Southern Breydon Water, Norfolk

[Karl J]

Half an hours wander round Herbert Barnes park, on the southern shore of Breydon Water shortly after dinner.

Very pleased to see on the path by the concrete jetty .. first of the year ....
2 male Northern Wheatear

And across on the mudbanks -
~25 Curlew
~40 Black-tailed Godwit, many looking very handsome in summer plumage
2 Bar-tailed Godwit
2 Avocet
4 Shelduck
mixed flock of smaller waders Redshank, Dunlins, Turnstone & a few Oystercatcher
mix of Lesser Blackbacked & Herring Gulls
a few Cormorants

[Andrew]

Always great to see your first Wheatears. I was lucky enough to see them on a scree slope in Wales where they belong.

[Bluetail]

Always great to see your first Wheatears. I was lucky enough to see them on a scree slope in Wales where they belong.Traitor! They belong on Dartmoor!! ;)

Jason

[Karl J]

Wales eh .... do they breed there ?

[Andrew]

Traitor! They belong on Dartmoor!! ;)

JasonApologies! I have committed a very bad sin. Agreed they belong in Dartmoor (and the Devonian parts of Exmoor!).

I was implying the habitat, the Elan Valley is similar to Dartmoor but with bigger hills.

[Andrew]

Wales eh .... do they breed there ?
Well there were plenty of children about so I guess they do breed unless they import them. ;)

Seriously, there were loads of them and the habitat is right so they obviously do.

[Bluetail]

Just pulling your leg, Andrew, and I absolutely agree there's nothing like seeing them on their breeding grounds, wherever those may be!

Jason

[cjay]

Still, migration is very slow. My first Wheatear was at Lowestoft on 17th March. No local birders saw it so it appears I have strung it to wind them up HUH!

[pduxon]

Still, migration is very slow. My first Wheatear was at Lowestoft on 17th March. No local birders saw it so it appears I have strung it to wind them up HUH!

Is there any reason why it should be slow this year? I've not been at this long enough. Decided to keep a note this year of when I see the first of each bird. Should help me in the future!

[Karl J]

Is there any reason why it should be slow this year? I've not been at this long enough. Decided to keep a note this year of when I see the first of each bird. Should help me in the future!

Yes same here, i seem to remember the same thing was said last year about migration being slow and breeding seasons cut short ... somthing to do with the weather in central Europe as i remember it.

Is it slow this year, or is it just that it's still early in the season ?

[cjay]

I think it is to do with wind speed & direction. Sunday proved that the birds are put down by this. Coupled with the cold weather migration is on hold. However I am sure whatever the weather the migrants will subsequently arrive. How they fare in breeding terms this year will need careful monitoring