Birding at Last

Friday July 15

The forecast was correct, we rose to a lovely summer's day. A blessed relief after several days of strong north westerlies, overcast and heavy showers.

We hadn't visited Titchwell this month, that was our first port of call. We didn't leave home until 8.30,  it was gone ten by the time we were walking out.

An enjoyable chat with Ray Jermy during which we found that there had been two Bittern nests this year, one on the reserve and one on the saltmarsh to the west. One female had even been seen feeding well grown young in the open, viewable from the footpath - not a known Bittern behaviour. The first of many sightings of young Bearded Reedlings on the reeds this side of Bett's Pool (the first pool on the left as you walk out, I've discovered its name at last), delightful birds. After the early season reckoning that only one pair had survived the winter, one or two more pairs had been found on the new pool area to the east of the reserve. All seem to have bred well - they can have three or more broods a season.

No sign of the Red crested Pochard and her single remaining young on Bett's Pool, dozens of Coot, eclipse Mallard, one Great Crested Grebe and a single Little Grebe.

Shortly before getting to Island Hide, Pam saw a Dragonfly resting on a small grass seed- head amongst the reeds, close to the path . Very conveniently, it stayed to allow a good look. A passing birder stopped to investigate too, and, whipped an ID book out of his back pocket, handing it to Pam. She opened the book and said, 'looks like that' !! It was a female Common Darter in pristine newly emerged finery, why it posed for so long, drying out its wings. First page opened ! I didn't carry my camera.........

The man later stopped and said he agreed with the ID, having had a long look.

Reed and Sedge Warblers and, youngsters of both, were good to see. More pinging young Beardies too. All in the reedbeds lining the freshmarsh area.

Not many birds on the freshmarsh. A reported 1500+ Knot had flown back to the beach after high tide, half an hour before we arrived. We found a single bird remaining, along with about a dozen sleeping Black-tailed Godwits, many Avocets and juveniles - they've bred well this year (Ray said)- a single Greenshank flew in along with three Redshank. No terns and the usual gulls.

All the usual drop-in places on the way back towards Sheringham, adding nothing to the month list but lovely to look at in the warm sunshine.

The ice-cream van was there! The usual drivers had been on holiday and the owner had taken the van to a fete. Good news!