North Norfolk Lifers

Since the wife had friends over for the weekend I decided to make myself scarce and head up to Norfolk for the Pallid Harrier which had been hanging around for some time. I travelled up to Norfolk the night before and grabbed a B&B so I could be up at first light to make a full day of it.

I arrived at RSPB Snettisham a little before last light on the off chance I could grab a quick look but I had no idea just how far the hides are from the car park - sooo far and the path was narrow and boggy.  No view of the Harrier however I witnessed thousands of Pink-footed Geese flying out to the estuary for their evening roost.

I got up early the following day and arrived back at Snettisham just after first light and was surprised to find there were already about 15 birders on site.  The Pallid Harrier was showing extremely well just opposite the first hide, I didn't get any photos though as it took flight and headed of down the headland to hunt but was more than happy with a Lifer.  Out on the estuary where dozens of Shelduck, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank, and Dunlin.

Time to try for another lifer; 3 Shorelark had been showing well over the past week at Holme Dunes so that was my next stop.  On route I stopped off at a small RSPB location but I have no idea were  and cannot remember the name for the life of me, it was a saltmarsh where I had great views of a Water Rail, a few Little Egret and hundreds of Golden Plover streaming over head.  A small pool opposite the reserve held Shovelar, Widgeon and a few Brent Geese.

Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Golden Plover

As I headed up the approach road to Holme Dunes I had to stop to let a car through a narrow spot, just as I was about to pull of I caught something out the corner of my eye.  A beautiful Barn Owl was perched quite happily about 10 meters away, I couldn't resist a quick snap which the driver behind didn't seem to mind as they did exactly the same.

Barn Owl

I parked up at Holme and had a quick bite to eat before heading on down for the Shorelark and hopefully Snow Bunting.  When I arrived at the end of the beach the Shorelark weren't to be found, it certainly didn't help that birders were traipsing all over the dunes.... sometimes birders can be a pain in the arse...!  I waited until everybody went off over the dunes then started scanning what I thought were suitable areas and eventually located them, lifer number 2 - Shorelark, they were quite a distance off and I didn't want to disturb them further.  No sign of any Snow Bunting but some nice flocks of Linnet.

Shorelark

Next stop was RSPB Titchwell where I had the usual ridiculous views of Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff and Avocet.  I had a couple of year ticks with Marsh Tit and Brambling on the feeders.  I was informed and shown some Water Pipit at the back of one of the pools although I think someone was working on faith as at that distance I could hardly make them out as Pipits....

Final stop was Wolferton Triangle for the Golden Pheasant which would represent my 3rd lifer for the day.  I was not to be however but I did have 4 Woodcock which were new for the year so not all bad.

Woodcock

All in all a very enjoyable day with a couple of lifers, some year ticks and birds I don't often get to seen living just about as far from the coast as you can in the UK.

Forest of Dean

Had a few hours to kill today so made a trip to the Forest of Dean for the Two-barred Crossbills that have been showing extremely well of late. They had been reported around Crabtree Hill just down from Speech House and a blog I read yesterday gave Ordnance Survey grid references. I parked up in the Speech House car park and took a walk to said grid reference but was unable to locate any Crossbills by sight or sound. I did however manage Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Stock Dove and Marsh Tit for the year list, Goldcrest and Marsh Tit are also Bird Race ticks. Them Goldcrests are difficult to photograph, I had to put the camera onto manual and rattled off a fair few shots of which this is the best one!

76. Goldcrest

 

Thought I'd add this Treecreeper as it's marginally better than my one from previously on my blog.



I was on my way back to the car when I stopped to watch some Nuthatch's chasing each other around the canopy, when a tit flock came through which contained a few Marsh Tit, again not the best clarity as I was on manual trying to keep up with them. I've just realised that I also need Nuthatch for the Bird Race list but don't think I got any shots other that silhouettes of them.

77. Marsh Tit

77. Marsh Tit

 

I thought I'd add this one to today's blog as I was reasonably pleased with it, seems that Robins are the only birds I can satisfactorily take photos of.

Robin

 



After my abysmal failure at locating the TBC's I decided to head down to Parkend as Hawfinch's had be reported around the grassy area along the side of the cricket pitch. I spent about half an hour searching and only managed to find 2 Robins and a flock of Greenfinch. I decided to give it up and started to head towards the car when I heard high pitched squeaking, on looking up I saw a flock of finches fly over my head and across to the top of some tall trees. I stopped for a look and was rewarded with not 1 Hawfinch but 8! I've taken a few shots but they were at a distance, high up and with a grey back drop, you can just about make them out as Hawfinches from their shape and pattern.

 78. Hawfinch

 



78. Hawfinch





So even though I didn't catch up with the TBC, or even Common Crossbills actually, I still had an enjoyable couple of hours as this was only the second time I've seen Hawfinches.

Scaup-ered

After work today I thought I quickly nip across to Caldecotte Lake to see if the Scaup were still around - they weren't :( I can't help but reminise back to 1989 when Caldecotte was my local patch and full of Avian life.  Not a single Widgeon, Teal or Gadwall present and only a few Pochard.  There was however a Goosander pair and a Little Grebe but that really was the limit.  I tried experimenting with my camera, managed a few acceptable ones but threw loads away...

Canada Goose

Tufted Duck

I then came across this Black Headed Gull, appears odd to me so grateful if anybody could confirm.  Don't recall ever seeing the black extend so far down either the front or back of the head, also the neck appears to be slightly longer?

 



Black Headed Gull

I then popped in at Linford GP (HESC) on the way home which paid off.  The woodland hide provided me with ample opportunity to practice with the camera, I won't bore you with all the shots, just one of a Blue Tit I rather liked and a Marsh Tit, although this isn't a very good shot - in my defence it was starting to get dark.



Blue Tit

Marsh Tit

I had a quick stop in at the main hide which helped explain the lack of waterfowl at Caldecotte, the place was crammed with Tufted Duck, Widgeon, Pochard, a small number of Teal and a drake Pintail - unfortunately no photos as he was a fair distance and the light was almost completely gone.

 

An enjoyable evening finished off with a few games of squash where I got an ass kicking as always......