Contributors

Monday 29 October 2012

Thursday 25th October - Day 1 in Norfolk

An early start to get to Stiffkey for the Bluetail that wasn't to be was rewarded at least 15 Ring Ouzels, Blackbirds everywhere, Redwings, Fieldfares, Song Thrushes, and Mistle Thrush it looks like a good weekend ahead and it was with 5 new birds to my life list and 11 onto the year list. Pictures are not that good but poor light with showers and strong winds are my excuse!

Although dipping on the Redflanked Bluetail after having seen all the winter Thrushes, the next star was a stunning male Black Redstart.



Black Redstart (male)
Hearing that the Arctic Warbler was still around we headed off to Burnham Overy Staithe and after a short walk that got quicker on hearing it was showing well.





Arctic Warbler
There was a good group of Birders helping out with location

From here we went onto Titchwell a good look at the sea didn't produce anything special.


But caught up with the local waders who are now use to humans and feed quite close to the footpath



Spotted Redshank

Black-tailed Godwit


A good day with alot more to come.

Norfolk Day 2 Friday 26th October.

Today started with a sea watch at Cley and dissappointingly not a lot moving but for Gannets and a couple of Bonxies and Kittiwakes. With the White Rumped Sandpiper reported still to be on the reserve we headed for the hide overlooking Pats Pool. A Curlew Sandpiper was showing also a couple of Ruff and after a short while the Sandpiper put in an appearance on the far bank, gradually came closer which gave good scope views and comparison of size against Dunlin and Lapwing.

White-rumped Sandpiper (righthand dot)

White-rumped Sandpiper

While watching the Sandpiper a couple of Beardies put in an appearance.
Bearded Tit

Birdguides news reporting the Little Bunting was still showing at Burnham Overy we set off. A full carpark at the end of the track to the sea wall indicated alot of birders were there but on arrival we were told been showing well but gone into the reeds. After a heavy shower it showed itself at the bottom of the sea wall on the footpath.


Little Bunting



Little Bunting

After this a short trip back to Titchwell  where we picked up 3 more Ring Ouzels and a female Red Crested Pochard but with poor light no pics.

Norfolk Day 3 Saturday 27th October

This morning started off with another sea watch in Northerly force 8 winds with showers blowing into our faces. More Gannets, 3 Bonxies, Kittiwakes, and a few Little Gulls. A Little Auk had been reported found inland and just released on the saline pool at Salthouse was an opportunity to see the bird up close rather than over the sea.



Little Auk
Another look at the campsite incase the Bluetail showed up again but no luck, just loads of Robins, Blackbirds a couple of Ring Ouzels and a Woodcock flushed from under my feet.


Woodcock

 A Grey Phalarope was the next news so back to Titchwell where it was showing well but fairly distant, again good scope views were had and a couple of record shots.



Grey Phalarope

A look in the hide at the hundreds of roosted gulls riding out the bad weather Paul managed to find this juvenile Caspian Gull




Juvenile Caspian Gull
Meanwhile during the day Christine and Barry rescued this Guillemot and took it to a rescue centre near Kings Lynn and looks like it will recover.

Guillemot in safe hands

Norfolk Day 4 Sunday 28th October

This morning we started off at Holkham looking for the Hornemans Arctic Redpoll that was showing well yesterday, despite an hour or more of searching with several other birders including the infamous Lee Evans it was not to be - probably moved on with the large number of Finches, Redpolls and Starlings moving west.

We set off back to Titchwell for another look at the Grey Phalarope but couldn't be found. Another look at the sea  found of interest at least 2 Little Auks, several Red-breasted Mergansers and a Red-necked Grebe.

A text report of a Barred Warbler in the cottage garden opposite the duck pond at Salthouse sent us off my next new bird. A line of birders put me onto the bird hopping amoungst the Tamarisk and then a bit nearer but still partially hidden and then came into the open.





Barred Warbler
   We decided to go back to the beach at Sathouse for another look for the Snow Buntings that had been reported all over the weekend but still couldn't find them. The consolation was a Shore Lark nearbye the car park which we had looked for earlier on the trip. With 120 plus species for the group it was now time to head for home. What a great weekend!

Saturday 13 October 2012

New Garden Tick

Wednesday 10th October a pair of Nuthatch visited the feeder, the first time we have seen one in the garden. It appears they have become fairly common this year in south caost gardens. Today saturday one was back again even during a heavy shower it visited the feeder many times and managed several shots through the kitchen window.



Finally managed to creep outside and got this one before flying away. But it was back again this evening.


Sunday 7 October 2012

Sunday 7th October Pett Level

Greylag Geese
A couple of hours on the sea wall on a sunny but cold morning. Canada Geese numbers are starting to increase and it was nice to see the Farmyard Goose and the Bar Headed was back on the level after possibly spending the summer at Scotney. Greylags however are few and far between although several are at Rye. Juvenile Marsh Harrier on a tree by the pools. On the beach 3-4 Wheatears (yesterday 20+) several Yellow Wags with the Pied, Meadow Pipits, flocks of Goldfinches over. On the sea 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Common Scoter, 1 poss Red Throated Diver very distant, 1 deffinate Black Necked Grebe in close (confirmed by Pete Rouse) and 1 Common Seal.