Another Distant Bird

Wednesday, January 29

Out to lunch with friends at Salhouse, it seemed obvious to call in to Wroxham Broad on the way home. The pager always reports the bird as being seen 'from the clubhouse' so we started there. The gates are locked, we peered as best we could at the patches of Broad showing through the trees. No luck.

The public car park held one car - and a man peering through a scope at the far end of the water. 

I quickly looked through my binoculars immediately seeing the Slavonian Grebe positively steaming towards the reedy shore. I managed four snatched photos before it disappeared.

The bird was over 200 metres away so all these photos are heavily cropped. One more for the folder. 

It has been ''showing well ''...........

Hiatus

Monday, January 27

I haven't written for a while - if you have nothing to say, don't say anything.

I have a little......

After our group's meeting at Cley on Thursday the 23 - when I saw the local Avocets at last (thanks Mick) - we drove to Sculthorpe Moor reserve. Almost there, the news came through that our target bird, Waxwing, had been seen in Cley. A few expletives..... Was it the same bird? I was much relieved on taking the reserve lane to see a knot of birds beyond the gate and some more in the car park, all gazing upwards.

We took the last disabled parking space which was opposite a spindleberry, absolutely laden still. 

Scanning around I saw a bird fly into the tall trees at the back of the centre's grounds. It's silhouette was unmistakeable. Waxwing.

Would it feed on the spindleberries? As is becoming annoyingly familiar, camera wielding  'birders' walked past the end of the centre, around the back of THE bush before settling nearby, only a few yards away. We waited. Eventually the bird landed in top back of the bush, fed on a few berries and flew off to the top of the same distant tree. No way was there a clear view for my camera, despite having very satisfactory binocular views This pattern continued - different photographers - until we drove away. There is now a warning on the pager to keep a respectable distance away. Shame people need to be told.

Moths

We've had the trap out a few times, with little success in the way of numbers nor species.

Species: 

Mottled Umber, several Pale Brindled Beauty, one Spring Usher and a Many-plumed moth (micro). Still rather cold.

Spring Usher

Pale Brindled Beauty - open winged

Pale Brindled Beauty - tented position at rest

West Norfolk

Friday, January 17

Adrian needed his gardening list explained first, we didn't leave until 8.30. Sculthorpe Moor is closed due to flooding, the river at Sculthorpe Mill was raging through the archway, in full spate. We did have our first Red Kite of the year here.

It was also a very dull and overcast morning which gradually became lighter as we drove west towards Snettisham. 

One more stop, our farm lane where two Tree Sparrows obligingly posed on top of the big barn. 

We'd earlier heard them - they hide in the dense hedge at this time of year, along with many more House Sparrows and Dunnocks.

A Red-legged Partridge posed on the apex of the same barn.

Stopping in the lay-by on the Flitcham-Sandringham road where we usually have a large flock of finches, the mistletoe clump tree was free from birds. The tree next to it had at least two male Brambling, their orange-brown chests gleaming in the watery winter sun which occasionally broke through.

A nearby hedge hid the Bullfinch we'd seen dive into it, white rump gleaming.

A field to the east of the caravan parks at Snettisham held a couple of thousand Pink-footed Geese. Amongst them, Pam picked out some Russian Whitefronts and two Tundra Bean Geese flew in. 

Disappointing to arrive at Snettisham at high tide. The massed birds are very distant, dark huddles. The Oystercatchers look like an oil slick against the dark, grey, water. Again, unfortunately, the sun appeared. Trying to view the far pit from the causeway is almost impossible due to the low and blinding sun on the water. I still love it though......

In a brief bit of shadow, I picked out a Goldeneye female for the list and our first Little Grebe. 

Pam had reversed down the causeway so that I could use my scope. She suddenly called Peregrine as one flashed by from right to left. I had my camera handy so I took one photo through the front windscreen as it made a return pass. 

What was probably a second bird appeared briefly over the pit. Back to the path to enjoy a coffee and to view the shoreline, where the tide was on its way out and the birds beginning to disperse. Amorphous clouds of Knot rising along the shoreline, Dunlin populating the wet mud along with a few Curlew, Redshank, one Ringed Plover, one Black-tailed Godwit and a few Bar-tailed Godwit. A flight of Golden Plover made a brief appearance before disappearing and a few Grey Plover made their stiff-legged, dark, watchful-eyed, head cocked appearance. Pam thought that she'd seen a Pintail in the mass of mainly Wigeon and Teal crowding the water's edge. I failed to find it.

Are there any Shelduck anywhere else in the UK?

Always reluctant to leave but the days are so short. For the same reason, we were tempted to turn off for Sedgeford, only a mile and a half away, but we ploughed on, as the light was already fading. 

We didn't have to wait long for a couple of Fulmar to make an appearance along the cliff edge at Hunstanton.

Also tempting to go for the Woodcock at Titchwell but the rain had set in by 2 p.m. as we left Brancaster.. An enormous dark grey cloud, with accompanying squally wind, was spitting large cold raindrops against the windows - and me when I tried to scope at Holkham.

The increasingly muddy pull off west of Wells only had one parked car. I ignored the rain which had eased anyway, and scanned the area. No blobs in the far trees and bushes but I found one sitting on a tussock this side of the far ridge. As I was starting to describe the juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard's position to Pam, two dog walkers appeared and it flew over the ridge and out of view.

Only a quarter to three but already darker than I would have preferred. Dark cloud cover over Stiffkey Marsh, East Hills an unclear line on the western horizon. Most of the time, I was able to use my scope, sheltered from the rain by our position. Half an hour later we left having seen one definite, probably two, female Hen Harriers and a stunning male. The latter is one of my favourite raptors.

I needed a photo for my folder - I know I'll get better when we go to North Uist - these are insurance pics. The female was as far away as she could be, flying along the beachline, barely visible over the suaeda.

We had our first Brent Geese and Little Egrets of the day too.

Time to get home after a tiring but successful day. I saw 16 new birds for the 2020 list and we saw 71 species in total. All from the car.

Ysgyfarnog

Thursday, January 16

The welsh for Brown Hare is a mouthful !
Having spent longer at Cley Centre chatting than was advisable, (enjoyable as always), we paid a quick visit to Cley Beach before driving to Salthouse Beach. I noticed a large male hare galloping towards the road. It stopped and hunkered down not too far away. Unusually, it wasn't spooked by Pam slowly inching up so that I could have an unimpeded view through my side window.

Apart from when it was buzzed by an incoming Rook, 

it settled down to eat, ears tucked away, belly flat on the ground. 

The bombing Rook

I have seldom been able to view a Brown Hare's large, beautiful eyes and long whiskers so closely.

Irresistible.

A Surprise 2020 Tick

Wednesday, January 15

We went out with the intention of photographing Bewick's and Whooper Swans for our year folder. Thinking that Ludham airfield was worth a look, we changed our minds when we saw the deep and extensive puddle of water at the entrance. Taking the next turning on the left we circled the airfield area, driving on towards Ludham on small, muddy, single-track lanes.

We found a herd of 68 swans distantly (the story of the month) to the east of the lane. Scoping found that most of them were Whooper with a few Bewick's. It's usually the other way round in this area.

 Passing a group of Egyptian Geese, just loafing, 

we went on to Ludham and then Thurne /Ludham Marshes.
Ah Pinkfeet, near the entrance track,  I needed a photo. As soon as we stopped they walked away. I still took some shots which,. when I edited them later, turned out to hold a single Barnacle Goose. A proper wild hanger-on rather than part of a feral flock.

I've read of this happening to others but, it's the first time I've had a surprise tick of any sort during photo editing.
Not many birds around, apart from the geese we loved sitting in the car park, looking towards Thurne Windmills and viewing a large flock of Pinkfeet , against the evening sun-lit  mills.

Collis Lane

Tuesday, January 14

We usually try to go out when our whirlwind of a cleaner is here. To-day, having eschewed a visit to Natural Surroundings, I then had to wait ages for a late phone app with a doctor.

By the time we left home, the wind had picked up and it had started to rain. Were we mad?

Collis Lane is at the far end of West Somerton, a right turn at a sharp left bend on the Winterton Beach road. We drove as far as the wind turbines before starting the search. Nothing in view. I suggested driving to the Hemsby end of this through road and driving back the same way.

Bingo. Again parking in a muddy lay by near the turbines, the 20 Tundra Bean Geese were scattered one field away. I used the small flock of gulls as a marker in very murky conditions.
The first photograph has been cropped by a good half.

I gradually cropped more and more hoping for ID evidence.

The sea at Winterton was well in and devoid of birds at first scan. Pam then found the flock of Scoter. All I saw was plenty of Cormorants.

The Ingham flock of swans has moved on.

Mid-day Sortie

Sunday, January 12

What could we see from the car?  The wind is cold and I'm still trying to be careful (doesn't come easily). 

First stop was Rollesby Broad where there is an off-road parking area. Driving towards the far end, there is a sizeable gap in the trees and shrubs enabling limited scope views of the western part of the broad. Viewing the eastern part has to be done from the roadside, where stopping is inadvisable. All birds visible were Coots, lots of them. A slow scope of the far edge showed a small diving duck which I could not re-find. Several changes of position later - and negative waves from a few other birders who crossed to the roadside - Pam re-parked and I scoped the diving duck area. An aged dinghy with two well clad fishermen was moving very slowly along the far shore. Suddenly a duck flew into sight, not immediately identifiable by me. I followed it out of sight. White bands in the wings, small with  paler marks near the neck/head. I looked it up.......female Smew. I've not seen one in flight before which is why it was a puzzle. A Long-tailed Duck was reported later from the same site, it wasn't that.

Two Moorhens added to the year list.

Passing Billockby Barn, it was obvious that there were too many cars in the yard for us to park, so, we drove on to Halvergate Marsh. We'd previously been lucky here, at the start of the driveable track out into the marsh. Nothing showing to-day, we drove as far as the parking area before turning. Pulling in to allow a car to pass, the driver stopped to tell us that he'd just seen the egret but it had flown out of sight. The driver was a man known to us as the Librarian, who sometimes attends GYBC.

Parking again at the road junction, we spent five minutes staring at a green bin area. We did add 3 Grey Herons to the year list. Up popped the Cattle Egret, taking a few fast strides before disappearing down a dyke. It did this - in drizzle - a few more times, before we gave up on trying for a decent photo and returned to Billockby. 

No-one in the yard. Oh dear, was this an indicator? Viewing behind the barn is restricted by near trees but with patience, a total of seven Common Cranes came into view, feeding on a distant maize stubble field. Two birds eventually moved near enough for a passable record shot.

Countryfile this week was very enjoyable. It included an interview with Norman Sills, at Welney,  when he discussed identifying Cranes by the shape and colouring of their bustle. He had some immaculate sketches to illustrate his point. He's a better man that I Gunga Din.

More than time to drive home, well satisfied with to-day's birding. It's so good to be out birding again, even if it is restricted.

Pam put the moth trap out last night for the first time this year. One moth, the dark version of Mottled Umber.

 

YES !

Friday, November 10

The prospect of a County tick would normally have me fretting and frothing at the bit. I must have been unwell! An indication of my increasing improvement was a rise in anxiety level that the Blue-headed Eastern Yellow Wagtail (nominate race tscutschensis) which was found at Sedgeford on December 23rd by James McCullum and Kayn Forbes, would depart.

I have seen an eastern Yellow Wag before, on St Mary's in Scilly. I keep reading reports that this bird is the first Blue-headed for the UK an others that it's the fifth British record. It's definitely a Norfolk first. It's a first winter male and that is a British first.

With only one shortstop, we drove straight to Sedgeford, recognising the appropriate lane from friend Pauline's very helpful photos and instructions. As well as the cluster of about a dozen parked cars on the road. 

Despite its potholed appearance, the lane was very easy to drive. There were a few birders on the raised field bank opposite and a few more overlooking the twin dung heaps said to be a favourite haunt.

Pam parked in her usual thoughtful way, more concerned with keeping out of the way than a good viewpoint for the bird. Very commendable and often frustrating.......Feeling guilty about driving up at all, Pam spoke to a nearby birder, feeling compelled to tell him that we'd driven up because I was a week out of hospital with pneumonia. He suggested that we park here. and wait.

The field behind had a sprinkling of military upright Fieldfare. To our delight an enormous series of skeins of Pinkfeet filled the sky in front of us. The entire flock - several thousand birds - whiffled before landing in a field far below.

An hour later, the rearview mirror informed Pam that the wagtail had landed in a puddle very near to the waiting birders. I put one foot out in time for the bird to fly past me, calling loudly, before landing on the right-hand dung heap. Great. 

Then, a woman, who had just arrived, dashed across and stood between us and the bird. She could have joined the others waiting near the hedge.........

I then had very good, although distant, binocular views of this charming bird clambering over the dung heap in the sunshine. To the woman's left or over her head. I attempted some photography, having difficulty with a pale sunlit bird on a black background. Probably some of my worst photographs.

I'll call them record shots, which is the supreme dismissal. Very heavily cropped anyway. 

Happy, as soon as the bird disappeared over the top, we joined the general exodus, driving on to Hunstanton Tesco for fuel - for the car and for us.

We added Fulmar whilst eating half a sandwich each on Hunnie cliff top. 

Thornham was nearly empty of water, a lone Redshank the only wader viewable. A small mixed flock of Linnets and Twite looped along the channel before disappearing.

Brancaster Staithe is a must for us. Also devoid of water but surprisingly free from birds. A few hopeful Black-headed and Herring Gulls loitered nearby,

The ever-present Turnstones still finding something to eat in the gravel.

A few distant Brent Geese added to the year list, Pam finding one Curlew nearby.

The SatNav told us that we needed to follow the coast road as far as the Letheringsett turn off for the shortest and quickest way home. This took us through Wells. Joining the cluster of cars at the Roughie viewpoint, Pam recognised David D's car and then the man himself spotted us and bounded over. No. the Rough-legged Buzzard wasn't in sight but they'd been watching a Short-eared Owl. Almost immediately, a Barn Owl flew right along the bank and a Short-eared Owl flapped along the back of a pool How lucky were we? A few snatched shots under David's armpit....... it will do for the year file. We enjoyed seeing how many birds we could photograph last year so we've decided to do it again.

We'd survived the longest day out by far, quite easily. We were both tired when we got home but a successful birding day adds joy to life.

                                                    

 

Another Shortie

Thursday, January 9

Thank goodness we changed our plans and went to Buckenham this late morning. The railway crossings at both Lyng and Buckenham are closed from Jan 10-14. 

It was a lovely winter morning, low sunshine with very little wind. A field soon after the level crossing at Buckenham often holds thrushes. To-day, there was a lone Mistle Thrush.

I start scoping at the start of the long lane down to the Fishermen's car park at Buckenham. This continues at all possible reed - unencumbered viewpoints until the far end. This gives different angles of viewing at every stop. 

The Taiga Bean Geese are often seen in the far corner, not to-day, the four I could see were further along towards Cantley beet factory.

The marsh was full of Lapwing, thousands of them on the ground and, sporadically, rising in flight before re-settling. I also found at least twelve Ruff, a group of eight and two of two. There were probably more. One of them was the white male we'd seen here last year. I'm assuming that it's the same one!   One Chinese Water Deer raised its teddy bear head and ears from its rest among the sedges. A female Marsh Harrier sat on a raised grassy hummock for ages before flying and scattering the Lapwings.

Reaching the end parking area, Pam parks so that I can scope most of the marsh from the windmill to the beet factory.  She became aware that some nearby trees were apparently being felled. When the perpetrator returned to his vehicle, she asked him what was happening. It was Ben the warden. He was trimming the trees so that visitors had a better view from the bank. Ben said that it was the best viewpoint for the marsh.

He then asked what we'd seen as he was concerned that the Taiga Beans had not returned after yesterday's shooting in a nearby wood. Asked for a number, I said four. Apparently, there is a group of three and another of four, not knowingly seen together. He again expressed his concern that it might be the last year that any bother to come over from the continent. Ben's estimate was two thousand plus Lapwing.

The pool and marsh in front of the hide were covered in whistling Wigeon, looking superb in their new breeding plumage. 

 We also found Gadwall, Shoveller and Teal for the scant year list. 

Another look for the Cranes on the way home drew another blank.

We're Off......

Jan 6 and 8

My first birding outing was a short mid afternoon drive to West Somerton and back. We set off in sunshine. By the time we'd reached Happisburgh, the light switch had been turned off.

The drive to Sea Palling via the back roads is pretty birdless at the best of times but anticipation is always high.

By the end of our trip we had seen six Kestrels, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, Pinkfeet, two White-fronted Geese and all three Swan species. We were happy with that.

The swans were in their traditional flooded fields between Cook's farm shop and Stalham. Mostly Tundra with a few magnificent Whoopers.

Trip two was another afternoon drive after Pam had been to the local coffee morning. No sign of any Cranes at Clippesby and far too dark to go on the planned extension to Buckenham. Close enough to drive via Martham to Winterton. We parked in the car park, immediately seeing a Great Crested Grebe on the nearby stretch of gunmetal grey sea. Eventually we added two Gannets, a Great Black-backed Gull and a few Common Scoter. The latter were distant apart from one handsome male close inshore.

The swans had re-located to the pool distantly viewable from Cook's farm shop.Just two Whoopers remained with the Mutes in the puddle fields.

No photographs, too dark - and my battery ran out. Must regain my good habits.

2020

January 4, 2020

Yes, I am still alive - but not kicking. 

Unwell before Christmas, a call to 111 early on Boxing Day resulted in a six day stay in an isolation room at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. 

First diagnosed as both bacterial and viral flu, it became pneumonia on my discharge papers late evening on New Year's Eve. 

First time in an ambulance, cold draughty and bumpy.

Still rather unwell but hoping to get out and about soon.