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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Norfolk birding (9 Viewers)

Not too shy at all !

I may have misspelled some of the above caption, as 5 Knot fed unconcernedly on the Salthouse Beach car park. 50 or so Snow Buntings mainly flew overhead, or perched inconveniently.

Below, too, can be seen, distantly, some of the Twite seen on the Eye Field (by the cattle pens) and across the Cley Beach Road, on the saltmarsh, today. Mark had heard them earlier and Steve made a thoughtful ‘phone call.

The snap was taken by the cattle pens; though I must say I don’t know why anyone should attempt to teach cows to write, nor how they could hold biros or the like in their hooves.

At least two of these were colour-ringed. It would be good if someone was able to ascertain the exact combinations.

With all the snow, many birds were in odd places.

It does, indeed, seem as if the green water pictured in yesterday’s post was caused by algae.
 

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Titchwell February 6th

Today's highlights

Lapland bunting - 4 south over reedbed
Water pipit - 3 in reedbed
Whooper swan - 1 south
Long tailed duck - 4 offshore
Woodcock - at least 4 in carpark/visitor centre scrub

Paul
 
The snap was taken by the cattle pens; though I must say I don’t know why anyone should attempt to teach cows to write, nor how they could hold biros or the like in their hooves.

At least two of these were colour-ringed. It would be good if someone was able to ascertain the exact combinations.

Surely easy enough to read when they come in for milking ??;)
 
Goosey, Goosey, Goosey, Goosey, Goosey, Goosey no gander

I was most disappointed to learn that there’d been 14 Goosanders on Abraham’s Bosom at Wells today. The Smew were reported to have left and then some returned- according to the news services.

However, 6 drake mergansers, at quite close range, would’ve been a fair sight.

Why was this not deemed worthy of ‘putting out’. I’m extremely ‘put out’ about it and would definitely have gone and had a gander at them. They’re bigger and more colourful than Smoo, too !

Surely easy enough to read when they come in for milking ??;)

I would have thought that this joke had been milked enough, now- but putting those pneumatic teats on a poor, little Twite ? The RSPCA would be on to you like a shot- if that’s not an unfortunate choice of words.
 
I was most disappointed to learn that there’d been 14 Goosanders on Abraham’s Bosom at Wells today. The Smew were reported to have left and then some returned- according to the news services.

However, 6 drake mergansers, at quite close range, would’ve been a fair sight.

Why was this not deemed worthy of ‘putting out’. I’m extremely ‘put out’ about it and would definitely have gone and had a gander at them. They’re bigger and more colourful than Smoo, too !

Presumably the same reasons that news of Twite at Cley wasn't 'put out';)
 
hi Johny
The 'Nature reserve' is just a nature trail- so the same footpaths as normal and just an idea for which one to take to see different things at UEA. For Bullfinch you do not have to go far to see them at UEA.

Hi Beth, thankyou for a great little explanation of what has been going on, of course the marshland being conserved is of importance. Nice to know about the gooseander, had 3 there a few weeks ago, I presume the returning 2xm and f of last year, in fact I had my first one there when I was about 10.

I'll email one of the lecturers I know in Ecology as my Dev ones dont seem to know.

Thanks again!
 
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Presumably the same reasons that news of Twite at Cley wasn't 'put out';)

I phoned them straight to RBA, but it appears Goosander was dropped from the list of species considered to be pager worthy species 13 months ago; so the message was thus broadcast as "no sign of any Smews" (which there wasn't, true enough). Sorry, I tried my utmost ... not my fault this species is off-list.
cheers
Richard
 
Merlin hunting over the Reepham Rd on outskirts of Norwich north of Hellesden. Seen on way to work this morning. Have not seen one so close to Norwich before
 
Thrushes everywhere!

Did a ten-miler round the backroads of Pedham / Panxworth / Little Plumstead etc. There were flocks of winter thrushes everywhere, including a vast flock of 1500+ Redwings. Also, every ditch seemed to hold a Song Thrush today: I counted forty-odd from Pedham to Panxworth. Lots of Golden Plover and Snipe on the fields, as well as Mipits and Yellowhammers.
 
Whitlingham CP Tuesday 7th Feb

Good numbers of pochard,gadwall,teal, a few wigeon,3 goldeneye, 4 little & 14 g.c. grebes and a couple of snipe today on the large broad.The small broad is completly frozen over.Also good numbers in the small broad on Thorpe Marsh mainly gadwall,teal,b.h.gulls and a water rail.
 
Titchwell February 7th

Today's highlights

Coue’s arctic redpoll – 1 along main path
Smew – 2 redheads offshore
Goosander – 4 on fresh marsh
Chiffchaff – 1 by Parrinder Hide
Water pipit – 1 on fresh marsh
Long tailed duck – 4 offshore
Spoonbill – 2 west
Bittern - 1 over reedbed
Pintail - 187 on fresh marsh

Paul
 
Water Rail briefly at Kelling WM this afternoon. Also of interest were 200+ Dunlin, 3 Mallard (Not seen Mallard on this sight before now), 7 Pintail (Up from 3 on Sunday), A Tufted Duck on the sea with 2 Wigeon, A good number (10+) of Snipe and Barwit, 100+ Wigeon, at least 5 Grey Plover, 30+ Golden Plover and a very mobile group of up to 1000 Brent Geese.
 
Brisk walk around High Ash Farm produced good flock of linnet and winter thrushes but the highlight was a "flock" of at least 18 green woodpecker feeding where the snow was thinnest! amazing sight.
 
Brisk walk around High Ash Farm produced good flock of linnet and winter thrushes but the highlight was a "flock" of at least 18 green woodpecker feeding where the snow was thinnest! amazing sight.

That is quite exceptional Johny! A look at the most recent bird report just lists breeding records, no mention of a flock like this and I have certainly never seen the like. Perhaps some more experienced members of the forum can add something to this record?

Cheers,
Jim.
 
That is quite exceptional Johny! A look at the most recent bird report just lists breeding records, no mention of a flock like this and I have certainly never seen the like. Perhaps some more experienced members of the forum can add something to this record?

Cheers,
Jim.

I've never encountered anything like it, I've seen individual birds often there, a max. of 4 on one trip. I'd be interested to know also! :)
 
I phoned them straight to RBA, but it appears Goosander was dropped from the list of species considered to be pager worthy species 13 months ago; so the message was thus broadcast as "no sign of any Smews" (which there wasn't, true enough). Sorry, I tried my utmost ... not my fault this species is off-list.
cheers
Richard

There were 21 Goosanders at Earsham GP near Bungay this afternoon which also never went out even though if you're the one observing them they make for a pretty impressive sight. I suppose RBA have to draw the line somewhere. This is where the forum comes into its own though - well as long as the birds hang around till next day.
P.S Also a Bittern at Earsham this afternoon, five Little Egrets, Common Buzzard and Kingfisher.
 
Green with envy; wood that I’d been there

HBW says that, when snow cover is heavy, they can dig tunnels of 1m, to reach food. No mention of flock-feeding.

Are you sure they weren’t Grey-faced Woodies ? It’s almost as likely, given the weather on the Continent !

This is more than worth a note to BB, methinks.
 
HBW says that, when snow cover is heavy, they can dig tunnels of 1m, to reach food. No mention of flock-feeding.


Thanks John, a new fact for me there. Nope, alas I could not conjure one into anything more continental, but there are one of the birds I enjoy watching the most so no real loss!
 

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