Norfolk birding (48 Viewers)

[ChrisBish]

Red Kite over the A11 by the Mulbarton turn off was a nice surprise at 4.15(ish).

 

[ben_lewis]

Strumpshaw- Fen Hide closed now due to flooding- Woodland-sandy wall-riverbank circuit still open, but Tower hide circuit remains closed.
At least 7 Buzzards passed through from Reception hide while I ate lunch today- mini passage seen elsewhere?

 

[Penny Clarke]

Three Barn Owls together (yesterday evening) over a rough field not far from where I live in King's Lynn.

 

[Nick Moran]

Yo bud,

I had cracking close views of a cock from my car not too long ago in an area you most definately know, but won't divulge on here of course as it's a sensitive site for other reasons. I'll message you.

I've enquired myself about the status of these birds in the region with not much info back (which surprises me - with the fuss made of Golden Phesants), other than that they can/have be seen, sporadically, around the Cockleycley area.

The top Brecks site for Reeves's Pheasant is not particularly sensitive, and also affords the opportunity for getting up close and personal with equally free-range / uncaged Helmeted Guineafowl and Indian Peafowl. It's not in Norfolk though (as if that matters?!).

Along with Golden Pheasant (and several other species), there seems to be a growing number of individuals interested in certain hard-to-come-by species, feral or otherwise, for surveying and/or less altruistic reasons. It would be great if there was some coordination in effort by those in the former camp. Of course I would say this, but the obvious starting point would be for everyone to submit records to BirdTrack, where they are then accessible to all the relevant county recorders (with the observer's permission), and to individuals involved in bona fide studies of the species in question (via a simple data request). Observers also have the option mark certain records as sensitive, to prevent them appearing in any public outputs (Schedule 1 / certain RBBP species are hidden automatically).

Anyone wishing to conduct either a field-based or desk-based survey would then have one central place to start, instead of having to go through a series of clandestine RFIs (and, inevitably, missing a lot of information).

 

[PYRTLE]

Wader with Purple Sandpiper at Cley

Anyone have a definite id on the above as a curlew sandpiper? A winter plumaged c/s has been reported hanging about the Eye field puddle though some observers doubt this as as nothing more than an odd large dunlin. Can anyone comment either way any clinching plumage details on this sighting? No one I've spoken with has mentioned the rump colouration yet. Cheers. P

 

[davethebird]

Anyone have a definite id on the above as a curlew sandpiper? A winter plumaged c/s has been reported hanging about the Eye field puddle though some observers doubt this as as nothing more than an odd large dunlin. Can anyone through in any clinching plumage details supporting the curlew sandpiper sighting? No one I've spoken with has mentioned the rump colouration yet. Cheers. P

Two Dunlin with the Purple Sand on this morning's WeBS count.

Dave

 

[firstreesjohn]

I see, from Penny’s clue (on her blog), that she’ll be flying into Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, tomorrow.

Lucky girl: I’ve always liked “South Pacific” !

No sign of any Snow Buntings, when I visited Salthouse. I’d been hoping for something that rhymed with a lisped “Nancy”.

Male and 2 female Bullfinches near the Dell, in Wells Woods.

 

[Penny Clarke]

I see, from Penny’s clue (on her blog), that she’ll be flying into Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, tomorrow.

Lucky girl: I’ve always liked “South Pacific” !....

I if only I was, right now would be fabulous:t: Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow again I see, great:-C

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow again I see, great:-C

I know. It's do depressing. The only day I can get out is Sundays and on the only sunny Sunday in the last month we had to visit relatives. I'm getting cabin fever. :-C Roll on Spring. I want to be warm and dry.

Ron

 

[sacha]

No sign of any Snow Buntings, when I visited Salthouse. I’d been hoping for something that rhymed with a lisped “Nancy”.
.

Bit early for a Lanceolated Warbler

 

[petehasset]

I know. It's do depressing. The only day I can get out is Sundays and on the only sunny Sunday in the last month we had to visit relatives. I'm getting cabin fever. :-C Roll on Spring. I want to be warm and dry.

Ron

Ron this is spring

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Ron this is spring

So it is. "Spring - when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of gloves."

 

[petehasset]

So it is. "Spring - when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of gloves."

nice one Ron

 

[putnoebabes]

Wells Black Brant

Has anyone got a photo of this bird, presumably the same one that ranges to Holkham etc. I'm pretty sure I saw it Thurs am, but would like to satisfy myself of diagnostic features. Thanks, Graham

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell March 16th

Today’s highlights

Hen harrier – ringtail over reedbed/saltmarsh, male through bird feeders by visitor centre!!
Long tailed duck – female on fresh marsh, 3 offshore
Spotted redshank – 2 Volunteer Marsh
Bittern – 1 over reedbed
Chiffchaff – 1 along Meadow Trail
Bottle nosed dolphin – 8 west offshore this morning

Red kite – 1 near Choseley drying barns this morning

Paul

 

[Locostella]

Avocet Returns to Titchwell!

Hey all,

Thought this would be of some interest, well to those who haven't seen the article already.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news...chwell_marsh_reserve_after_23_years_1_1981060

Crazy to think that this creature was being ringed whilst Thatcher was still at No.10. If only the poor animal knew that she handed the scythe over to John Major just a few months later, perhaps it would have come back sooner. Nah, perhaps not.

Having just read this in full, the bird has been seen over the UK, wintering as far as Devon and breeding in north-west Norfolk. So please ignore my previous comments ;-)

Regards,

Kieran

 

[stuart white]

The Brecks

Lovely views of Hawfinch today, also tarka munching on a crayfish !

 

[Alan on the beach]

Injury?

Today’s highlights

Hen harrier – ringtail over reedbed/saltmarsh, male through bird feeders by visitor centre!!
Long tailed duck – female on fresh marsh, 3 offshore
Spotted redshank – 2 Volunteer Marsh
Bittern – 1 over reedbed
Chiffchaff – 1 along Meadow Trail
Bottle nosed dolphin – 8 west offshore this morning

Red kite – 1 near Choseley drying barns this morning

Paul

Ringtail to roost on Thursday evening was trailing/dangling right leg as it came over the Fen hide - anyone seen this? Maybe got nipped by a vole?

About a year ago a superb male hen harrier was going through a starling roost in the reeds in front of the Fen hide for several evenings running until the starlings moved on. I've noticed this is also a regular sparrowhawk flight path towards dusk.

Barn owl now very regular to the east of the Fen hide as the sun goes down, precipitation permitting.

Alan

 

[Penny Clarke]

Male Hen Harrier over Cley windmill at around 2pm. Also a Spoonbill distantly. An unringed, very bold, male Stonechat at Little Eye, Salthouse this afternoon and a Barn Owl and (heard) a Tawny Owl at Glandford Ford.

Full update on blog.

Penny:girl:

 

[Penny Clarke]

Lovely views of Hawfinch today, also tarka munching on a crayfish !

Fab pictures Stuart!:t: