"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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