Saturday 31 October
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
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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.
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| 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.
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| Brent Geese Branta bernicla |
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| Curlew Numenius arquata |
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| Lapwing Vanellus vanellus |
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