears and more Linnets.
I sat and had a coffee and a cheese roll by some particularly good scrub – but nothing popped out. The dark clouds rolled over my head and I felt spots of rain. Hurriedly packed the camera away, just in time. The heavens opened and the rain was torrential to say the least and it carried on for quite a while. I was dripping wet. The sun came out, a rainbow appeared and the rain stopped. I trudged back to the sea wall and headed west to Gun Hill. The Little Tern fence has been moved considerably closer inland – it cuts right through the good bushes/scrub on the seaward side of Gun Hill. Good for the Little Terns, but not for us birders searching for migrants. Also I won't be able to sit in my favourite place and look out to sea anymore – oh well. I only found a Chiffchaff here by the hill, but another Wheatear appeared on the south side of the hill on my way back, again with lots of Linnets. I heard a Bittern booming at 6.15pm! It was shortly after this that the pager bleeped up with "Grey-headed Wagtail at Cley NWT". I walked a little faster, but realised I wouldn't get to Cley in time. Took some funky pictures of the rain filled sky on the way back. When I got to my car I realised that actually I probably might have time to see the Grey-headed Wagtail if I was quick. I can do quick!
Cley NWT
Nipped along the coast road and parked along Beach Road. Joined Steve G. and later David N., Eddie M. and Pete S. to have stunning views of the Grey-headed Wagtail as it played hide and seek amongst the cattle, a stunning male. Maybe it was the light, but the head was so contrasting it almost look like a Black-headed! A Yellow Wagtail and 2 fem Blue-headed Wagtails joined the party. So glad I made the effort to get there. Far too distant for the SLR, but got a half decent video as you will see! I can't remember what time exactly, but later on the Wagtails flew over the cattle and headed over Beach Road at dusk. Ended the day listening to a Nightingale in the village and then left – arrived home at 9.45pm! Shattered and need to get up early, as tomorrow looks the only decent day this week! Well I hope its not the only day, you never know in May!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field at Winterton.
Dotterel x 9 at Choseley Barns.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
GREY-HEADED WAGTAIL Male, Blue-headed Wagtails x 2, Wood Sandpiper at Cley NWT.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Ring Ouzel at Waxham.
Garganey at Upton Marshes.
TURTLE DOVE at Hickling Broad NWT.
Little Terns x 265 flew south past Hopton-on-Sea.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN GODWIT fem. again, 3.25 miles WNW of Glastonbury +1.25 miles SSW of Meare at Meare Heath Nature Reserve at 11am, Somerset.
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field at Winterton.
Dotterel x 9 at Choseley Barns.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
GREY-HEADED WAGTAIL Male, Blue-headed Wagtails x 2, Wood Sandpiper at Cley NWT.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Ring Ouzel at Waxham.
Garganey at Upton Marshes.
TURTLE DOVE at Hickling Broad NWT.
Little Terns x 265 flew south past Hopton-on-Sea.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN GODWIT fem. again, 3.25 miles WNW of Glastonbury +1.25 miles SSW of Meare at Meare Heath Nature Reserve at 11am, Somerset.
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
STOP PRESS! SWIFT Sp. with White Crescent at Holme, Norfolk!
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3211676&postcount=24272
"..........was at Holme today when we spotted a Swift fly over with what looked like a Ring ouzel type White crescent on its chest. Its under tail looked a bit pale as well.
Very odd but it didnt look like an Alpine swift to me so just put it down as a aberrant swift, the bloke at the Holme shop also didnt think it was anything weird. ..."
Of course its weird – whatever it is, its not a 'normal' swift! It may only be an aberrant swift, but it gets the adrenalin going for me! Well done for capturing those shots Pete and for letting everyone know!
White-collared Swift maybe – that looks Ring Ouzel like!!!
http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/photos/strzon2343.jpg
First for Britain – that would pack out the carparks, the road and village on a Bank Holiday Monday!!!
"..........was at Holme today when we spotted a Swift fly over with what looked like a Ring ouzel type White crescent on its chest. Its under tail looked a bit pale as well.
Very odd but it didnt look like an Alpine swift to me so just put it down as a aberrant swift, the bloke at the Holme shop also didnt think it was anything weird. ..."
Of course its weird – whatever it is, its not a 'normal' swift! It may only be an aberrant swift, but it gets the adrenalin going for me! Well done for capturing those shots Pete and for letting everyone know!
White-collared Swift maybe – that looks Ring Ouzel like!!!
http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/photos/strzon2343.jpg
First for Britain – that would pack out the carparks, the road and village on a Bank Holiday Monday!!!
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Holme Reserves!
Spent the morning helping my parents along with more shopping and ironing!!! A freezing cold and windy day – no sun in the afternoon at all.
Parked up on the NOA carpark. Walked to the NWT Forestry and saw 1 woodpigeon, 1 Whitethroat and 2 Linnets. Lots of scrub has been removed in the Forestry, some areas looked good, others not in my opinion. Very poor birding today. Walked back and then strolled to the furthest hide at the Wader Pools. 8 Barnacle Geese were mixed in with the Canada Geese which was a surprise, other than that very little of note. Crossed the Firs Road to the dunes to look at the sea and saw 1 Sanderling scrurrying along the shore. The entire beach was deserted on a bank holiday weekend – shows how cold it was!
Drove back along the Firs Road and listened to a Grasshopper Warbler reeling just after the 5-bar gate, also saw a Cuckoo briefly. Parked by Redwell Marsh NOA and sat in the hide for a while watching Swallows skimming over the pool, 1 Avocet, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Shelduck and Black-headed Gulls.
Returned to my parent's house for a short while to see Vivien who had visited this afternoon. Drove back via Ringstead and photographed Grey and Red-legged Patridges and then realised I had the camera on the wrong settings! Not the most exciting of days at all!
Parked up on the NOA carpark. Walked to the NWT Forestry and saw 1 woodpigeon, 1 Whitethroat and 2 Linnets. Lots of scrub has been removed in the Forestry, some areas looked good, others not in my opinion. Very poor birding today. Walked back and then strolled to the furthest hide at the Wader Pools. 8 Barnacle Geese were mixed in with the Canada Geese which was a surprise, other than that very little of note. Crossed the Firs Road to the dunes to look at the sea and saw 1 Sanderling scrurrying along the shore. The entire beach was deserted on a bank holiday weekend – shows how cold it was!
Drove back along the Firs Road and listened to a Grasshopper Warbler reeling just after the 5-bar gate, also saw a Cuckoo briefly. Parked by Redwell Marsh NOA and sat in the hide for a while watching Swallows skimming over the pool, 1 Avocet, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Shelduck and Black-headed Gulls.
Returned to my parent's house for a short while to see Vivien who had visited this afternoon. Drove back via Ringstead and photographed Grey and Red-legged Patridges and then realised I had the camera on the wrong settings! Not the most exciting of days at all!
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
TURTLE DOVE at Wymondham.
Ring Ouzels x 2, Whimbrel x 14 at Waxham.
Manx Shearwater east past Sheringham.
Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel x 40 at Breydon Water.
Ring Ouzel at Old Hunstanton.
Dotterel x 9 at Choseley Barns.
Ring Ouzel, Whinchat, Redstart at Holme Dunes NWT.
Redstart at Holme NOA.
TURTLE DOVE at Kelling Heath.
White Wagtails x 8 from Daukes Hide, Cley NWT.
Ring Ouzels x 4 at North Dunes, Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field at Winterton.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Garganey x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
TURTLE DOVE at Great Cressingham.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SCOPS OWL found dead yesteday on St Kilda, Western Isles, Scotland.
MEGA! SNOWY OWL esc. 2 miles SSW of Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.
MEGA! HUDSONIAN GODWIT fem. again, 3.25 miles WNW of Glastonbury +1.25 miles SSW of Meare at Meare Heath Nature Reserve at 11am, Somerset.
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
TURTLE DOVE at Wymondham.
Ring Ouzels x 2, Whimbrel x 14 at Waxham.
Manx Shearwater east past Sheringham.
Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel x 40 at Breydon Water.
Ring Ouzel at Old Hunstanton.
Dotterel x 9 at Choseley Barns.
Ring Ouzel, Whinchat, Redstart at Holme Dunes NWT.
Redstart at Holme NOA.
TURTLE DOVE at Kelling Heath.
White Wagtails x 8 from Daukes Hide, Cley NWT.
Ring Ouzels x 4 at North Dunes, Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field at Winterton.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Garganey x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
TURTLE DOVE at Great Cressingham.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SCOPS OWL found dead yesteday on St Kilda, Western Isles, Scotland.
MEGA! SNOWY OWL esc. 2 miles SSW of Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.
MEGA! HUDSONIAN GODWIT fem. again, 3.25 miles WNW of Glastonbury +1.25 miles SSW of Meare at Meare Heath Nature Reserve at 11am, Somerset.
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Wildlife Decline May Lead To 'Empty Landscape'
"Populations of some of the world's
largest wild animals are dwindling, raising the threat of an "empty
landscape", say scientists."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32549898
Friday, 1 May 2015
NEW Talking Naturally Podcast Goes Live!
Episode 1: Talking Naturally – Norfolk Adventure Part 1 May 2015
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/content/talking_naturally.aspx?s_id=513551944
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/content/talking_naturally.aspx?s_id=513551944
NINE DAY HOLIDAY!
So, my holiday begins and I can't wait! Think I might have struck lucky with the wind direction this week – maybe!
Bank Holiday Weekend Weather
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856
Saturday
Easterly winds all day. Dry with sunny spells at first, although turning increasingly cloudy through the afternoon with outbreaks of rain arriving from the southwest through the evening and a southeasterly breeze picking up.
Sunday
South Easterly winds, turning South West later. Breezy with rain at first on Sunday, turning brighter with showers later.
Monday
South West then South Easterly winds. Sunny intervals with a risk of showers, perhaps heavy.
High Tides – Lynn Docks
Bank Holiday Weekend Weather
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856
Saturday
Easterly winds all day. Dry with sunny spells at first, although turning increasingly cloudy through the afternoon with outbreaks of rain arriving from the southwest through the evening and a southeasterly breeze picking up.
Sunday
South Easterly winds, turning South West later. Breezy with rain at first on Sunday, turning brighter with showers later.
Monday
South West then South Easterly winds. Sunny intervals with a risk of showers, perhaps heavy.
High Tides – Lynn Docks
- Saturday: 6.25am and 18.34pm.
- Sunday: 6.57am and 19.09pm.
- Monday: 7.29am and 19.43pm.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Gull, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Breydon Water.
Dotterel x 8 at Choseley Barns.
Rough-legged Buzzard at North Dunes, Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field, Redstart in allotments, Winterton.
Ring Ouzels x 5 at Holt Lowes.
Garganeys x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Common Cranes x 2, Bittern at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Burgh Castle.
TURTLE DOVE, Ring Ouzel, Whinchat at Holme Dunes NWT.
Possible Montagu's or PALLID HARRIER Ringtail between Cley and Salthouse in ploughed field at 4.45pm, then flew inland.
Black-necked Grebe at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Ring Ouzel at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN GODWIT fem. again, 3.25 miles WNW of Glastonbury +1.25 miles SSW of Meare at Meare Heath Nature Reserve at 11am, Somerset.
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
Little Gull, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Breydon Water.
Dotterel x 8 at Choseley Barns.
Rough-legged Buzzard at North Dunes, Blue-headed Wagtail on playing field, Redstart in allotments, Winterton.
Ring Ouzels x 5 at Holt Lowes.
Garganeys x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Common Cranes x 2, Bittern at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Burgh Castle.
TURTLE DOVE, Ring Ouzel, Whinchat at Holme Dunes NWT.
Possible Montagu's or PALLID HARRIER Ringtail between Cley and Salthouse in ploughed field at 4.45pm, then flew inland.
Black-necked Grebe at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Ring Ouzel at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN GODWIT fem. again, 3.25 miles WNW of Glastonbury +1.25 miles SSW of Meare at Meare Heath Nature Reserve at 11am, Somerset.
MEGA! PIED-BILLED GREBE from Lower Hide, at Leighton Moss RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside.
MEGA! GREAT BLUE HERON 1w still, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK again at River Don, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland.
NORFOLK BIRD & WILDLIFE FAIR – 16th & 17th May
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