Dave Smith
Tuesday 17th December 2002, 16:28
Essex Birdwatching Society trip to Norfolk
We set out from Chelmsford in the cold and drizzle in the knowledge that on previous trips when the weather was bad at the start it had always cleared up during the day. This was the exception. :-( The trip was officially to Titchwell and Holkham but we initially went to Sandringham in the hope of seeing the two-barred crossbill. I have never seen so many scopes, our coach load of Essex Birders didn't seem to swell the numbers much. As the bird hadn't been seen for a while we left after about 20 mins for Titchwell. A sparrow hawk made a brief appearance.
At Titchwell, to my delight we saw a black winged stilt (a first for me in the UK). It brought back memories of seeing them in East Africa some 30 years ago. Down to the sea front hoping to see snow bunting and shore larks - unfortunately nothing much visible. Back to the hide for some shelter from where we saw gadwall, teal, shoveler, tufted duck, pintail and others saw a goldeneye.
Later at Holkham there was a field full of pink footed geese - a wonderful view through the scope. On the sea was a raft of 50 - 100 common scoter with the odd velvet scoter which could be seen when they flew. Some members saw a long tailed duck and an eider amongst the scoter but I was unable to find them. As it became dark we drifted back to the coach. No snow bunting or shore lark had been seen.
The trip was to a large extent spoiled by the weather but overall I still found it enjoyable and intend visiting Titchwell and Holkham again. The stilt brought my uk total up to 199.
The day was too dull for photos
We set out from Chelmsford in the cold and drizzle in the knowledge that on previous trips when the weather was bad at the start it had always cleared up during the day. This was the exception. :-( The trip was officially to Titchwell and Holkham but we initially went to Sandringham in the hope of seeing the two-barred crossbill. I have never seen so many scopes, our coach load of Essex Birders didn't seem to swell the numbers much. As the bird hadn't been seen for a while we left after about 20 mins for Titchwell. A sparrow hawk made a brief appearance.
At Titchwell, to my delight we saw a black winged stilt (a first for me in the UK). It brought back memories of seeing them in East Africa some 30 years ago. Down to the sea front hoping to see snow bunting and shore larks - unfortunately nothing much visible. Back to the hide for some shelter from where we saw gadwall, teal, shoveler, tufted duck, pintail and others saw a goldeneye.
Later at Holkham there was a field full of pink footed geese - a wonderful view through the scope. On the sea was a raft of 50 - 100 common scoter with the odd velvet scoter which could be seen when they flew. Some members saw a long tailed duck and an eider amongst the scoter but I was unable to find them. As it became dark we drifted back to the coach. No snow bunting or shore lark had been seen.
The trip was to a large extent spoiled by the weather but overall I still found it enjoyable and intend visiting Titchwell and Holkham again. The stilt brought my uk total up to 199.
The day was too dull for photos