October Birding in Norfolk

Back in England for a week so I had the opportunity to drive over to north Norfolk for a couple of nights which resulted in three good days of birding - despite the increasing westerly winds. On the other hand, other than a very short shower whilst I was not outside, the weather was mild and little need of a coat. Just as well given the telescope, camera and binoculars being lugged about! By the time I returned home on the Friday afternoon I had managed to total 77 species from the the three daily sightings of 52, 52 and 53 respectively.

Difficult to pick out a "special bird" but close views of something as simple as a small flock of Long-tailed Tits is always a joy to watch and the sea did produce a few Red-throated Divers, Great and Pomerain Skuas, Gannets, Manx Shearwaters and even a small party of Guillemots. A good variety of geese and ducks were seen but a little too early to pick up most of the yet-to-arrive wintering flocks. Marsh Harrier should have been a special but we are so used to seeing them in this part of Spain that, perhaps, they did not get the credit that they deserved. On the other hand, what a very special delight to be informed about and then find the pair of feeding Jack Snipes. With Common Snipe feeding next to the former it made it very easy to compare bot body size and, especially, the shorter bill of the Jack Snipe.


Wednesday 5 October 2011

Up and away reasonably early, early enough to catch the morning "rush hour" into Peterborough, but soon out into the flat landscape of the Fens with the occasional Kestrel and Buzzard, not to mention the scores of Wood Pigeons and Magpies, before the briefest of stops at Snettisham. Here I stayed long enough to confirm that flocks of Greylag Geese had arrived but decided the long walk to the reserve would, probably, produce nothing that could not be seen at either/both of Titchwell or Cley.

Arriving at the RSPB's Titchwell Marsh Reserve, I was amazed to find the car park full with even more vehicles in the overflow car park! But not to worry; there was plenty of room for all and no sign of the multitudes as I wandered around the reserve visiting the various hides before taking the walk to the beach. The main lagoons were short of water as a result of both recent dry weather and work being undertake to create/repair sluice-gates, etc. Very little on the feeders other than a few Greenfinches and a solitary Great Tit so off to the small pond where I encountered the first Long-tailed Tit of stay.

Leaving the small copse to head off seawards to the newly-opened "luxury hides" (but, sad to say, no basic facilities such as a toilet!) I encountered Little Egret and the first of very many Black-tailed Godwits. The wader count mounted once ensconced in the hide with the addition of Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin and a single Ruff. Whilst there were both Black-headed and Herring Gulls to be seen the occasional Common Gull was a distinct pleasure. Smaller birds included Linnet and Goldfinch.

The tide was in when I stopped at Brancaster Staithes so very little to be seen - other than the "domesticated" Turnstones that seemed to have turned into House Sparrows the way they now patrol any parked car!

Cley Marshes is always a treat to visit and, having first visited the Visitors Centre to book in and purchase a new connector for my tripod, I was soon off to the nearest hide, passing Mute Swans on the way, from where I could see a good number of Black-tailed Godwits, Mallards, Teals (indeed, there were hundreds of Teals all over the reserve) and a small party of Avocet and another of Shoveler at the back of the water. Having added lots of Lapwings and Wigeons it was time to make my way towards the sea and the far pools. A few Coots and Moorhens but out on the marsh my first sight of the now-arrived Brent Geese and a lone Grey Heron.

The rough sea did produce a number of distant Gannets and a Great Skua, not to mention more Herring Gulls and a few Red-throated Divers, both on the water and flying low, before I continued on along the beach to the distant hide looking back toward the reserve. Lots of Golden Plovers in the neighbouring fields and the occasional Grey Plover next to the small pools plus a number of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails. The main pool held a number of Greylag Geese plus a few Brent Geese.

The final port of call for the day before travelling on to my Cromer accommodation was to take in the pools on the seaward side of Kelling where, I had been informed, a pair of Jack Snipe were seen earlier in the day. Passing Jackdaws and then a pair of Bar-tailed Godwits feeding in the meadow along with the cows, I was introduced to the muddy area where the birds had been recently seen. Luckily, the birds were still present and feeding with Common Snipe so some excellent views, if not photographs, of these smaller snipe with their shorter bill and very golden stripes. The main problem was trying to capture a picture with the bird's head out of the mud; not too successful in this matter! All very rewarding as I mad my departure with the promise of a return in the following days to try and get a better picture of the illusive Jack Snipe.


Photos from top:

Long-tailed Tit Mito Aegithalos caudalus
Herring Gull Gaviota Argentea Europea Larus argentatus
Immature Herring Gull
Black-headed Gull Gaviota Reidora Larus ridibuindusJack Snipe Agachadiza Chica Lymnocryples minimus


Thursday 6 October

Golden Plover Chorlito Dorado Pluvialis apricaria

Away just after 8 o'clock, once again recording all those Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Crows, Rooks and Jackdaws, plus the occasional Pheasant, so that I could make an early start at Cley Marshes. A pair of Mute Swans welcomed me as I made my way to the small hide to the right to have the sun behind me. At this point not a lot different from yesterday with plenty of Wigeon and Teal, Mallards, Shoveler, Black-tailed Godwits and the odd Coot. However, I did have a rather lovely flock of Pink-footed Geese pass over on their way to their preferred feeding fields.

Greylag Geese AnsarComun Anser anser

The walk towards the shore produced Pied Wagtails and more Golden Plovers. Good numbers of Shelduck were on the ponds plus a few Avocet. Te top hide once again produced Brent Geese and Canada Geese plus the wandering Egyptian Geese but not so many Shelduck or Gadwall.  The Pintail were still present but no waders.  However, having seen more Gannets but not the Lapland Bunting that had turned up I decided to check out some of the smaller beaches before returning to Cley and some sea-watching.

Spotted Redshank ArchibebeOscuro Tringa erythropus

Morston was an interesting riverside, especially with low water, and, immediately, I had a lovely view of a Spotted Redshank from inside the car. A drive to the other side of the "dockside" produced a dozen Common Redshank feeding on the exposed mudflats. This is a site that is well worth a stop when the tide is out; no need to even get out of the car!

Redshank Archibebe Comun Tringa totanus

With the Pink-feet away feeding there was no point driving on to Holkham so I made my way back to Cley to spend more time on the beach watching the passing sea birds.  Welcomed back by the good numbers of Golden Plover on the fields and the ever-present individual Pied Wagtails it was also pleasing to see that a number of Barn Swallows were present and busily feeding over the small pools in readiness for their departure to warmer climes.  The track at the back of the beach produced good numbers of both Linnets and Skylarks with the occasional resting Common Gull.  I even had a small flock of Goldfinches before setting up the scope for some serious sea-watching.

Red-throated Diver Colimbo Chico Gavia stellata

Still the occasional Gannet on the horizon but much closer to shore a constant movement of mainly skuas with Pomeranian Skua being positively identified.  A pair of Sandwich Terns put in an appearance but then two low and rapid fly-pasts; first a Guillemot and then a small flock of Sanderling.  However, it was a joy to eventually find another Red-throated Diver but, once again, trying to capture a photograph whilst the bird was up and the water trough was down was somewhat of a challenge!

The last call of the day was back to Kelling to see if the Jack Snipe were still about.  Jackdaws at the entrance to the track but fewer birds on the marshy pool when I arrived, not helped by the increasing wind.  Bar-tailed Godwits were still feeding in the neighbouring field and the water held a good number of Dunlin and a even Little Stint.  A couple of Curlew Sandpipers were seen before the pair of Ringed Plovers but, alas, no snipe of any variety.  And so ended the second day in Norfolk.

Shelduck Tarro Blanco Tadoma tadoma with Gadwall Anade Friso Anas strepera in front

Friday 7 October

Black-tailed Godwit  Aguja Colinegra Limosa limosa

All packed and off on the return journey to Stamford calling at all stations, well most sites, on the way back.  Day three and still no sign of either Robin or Blackbird; would today be he day?  The usual mix of corvids, Starlings, Wood Pigeons and Pheasants as I travelled to Cley  and, again, nothing different at the first hide.  Coots and Mallards close by and still lots of Wigeon, Teal and Black-tailed Godwits.  In the distance there were Shelducks and the small flock of Shoveler but no Avocets this morning.  On the shore lines Lapwing were feeding along with a couple of Pied Wagtails. The "missing" Mute Swans were discovered feeding in a distant field which, subsequently, led to the sighting of the Shelduck in the far corner of the lagoon.

Brent Geese Barnacla Carinegra Branta bernicla

The drive to the beach found the water rougher than yesterday but still a few Gannets to be seen along with both flying and resting Cormorants close in to the shore. A Manx Shearwater passed eastwards and then it was time for a quick walk along the back track to see if the changing wind had brought anything in overnight from the north.  More Brent Geese and Canada Geese on the lagoon and both Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the grass and fences.  A couple of Marsh Harriers were quartering the reeds as I looked out over the main (top) pool which also revealed that the large population of Egyptian Geese were still present along with a pair of Pintail Ducks.  The return journey to the car also brought the sighting of a small flock of Goldfinches and a number of Reed Buntings as I walked along the track.

Curlew  Zarapito Real  Numenius arquata

Next up was Morston with its Redshanks and gulls and just the odd Turnstone but no Spotted Redshanks on this occasion.  However, there was a Grey Plover to add to the variety.  Similarly, with the tide out there were very many Oystercatchers and Turnstones at Brancaster Staithes; most reasonably close so that their feeding activities could be observed.   In addition, I had lovely close views of Curlew and was able to take a number of photographs.  Driving on eastwards towards Titchwell, there were numerous sightings of Pheasants and small flocks of flying Pink-footed Geese plus a rather surprised Jay that took off across the road in front of the car.

Oystercatcher  Ostero Euroasiatico  Haematropus ostralegus

As on Wednesday, the car park at Titchwell Marshes was over-flowing; where do all these people come from?  Not having seen a Robin for three days as described above, like the proverbial number nine bus they all come along at once.  First a stop at toilets in the car park where the open window revealed a feeding Robin immediately below me and then, on the return walk to the car, a very curious Robin observing me as I sat in the picnic area.  The bird obviously was expecting to be fed!  Only Greenfinches feeding on the feeders but a very fat Moorhen below was certainly stocking up on the droppings.  Walking to the small ponds close by the Information Centre I had first a single Grey Heron and then a very busy party of Long-tailed Tits feeding in the tree tops; what a lovely sight to watch them and their antics.Whilst at the new hides, I was able to see yet another Ruff and close views of a small number of feeding Teal.  Lots of Brent Geese and Linnets about plus the what-appeared-to-be resident Canada and Egyptian Geese.  Walking to the beach produced a few Black-tailed Godwits and a Little Grebe.  The beach itself seemed to be full of birds with many small parties of Sanderling, a number of Turnstone and both Herring and Black-headed Gulls.

Long-tailed Tit  Mito  Aegithalos caudatus

The missing Blackbird finally arrived on the way to Kings Lynn.  Having taken the wrong exit at a roundabout, I quickly managed to turn within a few yards and back to the correct exit.  No sooner had I left the roundabout than a male Blackbird flew across the road and into the nearby hedge.  A strange way to record a missing bird; a bird that would have been missed had I taken the correct exit less than two minutes earlier!

Robin Petirrojo Europeo Erithacus rubecula

That was it; back to Stamford and do the sorting out before driving down to Southampton early the next morning.  Looking back, it never ceases to amaze me about the number of birds that I did not see but a final species total of 77 was a very pleasant return given the time of the month and the prevailing westerly winds.

Birds seen:

Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Red-throated Diver, Manx Shearwater, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Heron, Little Egret, Gannet, Cormorant, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Jack Snipe, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Sanderling, Little Stint, Curlew sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Pomeranian Skua, Great Skua, Guillemot, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Sky Lark, Barn Swallow, Common Starling, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet and reed Bunting.