NORWICH: Late March in the city

Last half of March 2021

The third week of March was rather quiet sightings wise, with a few flyover birds on my daily walk in to work including Grey Heron and a couple of Oystercatchers, whilst I heard my first Chiffchaff of the year singing along Lakenham Way on 23rd March. I saw a new beetle, by virtue of it landing on my desk, Two-spotted Carpet Beetle (Attagenus pellio). There was also an avian highlight with three Red Kites flying over Bethel Street seen at close quarters. Having seen the first one I then got closer and saw two fly over heading in the same direction. I assumed at the time that the first one had looped round behind me, but other observers on the other side of Chapelfield Gardens confirmed there were three individuals.

WALES: Day 1 - Kite feed & woodland specialists

7th June 2014

This time last year Cathy & I were busy with wedding plans, so we had decided that this spring we would go away for a short break. As we were looking at weekends I didn't really fancy a lot of driving, so we decided to book onto Carl Chapman's weekend tour to Wales. The tour takes in the Red Kite feed at Gigrin and Dolphin watching at New Quay, with the rest of the time looking for other birds found nearby.

We set off just after seven, and reached the Elan Valley in time for lunch. Whilst eating we saw a Dipper and a Goosander fly downriver, whilst a Grey Wagtail was also present. A short woodland walk was very productive, with at least five Spotted Flycatchers and good views of singing Redstarts and Wood Warblers.

Next stop was Gigrin farm for the Kite feeds. We had a hide booked, and the Kites were soon circling overhead. As the feed started 150+ Red Kites were flying in, along with a few Buzzards and Ravens. Back in the car park Cathy found a male Redstart in the hedge nearby.

Once the Kites had begun to disperse we headed back to the Elan Valley, but further along this time. The reservoirs were pretty devoid of birds (presumably because of their depth), but the woodland nearby was productive, with more Redstarts, two Pied Flycatchers, Redpoll, Bullfinch and a Cuckoo calling from across the other side of a reservoir.

NORTH NORFOLK: Flyover Kite

3rd April 2012

A leisurely drive through North Norfolk turned up this dogfight over the road, as a Red Kite was mobbed by corvids.