"Up Birding North 2!

 Saturday 31 October

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

The last day of the month and over to RSPB Titchwell for the better part of the day.  But not the coastal road, rather the A148 Cromer road and then down to Doking, with a Mallard on the small village pond and the very narrow country lane down to the A149 and Titchwell village.  This final part of the journey, with the overnight fog now rapidly lifting, proved most productive with many small bords including Blackbird, Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Great Tit in and out of the hedges on both sides of the lane.  In addition, at least a dozen Pheasants and a score of Red-legged Partridges.  But no Barn Owl on this occasion. 

Finally arriving the RSPB car park at 08.55, I headed straight Patsy's Pool to spend some quality time checking out the bird life both on the water and nearby hedges and general vegetation.  Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon and Magpie noted on the outward walk and once at the pool area Robin, Wren and Dunnock.  As I checked the Shelduck, Teal, Gadwall, Mallard and Shoveler on the water a small flock of Pink-footed Geese flew over on their way to the day's feeding grounds.  In the reeds below the viewing area, both Cetti's Warbler and Blue Tit and then a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew past we birders - but I missed both the Little Grebe and Kingfisher.

Dunnock Prucella modularis

In the trees at the far right and the area beyond both resting Red Kite and Buzzard and then the first Marsh Harrier put in an appearance.  A short walk to the back of the area produced Carrion Crow and Magpie followed by Blackbirds and a few Redwing.  A Dunnock posed atop a bare tree.  Time to make my way back along the boardwalk to the main reserve and stopping near the hide overlooking a small, but empty, pool a number of Goldfinches and a Siskin in the top of a tree.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Time to take the long footpath down to the shore. To the west on the open marsh a couple of Little Egrets plus a Water Rail followed by a Curlew.  The pools to the east held a large mixture of geese and, mainly, ducks. Having seen both a Great White Egret and a Little Grebe, I then recorded Wigeon, Shoveler and Mallard plus a small number of Greylag Geese and a score or more of Brent Geese.  Both Grey Heron and Black-headed Gulls were also noted.  One of the small islands held a number of resting Lapwing.

Great White Egret Ardea alba (Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis on left)

Carrying on down the path I then came across the resting flock of hundreds of Golden Plover.  What a beautiful sight to behold as the now open sun lit up their colours and doing great justice to their given name.  Nearby on the next lagoon a few more Golden Plover along with a few Dunlin and the occasional Redshank. 

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Beyond the turn to the new hides, the next pool eld a few Black-tailed Godwits at the rear along with a Grey Plover.  In front of me more Dunlin and a trio of Ruff.  To the left and on the path itself in front of me, a female Stonechat and later joined by a male.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax 

Finally, I made it to the sandy shore with the tide now out but very calm water giving an opportunity to check the sea birds. Both Great Crested Grebe and a Great Northern Diver noted along with a small collection of Oystercatchers off to my left on the shore.

Once back at he two big hides I took the opportunity to check the inner waters and found many more of species already recorded.  However, I did add a single Avocet and a Snipe immediately in front of the hide and then a wandering Pied Wagtail.  Whilst a single Meadow Pipit was seen to my right (west), I did also note the three Water Pipits to my left.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

Now back at the ca park I ae my picnic lunch then decided, rather than take the coastal road for the return journey, go back via Doking to check what else might be on the narrow lane leading up the hill from Titchwell village.  More of the small birds a Collared Dove and a few Pheasants, but also counted the number of Red-legged Partridges seen, often in what looked like family parties, and came up with no less than 39.  And, of course, more would most likely have also been under and beyond the roadside hedges.  Most pleased to see that the final number of species recorded in the two days finally totalled 71, including two new birds for the year, Pink-footed Goose and Whooper Swan.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Birds seen:

Pin-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal,  Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard,  Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Ruff, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Water Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Redwing, Cetti's Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow,  Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin.

Brent Geese Branta  bernicla

Curlew Numenius arquata

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Greylag Geese Anser anser

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Stonechat Saxicola oenanthe

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

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"Up North Birding: 1!"

 Friday 30 October

Having driven up to Lincolnshire to visit my former colleague who is seriously ill, I then stayed on for a few days to do some local birding in the county before continuing over to the north Norfolk coast.  So, first thing on Friday morning saw me at RSPB Frampton Marsh  near Boston at just after 8am - and that is where the good news ended. Thick fog travelling the approximate ten miles from my overnight stop with the only seeable birds being those in the hedgerows as I approached the entrance, including Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blackbird and Chaffinch.

I could make out the main water behind the Visitors Centre but taking the path onwards, next to the water itself, apart from the two Moorhen in the car park and a few Mallard resting at the shore line, all others with simply foggy shapes and unidentifiable. Taking the path towards the 360 Hide a couple of Teal near the path and then on to the far hide overlooking the back of the main water.  Once inside a single Little Grebe fishing close to the shore and in front of the small island before me a couple of Shoveler.  

Using the scope I could just make out a handful of swans about fifty yards in front and then a couple more flew over and joined the party with a little calling and as "Merlin" indicated a Whooper Swan I was fortunate to catch sight of the yellow beak as one of the swan turned to face me.  making my way back to the 360 Hide I discovered in the gloom that, basically, other than the main water all the lagoons were dry and devoid of birds.  making my way back to the car p[ark a score of Canada Geese flew over me.  I, therefore, decided to count my losses, drive back towards Boston, noting the Goldfinches in the hedge as I exited the reserve, to recharge the car before continuing on to the my evening lodging in Kings Lynn.  Not until almost 11.30 did the sun finally break through with still about twenty miles of driving to complete the journey.

Record shot of the Red Kite Milvus milvus

Before leaving home I came across a reference to "Abbey Hide" about 9 miles inland from Kings Lynn, so took the decision to pay a visit before checking in at the accommodation.  Driving into Flitcham, Norfolk to take the final lane to Abbey Farm and the hide I had a Red Kite overhead and, once again, arrived at the hide to find no sign of water.  However, perfect timing to settle down and enjoy my picnic lunch.  No sooner had I unpacked the food than a Kestrel came to perch on the wires immediately in front of the hide and then I noticed the Buzzard resting on a distant electricity pole.

Resting Buzzard Buteo buteo

Time, obviously, for some activity so suddenly the Buzzard up in the air and the arrival of two Red Kites and a passing Woodpigeon.  A cock Pheasant casually strolled across the open field and a couple of Jackdaws put in an appearance.

Cock Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Thinking of the fields back on the other side of the lane opposite the entrance to the hide, I took a stroll and no sooner arrived than many calling Jackdaws up in the sky above the farm house as the pair of Red Kites flew over.  Meanwhile, at the far side of the field on the opposite side of the road, a soaring Buzzard and then a I picked up the pair of Short-eared Owls that were quartering the field's edge, low over the grass near a low hedge.  The birds gradually disappeared to the right with one coming to rest in a very low tree at the back but unable to get a clear view of the perched raptor. back to the hide and, joined by a couple of visiting birders from Birmingham, we watched the arrival of a Jay and soon followed by both a Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.  A Robin was also seen in the bushes to our left.

Jay Garrulus glandarius

Still only 1.30 so decided a drive RSPB Snettisham seemed a good idea as it was on the way back to my new accommodation in kings Lynn for wo nights. Come 2.15 I was in the car park and preparing for the long walk through the reserve to the beach where, unfortunately, the tide was now well out. Walking on the eastern bank of the lagoon, I noted the Mallard and a couple of Black-headed Gulls whilst the bushes and shrubs to my left produced Robin, Chiffchaff and overflying Starlings and Redwings.  Reaching the end of the lagoon and the steps up to the beach a couple of Little Egrets and a Coot on the water.  Approaching the sea wall and view of the empty beach a small flock of Greylag Geese flew over and heading south along the coastline.

The beach at Snettisham with the tide well out into The Wash

Looking out over the muddy beach towards the, now, very distant sea, I could see a number of Shelduck and small groups of other resting ducks including both Teal and Wigeon.  Way further out a small skein of Golden Plover and a greater number in the  murmuration of Knot towards the horizon.  Nearer to me, the odd small groups of Dunlin and a single Bar-tailed Godwit.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Time to head back towards the car park and this time following the sea wall to complete a great circuit (not realising that the return distance would be about two miles!).  On the way I cam across the odd Woodpigeon and then a group of about a dozen House Sparrows.  Also seen with the sparrows a handful of Goldfinch and a single Greenfinch.  A couple of Pied Wagtails were on the grass near the end of the beach cabins and atop the electricity poles individual Herring Gulls. Finally, the occasional Carrion Crows as I entered the car park and then made my way back to Kings Lynn.

Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis with a Greenfinch Carduelis chloris (on right)

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Knot, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin,  Blackbird, Redwing, Chiffchaff, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling,  House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Wigeon Anas penelope

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 28 October

Another interesting morning at my favourite birding site in Almeria by the Arboleas Birding Group and, despite Kevin's feeling that numbers were on the low side, those present did see some good birds and, by the sound of it, had a very enjoyable morning.  Not strange to say but evert time I visited the first hide on the bend I, too, always seemed to find an Iberian Grey Shrike on the wires across the road.

Cabo de Gata: Wednesday 28 October

My friend Steve, aka Bish, has been asking me recently what we actually get up to on these birding jaunts, so today he came along to find out.  Peter S, Bish and I met at Venta del Pobre and again Peter offered to be driver for the day.  We headed down to the Lay-by Hide at Cabo and began to scan the salinas.  Peter quickly found Ringed Plover, Spoonbill, Redshank and Greenshank, while Bish was first to see a Little Egret.  We added Greater Flamingo, Dunlin, Avocet and Slender-billed Gull.  Trevor arrived, followed by Nigel with Peter W and, after a long absence, it was great to welcome Alan back to the fold.  He soon found a Little Stint.  I scanned the usual area for Iberian Shrike and found one (soon after this, Trevor found another on the wires across the road) and Peter S found a Sardinian Warbler. Other birds logged at this first stop were Black-winged Stilt, Yellow-legged Gull, Mallard, Magpie and Spotless Starling. A promising start!

Spoonbills (PHOTO: Nigel white)

Our usual cafe and the one just beyond that were both closed so we walked to the one in the square, where over coffee we added House Sparrow and Blackbird but failed to identify a small greyish warbler in the nearby trees despite seven pairs of eyes doing their best.  As for the seven brains, I’m not sure about those.  We drove on to park opposite the Second Hide.  A brief sea watch (it was flat calm) produced nothing but at the hide we had superb views of a Song Thrush that Trevor had found (Bird of the Day?), along with a Stonechat (Nigel), a much-discussed Great-crested Grebe (Peter S), Thekla Lark and Chiffchaff.  Alan found a few Cormorants and, half-hidden by the vegetation, a Great Egret.

Male Stonechat (PHOTO: Nigel white)

On to the Original Hide where, big disappointment, it was fenced off because they were re-proofing the roof with some noxious substance which was better avoided.  We did our best to scan the right-hand lagoon and the small portion of the main lagoon that was visible from the parking area.  Peter S managed to find Shoveler and Lesser black-backed Gull.  The lack of access here probably cost us a few species, I guess, but no matter.  As we drove away, our car of three added a fly-by Barn Swallow and, later, I received an email from Alan: ‘As I left the last hide and joined the coast road two Trumpeter Finches landed on the wooden fence on the seaward side.’  An excellent record, which brought our relatively meagre total up to 30.   A very enjoyable and good-humoured morning in excellent company, though.

Spoonbill (PHOTO: Nigel white)

NEXT WEEK, Wednesday 4^th November: I am not available as I will be taking Troy to Alicante airport but there will be an outing and Alan has offered to write a report. The venue will be Villaricos/ Salar de los Canos aka Consum Lagoons. (Sierra Maria will have to wait.) Meet at the usual place above the Ford at Villaricos at 09.15.

Kevin

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New Forest Birding

Sunday 25 October

Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia with a lone Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (extreme left)

After the double storms that created so much stress and damage to the west and north, we escaped with just heavy rain and very strong winds. But today was mainly clear blue skies and warm when out of the strong breeze. Putting the clocks back an hour helped as I was up at the normal time, but now an hour earlier, so down at Normandy Lagoon on the Solent coast south of Lymington by 8 o'clock. My word it was difficult holding the scope steady never mind the camera when called upon. All seemed very quiet when I arrived at the lagoon apart from the distant 15 resting Spoonbill, which I later discovered also included a single Avocet.

Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia

Once on the outer sea wall with the sun behind me I soon found the large resting flocks of both Dunlin and Ringed Plover, not to mention all those that seemed to be in constant flight mode.

A few of the Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Just a fraction of the Dunlin Calidris alpina present

Checking the edges of the islands I also found a range of waders including Redshank and Greenshank plus Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Grey Plover and Turnstone. 

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola with 2 others and Dunlin

Having found a small group of Black-tailed, I was surprised to see 2 Bar-tailed Godwits resting in their company.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Ducks were mainly Teal with good numbers of Wigeon plus Pintail, Tufted Duck and Mallard. Both Little and Great Crested Grebe recorded along with Cormorant, 4 Little Egrets and a lone Grey Heron. Very few gulls present represented by a single Great Black-backed, Herring and couple of Black-headed until just before departing at the arrival of a Little Gull.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Smaller birds included handful of Linnets, Robin, Great Tit and a few Chaffinches. In total a list of 36 species.

Female Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Moving the three miles over to Pennington Marshes I found a number of both Magpies and Carrion Crows along with many Canada Geese in the paddock at then of the lane.  Then it was on down to the car park, noting a Great Tit on the way, and start the anti-clockwise triangle.  After all the rain the lagoons were now well flooded with plenty more Canada Geese and a small number of Brent Geese as I started out.  The wind had picked up so, at times, a little problematic actually walking in a straight line and the prospect of fun and games once exposed to the elements on the seawall! 

Group of Canada Geese Branta canadensis

A few Woodpigeon, a Cormorant and a small flock of Starlings then time to check the bird life on Fishtail Lagoon. A handful of Shelduck plus Shoveler and a small number of resting Wigeon.  On a small patch of care ground on the spit a few Ringed Plovers and a Lapwing plus a foraging Pied Wagtail.  nearby a few resting Redshanks.  On the opposite bank an immature Herring Gull and at the far end a small number of gulls including Black-headed, Herring and a single Great Black-backed Gull.

Resting Redshank Tringa totanus

Just a pair of Mallard on Butts Lagoon but more of a collection on Pennington Lagoon where I found many Wigeon and Teal along with a few Pintail.  On the seawall a couple of Pied Wagtail and once at the "pier" and turn inwards to the car park, fifteen Turnstone foraging on the small shingle beach.  Ahead of me in the main lagoon the only Little Egret seen at this site.

Male Pintail Anas acuta

Teal Anas crecca

The path inland immediately produced a Blackbird, Robin, quartet of Goldfinch and a single Linnet. And approaching the half-way mark a lone Lesser back-backed Gull flew over so producing the 28th species at the site.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Then a slight diversion on the way home to call in at Eyeworth Pond but no Mandarin Duck in sight. However, I did finally find a couple of Moorhen along with Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch and House Sparrow plus the 14 Mallards on the water. So ended the morning with a final total of 46 species.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba (centre) with Ringed Plovers

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Teal Anas crecca

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Oystercatchers with Dunlin Calidris alpina

Redshanks Tringa totanus

More Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Female Pintail Anas acuta

Oystercatcher, Wigeon Anas penelope and a Turnstone Arenaria interpres (Ringed Plover at top)

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