Norfolk Birding Two !

Date: 23-26th Nov - All Day

Location: Norfolk - Titchwell, Holkham, Snettisham

Observation: Few more pictures from Norfolk

Great Skua @ Cley Marshes

Amazing Flocks Of Oystercatcher @ RSPB Snettisham

Holkham Sunset

 And On Last Day A Hen Harrier Over Thornham Harbour ! 

Great Looking Bird !

Thanks for Looking !

Norfolk Birding!

Date: 23-26th Nov - All Day

Location:  Norfolk - Titchwell, Holkham, Snettisham

Observation:  A few days in Norfolk, we had a nightime base of Hunstanton at Searles Campsite (well worth a stop if your around the area!). A sunset walk along the beach, produced good numbers of Turnstone, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Monday morning we headed to Titchwell Marshes, cold but a good total of species seen including Sparrowhawk causing havoc with the waders. Most of the good birds were along the beach Sanderling and Grey Plover were both new birds for us so good start to the trip. Onto Cley Marshes, a pair of Marsh Harriers hunting over the reserve.  A fly-past Skua sp. A tip-off for a few Snow Buntings along the shingle beach, proved correct although very elusive little birds! Also a few Skylark and Stonechat along the beach, and a surprise sunbathing Grey Seal!! Last reserve of the day was Holkham Reserve, arrived just before sunset in hope to see the Common Scoter, although not seen, an amazing sight of 40,000+ Pink-Footed Geese roosting in the fields next to the car park against a stunning sunset, the noise is spectacular! Tuesday morning we got up to see the Snettisham wader roost, well that didn't happen (Typical!), the mist was awful and waders were going off in small groups rather than one big lift off, but never seen so many waders ever! As we had more time than planned we moved onto Holme Nature Reserve (along the coast) and walked along to Thornham Harbour. All wildlife made us wait until we were about to turn around and head back, when a small group of Twite and a fly-past Hen Harrier and Merlin hunting together! A few shots and no longer seen!!

Today we headed home, but had a stop off at WWT Welney, a very difficult reserve to Slimbridge, but was packed with wildlife! A Sparrowhawk fly-past and landed 20 foot in front of hide before posing for a few shots and was off again. A few Whooper and Bewicks around the reserve also. Overall an amazing few days in Norfolk, we will be back early next year! A total of 72 species of bird isn't bad!

Weather:  Cloudy, Sun, Rain (Bit of everything!)

Other Species: Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Brent Geese, Pink-Footed Geese, Little Grebe, Skua sp., Snow Bunting, Stonechat, Curlew, Bewick Swan, Whooper Swan, Twite, Skylark, Oystercatcher, Goldcrest, Red Kite, Quail, Red-Legged Partridge, Avocet, Redwing - Of Note

Thanks for looking!

Thursday Patch Walk

Date: 20/11/2014

Location: Newton St Loe - Patch

Observation: Started a misty patch walk through campsite a Grey Heron was on Footbridge but flew off down brook.

Weather: Cloudy, 8'c, Misty 

Other Species: Grey Heron, Treecreeper, Little Owl, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Buzzard of note

Very little else in campsite. Fields looked empty too ! But down by Globe in fields a large group of Black Headed Gulls were feeding maybe 60+

Got to village the usual Jay was at church and small groups of Long Tailed Tits were around. At lake Little Owl present but different tree and being buzzed by Long Tailed Tits and a Treecreeper !

He's Not Happy !

Headed back Redwings small groups of 5/6 and a Mistle thrush were in trees at village. A Buzzard on way home And end .

Sunlight Over Lansdown

 Thanks for Looking

(Check back soon Our first Norfolk trip this weekend ! :))

Kingfishers..... FINALLY !

Date: 10th Nov - 12PM

Location:  Newton Brook - Seven Acre - Zone 5

Observation:  Within minutes of starting the walk a bright blue flash on a branch, we crept around so we could see it full view.... KINGFISHER! As your properly aware (if your a frequent reader) we aren't very lucky when it comes to seeing or photographing Kingfishers so this was a huge surprise! He didn't seem too bothered we were there, he made a few attempts at diving, all attempts were unsuccessful so he kept moving downstream to try again. After about 15 minutes of following him and photographing him, we moved on and walked up to Seven Acre Woods, just the normal there, 1 Kestrel hunting, a few Skylark singing in the fields. I go to the crossroads and decided I would head back through the campsite whilst Wayne walked on out to the lake. Highlights were 5+ Goldcrest, 20+ Redwing and a Mistle Thrush (on the same tree).

This is when walking along I heard the Kingfisher again, this time he was trying his luck upstream back on the same perches as before. I was using the trees as cover and going slowly but carefully towards him, but still didn't seem bothered that I was there. I took about 100 shots and left him fishing !

Superb to see them on our local brook, I will try and put up so better perches for him and will hopefully see him more!

Weather:  Cloudy, Sunny Intervals, Cold with wind.

Other Species: Buzzard, Kingfisher, Wren, Skylark, Kestrel - Of Note

Thanks For Reading!