Birding in Norfolk, Hampshire and Holland

November 2010

Having arrive back at our Stamford, Lincolnshire house and already made two visits to Rutland Water, there was still more birding to be undertaken before returning to our mountain home above lake Vinuela in southern Spain. An account of the Rutland water experience has already been posted on the main blog (http://birdingaxarquia.blogspot.com).

The future visits can be summarised as follows:

1. Two days based at Cromer in north Norfolk where we were able to spend time at both Titchwell Marshes and Brancaster Staith before having a whole day at Cley-next-the-sea.
2. A morning at the Hampshire nature reserve of Titchfield Haven near Hill Head at the mouth of the River Meon on Southampton water.
3. A full day exploring the polders of Zeeland in the very south of Holland just over the Belgian border.
4. A morning in the mixed wood and damp moors of the Belgian army's shooting range at Wuustwezel north of Antwerp, where our friend Marieke has been undertaking an extensive Goshawk study for the past ten years or more.

1a: Titchwell marshes and Brancaster Staith

Not the best of weather for our two-day visit to Norfolk; lots of cloud and dampness but, fortunately, we had little rain and when it did come, the short showers coincided with our stay at a corresponding hide. However, the journey over from Stamford started well and before long we had recorded most of the corvids with Crow, Rook and Magpie plus a Buzzard immediately over the car. Before actually reaching the reserve we had also seen a very large flock of Golden Plover and the occasional Kestrel.

Entering the reserve (we had all forgotten our RSPB membership cards!) and donning much clothing and sensible footwear, we started at the feeding station and managed to record most of the usual "nut" feeders, including Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit; not to mention Robin, Dunnock and optimistic Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves plus a scratching Moorhen. However, pride of place must go to the handful of Brambling, even if they did not really present themselves for a good photographic opportunity.

A walk towards the sea and pools failed to find the Pallas Leaf Warbler that had just been seen but we did see a good selection of ducks including Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and Pintail. A couple of Cormorant were resting on a sand bank and then the waders appeared with good numbers of Lapwing plus Sanderling and a Bar-tailed Godwit. On the field to the side our first sighting of many Brent Geese whilst Black-headed Gulls worked their way over the water.

A Little Egret was feeding at the shore line (just like a "home from home" experience!) as we moved between the pools and then a small flock of Avocet. From the hide a close view of a Pied Wagtail whilst behind a number of Pheasant were feeding. Greylag Geese were a plenty and even more were to be seen on the last leg of the journey towards Cromer along with a pair of Egyptian Geese. However, the special sighting was that of a small flock of Twite passing immediately overhead.

Leaving Titchwell we made a short stop at Brancaster Staith before heading on to our accommodation in Cromer. The tide was out and on the exposed mus and shingle were very m,any Oystercatchers and Turnstones. Closer study revealed the Ringed Plovers, a couple of Redshank, Curlew, a small number of Dunlin and then a rather lovely Grey Plover. The last birds were a few Black-tailed Godwits and a handsome Mute Swan. A total of 51 species on the first day in not particularly good conditions was very rewarding.













Photos (from top to bottom, left to right):
Snow Bunting
Brambling
Wigeon
Greylag Goose
Turnstone
Curlew (Grey Plover behind); Black-tailed Godwit; Female Chaffinch

Birds seen (Day1): Cormorant, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, mallard, Pintail, Shoveler,Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Twite, House Sparrow, Common Starling, Rook and Crow.


1b: Cley-next-the-Sea

The forecast promised that today would be the best day of the week and you would be very unlikely to be in the one or two areas likely to receive a short shower. How wrong could they be! However, it was only near lunch time that we were actually caught in a shower on the way back to the car park for a well-earned coffee and cakes. Indeed, jenny was already feeling the cold so she left ahead of us and, as a result, was the only one of the five to actually see the Bearded Tits! There must be a moral there somewhere.

Entering the reserve opposite the car park we were immediately confronted by a pair of Mute Swans and a single Black Swan. A couple of Moorhen were in the stream and in the neighbouring bushes and trees good numbers of Crow, Rook and Magpies plus the resident House Sparrows. The walk to the first hide produced Linnets and Wood Pigeons and then we had close views of Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, Mallard and Shelduck. Also present were good numbers of Greylag Geese and the ever-arriving Brent Geese. Around us were good-sized flocks of Starling and the occasional Blue Tit. Top the far side a flock of 35 Dunlin were accompanied by at least 50+ Black-tailed Godwits, all looking very splendid even if the weather was somewhat dull and gloomy.

Then, approaching the next hide, we were joined by at least 3 Marsh Harriers quartering the marsh which disturbed the lone Cormorant and had the Curlew and Redshank looking for cover. The first of the Snipe to be seen was busy feeding near the reed edge and more were seen from the hide itself. Plenty of Lapwing about plus the occasional Heron and Little Egret with a good number of Avocet on the main pool. The predominant gulls were Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls but, on reaching the car park near the shore after lunch, we did have another Common Gull.

Having been told that there was a Grey Phalarope on the far pool, we set off for the beach car park as above. Blackbirds, Pied Wagtails and Chaffinches on the way but first a stop at the sea-watch shelter. Well worth the stop as just off the beach was a party of at least 30 Common Scoter resting on the waves. As we looked a flock of 25 Eider Duck flew past towards the Titchwell and the Wash. The walk to the far hide was to prove very fruitful for stopping to see the small finch flock feeding on the ground amongst the shingle and low shrub we discovered our party of Snow Buntings and a single Meadow Pipit.

The far pool turned out to be a maze of water birds. Loads of Coot and Black-headed Gulls but also a handful of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a calling Cetti's Warbler. More Brent Geese were to be found and then our target bird, the Grey Phalarope, busy spinning in the water and feeding as if there would be no tomorrow! A few Pintail were seen, many Teal and a half a dozen Ruff before the passing Gadwall was overtaken by a departing Kingfisher. Finally, our first Little Grebe of the day was spotted so, once again, 51 species recorded.

With the following day wet and horrible, we made our way back to Stamford seeing the usual corvids and pigeons on the way. However, a stop for coffee at Penthorpe, in addition to the welcoming numbers of resident Jackdaws, produced a few more species. We had already seen Blackbirds along the road but now we had small groups of the birds plus a couple of Mistle Thrush and a single Song Thrush. Especially welcome was the sight of a dozen Redwing, even if we were unsuccessful in finding either Fieldfare of any of the recently arrived Waxwings.

So, finally home having recorded a further 4 species and a grand total of 72 for our Norfolk visit.

Photos (from top to bottom, left to right):
Black Swan White Swan Brent Geese Greylag Goose Grey Phalarope Teal Herring Gull; Pied wagtail; Black-headed Gull Snipe



Birds seen (Days 2 & 3): Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Eider Duck, Shelduck, Common Scoter, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Lapwing, Grey Phalarope, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Snipe, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Blue Tit, Snow Bunting, Chaffinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Starling, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook and Crow.


2: Titchfield Haven

Again, our short morning visit to the local reserve near my brother-in-law's home was accompanied by dismal weather which turned to light rain almost as soon as we arrived. Feeding on the receding tide on the shore of Southampton Water were good numbers of Oystercatcher, Turnstone and Black-headed Gulls with a smattering of Ringed Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls. Off shore we counted 52 resting Eider Duck and a couple of Cormorant and then, rounding the corner, a lovely Knot and a couple of Grey Plovers.

Entering the reserve we took the northern path first and found very good numbers of Mallard and Teal on the pools. Moorhens were moving about the reed edge and a couple of Crows over-flew the water, giving the Heron chance to look up and see what was going on. The second pool held a good-sized flock of Tufted Duck and the Little Grebes were busy feeding. The neighbouring bushes held Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock with the occasional Pheasant seen in the adjacent fields. Then it was on again and seeing at least 3 Jay as we approached the last water.

The final pool not only held both Shelduck and Gadwall but a good number of Black-tailed Godwit (one with colour rings that will need to be followed up) and at least 32 Snipe. Returning to the southern path the rain was intensifying so it really was a case of hurrying between the hides. Other than more of the same, a party of Jackdaws and a Great Tit nothing else was seen until the final hide when we found a rather wet looking Buzzard resting on an exposed tree. Walking back along the sea front to the car park, we had not only a couple of Great Crested Grebes on the open water but a feeding Kingfisher which we manage to follow for a few hundred yards giving both of us ample opportunity to observe its diving and feeding. Finally, the now empty harbour produced both Redshank and more Turnstones.

Given the conditions, a record of 40 species in a couple of hours was quite reasonable and an encouraging for a future visit when next back in the UK.


Photos (from top to bottom): Teal Black-tailed Godwit Male Great Tit

Birds seen:
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Eider Duck, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Buzzard, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Grey plover, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Knot, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Pied wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw and Crow.


3: Zeeland, Holland

The best day yet with 53 species recorded. The weather was cold and dull but, at least, it remained dry. Accompanied by our Belgian hostess, Marieke Berkvens, and her birding friend we travelled across the border into Holland and the polders of Zeeland. A stop on the edge of the Scheldt estuary on a rising tide produced very good numbers of Oystercatchers and Turnstones plus significant numbers of Curlew, Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwits.

No sooner had we turned "inland" and entered some of the favoured polders than we were really among the geese. First thousands of White-fronted Geese (all the way from Greenland) and later equal numbers of Barnacle Geese. Looking around, as in Norfolk, there were also very many Brent Geese. Every turning seemed to produce more of the same. The accompanying streams and outlets were full of duck with, in addition to many Mallard, hundreds of Teal and Wigeon. Similarly, a few Shelduck, Shoveler and Tufted Duck were also noted.

For waders, we had thousands of both Lapwing and Golden Plover and a most impressive sight they were too as they wheeled around the sky every time they were disturbed. Needless to say there were also the more common Moorhen and Coots plus the feeding Crows, Jackdaws and Magpies. Overhead, the occasional Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and Kestrel were looking for the next meal.

Having got used to seeing so many geese together, a sudden variation in plumage required closer scrutiny. Not a Barnacle Goose as its neck was thicker and completely white to match its head. What could it be? Snow Goose and Upland Goose were suggested as both had been previously recorded in the area. Early thoughts were for the latter but on further investigation, studying the photograph taken and speaking to colleagues, it was unanimously agreed that what we had was a Blue Morph Snow Goose. Given that it was feeding with Barnacle, Brent and Greenland White-fronted Geese there is every chance that it was a vagrant all the way from North America and probably Canada. (More information appears on the main blog - CLICK HERE for details).

So on to the next stop and even more birds, including a few Mute Swans and both Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Little Grebes were feeding in the water with both Redshank and Grey Plover at the water's edge. With the tide almost fully in many of the waders were now resting at the water's edge and included many "sleeping" Curlew, Oystercatcher, Turnstone and Ringed Plover. Further out both Great Crested Grebes and Cormorants were to be seen and then a small party of Red-breasted Mergansers.

Approaching a small "inland" pool, we were able to see the reason for the sudden flight of a large number of Teal as a Peregrine flew over. Below us on the water were good numbers of Avocet and Snipe plus the occasional Little Egret and Heron. The odd Pintail and then a pair of Egyptian Geese and a large flock of Dunlin were next on the viewing list. Before darkness took over and we headed home via a stop for a very lndonesian meal, we also manage to find Greylag Geese plus a handful of Bar-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank and a late Sandwich Tern over the main river.

A wonderful day's birding and an experience to be treasured for many years to come.

Photos (from top to bottom, left to right):
White-fronted Geese
Brent Geese
Barnacle Goose
Grey Plover Curlew Red-breasted Merganser; Wigeon; Buzzard
Little Egret; Redshank















Birds seen:
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Mute Swan, White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Snipe, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook and Crow.


4: Wuustwezel, Belgium

A couple of hours walking in the woods near Marieke's house was just the job to really refresh us before starting out on the long journey south to our Spanish home. Suitably dressed we started off for the woods where Marieke undertakes her Goshawk study and, indeed, were able to see a couple of the well-established nests if not the birds themselves.

Whilst the area was relatively quiet and we saw no raptors, we did have the usual Magpie, Rook, Crow and Wood Pigeon that one might expect in such a mixed habitat. The initial path alongside a small pool produced good numbers of Great Tit and Blue Tit plus the occasional Chaffinch and a fair number of Reed Buntings which, Marieke informed us, had become part of the staple diet for the wintering Great grey Shrikes. However, the sight of a Chiffchaff soon after entering the woods was a very welcome sight.

A small pool inside the woods held a small flock of Canada Geese and a few Greylags which took off upon our arrival. Also on the lake were a number of Teal, which breed in the adjacent wood, and Mallard. A solitary Heron kept sentinel on the far bank before, also, taking his leave. The end of the walk became very productive as we watched a mixed party of Crested Tits and Goldcrests whilst a Robin foriaged around below.

Only 18 birds seen and then it was time to bid our farewells ans start on the first leg of the return journey which would take us to an overnight stop on the outskirts of Orleans.

Photos from top:
Marieke Berkvens
Male Chaffinch
Male Great Tit


Birds seen:
Heron, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Teal, Mallard, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Crested Tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook and Crow.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information