After work birding fun

28th & 30th April 2010

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Following on from the weekends Bluethroat, another two cracking birds turned up on Wednesday (unless you consider Tawny Pipit cracking, in which case three). I was so psyched by the thought of seeing a Hoopoe I began walking to the train station straight from work, minus optics or any real plan of action. Luckily I got a phone call offering me a lift later on, so I had time to go back, eat and get my 'scope. Gary did the legwork on site, relocating the bird and keeping it in view until we arrived. We watched it sit in long grass along the edge of a field, before it spread its ridiculous wings and lolloped off.

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Winterton (and indeed most of the east coast) is a bit of a pain to get to via public transport, so I was concerned I would miss out on the male Woodchat Shrike. Gary came to the rescue, giving me a lift after work on Friday. There were only two birders on site when we arrived, neither of whom had seen the shrike. I managed to find it, getting flight views as it zoomed into some small trees on the bank. There was a tense wait to see if we could refind it (there was nothing else it could have been, but I didnt really want to tick it on those views). Eventually it popped up, Gary got it in the 'scope and all was well, even better than the Hoopoe. On the way home we called into Barton to look for Adam's Arctic Terns, but only found loads of Common Terns.

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Winterton Woodchat

5 more to go

27th April 2010

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Aiming to make the most of the warm weather I set out after work to try to nudge my Whitlingham list closer to the 100 mark. Upon arrival at Thorpe Marsh I saw a blue mini parked up, but thought it couldn't possibly be Adam & Laura, I mean, they were at work. I went and sat on the edge of the cattle pound for about 20 minutes, watching the scrape whilst listening for Grasshopper Warbler or Cuckoo. I heard neither, but was able to see 2 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and a pair of Stock Doves go about their business before I moved on. There was little about on the grassy area, the Wheatear invasion appears to have predictably fizzled out before it reached here.

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Continuing on my lap, taking care on the soft ground (the recent rain has soaked in rather than sitting on the surface, giving a false impression of dryness!) I scanned the spit from the rather pointless bird screen. The only waders on the spit were three Oystercatchers, but patch bird number 94 for the year, a Whitethroat, flew across my path and onto a reed stem. It wasn't long until I found another, in brambles on the riverbank. So far I have seen Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat all in literally the same 10 feet area that they were last year. How's that for precision? Scanning from the moored boats I saw a brown wader in flight, this time with no white rump and white wingbars. It landed next to another, and Common Sandpiper was on the list (95). It turns out Adam had indeed got out of work and seen some Avocets before I got there, I really need to get me some of that flexible working. On the walk home a flock of around 20 Swifts screeched overhead as they flew towards the city.

After the Lord Mayors Bluethroat

25th April 2010

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Anything I saw today was bound to be a bit of an anticlimax, unless a Bee-eater had flown over the house calling then sat on a nearby roof until half nine waiting for me to get up (unfortunately it didn't). At the 4th time of asking my actinic moth trap had actually caught some moths, admittedly only 2 Hebrew Characters and a Common Quaker, but we can work on that. I stayed in doors most of the day, but a text from Adam saying that he had seen a Barnacle Goose at Whitlingham the day before convinced me to give it a look. He had actually seen a whopping 13 patch ticks, albeit 9 of them birds that I'd seen earlier.

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Arriving at the Great Broad I was off the mark with 2 Common Terns (later joined by two more), swooping low over the water without ever going in. Maybe the gnatty-things are tastier than fish? Or maybe it was a celebratory flight at reaching this urban oasis? Either way, a passage bird that I missed completely last year. I had a quick look in the woods, seeing loads of Blackcaps. The Shelduck had departed from Trowse Marsh, but six Swifts screamed overhead, which I'm sure is my earliest Whitlingham record. Back down to the broad, 5 Sedge Warblers singing in total and some Sand Martins, but no sign of the Barnacle or Lesser Whitethroat. Still, another couple down, seven more to reach 100! I'm banking on House Martin, Cuckoo, Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, Coal Tit plus a couple of waders on Thorpe Marsh to bring up the ton.

Obligatory Bluethroat Post

24th April 2010
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Birding has many levels of appeal, and a myriad reasons for doing it. However, brightly coloured or elaborately plumaged birds do seem to have that bit of extra motivation to them. Think Bee-eater vs Dusky Warbler, both at opposite ends of the county, how many would choose the warbler? Anyway, I'd never seen a Bluethroat, I was offered a lift, it was a no-brainer. Having consulted with my bank manager I scraped together enough to cover the entry fee, and off we went. Note to WWT type people. Your observatory hide is nice. I like Swans. £6.70 is a ridiculously high entry fee. I suggested it was originally £2, but eveytime something rare turns up they increase it (Canvasback £2, Caspian Tern £1, American Wigeon 50p etc). This was actually the first time I'd beent here and been able to walk around, its been flooded previously.
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So, we were in, and walking across the fortifications. Some Corn Buntings singing in the car park and some House Martins were a pleasant start. Ignoring all of the hides, we carried on to the pathway to the Lyle Hide, where birders were loitering looking slightly uncertain. The reason became apparent, the bird had just flown across the path and out of sight into a small area of reedbed. We waited, and waited (the girls went and sat down on a bench watching a Sedge Warbler) before eventually the Bluethroat popped out of the reeds directly in front of Gary & I. It was constantly flicking its tail up, showing the red edges, before turning to show the blue throat and flying back down into the reeds. Everyone was excited, none more so than the guy who proclaimed "its a Wren", only to be told in no uncertain terms that he was incorrect (you had to be there). A further half hour of occasional bits of song and a couple of flight views later and we called it quits. Not the views that such a beautiful bird deserves, but enough to appreciate its salient points.
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During our vigil we had also clocked up Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail, Whooper Swan and Marsh Harrier, but we wanted to get our moneys worth. On the way back we stopped for an in-promptu pond-dip, managing a leech, caddisfly larvae, lots of water snails and water lice. On the main scrape were LRPs, Common Sandpiper, more Yellow Wags and the usual marshy fare. We departed for Titchwell in search of sustenance.
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With all of the sausage rolls long gone, I had the Cornish Pasty that clearly nobody else wanted. A brood of ducklings was the only thing showing from the fen hide, although we politely thanked a man for his news that a Marsh Harrier was showing. I have no idea what he'd be like at Stubb Mill. We quickly located pairs of Ruddy Duck and Red-crested Pochard, and less quickly got on to a female Ring Ouzel. At the far end of the car park we located the Lesser Whitethroat that could be heard singing from the Fen Hide. We were about ready to go home, but a quick walk along the Holme entrance track gave us a first Whimbrel of the year.

It was going so well

23rd April 2010

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A midweek trip to Whitlingham had failed to turn up any migrants, and arguably the best bird of the week was a Grey Heron cruising down Earlham Road at streetlight height. A message from Paul informing me of a Lesser Whitethroat at the back of the woods acted as a spur to go back on Friday for a thorough look around.

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In glorious sunshine my visit started well, Kingfisher at Trowse Meadows, Grey Wagtail in an alder along the Little Broad and my first Reed Warbler of the year soon after. There was no sign of the Lesser Whitethroat, but a number of Blackcaps were feeding in the scrub. From the lookout point in the woods I watched over Thorpe Broad for a while, picking up a sleeping Shelduck, two Little Ringed Plovers and two Green Sandpipers (another year tick). Even better was to come, whilst walking further down Whitlingham Lane a male Marsh Harrier rose up from north of the river and soared over.

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Whitlingham Marsh was quiet as usual, and I took the path under the bypass to the sewage works. With all that short cropped grass and flies, I was hoping for migrant Yellow Wagtails, or something along those lines. Behind the settling pools a beautiful yellow colour glowed. Dandelions. Bloody flowers. A pair of Oystercatchers and some Swallows were the only birds of note, so my eye was drawn to a warning sign. It read "Articles in these premises are protected with SmartWater". Are they really that worried? If the smartwater wasn't protecting the sewage, would people be shovelling it out? Hmm.

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Anyway, other than the smell of well-protected sewage the evening was a success, sunny weather, birdsong and four year patch ticks. A Cetti's Warbler gave a blast of song from right next to the path, giving crippling views until I got my camera out. On my way home I was looking down river just before Trowse Meadow, when my retinas were blasted by the site of two chavs having sex on a bench. Not knowing the correct etiquette for this situation, I pretended I hadn't noticed and kept walking. I hate to think what it will be like when it gets really warm.

Back to local birding

17th & 18th April 2010

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Following last weeks Scotland adventure it was back to local matters over the weekend. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day, so I stayed indoors waiting for temperatures to cool and daytrippers to go home before setting off for Whitlingham. Unfortunately my actions were in vain, as a group of teenagers were having a party on the Little Broad beach. On the warbler front there was still only one singing Sedge Warbler, but Willow Warblers were up to four and Chiffchaffs were calling all around. The three remaining Egyptian Goose chicks are all looking healthy, and there were four broods of young Mallard chicks (10, 9, 5 & 3). A flyover Grey Wagtail, anting Green Woodpecker and the little hybrid goose were all seen on the way round.

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Another sunny day on Sunday, so I decided to give the quieter Thorpe Marsh side a go. Watching the skies failed to yield more than a Swallow and a Kestrel (2nd patch record this year), but I did finally break my Little Ringed Plover duck, watching one feeding merrily along the muddy margins of the pool near the cattle pound. A lap of the site revealed three Sedge Warblers but little else, probably a few days too early for Whitethroat, Gropper etc. A further two LRPs were on the western shingly edge of the broad, four Oystercatchers on the spit and a further check of the first pool revealed three Snipe, but that was my lot. On the way back I called in at Carey's Meadow, which was similar devoid of Whitethroats.

Scotland Trip

Over the past week I have been in Scotland having a bit of a birding extravaganza. Eagles, Grouse, Pine Martens, and even an Osprey from the pub. I am trying to keep the blog Norfolk-themed, but if you'd like to read where I went, and see some record shots then why not head off to http://birdsandbeerextra.blogspot.com/ for a full report.

Here's a taster...

EAGLE!!

Crossbill watching in Abernethy. You may recognise Adam from birding at reserves in Norfolk, he's the one that sits outside the hides.

Guns and warblers at Whitlingham

7th April 2010

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On Tuesday evening, late news came through that a Slavonian Grebe had been present that day. Still needing Slav for my Whitlingham list, I headed down at dawn to try to relocate said bird. Walking down the lane a Red-legged Partridge came out from the bank on the left of the road, wandered down the road before hopping into the field on the right. Only my second patch record, although perhaps an unsurprising bird to find here. Extensive scanning of the broad failed to turn up any grebes other than Great Crested and one Little. My first Sedge Warbler of the year was singing from brambles on the riverbank, along with a Willow Warbler nearby and a male Blackcap singing along the Little Broad. Near Whitlingham Hall there was again no sign of any Little Owls, I think Adam's sighting must have been a one-off as I have checked that tree to death! Three Starlings over were an embarrassing patch year tick.

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Whitlingham at dawn

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For those who don't have access to Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists publications, this months "Natterjack" included a story of how an individual with a telescope at Whitlingham was accused of having a gun by a member of the public and the police called. It ran that a woman thought that the birder was shooting ducks, then thought he was pointing the "gun" at her, then the police turned up and it was all sorted out. Similar events have happened in the past, I vaguely remember it happening to a famous naturalist, maybe Ted Ellis , with a butterfly net? I do however find this particular story quite odd. Most people at Whitlingham dont bat an eyelid at telescopes, and those that confuse them always presume its a big camera. Without dead ducks and bangs, why think its a gun? And wouldn't a (presumably armed) police response have at least made the local press? If I'm wrong and you have been accused, then do leave me a comment!

Easter goodies

Birds

Spring is well and truly in at Whitlingham now. The first goslings of the year are a brood of four Egyptian Geese, occupying the area around the slipway. A singing Willow Warbler on the 5th was a week later than last year. Around 25 Swallows and a Sand Martin were still hawking insects, albeit higher than when they first arrived, and a female Blackcap was in scrub by the Little Broad.

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Away from Whitlingham I saw four Firecrests and some late-ish Redwing in the Brecks, and my first Willow Warbler of the year at Sparham (2nd April). I missed the Garganey at Buckenham, but saw summer plumaged Water Pipit, Little Egret, Avocet and a Stoat.

Pubs & Beer

A visit to the newly re-opened Coldham Hall pub at Surlingham was a bit of a missed opportunity, with few birds about on the river. We did manage Great Crested Grebe and Grey Heron, whilst Coal Tit and Chiffchaff remained heard only. The railway cut off our view from The Rushcutters at Thorpe, but patience paid off with flight views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker. In the Woolpack in Norwich I sampled a limited edition Woodfordes beer called "City", but it wasn't anything to write home about it. More impressive was Badger's "Golden Glory" with a hint of peach.

Fungi

On the last day before the Easter break we discovered a Morel at work. There are three species found in Norfolk, but this seem to resemble Morchella elata most closely.

The hirundines are here

31st March 2010

Every evening this week has been rainy, but today was down to just drizzle so I went to Whitlingham anyway. The temptation was further down the valley at Strumpshaw, where they have Garganey, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin. Arriving at the Little Broad a Swallow zoomed low across the water in front of me. Taking several counts and averaging them (bloody difficult to count, they wouldn't stay still, surprisingly) I counted 32 Swallows. In amongst them were three Sand Martins, a day later than in 2009. On the beach area a pair of Grey Wagtails were a welcome sight, the bright yellow standing out against the murkiness.

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After that the rest of the walk was a bit of a let down. Still no broods of young from the geese, and a lone Chiffchaff was the only warbler calling. 15+ Swallows and 6 Sand Martins were feeding over the water between the south shore and island. With the drizzle still falling and another batch of canoeists setting out I headed home.

Clocks go forward = more birds

28th March 2010

The plan for Sunday was quite straightforward, help Gary see a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker for his yearlist and then travel around the area mopping up any other birds he needed. Three hours in and there was no sign of any LSW, although we had seen good numbers of Crossbill, plus Siskins, Redpoll, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch etc. At midday birdsong had decreased and with sightings now even less likely we decided to drive to Kessingland to have a look for the Pallid Swift. We arrived to find both Alpine and Pacific Swifts swooping around each other, frequently in the same binocular view. Having watched them from the seafront, we went to the nearest pub, the Sailor's Home, where we continued to watch both birds whilst drinking Broadside.

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Me & Gary enjoy a drink and a couple of swifts

Escaping back into Norfolk before the border authorities noticed we were gone, we went to Winterton Dunes to look for migrants. The area was barren, between us we saw 2 Magpies, 2 Skylarks and a Chaffinch before Phil found a lone Wheatear. Having hugged the totem pole for luck, we were about to head for home when Gary's "mega alert" alarm went off. Lesser Kestrel at Minsmere. We ran for the car, saving ourselves around 5 seconds, and set off back into darkest Suffolk. This was my first proper spur-of-the-moment twitch, everything else I've been for has been long-staying. On the way we were held up by a Porsche, it's not often you can say that!

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Arriving at Westleton we scanned for the Lesser Kestrel, which had by now flown off. Near to us a birder picked out an Alpine Swift above the woods, my third in three days. With no Kestrels in view, we carried on towards Minsmere. Whilst watching some Red Deer and a Swallow, a birder drove down the drive shouting "it's at Westleton Heath" before zooming off. Watching everyone run to their cars and jump in was sort of like an alarm at a well-staffed fire station where only two people can fit into each badly parked fire engine. After turning round we made our way back to where we had parked previously and set off down the heath. Eventually we came to a clearing where there were already 100+ people scoping into the distance. It didn't take long before I got good but distant flight and perched views of the Lesser Kestrel in the evening sunshine, at times framed by Red Deer and Rabbits. A magical moment and a cracking bird.

Another hybrid goose

27th March 2010

A walk around Norwich looked to have produced nothing other than 5 calling Chiffchaffs (3 at Whitlingham, 2 at Lakenham Way) until I found a hybrid goose on the slipway at Whitlingham. It looked like a dowdy version of the presumed LWF x Barnacle, similar in size and primaries. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but I am awaiting pictures to be emailed to me which I will post.

Alpine Swift

I thought of quite a lot of "swift" puns for the title, but decided to spare everyone.

26th March 2010

After spending quite a bit of time birding locally recently, I took up Neil's offer of a lift to Cromer to have a look for the Alpine Swift after work. Our plan was to park in town and walk up to the lighthouse, where if nothing else we could have a panoramic view of the surrounding area. As we walked along the footpath past the public gardens we were told the swift had flown east from the town ten minutes ago. We felt positive (it was in the area) rather than negative that it may have flown straight through. We hadn't left the houses before we saw the Alpine Swift flying over the roofs (rooves? What is the plural of roof?). Stopping at the entrance to the little wood, we got crippling views as the swift flew over wood, sea, against blue sky and cloud, and on several occasions close overhead. The large size and white underparts were clear at distance, but the best part was the shear manoueverability of the bird. If it had been roosting in sight on the church tower I may have missed this, and that would have been a travesty.

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It's ok to be excited about Redshank

25th March 2010

Spring is still taking its time to get to Norwich, but a couple of Water Pipits at Thorpe was enough to get me out after work, albeit in the rain. No sign of them, a good poke round turning up the usual stuff, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Teal etc. I was about to leave when I heard a calling Redshank. I spun on the spot trying to pick it out, the second call just as hard to pinpoint as the first. Hoping it had landed rather than gone straight through, I walked to a gap between the willows and scanned the shingle spit. At the end was the Redshank, which strolled around for all of 30 seconds before flying up and off eastwards. On the NN coast you can walk through a marsh full of them, but this was only my second Whitlingham area record, and arguably my best find here this year (how depressing is that?). As I waited for the bus back to the city, no Alpine Swifts went to roost on Thorpe church, which was a shame.

Who needs swifts when you've got canoeists?

23rd March 2010

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Completely oblivious to the fact that Alpine Swifts had descended on the North Norfolk Coast like alien spaceships in Independence Day, I went down to Whitlingham after work. A Garganey had been seen in the conservation area the day before, but there was no sign of it, continuing my long-standing jinx with this species at the CP. If the past birds are anything to go by it was probably gone on the day, but a couple of people in a canoe who insisted on going right along the edge of the island and conservation area bay, made sure that any pre-roost ducks were moved on.

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Other than that, it was quite a nice evening. The Kingfisher fizzed across the Little Broad, now an almost regular occurence on my evening walks. A Green Woodpecker was feeding on a grassy area to the north of the broad, and couple of pairs of Teal skulked along the flooded edges. We had to wait for a pair of Mute Swans to vacate the area around the bird screen (still flooded) to have a scan, but only turned up a lone Snipe and a couple of Little Grebes. Across the river 100+ Tufted Duck and a pair of Oystercatchers gave a black and white theme to Thorpe Broad. No hirundines, and no sign of Saturdays Chiffchaffs, presumably they were just passing through.