Friday 22 July 2011

Snettisham Spectacular

Thursday July 21
Fortunately, we arrived at Snettisham RSPB earlier than arranged, at  8.45. , Bridget and Aileen were due at 9.00, high tide at 10.46. The speed at which the tide rushes in has to be seen to be believed. When we arrived, there were thousands of waders on the near shore just inside the reserve. Both Godwits, largely Black-tailed, in varying degrees of summer plumage, and, thousands of Knot. The latter showing proof of their full name, Red Knot. Amongst the avidly feeding masses was a sprinkling of Curlew, Redshank, small groups of black-bellied Dunlin and a few Ringed Plover. We just sat and scoped.
Twenty five minutes later, the mud was covered and most of the birds were dark massed lines on distant higher mud, still constantly moving as the water moved inexorably onwards. There was enough of a sample left for Aileen and Bridget to enjoy. Even more Sandwich Terns flew in to join the already considerable number roosting on a mud island.
Two moulting Wheatears were an unusual July sighting for us in Norfolk.
Scoping the far pit before leaving, a lone Greenshank rested in the shade of poolside bushes. The pits were full of Greylags with the occasional Mallard, Teal and Cormorant. At least 150 Avocet roosted on a mud island.
Sooo...... we need to be there at least 2 hours before high tide, will try that on Monday with Sue.
The view from Holme NOA Broadwater Hide was not very promising at first look. Firstly it was cold enough to wear a fleece by now and that is a cold hide! One Green Sandpiper, half a dozen Black-headed Gulls, a few Greylag and two Canada Geese ! We persevered.
Scanning the distant trees for raptors, Pam spotted a Spoonbill flying directly towards Broadwater. It landed in front of us and started sweep feeding as soon as its legs hit the water. A lovely adult. We returned to scanning for raptors. In total we saw five Marsh Harriers, three of them very distant, above  a cornfield on the horizon, first seen by Bridget.
Pam drew our attention to a paler bird rising from the smaller trees in front of the tall poplar/deciduous belt. It flew low and kept dropping and disappearing. Eventually, it showed well enough to be identified as a Montague's Harrier - already noted in the hide logbook for Tuesday we saw later. We had seen one at Thornham a couple of months ago.
Twenty minutes after the first bird, another two Spoonbills flew in and joined it, feeding as soon as they hit the pool. Lovely. One was a young bird, snow white - made the adults look cream -and without the adult bill pattern.
We left them there and drove to Choseley Barns - no-one wanted to walk at Titchwell. A yellow Wagtail was the surprise find amongst the many juvenile Pied in the concrete yard. The usual Corn Bunting singing from its usual roadside wire down the hill.
After lunch watching a Little Tern fishing at Brancaster Staithe, we parted ways and drove home to watch the first Test against India at Lords.

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