Catch-up From a Busy Week!

Friday 30th April
I had dreams this morning of finding a Bee-eater as my 200 year and 150 Route Patch bird! However, it wasn't to be! My 200 Year bir ended up being Little Tern and, slightly more pleasing, Whinchat at Gramborough became 150 for the Route Patch! Other sightings included the unusual find of 2 Barnacle Goose at Salthouse, looking much less wild than the group I had fly past earlier in the year! 3 Wheatear were seen, along with 100+ Swift and lesser numbers of House Martin and Swallow moving E. 2 Whimbrel were grounded and Grenshank flew over.

Returning further to type, I went across to Titchwell for the Iberian Chiffchaff. The weather made the trip very frustrating, as the bird refused to sing until a very late burst (fortunately also heard by Paul!) 'The' bird was seen occasionally, with green(er) upperparts, palers below with dusky yellow flanks. Its heavy(er) bill was noted as was the yellowish supercillium, larger before the eye and seemingly more rounded wings - moving, but not really pumping its tail.

Thursday 29th April
A good Barn Owl morning, with 4 birds being seen at N of Dereham, N Elmham, Guist and Wood Norton.
at least 25 Swift were noted, as well as 2 Common Tern and 20+ Sandwich Tern. At least one Wood Sandpiper was noted distantly on Billy's Wash. A wonderful female Merlin was noted at Walsey Hills, were two fleeting glimpses of a female Redstart, flitting away each time. Garden and Cetti's Warbler continue along with the commoner migrants.

After work it was the turn of heading SE to Winterton to see the Woodchat Shrike. It was seen nearly immediately and showed well, before disappearing all too soon. A stunning male Whinchat was seen, along with two Ring Ouzel dissappearing into the gorse.

Courtesy of Julian Bhalerao!

Wednesday 28th April
The usual morning wanders produced a booming Bittern, Greenshank calling and a newly arrived Garden Warbler at Walsey Hills. At least one Grasshopper Warbler was reeling, 4 Yellow Wagtail flew W, as did 30+ Linnet. 7 Wheatear were at Salthouse.

After work I travelled to great distancs of <1 mile to twitch the Hoopoe! Whilst there the Ring Ouzel hoo-doo was broken and I didn't really twitch it! 6+ Swift were my first for the Route Patch! A Tree Pipit called as it flew W along the railway track.
Further down the coast as I was heading into Salthouse, a small duck flew over and I thought I saw a white stripe on its head! Amazingly I was able to see where it landed and after a while a cracking male Garganey came into view and then quickly flew off E toward Kelling wter Meadow! Nighingale was heard on the Heath, as well as a purring Turtle Dove, with another of the later on wires near Thornage.

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

Norfolk 376 UK400, 364 BOU, Year 201, Route 150, Sp 105, SM 107, SF 50