Wheatears............... ...............In The Mist

03/12/09 - Cantley 

Having nearly finished the Christmas shopping, news that the Bean Geese had returning to Cantley and a day off work i wandered down to the train station to catch the 9.57 Lowestoft train. I headed firstly to the footpath at the end of Burnthouse Road, the raised bank gives a good view across the marshes, but with light drizzle in the air it wasn't quite as good as normal. Initally i found loads of corvids but no geese. After 10 minutes or so 4 geese rose from the back of the marsh and landing closer could be identified as Taiga Bean Geese. Scanning i found little else until a farmer feeding his cattle desturbed the quiet of the marsh with his quad bike. A ringtail Hen Harrier appeared from nowhere purching on one of the gate posts and a small group of Golden Plover took to the air. Just as i was leaving the 4 Bean Geese again took to the air, following them i then found a futher 33 Bean Geese and 2 White-fronted Geese. I then decided to walk the public footpath that cuts through part of the Cantley Beet Factory. Most of the settling pools are currently being used and their layer of scum detured any birds. In the few clear pools i could only find teal and Mallard, but no waders. A Little Egret and Grey Heron guarded the ditches on Limpenhoe Marsh and a Mistle Thrush flew over. The rain then got much header so i returned to the station.

06/12/09 - Welney WWT/Snettisham RSPB/Salthouse

Having decided to go out with Gary and James earlier in the week new on friday of a female Ferruginous duck at Snettisham gave us something of interest during an often quiet birding month. An American Wigeon had also been located at Welney WWT so that was were we statred our day. The rain eased up and stopped as we headed west. We briefly visited Denver Sluice looking for Goosander without success, although a Barn Owl did fly low over the channel. Arriving at Welney we found large number of Whoper Swan feeding on the fields, with a few Bewick's Swan mixed in. Entering the main hide a volenteer informed us that American Wigeon had been seen earlier, about as far away as possible, but she hadn't kept an eye on it and now didn't know where it was. After about an hour of searching and a few false start Gary found a promising bird, it took another 30 minutes before it woke up and showed its head makings to confirm its identification as an American Wigeon.

We next called in at Snettisham RSPB, on the long walk up to the far pools and hides, we picked out Goldeneye and Little Grebe on the pools as well as ythe common wildfowl. Upon reaching the Rotary Hide it didn't take to long to locate the Ferruginous Duck asleep on the spit, eventually it woke up, had a paddle and a short waddle before going to sleep again. A large flock of Greylag Geese then landed in the pool, including 2 presumable Greylag x Canada Goose hybids. I breifly scanned the mud flats picking up Curlew, Grey Plover, Shelduck, Oystercatcher as well as many other common waders before we headed back to the car.

Cutting back throught the back roads, on the off chance of stumbling accross the Snow Goose seen in the area, we found a large field of Pink-footed Geese. Although not containing any rare geese this flock numbered many thousand and when disturbed took to the air, providing one of the days highlights. We arrived at the Dun Cow in Salthouse as the sun was setting, grabbed a quick drink and set about waiting for a Barn Owl to add to our 'Pub Lists'. We didn't see any owls however before the light faded to much i added 9 species to my pub list including, Brent Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Wigeon, Little Grebe and Shoveler.

15/12/09 - Strumpshaw Fen RSPB/Buckenham Marshes RSPB

I decided to go spend the morning at Whitlingham, but upon leaving the house thought i'd venture further afield and jumped on the No.17 bus to Brundall. I arrived on the Strumpshaw reserve by 9.30 and looking at the undisturbed frost i was the first person to walk the Lackford Run and back of the reserve. Wrens seemed to be calling everywhere and a family of Great Tits followed me up towards the river. Halfway up the Lackford Run two presumably male Cetti's Warbler fought out in the open, feet entanged with the occasional bust of their distinctive call. Nearly at the river a ringtail Hen Harrier that drifted over the reedbed and got within a few meters before noticing me. The Tower Hide offered only Teal, Coot, Black-headed Gull and a single Snipe, however there was only 2 small ice-free areas. From the steps of the hide a large mixed group of birds came into the alders i counted 2 Willow Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 5+ Long-tailed Tit, 3 Treecreeper, 2 Goldfinch and 10+ Chaffinch, the latter feeding on toppled reedmace. Two Tufted Duck swam in the river and a juv. Great Northern Diver drifted upstream on the rising tide, followed by three photographers creeping along the bank. Feeding on the windfall crab apples and hawthorn along the river bank i had a full set of thrushes, numerous Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thush, 3 Redwing and atleast 6 Fieldfare. Hoping for Bittern i waited in the Fen Hide for 30 minutes, but feeling cold with only a distant Marsh Harrier on the list i moved on. The pool by reception although not frozen over held noting of note, except two birders claiming a flock of Bearded Tits had just flown over the reeds and into a bush. Me: 'Oh that bush with the Long-tailed Tit flock?' i hope they felt like tits!

I recently claimed Peterborough Station as the coldest place on earth, actually Buckenham Marshes are colder. I only walked along the track to the Fishermen's carpark but scanning from there i couldn't miss the large numbers of Wigeon and Teal, and smaller numbers of Shoveler and Tufted Duck. Lapwing dotted the grazing meadow, a single Oystercatcher and distant Golden Plover flock completing the dismal list of waders on display. The ever-present feral Snow Goose was still with the Greylags, and a large mixed flock of Canada and Barnacle Geese  held another escapee, a Red-brested Goose. A male Peregrine sat on a gate post preening and just as i was leaving 40+ White-fronted Geese dropped in, with 2 Taiga Bean Geese for company. Feeling cold i walked back to Brundall to catch the bus home.

07/11/09 - Pegwell Bay, Kent/Staines Moor, Surrey/Southend, Essex

With the local bird scene being rather slow Gary decided on a second trip to Pengwell Bay in Kent, to see the Zitting Cisticola that had eluded us earlier in the year. Gary, Claire, James and i left North Walsham at 4.30am arriving at Pegwell Country Park around 8.00am. On the last visit we spent 8 hours failing to see the bird, this time however we waited only mintues before the Zitting Cisticola was located. The brief flight views we got to start with were soon suppassed as the bird spent 15 mintues flitting about the thistles and grasses, often purching in the open. A large group of Knot sprialed spectacularly over the mud flats and the expected wader were also present. We did a quick lap of the site trying to relocate Ring-necked Parakeet for Claire, we had seen a flock of 8 earlier she had missed. I eventually found her two flying over before we had a cup of tea at the 'Dog Walkers Rest Cafe', soon to be renamed 'Bird Watchers Rest'. While waiting for my tea, a Peregrine flew through sending the Lapwing in all directions, and a lonely Dark-bellied Brent Goose dropped in.

Having to travel back via the M25 it wasn't the biggest detour to visit Staines Moor, where we had seen the Brown Shrike on our way down to the Scilly Isles. Slipping and sliding along the now well trodden and muddy path enabled James and Claire to add the Brown Shrike to thier life lists and also more lesuirely views for Gary and i, although a little further away than the first visit. A Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and 2 Green Woodpecker were also in the area.

We then competed out lap of the M25 by returning home via Southend to try to located the long staying Ring-billed Gull. As with our last visit to Southend we failed to locate the Ring-billed Gull, despite a birder informing us he had seen the bird 10 minutes before we had arrived and James begrudingly giving up half his sandwiches to the cause. We patrolled the sea front with 4/5 other birders but only located 3/4 Mediterranean Gull among the Black-headed and Common Gull. We eventually left with the light faiding, and our ears ringing with 'Oh what are you looking at?' from the many people walking past.

08/11/09 - Walcott/North Walsham/Salthouse/Cley Marshes NWT

Saying at my parents for my Birthday, dad and i first went to Walcott for a brief sea watch, before collecting mum and going for a drive. At Walcott we pulled up by the sea wall and i set up the scope inside the car. I was expecting very little, but to my suprise i soon picked up a Great Northern Diver flying west and two Guillemots further out. A few Gannet drifted east, before dad located a Red-throated Diver and second Great Northern Diver both west. The two year ticks that then followed where both unexpected and lucky, a Long-tailed Duck west and a Little Auk east, both just before we left.

(9.45am-10.15am) Gannet (e) x11 (w) x2, Red-throated Diver (e) x1, Great Northern Diver (e) x1 (w) x1, Guillemot (w) x2, Little Auk (e) x1, 1x Long-tailed Duck (w) x1, Wigeon (w) x5.

Calling in to check on dad's pheasant feeders and to pick some sloes to make some sloe gin, we found two Common Buzzard being mobbed by Carrion Crows over the Westwick Estate. We then returned home before heading to North Norfolk for a drive and bite to eat, with no particular destination in mind.

A brief stop at Salthouse Beach Road, gave us views of Snow Bunting, all be it the flock flying off west towards Cley and lots of Turnstones. Apart from that it was just the usual Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and Starling, not very exciting.

Moving on to Cley Marshes NWT, we stopped near Whalsey Hills so i could look over a Snow Goose mixed in with a flock of Canada Goose, this bird however is probably an escapee , along with the Snow Goose currently with the Pink-footed Geese at Holkham. With mum in tow and little on the 'sightings board' in the information centre i decided against walking Cley NWT Reserve. Instead i settled down to a jacket potato and cup of tea in the cafe, scanning the pools from there. 1300+ Golden Plover were roosting on Pats Pool along with large numbers of Lapwing and a growing Wigeon flock, 100+ could be seen coming in off the sea. A single Marsh Harrier was the only other thing worth noting, although apparently an American Golden Plover was among the Golden Plovers, but i had no desire to look though all of those.

23/11/09 - Holme/Brancaster/Wroxham

With few bird missing from this years list it wasn't to hard a choice when deciding where to go when i had a few days off work. Dad and i headed to North Norfolk, looking for Shore Lark and Twite. The Ring-necked Duck at Wroxham Broad a possibility if the weather held out. First stop was Holme, and out by the golf course i soon found a flock of c60 Snow Bunting and lots of waders on the shallow pools, the highlight being a Spotted Redshank. A single skein of Brent Geese and 2 skein of Pink-footed Geese flew over as i walked up towards Gore Point, but i couldn't locate the Shore Lark.

A Brancaster we parked in the car park by the Golf Club and scanned the saltmarsh, but couldnt locate the hoped for Twite. A group of Dark bellied Brent Geese concielled a Pale-bellied Brent amoung there number, a Curlew and pair of Stonechat could also be seen from the car. Braving the wind i had a quick look along the beach, and was rewarded with a Shore Lark briefly on the deck before it flew off. We quickly stopped at Brancaster Staithe, to scan the saltmarsh from a different angle. The channel held quite a few waders including Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Curlew as well as Wigeon, Teal, Gadwell and Mallard. We were thinking about leaving when the Twite appeared from nowhere, c50 birds flitting around the car park area. A Merlin then flew through, probably the reason the Twite appeared as once it had gone the Twite soon settled again, out of view on the saltmarsh. Driving past Holkham a Peregrine flew over the road, and quite a few groups of Pink-footed Geese were in many of the fields we passed.

We ran into heavy rain driving back towards Norwich, but still headed to Wroxham Broad hoping it might ease. I was suprised by the large number of gulls in the roost on the Broad as it was only 2.30pm and they kept dropping in, Black-headed, Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull, i wouldn't be suprised if something rarer was also in there. A large group of Tufted Duck/Pochard was on the far side of the broad and a smaller group of Tufted closer to us. I failed to find the Ring-necked Duck closer to us and the rain stopped me looking through the larger group futher away. The rain did briefly ease, and luckly a fellow birder quickly located the female Ring-necked Duck, although a little distant it was still distinctive from the Pochard it was with. The rain then set in for the rest of the day so we headed off.

24/11/09 - Whitlingham CP

Heading down to Whitlingham hoping to catch up with the Red-crested Pochard seen on Sunday i was delighted to find that the damp start to the day had detured the dog walkers, cyclists and joggers that seem to have taken over in recent times. Between the Little Broad and Information Centre i found a large mixed flock of tits and finches including 5+ Siskin and 2 Lesser Redpoll. A lot of ducks have arrived since my last visit and small groups of Tufted Duck were dotted all over Great Broad along with lots of Coot and Gadwell. The male Red-crested Pochard could not be missed at the east end of Great Broad, being a red beacon amoung the Tufted Duck. Very close views were easily obtainable, but with drizzle in the air as i left the house i had left the camera at home. A brief scan of Station Marsh initially revieled very little 4 Gadwell, 2 Mute Swan and a few gulls, but after closer inspection i found a distant Green Sandpiper feeding in the margins. The conservation area was crammed with birds, many sheltering from the wind that had picked up while i walked around. A count of 75+ Pochard was my largest for Whitlingham with c30 dropping in while i was there, possibly new arrivals. 5+ Wigeon, 3 Great Crested Grebe and a single Little Grebe were also of note. Scanning the margins of the island and reeds i found a single Jack Snipe and 2 Common Snipe. Returning to the large tit and finch flock i had great views of 2 Siskin feeding on the ground, before returning home.

29/11/09 - Whitlingham CP

With only Sunday off this weekend i decided i should try to go bird watching somewhere, but the threat of rain soon put pay to going to Buckenham and Strumpshaw, instead James and i walked down to Whitlingham. With light drizzle in the air we walked along side the Little Broad noting a single Pochard, 1 Grey Heron, a small group of Tufted Duck and a flew through Kingfisher. The Kingfisher proved the highligh of the trip as the heavens opened, we sheltered breifly before deciding it wasn't really easing so walked around the Great Broad anyway. The rain finally eased as we approched the conservation area. Scanning the mixed duck flock James counted 57 Pochard, 12 Teal, 7 Little Grebe, 4 Wigeon and 3 Shoveler was well as numerous Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck and Mallard. I picked out a preening Snipe on one of the island, before we had a look along the lime tree drive for the mythical Little and Tawny Owls, we found a Jay and Green Woodpecker but no owls.

03/10/09 - Sheringham/West Runton

With my new work rota starting on 4th October and my trip to the Scilly Isles fast approching, despite the wind moving round to an easterly direct, i decided on an early morning sea watch as it maybe my last chance in October. I caught my own private train to Sheringham at 5.45am, not a single person got on the whole journey and started seawatching at 6.55am. Despite the regulars commenting that 'it's all rather slow and quiet today' i was more than happy with my two hours worth of birding. Although there was only small numbers of the scarer species, i still picked up 3 new birds for the year list in Velvet Scoter, Sooty Shearwater and Slavonian Grebe. Large numbers of Red-throated Divers, Gannet and Auk sp. also kept things ticking over, although many to far out to identify. A Balearic Shearwater, close inside the lobster pots offered stunning views and a small grebe close in proved to be my over due Slavonian Grebe year tick.

(6.55am-8.55am) - Kittiwake x3 (w), Common Scoter x2 (e) x15 (w), Velvet Scoter x1 (w), Gannet x 27 (e) x58 (w), Red-throated Diver x40 (e) x11 (w), Black-throated Diver x1 (e), Common Tern x3 (e), Sandwich Tern x2 (e) x7 (w), Puffin x2 (e), Guillemot x14 (e), x1 (w), Razorbill x1 (w), Auk sp. x16 (e) x3 (w), Cormorant x4 (e) x6 (w), Great Skua x1 (w), Arctic Skua x2 (e), Redshank x2 (w), Sooty Shearwater x1 (w), Balearic Shearwater x1 (e), Slavonian Grebe x1 (w).

After leaving the shelterm i walked along the sea front, noting a Wheatear on the grass bank to the east of the shelter and a juv. Shag on the groyne posts. The normal mix of gulls was by the slipway along with the ever present Turnstones, and looking for early returning Purple Sandpiper on the rock defences i was suprised to find 2 Rock Pipit among the seaweed. I then decided to walk Beeston Bump searching the scrub for something of interest.

Realising i would miss the train at Sheringham, in a moment of madness i decided to walk the clifftop to West Runton and eventually on towards Cromer. At West Runton 10 Ringed Plover were on the beach with the common gull species. In the stubble field close to the Beach Carpark a mixed flock revieled 10+ Snow Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. I lingered awhile hoping for last weeks Lapland Bunting but without success, however a Great Northern Diver did flew through close to the beach. The walk to Cromer along the beach only gave me a Wheatear on the cliffs and 3 Common Scoter on the sea.

12/10/09 - West Runton/Walcott

In preparation for tomorrows long drive down to Penzance and then onwards to the Scilly Isles, dad picked me up from the city so i would be in North Walsham ready for the drive. Dad had to visit Cromer so  used the opperrtunity to visit West Runton, where at one point yesterday 5 scarce birds all hung around in one field. The small area by the old barns was full of cars, and a large group of birders were quartering the stubble field. I spotted a dark warbler brielfy in the bushes by the barns but decided to head first for the large gathering, upon joining them a Short-toed Lark was soon flushed amoung the numerous Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. I also saw a Short-toed Lark in this very field in the spring. Cutting accross the field towards a second cluster of birders on the coastal path, we flushed a Lapland Bunting before clocking a Richard's Pipit in flight before it dived into the beet field. Poking around the farm buildings we flushed 3 Dunnock and a mystery warbler, which disoppeared into a bush close to the car. This was almost curtainly the bird i saw earlier. Briefly looking over the stubble field again, the pack had grown bigger in there continued game of cat and mouse with the Short-toed Lark. Back by the car we were informed that the Barred Warbler that has been present all week had just been flushed and had relocated in the bush next to the car. Our mystery warbler was no longer a mystery, but rather another tick on the year list.

Rather than sit at my parents house i got dropped off by Bacton Abbey and walked along the sea wall at Walcott and then back via footpaths and back roads. 2 Spotted Flycatcher flew along the hedge before i even reached the sea wall. On the sea 8 Common Scoter flew west followed by a skien of 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese my first of the autumn, 3 much larger skiens of 50+ also flew west as i walked past Walcott where the normal gulls sat on the wall but only 3 of the 'tame' Turnstones remained. Walking the Ostend Estate and surrounding fields i found very little. At the Lighthouse Inn a large group of Starling flew south, and further along 50+ Goldfinch feed in the beech and sycamore. As i contunued towards Ridlington flock after flock of Starling flew through, with this sought of passage i'm not suprised a few Rose-coloured Starling were reported in Norfolk yesterday. I then stumbbled upon a house that had a garden crammed with birds, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and a pair of Bullfinch, it made me jelious, but i did have a Goldfinch on my feeders this morning. Nearly back at the Abbey, a field was being spread with manure and ploughed. It looked to have plenty of gulls and a few corvids, and i would estimate 40k+ Starling many looking exhausted were also feedng and resting in the field. Scoping failed to reveal any Rose-coloured, but i did find the missing Turnstones from Walcott sea front, a large gang of Lapwing and 2 Ringed Plover. 2 rather late departing Swallow past overhead, before it started to rain.

13/10/09 - 21/10/09 - Isles of Scilly

See 'Isles of Scilly 2009' page for full trip details.

Highlights including, Brown Shrike, Rose-coloured Starling, Little Bunting, Wryneck and Common Rosefinch, as well as many insect, replite and mammal sightings.

23/10/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

A long over due trip to Whitlingham provided few birds of note and only highlighted the reasons i haven't visited in a while. Walking along Whitlingham Lane i was greeted by hudreds of school children walking back towards the city after an environmental fair in the picnic area, by the Great Barn. At the Broad i found dog walkers happy to let their dogs chase and swim after the waterfowl, two canoeists in the concervation area, people camping at the back of the conservation area with a large open fire, as well as the normal cyclists, runners and dog walkers. With all this going on few birds where on the Great Broad with most waterfowl appearing to be on the new broad on Thorpe Station Marsh. However i did manage to find a few highlights, a fly through Kingfisher, a late Swallow, 3 returning Wigeon in the conservation area and a 'Patch Tick' with a female Manderin on the island. The whole site also seemed to be crawling in Harliquin Ladybirds.

24/10/09 - South Shields, Co. Durham/Bempton RSPB/Flamborough Head, E. Yorks.

After a busy week on the Isles of Scilly i was looking forward to a quiet weekend with maybe a local walk, but news of an Eastern Crowned Warbler, a first in the UK changed that. At 6am Gary and Phil collect James and i and we headed north towards South Shields, a 5 hour trip. We stopped near Newark for a bite to eat and awaited news of the bird. With an early sighting of the bird we carried on our journey. After finding Trow Quarry we couldn't miss the throng of birders complete with TV crew. The Eastern Crowned Warbler showed itself brefiefly before moving along the clumps of trees in the old quarry. Here it showed well, being joined by a Yellow-browed Warbler, which kept chasing it around. This has to be the rarest bird i have seem in the UK however it gave suprising good views, perched at times in bare branches, clearly showing its distinctive markings. Although wind swept the forcast rain had not yet reached us so we decided to head home via Bempton and Flamborough Head.

Looking for Red Grouse and Dipper on the journey to Bempton we cut across the moors, but the heavy rain soonn forced us back into the car without success. We arrived at Bempton Cliffs RSPB in thick mist, but just around the corner near the feeding station we still managed good views of a Red-flanked Bluetail. The bird was low in the undergrowth but its flitting revielled its blue tail and red flanks quite clearly dispite the low light levels. Although an over due lifer for me we didn't stay to long, crouching to see the bird wasn't the most comfortable and there was a Dusky Warbler just along the coast.

Near the North Landing of Flamborough Head we headed down a muddy track behind the Viking Pub, maybe we should have gone into the pub as the heavens opened. There was no sign of the bird until the rain finally stopped and it's 'tik' call was heard from the bushes behind us. What appeared to be the Dusky Warbler was found skulking in the bushes, with limited views, it then flitted along the hedge, before finally Gary and James got more conclusive views, i never got clear views of its facial markings sadly. The bird then dissopeared so we decided to head home, arriving back at 9.30 to complete a long but rewarding day.

28/10/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

Braving the crowds at our 'favourite' Country Park James and i found most birds again crowded into the conservation area. We got excided by a Wigeon that appeared to show a greenish eye stripe, American Widgeon we both thought. Neither of us had scopes so we moved around the bay for better views, but the eye stripe appeared far less obvious, in fact we took a while to refind the bird. In retrospect it was probably only a Wigeon or at most a Wigeon x American Wigeon hybred. The only other thing of note was a passage of Redwing, groups of 10, 21 and 22 counted by James.

05/09/09 - Sheringham/Cley Marshes NWT

With sea watching days rapidly running out and news of an Ortolan Bunting at Cley Marshes, i got up before i went to bed (early) and with James caught the 5.45 train to Sheringham. Arriving at 6.50 we found the shelter already full so braved it out in the open. Things looked promising with large numbers of Gannets passing close to the shore. The call went up of 'Balearic Shearwater' shortly after we arrived, one more for the year list, this was soon followed by Great Skua and Arctic Skua. James also clocked his first Black Tern of the year. A small auk sp. flew though, which i called as Puffin, mainly due to size, but it is still up for debate. Numerious Sandwich Tern flew through often mobbed by the skuas, a small party of Common Scoter and a few Arctic Tern, but not the rarer sea birds i was expectantly hoping for (Long-tailed Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Sabine's Gull etc.) At 8.00 sea watching was put on hold, the birder next to us received a message that the Ortolan Bunting was showing well. Having been discussing our 'Birding by Bus and Train Adventures', he offered us a lift to Cley, we didn't say no!

(6.50am-8.00am) - Balearic Shearwater x1 (e), Manx Shearwater x6 (e) x1 (w), Cormorant x5 (e), Great Skua x1 (e) x7 (w), Arctic Skua x7 (e) x8 (w), Fulmar x5 (e) x3 (w), Black Tern x1 (e), Gannet x96 (e) x56 (w), Sandwich Tern x32 (e) x56 (w), Arctic Tern x3 (e) x1 (w), Common Scoter x7 (w), Dunlin x8 (w), Oystercatcher x10 (w).

Arriving at The East Bank we fluked a spot in the tiny car park, and briskly walked halfway along the bank to join the small cluster of birders. The Ortolan Bunting was showing well, feeding in plain view on the path, however with the narrow track once you had got your good views it was to the back of the pack and the next persons turn. Whilst i was at the back a small group of Dunlin landed close by and a single Wheatear was on the grazing marsh. We then headed back to the car, and Sheringham to continue the sea watch. Back in the car news of a Long-tailed Skua at Sheringham came through! Why can't you be in two places at once?

As we arrived at Sheringham, news was that the Long-tailed Skua had gone past Salthouse and Cley, this bird was obviouly not for todays list. Just over another hour sea watching produced much the same as earlier however the flow of birds was slowing. A Red-throated Diver flew through west as did a single juvinile Kittiwake, which briefly had me thinking Sabine's Gull, but it was my first Kittiwake for Norfolk this year. After struggling to count the Gannets during our first hour sea watching you will have to excuse my lack of ethusisum when only estimating the second attempt. Wating for our lift home we briefly walked along the promenade, locating the expected Turnstone, with a random Little Stint mixed in for good measure and a juvinile Shag on the groyne post. Four new year birds took me beyond last years total and autumn migration is only now starting to get into full swing.

(9.00am-10.15am) - Arctic Tern x3 (e), Great Skua x1 (w), Red-throated Diver x1 (w), Kittiwake x1 (w), Common Scoter x6 (w), Oystercatcher 15+ (w), Arctic Skua 10+ (e/w), Sandwich Tern 25+ (e/w), Gannet 30+ (e/w).

12/09/09 - Stiffkey Fen/Salthouse/East Ruston

Visiting the Sandringham Game Fair with my parents proved an opertunity too good to pass up, a car, a diver and all of North Norfolk. The fair itself had the biggest falconery display area ive seen with probably 100+ birds displayed. The biggest question was wheather to flock to the few birds already located or go looking for my own. I decided on the later after a brief chat with Gary, the idea of Wells Wood on loverly warm Saturday failled to appeal. Stiffkey Fen was going to be my place to find something scarce, the scrub, the pool, and probably very few birders. Half way to Stiffkey the phone went, 'Red-necked Phalorope - Stiffkey Fen' i had been beaten to the bird. The lay-by and verge was packed with cars, however i felt this bird should have been mine so we squeezed in. Walking around to the embankment we soon found a largish group of birders the Red-necked Phalorope showing well if a little distant. I decided against walking round towards Morston to search the scrub, with loads of birders the site had lost something. Also of note before leaving were Little Stint, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.

A brief stop at the Old Quarry Site near Blakeney provided nothing and with impatient parents i quickly suggested a coffee at the Beach Carpark at Salthouse. I left them sipping their coffee as i walked up to Gramborough Hill a single Whinchat darted into the brambles on my way out but very little else except the ever present Meadow Pipits and Linnet. The Hill itself offered a little more, i spent 15minutes trying to relocate a warbler that was skulking in some deep scrub before being distracted by a pipit sp. closer inspection revieled a Tree Pipit rather than the expected Meadow varity. Walking back two Wheatear flitted about between the walkers and beach goers. Dad informed me a 'black and white bird' had just drifted past on the sea but his bins were in the car. They seemed happy so i set off west towards the Little Eye. I soon located dad's bird,a Razorbill drifting west 50m out. A 15min sea watch gave Common Scoter, Kittiwake and lots of Gannet. From the Eye i picked up 4 Widgeon on the marsh as well as 2 more Wheatear and a Kestrel.

Planning to meet James and Gary in the pub i detoured via East Ruston to look for the Osprey Gary had seen earlier in the week. However i was greeted by the sight of Norfolk's Osprey Jinx Dave Appleton, read is website to find out why. Despite directions from Gary the light was faiding and i was late for the pub, though i had seen a stunning Hobby perched up and a covey of Grey Partridge driving home the Osprey didn't show.

13/09/09 - Trimingham/Cromer/Wells Wood/Cley Marshes NWT

Intent on finding some migrats of your own, Gary, James and myself first headed for Trimingham, the morning greeted us with cloud and a gale we thought we'd be in luck. The Clifftop Wood gave us 4 Long-tailed Tits, all from Siberia i'm sure, but nothing else. Philip joined us, another clump of woods but still nothing. A cliff top sea watch gave many Gannet, Kittiwakes and a group of Common Scoter, but we continued are migrant hunt in the lanes behind the church. A Meadow Pipit and probable Chiffchaff were all we had to report, any migrats here were probably sheltering from the wind.

The woods close to Cromer Lighthouse offer a little more shelter so we hoped to locate some migrants there, i've had Red-breasted Flycatcher and Redstart there before. Again we were left only with a handful of Long-tailed Tit for out troubles. Another brief sea watch produced a single Fulmar and more Gannet and Kittiwake.

Giving up on the 'find our own birds' stratagy we headed for Wells Wood hoping to located the Icterine Warbler that was present. The Icterine hadn't been seen for a while, but a confused Wheatear was in the pine. We then spent a while chasing the Tit flock about, Phil located a Pied Flycatcher, but we only saw it dive into the scrub. I located a Firecrest, but then lost it faster then Phil's Pied Flycatcher, we then lost the Tit flock. We gave up chasing hoping the birds would come to us, 30min in the Dell gave us a single Chiffchaff, 30min at the Drinking Pool a Jay and Blackbird. Walking back along the main track Philip located a Lesser Whitethroat, the Tit flock returned but with nothing of interest in tow.

We headed back via Cley Marshes and got close via of Red-necked Phalorope, before we sat down on the shingle for a sea watch with a Northerly gale in our faces. James soon picked up a Puffin close in and Gannets flew through east in there hundreds. Also notable 10+ Manx Shearwater, 4 Arctic Skuas, 4 Sandwich Terns, 400+ Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot, 20+ Fulmar and another 2 auk sp. 

19/09/09 - Wells Wood/Caistor St. Edmund

News of a Glossy Ibis at Buckenham Marshes RSPB had us planning a visit, but over night it left, so we headed for Wells Wood. The 7.15 train and Coasthopper had us at Wells Woods by 9.15 and we headed for the Dell looking for a Red-breasted Flycatcher, a lifer for James. Things didn't look good with very few birds about, we decided to walk the scrub south of the Dell and return later. The scrub held a few nice birds, Pied Flycatcher, Bullfinch, Whitethroat, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Reed Bunting that had us puzzled for a while. Walking back to the Dell we were told of a Yellow-browed Warbler but couldn't locate it. Back in the Dell James located a flycatcher in the silver birch, it looked good but the lighting was poor and we couln't be sure it was Red-breasted Flycatcher before it disoppeared. A rather scruffy Firecrest was pointed out to us, before we tried to locate a Redstart seen only minutes earlier, but failed. The Red-breasted Flycatcher was then located, where we had left it, although deep in an Evergreen Oak we got more brief views. We then headed back for the bus, picking up Wheatear and Curlew as well as the expected waders and Gulls.

Back at my parents, news of 3 Glossy Ibis at Caistor St. Edmunds on the edge of Norwich meant i had to convince dad to give me a lift home rather then me getting the train. Time was always going to be aginst me as it was 6.00 before i'd had my back looked at and could leave North Walsham. Arriving at the Roman Town site, i headed straight for the river and then walked upstream behind the Water Works. A Grey Heron flew up from the river, and a splash had me turning around just fast enough to catch a glimse of an Otter driving under the surface. The light was faiding but i decided to walk another field over, this proved a good decision as distantly i coud see a distinctive shape of a single Glossy Ibis on the meadows. As i turned to return to the car i distrubed a Little Owl from the hedge line, before 3 Glossy Ibis flew overhead and down stream. Walking back across the short turf, the white rump of a Wheatear couldn't be missed in the low light. 

25/09/09 - Norwich

Sitting in the garden of The Red Lion enjoying a drink before going for a meal, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher, flew along the River Wensum close to Bishop's Bridge.

26/09/09 - Cley Marshes NWT/Salthouse/Kelling

Originally i planning to walk the Trimingham area to find migrants of my own, but news of a Spotted Crake at Cley NWT, meant i was getting on the Coasthopper to Cley. As the bus approched Walsey Hills i was suprised to see 50+ Egyptian Geese on a stubble field. Getting off at the reserve i headed straight for the Bishop Hide to see if the Spotted Crake was still there. 15 Bearded Tit flew over me calling and landed at close quarters as i left the main path, i was then greeted by s line of birders. The Spotted Crake was showing well in a pool just before you reach the hide, i viewed the bird a good 5 minutes before if disoppeared into te reeds. Rather than wait for more views i headed off up the East Bank. A Cetti's Warbler sang in full sight close to the path. An unexpected sight was 100+ Beared Tits, they seemed to be everywhere along the East Bank. Two Kestrels hunted along the bank, with the normal Marsh Harriers over the reed bed and a large skien of Pink-feet Geese flew overhead. Arnold's Marsh contained the normal waders as well as a Curlew Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. On the ridge behind Arnold's Marsh my first large flock of 40+ Meadow Pipits feed on the shingle and 3 Whinchat sat on the wires with a single Wheatear. Further along the ridge a group of 15+ Snow Bunting appeared as well as 40+ Goldfinch, another group of 30+ Meadow Pipits and a probable Rock Pipit all feeding on the shingle.

Approching Salthouse a Kestral flush yet another large group of Medow Pipit and Linnet. 2 Red-throated Diver still in summer plumage lingered close in, near the Beach Carpark and i kicked out a Garden Warbler in the scrub on Gamborugh Hill. A single Painted Lady Butterfly was also near the carpark.

Kelling Water Meadows offered very little with a family of Stonechat and single Wheatear the highlight. I walked up the track looking for the Yellow-browed Warbler reported yesterday without success. Walking up and over Muckle Hill i found another 2 Wheatear on the air strip, a single Kestrel and still more Meadow Pipit. While having lunch on the hill, 5/6 Ruddy/Common Darter and a Common Hawker settled on the bench next to me. Walking towards the bus stop i located a Chiffchaff and Spotted Flycatcher on the wooded hillside, before heading home.

27/09/09 - Pegwell Bay, Kent/Southend, Essex

With the local birding offering few rare birds so far this autumn, Gary suggested a 'Mega Trip' to see the Fan-tailed Warbler that has taken up residence in Kent. Rising at 4am Gary, Philip, James and i found ourselves in Pegwell Bay Country Park, Kent at 8am. A sign proudly annouced that a 'Fun Dog Show' would be taking place later in the day, but they would need to squeeze between the birders first, with 100+ scanning the saltmarsh and scrub. All was quiet until a whistle went up, we all ran only to find it was a dog walker after his dog. The hunting continued but the Zitting cisticola seemed like it didn't want to play. Over the cause of the next 7 hours or so we searched the Country Park for anything of interest, between cups of tea and greasy snacks from 'The Dog Walkers Rest Cafe'. The birders slowly difted off, replaced by some rather strange dogs and even stranger owners. Of the few highlights i added Ring-necked Parakeet to my year list, and also saw reasonable numbers of Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Linnet and Chiffchaff as well as some close views of a Kestrel feeding on a lizard. By 2.30pm we were the only birders left it was time to go.

Trying to make something out our trip we decided to detour via Southend on the way home to look for the resident Ring-billed Gull, a lifer for James and myself and long over due sighting for Gary and Phil. Gary picked up a Peregrine high over the road, as we travelled back through Kent. After 2 hours of walking along the sea front at Southend we had a Med Gull, a rather lost looking Wheatear and a Mistle Thrush, but no Ring-billed Gull. The light was fading, we had finished our ice creams and it was time to go. This was James' first long distance twitch with us, and my first long distance failure, i'm considering restricting his movements.

01/08/09 - Buckenham Marshes RSPB

A morning trip to Buckenham saw James and i looking for migrant waders on the scrapes and meadows. The pools by the Fisherman's car park offered a few Avocets, Lapwing, Little Egret and 2/3 Green Sandpiper. The escaped Snow Goose was also with a large group of Greylag and a large party of immature Shelduck. Walking along the track towards the mill we located a singing warbler in the reeds, the song just wasn't right for the normal warblers. Marsh Warbler was our initial thought, but the call was truncated and inconclusive, the law of averages say it was probably just a Reed Warbler mimicking. Reaching the scrape by the mill there appeared to be quite a few waders about. 20+ Ruff, 8+ Green Sandpiper, 5+ Avocet 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 5+ Black-tailed Godwit, as well as numerous Lapwing. A large pale looking wader also took out attention, James initaly calling it as Wood Sandpiper, and me more optimitically a Marsh Sandpiper. However in retrospect it was almost certainly a juvinile Greenshank with a very pale breast, the beak was also rather heavy and overall slightly to large to be a Marsh Sandpiper. 2 Arctic Terns also landed on the scrape, a Curlew flew over and a Common Buzzard was over the trees towards Cantley. A pair of Spotted Flycathers flitted in the trees near the 'White House' on the road back. The numerous butterfies and dragonflies proved a welcome distraction from the lack of small birds.

02/08/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

A Sunday stroll at Whitlingham to take some photos of butterflies and dragonflies, any birds would be a bonus. The only concentration of birds was in the trees near the Barn, a mixed flock of tits also held 2 young Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also sunning itself, but flew as soon as i got the camera out. Lots of butterflies flitted about he Buddlias by the road, Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tortoise Shell, Comma and Large White. I then walked the Wild Flower Meadow, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood. Also quite a few Common Blue Damselfly in the meadow. Scanning the island i located an adult Water Rail and single Green Sandpiper, but the site was getting busy already. Walking the River Bank, butterflies and damelflies were in abundence, with all of the above plus, Red Admiral, Common Blue and Green-veined White Butterfies and Azure Damselfly. I only saw a single dragonfly, an Emperor close to the road.

08/08/09 - Hickling NWT, Rush Hills

With the weather being more settled than forecast we abandoned the idea of a sea watch at Sheringham before we even set out, instead James and i got a lift to Potter Heigham church and walked Weaver's Way to view Rush Hills Scrape. There were quite a few birders already there but no one had located the long staying Pectoral Sandpiper, it had either gone or was on Swim Coots. The heat haze was already getting bad but we still scanned the waders the best we could for an hour or so. 2 Wood Sandpiper being the highlight, we also located a single Common Sandpiper, 2 immature Dunlin, numerous Ruff and a single Redshank. 3 Bearded Tit also flitted between the reeds and mud, drinking from a small pool. Walking back along Weaver's Way, a Pale morph Common Buzzard was being mobbed by a wader, waiting to be picked up 2/3 Yellowhammer sang in the hedge row. Now i'm home apparently a Baird's Sandpiper has been at Rush Hills, i'm hoping it was misidentified due to the heat haze. I now learn that the Baird's Sandpiper was found by a reliable local birder, he had to find a boat to get closer views so he probably deserves it more than me, as i just sat in the hide.

A juvinille Shag was also reported close to Carrow Road, a good record for Norwich. James and i wandered down to look about 6-6.30 but no sign, assuming the football crowds scared it off we wandered home only to read that it was seen again at 7.00pm.

10/08/08 - Breydon Water/Hickling, Rush Hills

Having missed the Baird's Sandpiper by a few hours on Saturday the offer of a lift with Gary after work had James and i heading to Great Yarmouth to meet up with Gary once he'd finish work. We caught an earlier train than we needed but thought we could fill the time looking in the cemetery for returning migrants and a possible look at Breydon Water. Both North and South cemetery sections were quiet, i only located a migrant Wren and Magpie! Breydon however was much better, large numbers of Avocet, Curlew, Golden Plover, Redshank and Lapwing were close to the hide, as well as Oystercather, Ringed Plover, Dunllin and Whimbrel. Walking along the railway towards the Tern platforms, more Whimbrel became apparent as we disterbed them, a Greenshank and probable Green Sandpiper also flew through. The platforms and surrounding posts were frequented by quite a few immature Common Terns, with adults returning to feed them, a single Arctic Tern was also there. Walking back to meet Gary an immature Cuckoo flew towards us low over the saltmarsh before crossing the railway and a small flock of Linnet passed overhead.

Meeting Gary we headed for Rush Hills. At the hide on Weaver's Way, with other birders there we soon found the Baird's Sandpiper, a lifer for both James and i. The heat haze of Saturday had gone and we had clear views of the whole scrape, again large numbers of Ruff and Lapwing dominated, but Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin and Ringed Plover were also present. Walking back along the track we spent some time listening to Acro warbler mimicking, as with at Buckenham it was probably just a Reed Warbler. While listening to this warbler i also found a freshly emerged Garden Tiger Moth in the reeds close to the path. Back in North Walsham we had fish and chips, then onto the White Swan for beer and pool. Gary was disqualified for beating us both!

11/08/08 - Cley Marshes NWT

News of a possible Semipalmated Sandpiper at Cley had James and i catching an early train to the coast. Viewing from the main hides, there appeared to be quite a few waders on Simmond's Scrape but none on Pat's Pool (Pat's Muddy Puddle), but we couldn't locate the suspected Semipalmated Sandpiper found late yesterday. There was however 3/4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 5/6 Ringed Plover and 1 Spotted Redshank, as well as large numbers of Dunlin, Ruff, Lapwing, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwits. A Bearded Tit also flew directly in front of the hide. We then decided to walk along the East Bank towards North Hide to scan for waders there. By the road we spotted a couple of The Wall Butterflies as well as a few Common Darter Dragonfly. Walking the East Bank a Reed Bunting flitted along the path in front of us at times allowing very close views. A text from Gary confirmed ther had been no sightings of the Semipalmated Sandpiper so we decided to walk the ridge towards Salthouse rather than visit the North Hide. As the sun was now warming up Common Blue butterflies seemed to be everywhere along with a few Greyling and the odd Painted Lady. Scanning Arnold's Marsh there where large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, a few Avocet, and large group of terns rested on one of the sandy islands. Closer inspection initially reveiled them all to be Sandwich Tern, but a single tern on a post to the right was a Roseate Tern, a year tick for James. On what remained of the pools futher along the ridge a single Greenshank and 4/5 Ringed Plover were noted along with Black-headed Gulls, a single Marsh Harrier also flew over. At Salthouse we stopped to spend about 30minutes sea watching, very little was about. Sandwich Tern 10+ (e), 1 (w), Whimbrel 1 (w), Cormorant 2 (e), 2 (w), Common Gull 1 (w), Spoonbill 2 (e), Fulmer 1 (w). Wandering back to Salthouse to catch the bus, we heard of a probable Slender-billed Gull going east, it had been only 5 minutes before we started sea watching! A Ruddy Shelduck was also with a large group of geese as we walked the track into Salthouse. While waiting for the train in Sheringham we had a quick look at the gulls on the front, just incase the Slender-gilled Gull had stopped, but only found Herring, Black-headed and Common Gull. Two Gannets fishing offshore where also of note.

14/08/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

A morning walk to Whitlingham to look for dragonflies and butterflies, proved to be quite successful. With lots of people messing about in boats i decided against a lap of the Great Broad, as i knew there would be very few birds about. I instead decided to walk along Whitlingham Lane, past the woods and meadows, around Whitlingham Marsh and then to the Sewage Farm before returning back along the road. The small meadows close to the wood were alive with dragonflies, with 50+ swarming about in one glade. On the wooded path just beyond the Great Broad, numerous Common and Ruddy Darter flitted about and a single Migrant Hawker rested in the nettles. The meadows were alive mainly with Common Hawker, but also both species of Darter, 2 Brown Hawker and a single Black-tailed Skimmer were also in the air. Whitlingham Marsh offered very little and with lots of work going on at the Sewage Farm, i didn't see a single bird, so returned to the meadows to try to photograph more dragonflies. Common Blue Damselfly seemed to be everywhere i went, along with a few Painted Lady, Meadow Brown and a single Holly Blue Butterfly.

15/08/09 - Winterton to Horsey

Where do you go bird watching in the middle of August? The answer isn't to walk from Winterton to Horsey along the dunes! With the winds coming from the SW there seemed little chance of any more rare of exciting waders turning up, so with a day free James and i headed for Winterton. If for no other reason im bored of Cley and Hickling, anyway if the sun comes out theres normally loads of butterflies alone the dunes to distract us. With the winds in the wrong direction and the sun in hiding unsuprisingly we didn't see much. The South Dunes at Winterton gave up a Sparrowhawk, 2/3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Whitethroat, single Stonechat and a single Willow Warbler. Grayling also seemed to be everywhere. Walking the North Dunes we only encountered a single Green Woodpecker and single Meadow Pipit before reaching the track that signifies the start of Horsey Dunes. Walking upto Horsey Gap we encounted a couple of families of Stonechat, a family of 4 Kestrels, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Whitethroat and 4 Whimbrel. Looking out to sea a few Gannet passed through west along with 3 Cormorant and a single Sandwich Tern. The track behind the dunes offered a few butterlies being buffeted by the breeze, but not the Dark-green Fritilleries we hoped for. We still noted, Common Blue, Gate Keeper, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Wall, Small Copper and Peacock, but only Gate Keeper in any number.

22/08/09 - Hickling NWT, Rush Hills

Taking advantage of dad having to go to Stalham i got dropped at HIckling for a journt around Rush Hill before the sun went down. Walking from Potter Heigham church a Curlew is in the old pea field and a few Swallows darted around, Common Hawker and Southern Hawker Dragonflies were along the hedge but most butterflies had disoppeared at the evening cooled. Walking through the woods all that happened was my ankles got bitten (damp woodland, shorts and sandels don't mix). At the Rush Hill hide 2 Gargany were of note along with a single Yellow Wagtail with the numerous juvinile Pied Wagtails, a juvinile Water Rail, single Little Stint and Greenshank, as well as the normal waders and waterfowl. Walking further along 3 Hobbies were skimming the reeds, one initially giving me hopes of Red-footed Falcon, 2 Kestrels, 2 Marsh Harriers and a single Little Gull also flew over. Here also a few dragonflies remained despite the cooling condtions, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common Hawker, Common Darter, and my first Emerald Damselfly of the year. What will probably be my last few Swifts of the summer were overhead as i headed back to the car as the sun was setting fast. Walking through the wooded area i heard an owl very close, upon stepping to the side of a largish tree to inspect further, i found myself ducking as a Tawny Owl flew inches over my head. A nice evening with a few good birds to boot.

23/08/09 - Rutland Water, Leics.

A trip to Rutland to attend the British Bird Fair, with the opertunity for a bit of bonus birding. The Bird Fair offered lots of holidays, books and optics, which now means i'm feeling poor and Cathy's very happy after meeting Simon King. James needed an Osprey for his year list so we headed for the new Lagoon IV. 2 very obliging birds were on the deck, one cooling off in the margins. A Wheatear was also along the waterline, along with numerous Egyptian Geese and Lapwing. We looked in most of the hides over looking the Lagoons on the way back seeing very little, though 8 Common Buzzards sored up high and Sand Martins flitted near the nesting wall. An Osprey gave good flight views before heading back towards Lagoon IV.  At the main Egleton Centre i located the summering Scaup and a single Hobby flew through. Before heading home we visited the Lyndon Centre on the south shore, here it was much quieter and more relaxing, Common Tern, Little Egret, Tree Sparrow, Sparrowhawk and further Hobby and Buzzards were the highlights, along with large numbers of Great Crested Grebe, Coot and Mallard in the shallowing waters of 'Manton Bay'. The Egleton Reserve was alive with dragonflies with Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and no doubt a few others to fast to identify.

29/08/09 - Sheringham/Kelling

With the whole of August offering no real days suitable for sea watching, James and i decided to give up waiting for an ideal day and caught the train to Sheringham. A brisk westerly wind actually offered 'okay' conditions so we set up in the shelter. Reasonable numbers of Manx Shearwater passed through mainly west including on largish group of approx. 15 birds. Atleast 1 and proably 2 Red-neck Grebe passed west, 10+ Gannets east and numerous Fulmer both east and west. Suprisingly only two Sandwich Terns were seen compared to the 60+ a month ago, also 4 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin and many other 'distant' waders passed mainly west. I also located a probable porpoise around the lobster pots. After about an hour the wind dropped and the birds stopped so we caught the Coasthopper bus to Keling to look for migrants.

We decided to walk from Kelling Water Meadows along the shingle ridge, past Gramborough Hill and on to Salthouse before catching the bus home. The Water Meadows held  3 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper and 1 Shelduck, large numbers of juvinile Moorhen seemed to be everywhere. A single Wheatear was also on the back of Muckle Hill. Between Kelling and Gramborough Hill we only found a Meadow Pipit and single Wheatear. The bushes on Gramborogh Hill, normally a hot spot for migrats only held a single juvinile Willow Warbler. After a nice cup of coffee at the Beach carpark we walked up to The Little Eye where 7+ Wheatear flitted, a few Redshank where in the saline pool but little else was about. Waiting for the bus we noted the regular Black Swan in the duck pond at Salthouse, also a Green Sandpiper and Snipe in a small pool on the grazing meadows.

30/08/09 - Birds and Beer, Various

See 'Birds and Beer' page for a report for James, Gary and my tour of the Pubs of North Norfolk while also trying to bird watch!

05/07/09 - Station Marsh/Carey's Meadow, Norwich

On a hot and stick day James and i decided on a trip to Thorpe to look for orchids, butterflies and passing waders. On Carey's Meadow the Pyramidal Orchids looked great but the Marsh and Spotted Orchids had gone over in the heat of the week. Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Specked Wood butterflies were all seen but few settled long enough to photograph. We also found Cinnabar Moth caterpillars on some Ragwort. Station Marsh offered more butterfies,  but no birds of note. An Emperor Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmer were on the marsh as wel as Banded Demoiselle, Large Red and Azure Damselflies.

11/07/09 - Cley Marshes NWT

After weeks of common dross finally a few birds of interest appeared in Norfolk, a Caspian Tern at Welney, White-winged Black Tern at Cley and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper also at Cley, however all appeared while i was working. Come Saturday only the Buff-brested Sandpiper remained so i headed of bright and early to catch the 8.23 train and Coasthopper bus to Cley. On reaching the reserve i headed straight for the North Hide, it was warming up so i wanted to see the Buff-breasted before the heat haze got going. I was soon informed the bird had wandered off behind an island to the left, so i decided to scan the rest of the scrape hoping it would soon re-appear. Large numbers of Bar and Black-tailed Godwits fed close to the hide with a probable Continental Black-tailed Godwit mixed in. Smaller numbers of Ruff, Avocet, Ringed Plover and Dunlin fed further out, the heat haze was starting to appear though. I located a Stint species but the haze made it hard to determine which, but with Timminck's Stint seen yesterday i'd lean towards that. 6 Spotted Redshank were also dotted about. Soon my fellow birders re-found the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, it offered good views despite brief moments hiding behind a clump of thistles. Through the increasing haze i could also see approximately 6 Spoonbills and numerous Little Egret on Billy's Wash. With the haze getting worse i decided to sea watch for 30-45 minutes, but wasn't expecting much with a relatively calm sea and gentle NW breeze. Large numbers of Sandwich Tern flew west, with a few Common and Little Terns also about. An adult and juvenile Gannet flew east, Fulmar and juvenile Eider west. The biggest suprise was a single Cory's Shearwater east. I then walked along the shingle ridge towards Salthouse. A Hobby flew over Arnold's Marsh and a Great Black-backed Gull was further along, but seeing little else i headed for the bus home.

19/07/09 - Sheringham/Cley Marshes NWT

Yesterday a reasonable number of Manx Shearwaters had been seen at Sheringham, as well Cory's Shearwater, Arctic and Pomarine Skuas around the coast. Waking to a down-pour however had sent me back under the duvet. So a day later than planned i got he train to Sheringham. I arrived to find only four people in the shelter, reporting very little. Things were not looking good, Sunday trains ment it was already 9.45am, the tide was already well out, the wind had changed direction and the prom was starting to get busy, not ideal conditions!! The other birders soon left, i only stuck it out an hour and a quarter, the few birds that had been about dissoppeared as the tide approched slack water and the little wind died away. Despite no Shearwaters or Skuas i did add two Leach's Storm-petrels to my list, a single Black Tern and a Hobby was a suprise fly through. 

(9.45am-11.00am) Fulmar x1 (e), Leach's Storm-petrel x2 (w), Gannet x1 (e), Cormorant x1 (w), Little Egret x2 (w), Hobby x1 (e), Curlew x2 (w), Whimbrel x5 (w), Bar-tailed Godwit x1 (e), Redshank x2 (w), Black Tern x1 (e), Sandwich Tern x18 (e) x41 (w), Common Tern x3 (w).

With much of the day remaining i decided on a brief trip to Cley Marshes, if for no other reason than to see the amassed Spoonbills at closer quarters. On my last visit i was to busy with the Buff-breasted Sandpiper to visit Pat's Pool for the Spoonbill and looked on from a distance. On the bus passing through Kelling i noticed 3 Crossbills as they few across the road. I headed for the main hide cluster, and decided against a lap of the whole site. Everything was rather subdued until the heavens opens, then came 30 minutes of frantic feeding by everything it seemed, the Spoonbills, 14 in total busily feed and preened each other. A Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 continental Black-tailed Godwit, were of note among the numerous Avocet, Ruff, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit and normal wildfowl. As the train passed through Wroxham i noted a Black Swan on the river. On the train home i decided on a detour via Whitlingham but as the train pulled in the skies opened, so instread i headed straight home.

22/07/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

An evening walk around Whitlingham CP on a Tuesday evening, offered up very few common birds let alone anything rare. The only highlight being a Water Rail in the conservation area, a Whitlingham firstt for James. I was told of a Little Owl site nearby so we decided it would be worth waiting until dusk in the hope of Little Owls, but no joy. With the Oak trees in full leaf a Great Grey Owl could have been hiding in there, so maybe i'll leave the owls in peace until the autumn.

24/07/09 - Salthouse

With a wedding reeption to attend in the evening i booked a day off work, planning a lazy morning before going to North Walsham in the afernoon to meet up with my lift to the reception. News of a Great Spotted Cuckoo at Salthouse however changed those plans. At 7am i rang dad and got him out of bed, telling him i'd meet him at the station. I couldn't rely on the Coasthopper today as i'd be killed if i missed the reception. At 8.45 we headed towards Salthouse. The beach carpark was full and cars lined the road, we walked towards a large group of birders assembled on Gamborough Hill, but we were informed it was back near the coast road after only a few yards. We walked along Marsh Lane (track) and along a field boundry to view the bird in an isolated Sycamore. The bird was facing away from us most of the time, but with only my bins i still managed some good views, especially as the bird preaned, stretching out its spotted wings. We left shortly before 11am, after which the bird was lost from view. Cley was the next planned stop however with no sign of the earlier reported Pectoral Sandpiper, we detoured to Salthouse Heath. Arriving at the cross-roads a small black and white bird flew across in front of the car, although we failed to relocate it , i could only have really been a Pied Flycatcher. Walking on the heath numerious Linnet flew around and atleast 4 Yellowhammer were singing, immature Stonechat were briefly mistaken for Whinchat, before i found a Spotted Flycatcher and we returned to the car. Butterflies of all kinds were evident especially viberant were a hatch of Painted Ladies, better than the washed out migrants i'd seem in the spring. There also seems to be a Ladybird influx with large numbers while out and a garden full at my parents.

28/07/09 - Breydon Water RSPB

On Monday evening James told me he'd been to see the 'Breydon Plover' i was rather suprised as it had been chucking it down, why would he want to see another American Golden Plover and get soaked into the bargin. I had failed to notice on Sunday evening the bird had been reclassified as a Pacific Golden Plover. Sloping off from work 2.5 hours early i caught the train to Yarmouth. Being high tide all the birds were roosting so i sat alone in the hide scanning the mixed flock of waders. I locate a good candidate bird, but wasn't 100% convinced before a passing helicopter put everything up. Eventually i was joined by other birders as the tide dropped. A roosting 'probable' hidden in the grass was observed for an hour before it moved enough to get a reasonable view, but it soon sat down again, i sure this was my bird from earlier. I had to leave for my train. From the train i could see that the hide had been vaccated, i learn from other blogs the bird flew 5 minutes after i left, but that it was without doubt the Pacific Golden Plover. Appart from the plover, i saw a single Green Sandpiper, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Med. Gulls and 2 Wood Sandpiper flew through. Numerous Avocet, Curlew and Whimbrel were also near the hide, as well as the normal waders.

01/06/09 - Station Marsh/Carey's Meadow, Norwich

Having the morning free before some lunchtime drinks with work friends i headed off for a quick walk around Station Marsh Thorpe and Carey's Meadow. I planned to walk the whole of Station Marsh but areas proved to wet, so i was left scanning the main pool. Only Tufted Duck and Gulls seemed to be present so i headed off to Carey's Meadow knowing i only had alimited amount of time.

At Carey's Meadow i decided to look for Orchids rather than birds as the site also seemed quite. Some Marsh Orchids were begining to show as short spikes and i also located a single Bee Orchid, something i've never seen on the site before although there is supposed to be a reasonable sized colony. There should be many more Orchids of both types up in the next few weeks as well as Pyramidal Orchids so i'll have to visit again soon.

03/06/09 - Fenny Bentley, Derbyshire

Spending a few nights camping in Derbyshire, i stayed on a small campsite/farm close to Ashbourne. The site was on the top of a ridge and was little more than a grassy field with farm buildings at one end and a hawthorn hedge at the top. However i collected quite a list of birds from the site, just by sitting out infront of my tent. In the morning i had a pair of Redstarts on the wire fence next to the tent, as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, and other small birds. A stunning male Bullfinch sung in the hedge in the full sun, a Spotted Flycatcher flew around near the farm and a suprise pair of Pied Flycatchers perched in the hedge and on the wires. Curlew flew around in the neighbouring field and the normal farmland birds also flitted about.

04/06/09 - Rutland, Leics./Titchwell RSPB

On the way back from Derbyshire i decided to stop off at Rutland Water, to look at the breeding Osprey and see if any of the Black Terns from earlier in the week remained. Firstly i walked the Elgeton Reserve looking over the main body of water and various lagoons. The older Lagoons were dominated by Black-headed Gulls, Tufted Duck and Mallard, with the odd Common Tern, and a Kingfisher also flew through. On the 'New' Lagoon, there were plenty of Common Terns, Greylag Geese, Lapwing and a few Gulls, including a Little Gull. On the far bank i located a pair of Ruddy Shelduck, i can only be a matter of time before these go on the BOU list and also a lone Black Tern flew over. No Osprey appeared to be in the air so rather than walk the woodland side of the Egleton Reseve, i went around to the Lyndon Reserve to view the nesting Osprey. The Tree Sparrows were on the feeders by the visitor centre, and while walking down towards the end hides, a Spotted Flycatcher flitted past. Once in the furthest hides, no Osprey could be seen on the normal nesting poles, however after 5-10 minutes one soon appeared in the air, offering clear flight views. With the the Black-winged Pratincole still at Thornham, i ignored most of the commoner birds and headed back to the car.

Arriving at the favoured site of the Black-wing Pratincole, a ploughed field near Thornham, i was told by the few birders present it hadn't been seen for 4 hours! I scanned the field and surroundings for 20 minutes or so then decided on a quick look at Titchwell RSPB, as it had been there at times. I quickly scanned the fresh marsh but without luck. Large numbers of Swifts and Sand Martins skimmed the water, and i also spotted the drake Red-crested Pochard, but after 30 minutes i decided to head of home. Almost home, the Pratincole was once again reported from the ploughed field in Thornham, chances are it had been there all day keeping low down due to the cool conditions, this bird will have to wait until another day.

06/06/09 - Thornham/Hickling NWT, Rush Hills

Having failed to see the Black-winged Pratincole on the 14th James and i started out early to Thornham to try to catch up with it, the train, bus and eventual walk this time came with its reward. The Pratincole was keeping low down as a stiff wind blew through, and from the western headgerow gave limited views. We walked around to the southern hedge but the views were not ideal. After a while however the bird got up and went for a walk about, sadly it didn't fly but exalents views were stil possible. Titchwell had looked busy, and rather than look at common species with the crowds we decided to head all the way back along the coast to Hickling to see if the Red-necked Phalorope was still present.

Arriving at North Walsham station my brother gave us a lift to Potter Heigham church to start our walk of the Rush Hills side of Hickling. The Red-necked Phalorope of the previous day had departed however i located 2 Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Dunlin. A large group of Black-tailed Godwits were close to the back, but the biggest suprise was the 50+ Ringed Plovered that scurried about. Following Weavers Way around to Potter Heigham we collected the normal Warblers, Finches and Tits, heard a Cuckoo and failed to see the Great White Egret that seems to have taken up residency on Heigham Holmes. We had some chips by the river before being picked up and catching the train back to the city.

21/06/09 - Norwich

Haven't really been out birding of late due to a combination of poor weather, working extra and general lack of birds. I though however i'd mention the partiall-leucistic Blackbird James and i ran into while wandering into the city. It was initally at the Vauxhall Road/Chapelfield Road junction before flying towards Chapelfield Gardens. We relocated the bird feeding a large juvenile, which didn't show ant leucistic trates.

28/06/09 - Station Marsh, Norwich/Wroxham, River Bure

With large numbers of Sandpipers seeming to be on the move i decided to have a look around Station Marsh to see if anything was about. I met quite a few people along the 'river bank' side of the site and only picked up the normal wild fowl and small birds. Though a Tufted Duck with young was of note and a presumed escaped Barnacle Goose was in with a large group of Canada Geese. Walking around the 'marsh' side of the site, the paths were muddy and wet so i was on my own. I located a singing Cetti's Warbler and flushed a Green Sandpiper from a side dyke. I did this while taking a detour to avoid a rather wet area, almost walked into a large swarm of bees to boot! I spent the next half an hour purched ontop of one of the posts that make up a cattle pen, this gave me views over most of the new workings. There was a distinct lack of waders, but a probable elipse drake Gargany was nice to see and also i ran into the Garganey x Shoveler cross reported a while ago. A male Reed Bunting perched close by and sang its heart out just before i left. Dragonflies and butterflies were plentiful across the whole site, and a brief stop at Carey's Meadow offered more of the same but very few birds. 

An evening boat trip on the River Bure from Wroxham, with a large group of people from work was not really a birding trip but standing on deck i couldn't help looking as the evening went by and the sun eventually set. The boat left Wroxham at 7.30pm sailing out along the River Bure, circling Wroxham Broad, then Salhouse Broad, crusing up beyond Horning on the river before returning to Wroxham. Heavy drizzle was in the air until we reached Salthouse Broad then the skies cleared. Around Wroxham many large groups of Greylag Geese sat on people's riverside lawns along with the odd Canada Goose. Grey Herons lined the whole route with large numbers at Horning, in one place three perched on the river bank piling together. Commons Terns flew around Salthouse Broad in resonable numbers with a few along the river. A single Black Swan swam along side the boat as we returned in the fading light.

02/05/09 - Cley Marshes NWT

Nice weather and new summer train and bus timetables allowed James and I a nice early start to beat the crowds at Cley. Sedge Warblers seemed to be everywhere and a Kestral perched on the wires near the road. The main group of hides over looking the main scrapes offered very little, and the East-bank was also suprisingly quiet. Arnold's marsh looked extreamly dry, especially as its only early May. We had the North hide to ourselves, i soon located a juvenile Spoonbill, and with a little more searching, a pair of Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper. Walking along the ridge close the the Eye Field, the Yellow Wagtails of last week had departed, but i spotted a Short-eared Owl, quartering the marshes closer to Blakeney. James missed the bird as it dropped below the bank near the road, but on the road bank we again saw the bird if at a distance. Lunch in the Visitor Centre and we headed for Sheringham and home. We watched the train pull away, as the bus pulled in, with an hour to kill we deciced on a quick migrant hunt up to Beeston Bump. With every man, his wife, children, dog, cat, chickens and gerbils walking the Bump unsuprisingly we found nothing.

03/05/09 - Dungeness, Kent/West Runton

A 4am start saw Gary, Phillip and I heading for Dungeness, Kent for a day of Mega twitching, the plan was then to go onto Dorset. We arrived at Dungeness shortly after 7am and soon found a group of birders. We soon bagged our target, a Crested Lark in an area that had been seeded. Views were limited however due to the short scrubby plants and ridges of shingle. We stayed for 45min or so then decided to make a move, however ther was no news on the Collared Flycatcher or Eastern Bonelli's Warbler at Portland in Dorset. We sat at services on the M20 awaiting news it would be a long trip for a no show. No sign, no sign read the pager, this mega twitch had just turned from a very long day into a much short one. We headed back towards Norfolk, disoppointed in not seeing the birds but releaved that atleast we hadn't gone hundreds of miiles not to see them.

Halfway home the pager reported a Short-toed Lark at West Runton, with best part of the day left we headed for the coast. Puling into the Beach car park it was still only 12.30. We walked east along the Coastal Path to join a small group of birders, scanning a bean field. The bird had been seen but not for a while. A White Wagtail was in the field and a Ringed Plover appeared to be nesting, Skylarks flitted about trying to confuse the unwhitting birder.  After 45min we thought about heading home, then someone found the bird. It was still elusive, dropping into furrows then appearing further along. Two lifers for me, a lot of miles and we called it a day.

08/05/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

After my Grandad's funeral i thought an evening walk at Whitlingham would be nice, despite the slightly overcast conditions. My brother dropped me at the Canoe Club and i walked around the back of the Little Broad, i found the Garden Warbler James had seen a few days earlier behind the Canoe Club, but the large spots of rain splashed into the puddles, suggested maybe i should have just stayed in. Little came from that shower but i could see a much larger one in the distance, so i hurried along the back of the Great Broad. I spotted the normal warblers but was paying little attention until i reach the conservation area, Pochard, Tufted Duck and a lone Shoveler were in the bay, the weather obviously had detured the dog walkers that normally disturb everything. With the wind picking up i knew i was in for a soaking before i got home. Scanning the new workings i found a Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Stock Dove and the normal ducks and gulls. I spent the next 15minutes hiding in a bush, but i remained dry. I had the whole of Whitlingham to myself now, but the birds had also gone into hiding. Sitting on a bench close to the shoreline on the Little Broad i started to pack my stuff away only for a Common Sandpiper to wander across withing 12ft of me, i never have my camera when i need it. 

09/05/09 - Strumpshaw RSPB/Buckenham RSPB

Being woken by the sun coming through my curtains i couldn't just stay in and tidy the house, so i decided to head for Strumpshaw and Buckenham, if nothing else i should pick up a so far elusive Cuckoo for the year list. The bus diver was half alseep so i missed the last stop in Brundall, but he was nice enough to drop me even closer to the reserve. Walking up the Lackford Run i soon had a large collection of Warblers and Hirundines, with Willow, Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Chiffchaf and Blackcap. I soon heard a distant Cuckoo and reaching the river sooon located the bird perch in a bare tree on the far bank. The Tower and Fen Hides offered little, but more warblers sang along the river bank. At the Reception Hide i soon located the Fudge Duck that's been there of late, a Hobby offered some wonderfully close flybys and i spotted a Common Buzzard high up on a thermal as i watched the 3/4 Marsh Harriers gliding in the clear skies.

Walking up to Buckenham atleast 4 Whitethroats sang from the bushes close to the station, and every bush along the track to the Fisherman's car park seemed to hold a migrant. A few Wigeon still lingered at the back of the pools close to the river, but no unusual waders. Round by the mill i had much better luck, a Greenshank was amoung the numerous Redshank, Ruff and Avocet. Sitting in the sun with a sandwich i also located a Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper before wandering back. Close to the white cottage i located 4 Treecreeper on the trunk of a large Oak, an early brood or 2 pairs? I stood waiting at the bus stop for an hour, and when i did finally catch a bus it had to be diverted, so i couldn't have a quick look over Thorpe Station Marsh as i planned. Its turns out the road had been closed as the bus i had been waiting for had crashed, i wonder if it was the same drive i had in the morning that seened to be half asleep?

13/05/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

With Greenshank, Manderin, Woodsandpiper, Dunlin, Little Egret and Cuckoo all being reported in the last few days and a Black Tern appearing in the morning, the prospect of 7 new patch birds saw me walking down to Whitlingham after work. As with my previous visit rain threatened all the way around. James and i spotted very little and nothing out of the ordinary, until we reached the slipway where the Common Sandpiper i had seen last week again offered close views. The light drizzle got worse was we walked home, and i got home feeling rather deflated and damp. I'm coming to the concluding that Whitlingham is an early morning site, during the summer months atleast, the dog walkers, jogger and cyclists seem to scare everything off.

16/05/09 - Salthouse/Weybourne/Cley Marshes NWT/Great Ryeburgh

A rather quiet spring in terms of rarities ment that news of a Collared Pratincole appearing at Salthouse, was an oppertunity not to be turned down. As we approched Salthouse village we were meet by a large group of twitchers gathered on the roadside, things looked good. But we soon discovered the bird had flown east. While the crowd decided to aimlessly scan the field it had been in we decided to be more proactive and headed off towards Kelling and Weybourne, scan the frields and marshes for the bird. We located a very smart summer pummage Golden Plover and Common Sandpiper but little else. As we approched Weybourne Gary rang to say he was heading for Cley NWT, the Pratincole had been relocated, it must have flown over James and I. By the time we got to Cley with Gary it had gone again! We then spent some time scanning the marshes at Cley and Salthouse before heading to Blakeney Freshmarsh, but still no luck. James had to leave to catch the bus, Gary and i briefly contunied our hunt before heading off to Salthouse Heath for Nightingales. Hoping the Pratincole would soon be relocated.

Sitting in a layby we soon haerd a bird singing not to far away. As soon as we got to the source of the noise it went quiet. Despite trying to tease it out with calls from Gary's phone we failed. As we walked back to the car the bird churped up again, but a Hoopoe had appeared on the pager. To make up for the still missing Pratincole we decide to go for the Hoopoe, the Nightingales could wait. Arriving at Mill Road in Great Ryeburgh we soon located the Hoopoe, and it gave nice clear views in a stoney field. Shortly after arriving home Gary texted, the Pratincole had finally been relocated on Blakeney Freashmarsh. We had been looking in the right place earlier, but we weren't going back tonight.

20/05/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

Being owe some time at work i finished a little early so James and i decided to have an evening walk down to Whitligham and back. Despite the nice weather and suprising lack of people letting there dogs run wild we saw very little. With just the normal warblers, gulls, ducks and other small birds. The Common Sandpiper that i saw last week proved the only highlight, again offering close views.

22/05/09 - Cley Marshes NWT/Salthouse

With the Collared Pratincole showing and a day off work, i headed for Cley, to make ammends for last weeks attempted dip. Gary called while i was on the train to notify me the bird was still there and i arrived at the reserve to see a cluster of people out by The Coastguards, as far from the bus stop as they could possibly be! I hurried out along Beach Road hoping the bird wouldn't go before i got there. I had no need to worry sitting in the Eye field it only shuffled a few inches in the 30min or so i watch it. A lingering group of Brent Geese where also nearby. Entering North Hide there was only a single person there. I soon realised why, the scrapes looked rather quiet, with only a few Avocets at first glance. However a Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper and a rather strange looking Teal x Gadwell cross were better than nothing. Just as i was about to leave a tern dropped onto the closest island, only briefly stopping, but long enough to identify it as Roseate Tern. The main scraped looked deserted from the ridge and the hide flaps all closed so i decide d to walk along the ridge to Salthouse rather than walk the East Bank.

Walking towards Salthouse proved to be rewarding as on the Salthouse end of Arnold's Marsh i picked up a pair of Little Terns, single Arctic Tern,2 Common Terns and a larger group of Sandwich Terns. Turnstone, a Little Riged Plover, Redshank and a single Whimbrel were also in the area. Walking along the Iron Road i spotted a Shoveler with young, the only young Shoveler i think i've ever seen. I then enjoyed a loverly Steak and Ale Pie in the Dun Cow before heading back on the bus.

24/05/09 - Bird Race, Various

Day Bird race with Gary, James and myself. 113 species seen and an additional 4 species heard between dawn and dusk. See 'Bird Race' page for full details.

30/05/09 - Great Yarmouth/Strumpshaw RSPB

News of a Great Knot appeared on Friday evening, but with the train time tabes James and i decided we wouldn't have much daylight to see the bird so would go on early Saturday. Upon arriving in Great Yarmouth we headed over the Breydon Bridge and joined the large numbers on birders on the south shore of Breydon. But with with only a possible sighting 3 hours earlier at 4am and nothing since the news wasnt good. A single Curlew Sandpiper was the only highlight. We waited an hour or so before giving up and going to look for Spotted Flycatcher in the North Cemetery, but again without any success.

Putting Yarmouth's failings behind us we jumped back on the train and decide to look at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB. The reseve offered its normal Warblers and Water Fowl but again was rather quite, we spotted a Hobby as well as the Marsh Harriers, but a general quiet day lead to use looking for Swallowtail Butterflies. Despite being told a few had been seen earlier, with the increasing heat of the day they had gone into hiding. After a rather disoppointing day he headed off home in time to catch the FA Cup Final on TV.

03/04/09 - River Wensum, Norwich

A quick walk along the River Yare in Norwich after work. We took the old railway line behind Halfords, walked along opposite Wensum Park and then cut back home along Nelson Steet. Very little was about as it was bout 6.15 before we set out, but it was a nice evening. The only real thing of note was the fact that we saw 3 Great Spotted Woodpecks and many Chifchaffs having recently returned were calling. We stopped in the Fat Cat for a much enjoyed pint.

04/04/09 - Rosary Cemetery/Lion's Wood/Carey's Meadow/Thorpe Station Marsh, Norwich

A mixed weather forecast ment we kept it local, walking a regular route, throught the Cemetery, Lion's Wood and around Carey's Meadow. With the sun appearing we decided also to take in Thorpe Station Marsh in the hope of finding a few extras. The Rosary produced its normal birds, including atleast 3 Nuthatch and nice views of Chiffchaff. Lion's wood reveilled another Nuthatch, and a Stock Dove as well as the normal birds. Carey's Meadow after last years suprise haul of Warblers and a Nightingale is now a favoured site, but maybe todays visit was still a bit early, just a couple of Chiffchaffs of note. Since being remodelled after gravel extraction finished in the winter Station Marsh hasn't offered much with vegetation still lacking. We serched the gravel for a Little Ringed Plover without success althought the site looks promising. A mixture of gulls and diving ducks bobbed on the water and a few Mute Swans and Greylags joined them. James had seen Green Sandpiper earlier in the week but the site seemed devoid of waders until we found a rather unexpected, rather loanly Avocet. Cetti's Warblers and chiffchaffs called but proved elusive.

05/04/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

I decided to walk Whitlingham nice and early as sunny day also means it'll get busy. I'd spotted a Green Woodpecker before i'd left the city with one in the tress on Hall Road. Arriving at Whitlingham i soon spotted the Black Swan James had reported earlier in the week, then a second, lets hope they breed. The usual duck were on the Great Broad, Tufted, Pochard, Mallard, Teal and Shoveler. Great Crested Grebes were busy doing ther penguine dances. I heard atleast two Willow Warblers near the info centre but the low sun defeted me. Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warblers and Robins seemed to be calling from everywhere. At the far end a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew over. Lingering in the conseration area i found a rather large Tufted Duck which was probably a Tufted x Pochard hybred and also a Greylag x Canada Goose was present, a Reed Bunting perched about three feet from me. Two Snipe also sunned themselves on the island margins, seaching for hindurines i found a Peregine flying through high. Although it was busy i walked back towards the Info centre as the Black Swans semed to be closer, idea for a few snaps. The Greylag x Swan Goose James spotted last week also made an appearance and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, completed the Pecker set. No sign of any Swallows or Sand Martin today.

10/04/09 - Great Yarmouth/River Wensum, Norwich

The Pacific/American Golden Plover (now considered American Golden Plover) seemed to be staying a while at Breydon RSPB so i decided to jump on an early train and try to locate the bird as the tide came up. At Breydon i was one of the first people there (15+ eventually turned up) but i soon located a suspect bird well out in the estuary, however when the tide turned the bird flew and i lost it. After awhile the bird was relocated and offered clear views but he debate was ongoing as to its identity. My first Swallow of the year also flew through and a Spotted Redshank fed in the margins. I decided to work the Cemetery, always a haunt for migrants, however all i stumbled a cross was a suprise group of 5 Waxwings. The North Denes offered little but Meadow Pipits and the South Denes very similar, however near the power station a male Redstart flitted in front of me then flew over my head. Walking back along the quay i located a Yellow-legged Gull on the roof tops, and on a scrap of wasteland a stunning male Wheatear bobbed about.

Going for a walk with James along the River Wensum, we located the normal common birds behind Halfords and up towards Wensum Park. Behind the city dump we heard a Cetti's Warbler a first this close to the city centre. Further along on the marshes James located my first Blackcap of the year, and returning along the river we found a Willow Wabler and further Blackcap as well as numerous Chiffchaffs.

11/04/09 - Rosary Cemetery, Norwich/Hickling, Rush Hill

The day started badly with James and i missing our intended train so with over an hour to kill we decided that the Rosary was a good way to kill time. Chiffchaff, Nuthatch and Jay proved to be the highlights but it was a pleasant way to kill time.

Having to visit Dad in hospital i decided that rather than catch the bus, probabily unreliable on Easter weekend i'd walk via the UEA. The start wasn't the best with a dull day instead of the sun i'd hoped for. I walked through Eaton Park, whiched offered little and then onto the UEA site. The meadows off Bluebell Lane offered the usual Mistle Thrush and Green Woodpecker and The Broad, 7 Great Crested Grebe, a few Mallard and Moorhen but little else. The playing fields offered more birdlife, as there was less people, i collected the usual Tits, Finches and Corids. Just as i was thinking this may have been a cold wasted walk, i found a pair of Red-legged Partridges, not unusual themsleves but they were on the playing field, and a Black Redstart by the horse paddock. With my mind changed i then when to the hospital.

18/04/09 - Strumpshaw RSPB/Buckenham RSPB

Walking from the bus stop in Brundall towards Strumpshaw, we spotted a Grey Heron next to a dyke, and while we watched the bird pulled a rather large rat from the reeds, and a struggle insuded before the Heron flew off with the rat after being disturbed by a 'posh birder'. This lady ahd seen us watching the Heron stopped her car and jumped out, we couldn't explin her excitement until in her posh voice she told us she hadnt seen a Crane before! Strumpshaw RSPB was rather quiet, with only a Blackcap and Willow Warbler of note walking up Lackford Run. From the Tower Hide we watched a large group of Shoveler and a few Pochard. From the Reception Hide we viewed the escaped Ferruginous Duck and the masses of breeding Black-headed Gulls.

Buckenham was also very quiet now emptied of Wigeon, but we did find a party of 5 Yellow Wagtails. A few waders were on the scrape by the mill but nothing of note, and a few Sedge Warblers sung along the track, all considered another disappointing day.

19/04/09 - Titchwell RSPB/Weybourne/Sheringham

22/04/09 - Station Marsh/Carey's Meadow, Norwich

Having a half-day at work i jumped on the bus to Thorpe, i was hoping a week day would find Station Marsh and Carey's Meadow free of the previous weeks half-term children. Climbing the steps of the footbridge over the railway line i heard a Grasshopper Warbler and after a while located it in so scrub, another patch bird. The boat with the wild looking dogs was still moored up so not much was near the river so i walked further round before scanning for an elusive LRP, then some idiot walked along the waters edge and out onto the spit of land to sit down, couldn't he read the 'Conservation Area, Do Not Enter' sign on the gate he must have jumped! With his appearance, the Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gulls and Oystercatchers took flight so i headed off to Carey's Meadow. Full of migrats last year i have high expectations of this site, and sure enough withing seconds of entering the site i heard a Nightingale. Not so easy to see however i eventually located the bird, and suspect there was a 2nd bird also in the deep scrub. A pair of Blackcap sat up on the Hawthorn further around, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs seemed to be in any large area of scub and a couple of Green Woodpeckers laughed intermittently. Not quite as much as last year but its still early.

26/04/09 - Blakeney Point

With a good forecast Gary invited James and I to walk Blakeney Point. A Red-rumped Swallow had been seen in Cley village the day before so we had a quick look ther first but no sign, but i picked up my first Whitethroat and Reed Warbler of the year, i also heard a distant Cuckoo. Despite the weather being brighter than forcast, it didn't take to long to find our first migrants, Wheatear, Wheatear, Wheatear, but little else. Apart from a few Whimbrel we found very little before we reached Halfway House. Here we found two Yellow Wagtails, more Wheatear and more Whimbrel. The Marrams contained loads of Shelduck but not the Wryneck i hoped for. The Plantation held a Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, and the Channel a group of Dark-bellied Brent Geese. All in all a long walk for very little...we still had to walk back! The Spoonbill wasn't present at Salthouse and no Nightingales on Salthouse Heath, all in all not the best of days.

07/03/09 - Felbrigg/Walcott/Witton

My monthly trip back to North Walsham to see my chiropractor leaves me with a morning and early afternoon to kill. Getting dropped off at Felbrigg the plan was to add Manderin and Nuthatch to the year list. Walking from the top of the drive down to the donkey paddocks just gave the normal tits and finches (but no Hawfich today). Then at the car park we set out for a lap of the church and lake. A large flock of Redwing, mixed corvids, Wood Pigions and a single Mistle Thrush all got up in a hurry, but no sign of a raptor. It was nice to hear 2 or 3 Skylarks signing as we crossed the meadows, a little egret was on the marsh south of the lake and a large group of Meadow Pipits flew through. It took a while but eventually located 4/5 drake Manderin and 3 ducks. The woods offered little in the hunt for a Nuthatch, reaching the donkey paddock again we find a rather loud Nuthatch singing in an oak, with a Great Spotted Woodpecker for luck it was time for tea in the cafe.

Walcott was the next stop hoping that last years resident Med. Gull was about. We were met by a brisk wind, high tide and many people out for a stroll, so most of the gulls were never still for long. The Turnstones are getting tamer and a single Sanderling joined them in running along the wall and around our feet. Scanning the gulls best we could it was clear no Med. Gull today, but James did find a 'funny Herring Gull' double checking the book at home a 3rd-winter Caspian Gull makes up for the lack of Med. Gull.

James was missing Woodcock off his list so a small private wood in Witton was the final stop before i was to be twisted and beaten. It was only 20m before we put up our first Woodcock, but the woods were very quiet, a pair of Buzzards have been frequenting the woods all winter but we couldnt see them, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker often here was also lacking. Though we did get a who's who of deer with 4 Roe, 2 Muntjac and a Chinese Water Deer all flushed from this small area.

08/03/09 - Rosary Cemetery, Norwich

My alarm going off at 7.30 on a Sunday was a bit of a suprise, but sunlight is flowing through the curtains so i decide to go for a walk in the city. Nothing much on the River Wensum through the city centre so i decide to walk up to the Rosary Cemetery. It all seems rather quiet in the older section but i could hear a Nuthatch calling in the new half so i headed for the far end. i soon locate the Nuthatch at the top of a conifer and proptly find another two. Typical i spent ages looking for a Nuthatch yesterday! Walking back through the older half things had picked up, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Jay joined the normal finches and tits, including Coal Tit.

13/03/09 - Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

First day of 10 days off work, startswith a trip to Strumpshaw RSPB. Nuthatches seem to be like London Buses as for the third walk in a row one puts in an appearance this time near the reserve. Walking towards the Fen Hide my first Cetti's Warbler of the year flitted across the path before calling from a nearby bush. Two hours in the Fen Hide trying to see a Bittern or maybe one of the elusive Peduline Tits only resulted in views of the Marsh Harriers circling above and a breif visit from a Bearded Tit. A walk in the woodland failed to show the hoped for Reeve's Phesant but Willow and Marsh Tit went someway to make up for it. Walking back to the Fen Hide, i heard all sorts of screams from the edge of the woods, i soon found two Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers fighting it out, at one point the pair feet entangled crashed through the canopy. A further hour in the Fen Hide and my patience was gone so i walked around the back of the reserve via the Tower Hide, a flock of Redwing, Water Pipit and Water Rail the only birds of note.

15/03/09 - Thetford Forest/Roydon Common/Gun Hill, Burnham Overy

A bird watching trip with old friend Gary White saw us take in the Brecks before Roydon Common and Holkham Dunes. Treking from a rather busy lay-by on the A11 we had a few hours raptor watching by a large clearing near Olly's Farm. This produced a distant Goshawk, numerous Common Buzzards, Kestrels and an escaped Red-tailed Hawk. Crossbills, Yellowhammers, Siskin, Brambling and other finches flitted between the pines. A fly-through by an Iceland Gull, in a small gull flock, was an unexpected bonus.

Driving towards Royston a Red Kite was over-head being mobbed by a Carrion Crow. Finally deciding on the westerly car park at Roydon Common NWT we spotted the long staying Great Grey Shrike from the car, but little else was around so we headed off in search for the Rough-legged Buzzard at Dersingham but we were out of luck.

Next we headed for Gun Hill close to Holkham Dunes in the hope of a few self-found early migrants. Barn Owls seemed to be out in numbers with 3 or 4 seen in the area, only Meadow Pipits frequented the rather quiet dunes. I then spotted a dark looking warbler dive into some scrub and dispite not seeing the bird again it called from the under growth, an almost certain Dartford Warbler. A large Scoter flock were on the sea with Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser of note. Walking back to the car we scanned the flocks of geese, Pink-footed, Greylag and Dark Belied Brent. Among the Dark Bellied Brent Geese Gary located a Black Brant x Brent Hybid, and a flock of calling Linnet finished off a nice days birding.

16/03/009 - Stiffkey/Hunworth

Planning to go sea fishing we first had to dig some bait at Stiffley, so i took my binoculars with me. We parked behind the camp site and walked out over the saltmarh. Skylarks and Meadow Pipits flitted and sung from all angles, with large numbers a Redshank and Brent Geese on the Saltmarsh, including a probable Black Brant. A Rock Pipit sat by the path as i approched the beach. Not much on the beach as it was low tide and i couldn't sea the shoreline. Walking back i had clear views of Barn Owls and a pair of Little Egret doing a mating dance. A rather early Ring Ouzel sat on the outflow pipe in the full sun.

Driving past Hunworth i had to stop for the Black-bellied Dipper, a bird that for me atleast was being elusive. I need not have worried a it sat close the the bank just down stream from the ford. It did a little bit of bobbing before foraging for food, swimming and running around the river bed, very nice to see too. 

17/03/09 - Horsey/Walcott

Another day devoted to early migrant hunting, the promise of a sunny day gives me images of Wheatears in the dunes. That vision is quickly squashed as i wake up to a very misty overcast morning, but i'd decided on a plan and stuck to it. Being dropped off at Waxham Barns James and i walked along the dunes to the track leading to The Nelson pub in Horsey, before doing a lap of the Horsey Estate. In dunes very little was about, however ther was a large flock of Reed Bunting close to the pipe dump and numerious Meadow Pipits and Skylark throughout. A White Wagtail on the campsite the only thing of note. Looking over the dunes we watched 200+ seals hauled up on the beach. Taking the track to the pub James located a pair of Common Crane and a Marsh Harrier flew over but very little still. The marshland also provided little of note.

We decided to stop at Walcott sea front on the way home, to seach for the Med. Gull that was proving elusive a week or so ago. Being a cooler day, very few people were about so it took only a matter of seconds to locate the bird in a flock of gulls on the beach. Not much else about.

19/03/09 - River Yare, Rockland to Norwich

James and i decided to walk the River Yare from Rockland Broad back to Norwich. We caught the bus to Rockland and walked down to Rockland Broad. In the car park by the Broad i heard my 1st Chiffchaff of the year followed by the 2nd and 3rd, we then located once in the pines. Walking down to the bird hide revealed very little, but a few Cetti's Warblers called from the scrub. Next we walked towards Surlingham and decided upon a quick lap of the Ted Ellis Reserve, in the vein hope the Penduline Tits might be here as they haven't been at Strumpshaw for a bit, but no luck. Just a 100+ flock of Siskin and a Cetti's Warbler worth noting. Walking through the village towards the Ferry pub we saw a large flock of Redwing and then joined the Wherryman's Way to Norwich. At Surlingham Church Marsh we hoped for a Gargany but volenteer work ment anything there had been desturbed with only teal and a pair of Shelduck on the pool. A Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was in the trees just beyond the Woods End pub at Bramerton. Whitlingham Marsh proved to be deserted and Whitlingham Great Broad only provided the normal waterfowl. A reather long walk had offered little reward, but it is still only mid-March.

21/03/09 - River Wensum, Norwich

As the sun was out i decided to go for a brief walk along the River Wensum and old railway line in the city. The normal common birds called and flitted in the trees near Halfords and two Chiffchaffs were opposite Wensum Park. Walking up and behind the city dump only a single Redwing was of note. By the river i also saw a few Tortoiseshell, Comma and Brimstone butterflies. A very nice walk on a sunny day despite the lack of birds.  

22/03/09 - Gunton Park

After a nice Mother's Day meal at the Greens, Aylsham we decide to call in at Gunton Park before returning to the city, as i've found this site ideal for early hindurines. From the fisherman's carpark by the bridge a large flock of Greylag and Canada Geese grazed on the meadow and the normal Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen were on the lake. By the Sawmill a rather strange looking bird from distance turned out to be a probable Egyptian Goose x Mallard Hybed. The sun of the morning had been replaced aby clouds and a cool wind so i wasn't suprise not to see the Swallow or Sand Martins i was hoping for. 

29/03/09 - Salthouse/Cley Marshes NWT

James and i jumped on the train and coast hopper bus for another migrant hunt this time in the Cley area, a nice sunny day, things were looking up. We walked out from Salthouse village to the beach car park and Gambrough Hill so often a migrant hot-spot, on this occassion however it was only loads of Meadow Pipits that got me twisting and turning in all directions. Walking along the ridge towards Cley we scanned Arnold's Marsh, lots of calling Redshank, Avocets, and a loverly summer plumage Black-tailed Gotwit as well as the normal waders were on the scape. James then spotted a small female duck in a pool close to the ridge, trying to get a little closer the bird was flushed but we had decided by then it was a Garagany. Shortly after that i spotted a plover huddled up on the shingle, Little Ringed Plover sadly not, Common or Garden Ringed Plover actually. But amoung the Turnstones nearby a Green Sandpiper pottered in the margins. The North hide on the NWT reserve provided little extra so we decide to walk back along East Bank for a bite to eat in the Info Centre. Bearded Tits called but were elusive and a Marsh Harrier drifted about, this was then mobbed by another slightly smaller bird, initally we thought an esacaped Harris Hawk but later reports identified it as a probable escaped Saker Falcon. I also picked a Rock Pipit walking the East Bank, one for James' Year List.  A wecolme cuppa later we headed for the mains hides, again little of note except a Pale-bellied Brent Goose mixed in with the Darkies and the odd Ruff. We then walked up into Cley village and caught the bus back. I'm still missing the early migrants, when will i learn not to start looking atleast until April?

01/02/09 - Buckenham Marshes RSPB/Strupshaw RSPB

05/02/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

07/02/09 - Witton/North Walsham

08/02/09 - Marston Marshes, Norwich

13/02/09 - Rosary Cemetery/Lion's Wood/Carey's Meadow, Norwich

15/02/09 - Dersingham Bog/Hunstanton/Titchwell/Holkham

21/02/09 - North Walsham/Matlask/Letteringsett

28/02/09 - Outon Broad/Lowestoft, Suffolk

01/01/09 - UEA, Norwich

03/01/09 - Sea Palling/Walcott/Gimingham

04/01/09 - Felbrigg/Salthouse/Sculthorpe Moor/Flitcham/Thornham/Titchwell RSPB/Warham

11/01/09 - Whitlingham CP, Norwich

24/01/09 - Southwold/Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk

31/01/09 - Flixton GP, Suffolk /Paston Cliffs