Specialist Sites In Norfolk

[djurwin]

:king: Hey, everyone. My name's Dave, I come from deepest darkest Somerset, and I'm having a go at a yearlist this year - I'm not going absolutely ballistic because I'm simultaneously trying to save money for a short trip to Brazil and a longer trip to South Africa later this year/next year....anyway, that's a different story. I am doing a Norfolk trip early next week and would be extremely grateful if anyone could tell me where any Willow Tit, Long-eared Owl, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or Egyptian Goose have been seen lately with any kind of frequency. Many thanks,
dAVe

[Ruby]

Hi Dave,

Not a Norfolk local with any regular gen, but I can tell you that we saw Egyptian Geese just along the main coast road by Brancaster yesterday, and also at Titchwell. The main goose flock is usually at Holkham though (when not out feeding) so maybe that's a good bet.

LSW is supposedly regular at Holkham Hall. although I've never tried for them myself.

Hopefully someone will be along to help with your other targets....


Good luck.... Ruby

[djurwin]

Hi Dave,

Not a Norfolk local with any regular gen, but I can tell you that we saw Egyptian Geese just along the main coast road by Brancaster yesterday, and also at Titchwell. The main goose flock is usually at Holkham though (when not out feeding) so maybe that's a good bet.

LSW is supposedly regular at Holkham Hall. although I've never tried for them myself.

Hopefully someone will be along to help with your other targets....


Good luck.... Ruby


Thanks for your info, Ruby. Did you have any success with the Twite?

[Ruby]

Yes - They were just as advertised....

[postcardcv]

For willow tit you could try Lynford arboretum - it's not unusual to get 6 tit species there - lots of other gems there too - crossbill and hawfinch are regulars and there have been a couple of firecrests around. It's also a good site for lsw, but you'll need a bit of luck. Another good site for lsw (as Ruby has mentioned) is Holkham - in the grounds of the hall, normally near the monument early morning.

I don't know of any leo sites - and hope that if others do they think twice before posting - there have been problems with leo winter roost sites being made public in the past.

No reliable site for the other two owls - just a matter of bumping into them. I'd recommend trying Holme for seo, but it's by no means a sure thing. Later in the year Choseley is good for little owl, but not so regular there at this time of year.

Egyptian geese are all over - certainly very regular at Titchwell, Cley, Holkham... you'll stryggle to miss them.

[Reader]

Hi Djurwin

Apart from Egyptian Goose (which are almost anywhere in Norfolk now) you will possibly struggle with the other species.

As Ruby has mentioned. Lesserpecker can be seen at Holkham park, by the monument but in possibly over 50 visits to there I have only seen one twice. Another site that can turn them up (more reliably for me) is on the Suffolk / Norfolk border at the Golden Oriole site at Lakenheath.

I might be wrong but I can't recall seeing Short eared Owl being reported in Norfolk with any regularity this year (others might know differently).

Regarding Willow Tit. Here is a thread where part way through Norfolk sites are discussed. http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=46550&highlight=willow

LEO I wish I knew a site in Norfolk. Some of the members might know differently but a lot of LEO sites are sensitive so don't be surprised if site information isn't forthcoming.

Little Owl is a bird I don't see that often in Norfolk, allthough I think that it is well represented there. The best place I have seen them is the Raptor Viewpoint at Great Ryburgh.

Hopefully some other members can give you more explicit information than this.

John

[devon.birder]

I have just come back from Norfolk and the best place for Little Owl is the small reserve at Flitcham. The Little Owls sit in the tree directly in front of the hide. You can also see Egyptian Geese and Grey Partridge there as well.
I saw Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Linford Arboretum in the trees to the left of the path down to the lake but I understand that Hawfinches are no longer regular in the meadow. Still Hawfinches can be seen at a few places nearer to home at the moment.
There was a Short-eared Owl on Saturday at Haddiscoe Island where the Rough-legged Buzzard was seen. Best of luck. Roger

[pduxon]

DO NOT MENTION THOSE OWLS AT FLITCHAM!!!!! mutter mutter. we missed them two days running!!

Willow Tit? Sculthorpe Moor? Hawk & Owl Trust Reserve. They have both Marsh and Willow there.

I've seen Lesser Spot at Lynford but don't bank on it.

[djurwin]

Wow, it seems like joining birdforum is one of the most sensible things I've done in.....well, ever. I'm overwhelmed by the amount of useful info that has been flying my way in the few hours since I posted my thread. All the species I have listed (except for Egyptian Goose) will require luck but now I am better equipped to improve my odds. Many thanks to everyone who has posted a reply so far and in advance to anyone who might still - if any of you want any info about any species or sites in the South West then please e-mail me at djmixjagger@hotmail.com and I will do my best to help.

You can keep track of my year-listing efforts at www.surfbirds.com/blog/djurwin

[devon.birder]

As I see you are based in Somerset and noting your user name I presume you are the young lad who I used to see in the early 1990s with his Father, Bill.
Obviously not so young now. Roger

[fatboyfat]

Willow Tit: Sculthorpe Moor, almost guaranteed.

LEO: No comment

Little Owl: Flitcham Abbey Farm. Look in the funny shaped tree in front of the hide, or the fence posts to the left of this tree. Very good chance of seeing one especially early in the am or evening.

SEO: Warham Greens

Lesser Spot: Best place is Strumpshaw Fen car park! (also get Willow Tits here). Lynford and Holkham Hall (near the monument) are also good places.

Egyptian Goose: Flitcham Abbey or absolutely anywhere! If you miss them I will eat my binoculars...

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on

FBF

[tom mckinney]

There was a Little Owl in the first tree along the track on the opposite side of the road of Choseley Drying Barns, however, that was March 2004. But probably worth a try if you're passing by. Seen Short-eared Owls at dusk in many places over the years, and Warham Greens/Stiffkey campsite was always good. There were none at Holkham around dusk a few weeks back, but I know someone that saw two along the A149 to the west of Lady Ann's drive and just before the Holkham Hall boundary wall starts.

[Tim Allwood]

Willow Tit: Sculthorpe Moor, almost guaranteed.

FBF

Heavily strung at this site

not that easy to connect

I've been three times, seen one bird and heard no calls...

loads of Marsh though

Willow is getting a very rare bird in Norfolk...

[fatboyfat]

not that easy to connect
I've been three times, seen one bird and heard no calls...
loads of Marsh though
Willow is getting a very rare bird in Norfolk...[/QUOTE]


Indeed, Tim. The warden has just put up a new feeder by the Portacabin and he tells me the Willows feed regularly there (coincidentally, I have just been speaking to him on the phone). It is indeed a good place to compare the two similar species (Willow and Marsh).

I have always had them by the feeders opposite the seat but not that often from the hide (mostly Marshies from there).

FBF

[pduxon]

Heavily strung at this site

not that easy to connect

I've been three times, seen one bird and heard no calls...

loads of Marsh though

Willow is getting a very rare bird in Norfolk...

Hi Tim,

by the feeding station at the entrance they were all Marsh and darned noisey they were!! Lots of them as well

At the other feeding station (not the hide) I saw 1-2 willows. And they were very quiet. Nice to see both on the same visit the bull neckedness was quite apparent.

[Tim Allwood]

that's the only spot i've seen them Pete...

and yes, after not seeing them much in recent years i also found the neck to be the most helpful feature (and pale shaggy cheek feathers). Many Marsh there have white in the terts/secs... Views can be pretty fleeting too...

wonder how long they will hang on in Norfolk...

Tim

[fatboyfat]

wonder how long they will hang on in Norfolk...
Tim[/QUOTE]


At this rate of decline, not for much longer. Sad.

FBF

[pduxon]

does anyone know why they are doing so poorly? On my list visit I saw a max of 2 willows but there were lots of Marsh by the portacabin.

[jimbob]

This isnt sensitive info so thought I would add something. In Neil Glenn's 'Best birdwatching sites in Norfolk' (A great book I should add, would recommend this for any norfolk trip) if I remember, Dersingham bog is listed as a possible area for Long eared owl. Not sure they actually breed there, but who knows you may get lucky. Can anyone shed light on this?
Jim.

[djurwin]

Hey Jimbob,
In my experience, if it says a species is 'possible' in a guidebook it often means that it has been seen there on a few isolated occasions and so has been known to occur there but you probably stand as much chance of finding a Pallas's Gropper there as whatever the species is. Mind you, perhaps that's just me getting cynical in my old age and I'll look into that site anyway. Cheers,
dAVEo

P.S. :- An Eels fan? Good work.

[PYRTLE]

For willow tit you could try Lynford arboretum - it's not unusual to get 6 tit species there - lots of other gems there too - crossbill and hawfinch are regulars and there have been a couple of firecrests around. It's also a good site for lsw, but you'll need a bit of luck. Another good site for lsw (as Ruby has mentioned) is Holkham - in the grounds of the hall, normally near the monument early morning.

I don't know of any leo sites - and hope that if others do they think twice before posting - there have been problems with leo winter roost sites being made public in the past.

No reliable site for the other two owls - just a matter of bumping into them. I'd recommend trying Holme for seo, but it's by no means a sure thing. Later in the year Choseley is good for little owl, but not so regular there at this time of year.

Egyptian geese are all over - certainly very regular at Titchwell, Cley, Holkham... you'll stryggle to miss them.


Oi Postie - I know they speek a bit funny in Norfolk but what's a stryggle mate -- ain't got one of those on me list

[postcardcv]

Oi Postie - I know they speek a bit funny in Norfolk but what's a stryggle mate -- ain't got one of those on me list

damn my low quality typing... ;)

[fatboyfat]

does anyone know why they are doing so poorly? On my list visit I saw a max of 2 willows but there were lots of Marsh by the portacabin.

Possible predation by increased numbers of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and clearing of old trees from woods (they excavate their own nests in soft wood and don't use other's nest holes) are the best guesses from thos in the know so far

FBF

[fatboyfat]

[QUOTE=djurwin]Hey Jimbob,
In my experience, if it says a species is 'possible' in a guidebook it often means that it has been seen there on a few isolated occasions


It does say in this book that it is only a 5% chance of seeing a LEO if you go there "at the right time" (ie when the young are calling in April or when they are setting up territory in late Feb early March). You are right to be cynical in most cases but in Glenn's book it gives a percentage chance of seeing a target species. That's open to argumant but at least it lets us know our chances?!

FBF

[Rob Chace]

Dave, you can get little owl nearer to home in Somerset. PM me for details.
Regards Rob.

[Rob Smallwood]

Two SE Owl reported from Morston today.

[James Blake]

Two Cambs sites for SEO that might be on your way:

Wicken Fen - SEO regular this winter
Nene Washes - I haven't been there recently or looked at this winter's reports, but usually good

[Eliter7]

If you try Holkham for the Egyptian Geese, i would suggest checking the field to the East/NE just before you enter the Pines at end of Lady Anns Drive. Have seen both Barn Owl and SEO here late afternoon this winter. Ive also heard across road at Holkham Hall being a fair sight for LSW as already mentioned. Also agree Wicken Fen(Cambs) as almost certain for SEO and maybe Great Grey Shrike if you hurry!

[aythya_hybrid]

Egyptian Geese are pretty conspicuous so no problems there. I've always found the Weeting Heath area to be fairly productive on the Little Owl front.

The one place where I know Little Owl is guaranteed is the University of Essex campus, where I study. Although admittedly that's not in Norfolk.

[fatboyfat]

I've always found the Weeting Heath area to be fairly productive on the Little Owl front.

...Although the reserve is closed until April!

FBF

[djurwin]

Many thanks to everyone for their info on sites in Norfolk. I had an excellent couple of days and got nineteen year-ticks, including some of the target species I mentioned.
Little Owl was seen at Flitcham but from the road opposite the hide in a crevasse in the oak tree, there was at least one Willow Tit at Sculthorpe on a feeder viewable from outside the reserve, and Egyptian Geese were indeed everywhere - no need to eat your binoculars, fatboyfat.....unless you want to!!!
You can see a full description of what I saw at www.surfbirds.com/blog/djurwin. Thanks again for all info.

P.S. : - Yes Roger, I am Bill Urwin's son and I'm now over the hill at 24!

[Reader]

Thoroughly enjoyed your blog djurwin. Excellent report and I'm glad you managed so many year ticks. Glad some of the advice from the forum helped.

John

[jimbob]

Enjoyed reading your blog mate- Somerset sounds nice, a part of the country I'm not that familair with but will have to get down there once I've finished at uni. Glad some of the advice was of use. And Stubb mill is just awesome.
Jim.

[djurwin]

Enjoyed reading your blog mate- Somerset sounds nice, a part of the country I'm not that familair with but will have to get down there once I've finished at uni. Glad some of the advice was of use. And Stubb mill is just awesome.
Jim.

Somerset does have some nice areas and some good birding locations but is nothing compared to East Anglia. I reckon I might end up relocating there once I've done a couple more major bits of travelling.