Black-throated Diver take 2; Swanton Morley

A Barn Owl was seen quartering fields as I turned into my 'patch'. I purposefully walked the main lake area trying to find the Bittern, before making my way to Holkham Lake for further views of the diver. There was no sign, but a small flock of Siskin held 3 Lr Redpoll. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker were noted. 42 Greylag and 57 Canada Geese were counted, as well as 2 hybrids on Holkham Lake, with 8 Mute Swan. The Diver was still showing exceptionally well at the western end of the lake. A further search added little, but returning the diver could not be seen. Then, at c 8.55 am it was seen to take flight, circling the pits, but then returning to a smaller pit S of the river (Horseshoe or Pump Pit!), where it continued to show exceptionally well - to the amusement of the fishermen, who had a working party on (presumably why the diver moved). It became the largest 'twitch' for Swanton Morley and one of the largest in the 'valley'! Hopefully no ill feeling will be had by the owners. They were very sociable today, let's hope it continues.
2 Kingfisher and 2 Stock Doves were seen.


If any visitors today had any other interesting sightings today at the site I would love to hear of them!

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 147, Route 86, Sp 64, SM 65, SF 32

'Mega' Patch Tick (and General Good Day!)

The day started at Chedgrave Marshes, where the favoured area for the Rough-legged Buzzard was soon pointed out and the bird appeared on cue, landing in full view on posts. It was an intriguing bird, with the lower dark belly creating a barred effect, the head not a light as expected, with distinct eye-stripe with pale areas above and below and pale markings on the back. In flight the white-upper tail showed well, when it flew low over the marsh on its long wings. Also seen were a ring-tail Hen Harrier and 4 Marsh Harriers. A Peregrine did a fly past and Bearded Tits pinged but were not seen.

From here we went onto Lake Lothing (Suffolk), where the Black-throated Diver showed distantly and an imm male(?) Peregrine rested on the local tower.

A very enjoyable time was spent with at least 49 Mediterranean Gulls on the beach at Great Yarmouth. (DA counted 155 Cormorant on the sand bank, where plenty of Seals were hauled up).

From here we moved to Martham Broad where two Red-head Smew were seen, along with 100s of Wigeon and 1000s of Pink-footed Geese and plenty of Marsh Harriers. A Bittern flew over and landed in the reeds, being seen briefly as it moved in.

A hopeful, but primarily fruitless visit to Wroxham Broad supposedly ended the day, until the journey home was interrupted by news of a Black-throated Diver at Holkham Lake, Swanton Morley (as well as Bittern and Goosander). After an anxious drive we were watching the diver, which gave good views, close to the bank - but in fading light. This is believed to be the first for the site and possibly for this part of the Valley!The lake also held good numbers of Mute Swan, Canada Geese and Tufted Duck - obviously another visit is required tomorrow!

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 147, Route 86, Sp 64, SM 62, SF 32

Route Catch-up

No Barn Owls today! Not sure what is wrong! However, other sightings more than made up for this. A 'possible'(!) Little Owl was seen S of Broom Green and a Woodcock flew over N of Thornage. At Cley a (the?) Little Egret flew E and 17 Curlew W. Only 1 Marsh Harrier was seen. It seems, although duller they still left earlier again. This was backed up with another 3 E of Walsey Hills. Whilst watching groups of Brents going past, my attention was drawn to a smaller group of geese, which turned out to be 9 Barnacle (y'day evening a had a brief glimpse of a small group of 'black' geese descending on North Scrape, 'Barnacles?' I wondered)! Another 27 Curlew were counted and 8 Dunlin, along with a single Knot (the bird from Salthouse Beach Car Park from y'day?

A brief trip to the sea front at lunch time produced the usual Purple Sandpiper, and also a Rock Pipit.

A fantastic evening started at Salthouse with c 30 Black-tailed Godwit flying around (after the Snow Bunting were seen again in the Car Park, being blasted by big lenses in a car). 3 harriers hunting to the west drew my attention and I went down for a closer look. Whilst doing so a wonderful fem Peregrine joined in the fun then circled and did a fly past c 20 m from the car, wonderful! I continued to Walsey Hills pull-in and, again the Peregrine showed well, harassing the local Woodpigeons and swooping at a ?Skylark, which after a twist and turn it hit and knocked to the ground, not to get up again. However, presumably due to the speed of the action the fall went unnoticed and it continued off! Another 20 min watch from here produced 8 Marsh Harriers moving in from the E to their roost, but only 4 were seen over the reeds. The Peregrine appeared again and then began to tussle with the harriers over the reed bed. I decided on a change of viewpoint and parked up at the NWT Car Park. From here scanning kept on producing different counts of harriers, until the smaller more delicate shape of the Hen Harrier appeared. In better light it showed orange underparts, so presumably a juvenile. The Hen Harrier quickly disappeared, not seen to interact with the Marsh Harriers that hd been primarily distant. However, they suddenly appeared close to the road and an amazing 9 birds could be seen in one binocular view! Fantastic. The most counted at any one time was 11 different birds. Another Woodcock was seen on the way home by Park Farm.

Thursday 28th January
Barn Owls were seen at Broom Green and Thornage.
3 or 4 Marsh Harriers were seen from Old Woman's Lane, as well as c 20 Pied Wagtail. A pair of Gadwall flew over, as well as a small group of Bar-tailed Godwit and c50 Golden Plover (the group from last night?) 3 Dunlin flew around with a lapwing flock at Salthouse.

A lunchtime trip to Salthouse Beach Car Park was delightful. I was unaware that 'seeding' had been taking place on the east bank, so to find them aimlessly wandering around the car park (well obviously not aimlessly) was great. Plenty of others were taking advantage of their complicity and these pictures were taken from the car. A lone Knot was also present.

In the 'evening' 9 Dunlin were counted feeding on the pools at Salthouse, where plenty of Wigeon were feeding, with smaller numbers of Teal and 3 Shoveler. The Lapwing flock had increased to c 100 birds. The Little Egret fed in the channel until seen flying to roost at Cley. c2000 brents moved to Blakeney Harbour. A Water railed squealed at Walsey.

Wednesday 27th January

Being slightly preoccupied on the way to work probably led to the lack of Barn Owl sightings. A brief stop at Cley produced c 200 Greylags leaving their roost, along with 3 Marsh Harriers. A Muncjac ambled across the road at Muckleborough.

Later leaving school still produced my first flock of Golden Plover W of Kelling, which whirled over the fields. I only briefly stopped at Salthouse to my benefit, as with at least 7 Marsh Harriers seen from Walsey the slighter, smaller shape of a ringtail Hen Harrier was noted. Unfortunately no further plumage details were noted. c 2000 Brents were in the fields at dusk, with at least 1 Pale-bellied Brent amongst them. They departed to Blakeney.

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 145, Route 86, Sp 64, SM 61, SF 32

Holkham and environs, Sculthorpe

The day started viewing over Holkham Marsh, where the white blob of the Greater Snow Goose was soon picked out amongst the hoards of Pink-footed. however, it wasn't long before large groups started moving off. I managed to lose the Snow Goose and thought it had moved off SW with the majority. A group of c40 White-fronted Geese were seen across the Freshmarsh and a single Barnacle Goose was found. A quartering Barn Owl had me perplexed for a while as it hypnotically drifted back and forth (but I still couldn't get a good shot!) At least 2 birds were present here, with others seen at Wells, Burnham Thorpe and Burnham Overy.

I decided to try and follow the geese moving SW. This wasn't as easy as it seemed as small groups kept flooding over and out into the distance. I kept following and eventually found a large flock of c3000 Pink-feet, as others constantly arrived. The Snow Goose was not to be found, but another(?) Barnacle was seen as were two Tundra Bean Geese, the first picked up landing, through its darker back and broader tail band and orange legs! A quick check to make sure its bill was the same colour, too! A Buzzard flayed about in a tree.

I returned to the coast at Burnham Overy, where a flock of distant Brents had a black and white blob that looked good for a pure Blank Brant, unlike the two birds present at Wells! Another Buzzard flew low and landed atop a bush.

The pair of Scaup were still on Wells boating lake, commonly called Abraham's Bosom, where they should well across the lake, often swimming with a pair of Tufted Duck. A fruitless return to the Holkham area located the field that the Snow Goose was seen in the last two days but, although a group of c200 Pinks were present, it wasn't!

I decided to spend some time on route home at Sculthorpe. I arrived to the news that a male Goshawk had been seen on a couple of occasions, displaying over the wooded area W of Whitley Hide, from the open area and left to hear 2 Red Kite had moved over whilst I was there! However, the time wasn't fruitless, with a white cheeked, bull necked, wing paneled Willow Tit was seen, as well as an elusive Brambling (where are they all - except Santon Downham?!?) A Water Rail showed well, as did two male Bullfinch.

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 145, Route 79, Sp 64, SM 61, SF 32

Patch Dip - but at least it got me out there again!

At Sparham I was greeted by a calling Tawny Owl on arrival but, although it seemed close, it couldn't be seen. 3 Redpoll flew over and a treecreeper showed well again. A wander along the N side produced 4 feeding Bullfinch (2 pr) and a close pair of Goosander, but no sign of the hoped for Slavonian Grebe (it wasn't seen early y'day afternoon either) 11 Goosander were seen together, with another 3 and 2 flying overhead. Geese and Duck totals were up, but the only Grebes were at Swanton Morley. A sociable flock of c20 Siskin was surpassed when c250 fly over, chattering loudly as they went. Another calling owl draw my attention across the meadow. I originally thought it was a Little, but have since changed my mind and think it was a Tawny! However, whilst looking for the calling bird, a Little Owl did appear on the edge of the ivy covered trees! 25+ Pied Wagtail were at Bylaugh Sewage Treatment Works and a Grey Wagtail flew over Swanton Morley, where Green Woodpeckers showed well, yaffling at Sparham. A count of 62 Gadwall at Swanton Morley (21 at Sparham) was the only one of interest.


Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 141, Route 79, Sp 64, SM 61, SF 32

Steve Waite's Four Day Norfolk Trip

Steve Waite very kindly forwarded me links to his blog.
Well worth a read:
Day 1: http://stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/norfolk-trip-day-one.html
Day 2: http://stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/norfolk-trip-day-two.html
Day 3: http://stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/norfolk-trip-day-three.html
Day 4: http://stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/norfolk-trip-day-four.html

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 142, Route 79, Sp 59, SM 47, SF 32

Norfolk Bird News

A presumed record flock of up to 44 Pale-bellied Brent Geese are currently near Walcott, as numbers of this sub-species continue to be reported. Sheringham still holds the Purple Sandpiper, but there have been no further reports of the Glaucous Gull - I must have been very lucky.

The Snow Goose is still being seen around Holkham and inland to Burnham Thorpe and the Rough-legged Buzzard continues at Chedgrave Marshes, best accessed via Waveney Forest and walking to the NW corner.

Holme's count of Long-tailed Ducks is 21+, along with Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver offshore, as well as 2 White-fronted Geese on the freshmarsh - an uncommon sight here. The Red Kite continues to be seen in the area, with Water Pipit, Twite and Mealy Redpoll at Titchwell - where a Grey Phalarope was reported on Friday. A Grey Phalarope has shown well at Gibraltar Point recently.

Most interesting is a report of a Slavonian Grebe at Sparham - illness has stopped me getting out this weekend, but I may need a trip over there tomorrow! That with Hen Harrier seen roosting at Cley and Whooper Swan at Salthouse (Seapool) there are still plenty of patch ticks around!

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 142, Route 79, Sp 59, SM 47, SF 32

Julian Bhalerao Pics

'David,
I tried to twitch your Glauc today but dipped hideously. The weather was very grim but still managed to see the Purple Sand. Grey bird on grey rocks in grey weather at about 40th of a second so I suppose I should be pleased with any result.
Went to see the pair of Scaup at Wells.'
 
 

 
Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 142, Route 79, Sp 59, SM 47, SF 32

Just one Barn Owl was seen this morning, this time at Guist, perched in a roadside tree. This is the first one I have seen at this site this year - although I have seen 3 birds together here. Rain set in, although 2 Marsh Harriers were still seen.

A lunchtime sojourn to Sheringham sea front was doubly productive, as the Purple Sandpiper was still present feeding on rocks below The Crown pub, with 10+ Turnstone nearby. A scan to the west looking at the gulls, produced the slightly unexpected 'find' of the Glaucous Gull, which hadn't been reported for a couple of days. It was a brute of a bird, dwarfing all those around it!
Slight dilemma here, this area is not on my 'Route' so I shouldn't really count these birds, but I bet the 'Route' gets extended as I look to increase the 'list'!!

Those of you who know me realise gulls are not my strong point! Can anyone explain what is going on with this gull?!?

Rain was still prevalent in the evening, there was little at Salthouse or Walsey, but a quick stop off at Cley Centre produced c20 Avocet etc. However, again this isn't actually on 'Route' its 'beside'!! With this in mind I pulled over at the top of Old Woman's Lane (definitely on 'Route!), where 3 Gadwall flew over with other duck. A small corner of Pat's Pool can be seen from here and on here was one of the Avocet! c500 Brents flew west then another 100 tumbled out of the sky, thinking of landing in the Eye Field before changing back West. An interesting sight of c 200 Pied Wagtail going to roost in the reeds was unexpected. 5 Marsh Harriers were seen together over the reedbed.

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 364 BOU, 376 UK400, Year 141, Route 79, Sp 59, SM 47, SF 32