Norfolk birding (2 Viewers)

[Locostella]

Bawburgh Pits (Colney)

Hey everyone,

Female type Goldeneye still present on the Lodge Farm Lake (viewable from road), along with a pair of Goosander.

 

[eco]

There was a Slavonian Grebe on Thorpe Broad this morning (still there when i left half an hour ago)

Lots of Tufted Duck on the Broad as well. I wonder if there has been disturbance at Whitlingham. If I get time later I might go back with a telescope to scan the flocks in case the Ring Necked Duck hasn't been seen at Whitlingham.

Also of note a male Bullfinch, 1 Redpoll, 6 Teal,1 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel and a dead Muntjac Deer by the Bungalow Lane railway line.

Cheers

Steve

I saw the Slavonian Grebe yesterday aswell it was showing really well in the afternoon, lovely bird..

 

[eco]

saw a lovely pair of stonechats at Cley this afternoon,they came very close to the hide, the cock bird had a Green and pink ring one on each leg, the hen had a blue ring, anyone know if these were ringed locally or not?

 

[sacha]

saw a lovely pair of stonechats at Cley this afternoon,they came very close to the hide, the cock bird had a Green and pink ring one on each leg, the hen had a blue ring, anyone know if these were ringed locally or not?

I don't know about specific colour ringed undividuals but I believe the colour ringed birds are from Kelling nearby.

 

[jimbob]

Added a new bird to the patch list this morning, a Woodcock hurling itself into cover near the churchyard in Surlingham. On the reserve, good views of Lesser Redpoll, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Kingfisher.
This evening, the sound of wild Swans and Cranes out east, and finally a second Woodcock of the day seen in the car headlights. More details on my blog.
Cheers,
Jim.

 

[Stratton Birder]

I'm trying really hard but I just can't stop bumping into Waxwings at the moment. Right on the back of a flock of 40 I found in Suffolk today, I came across yet another individual whilst popping into work this afternoon at the entrance to Chequers Road Ind Est, Long Stratton. Luckily, because I'd been out birding in the morning I still had the scope in the car and therefore enjoyed some good views. This one was feeding on white berries. Dont recall seeing them on the menu before.

 

[PYRTLE]

Stonechat Bling

I don't know about specific colour ringed undividuals but I believe the colour ringed birds are from Kelling nearby.

Not neccessarily so. a pair bred within the Cley Square. There are a couple of ringing schemes involving stonechats in the near vicinity.There might be information on the Cley Bird Club website about the history of these colour ringed birds or maybe post a question. I'm sure you'll find or receive a response.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Most days in the late afternoon I see large numbers of Cormorants flying in 'V' formation over Gorleston, travelling in a south-west direction. For some reason, I have assumed that they are going to roost at Fritton but I am not sure why I think that. Does anyone know where they go to? Yesterday some of the groups had about 40 birds in them and they make a wonderful sight, flying over the roof tops.

Ron

 

[jimbob]

Most days in the late afternoon I see large numbers of Cormorants flying in 'V' formation over Gorleston, travelling in a south-west direction. For some reason, I have assumed that they are going to roost at Fritton but I am not sure why I think that. Does anyone know where they go to? Yesterday some of the groups had about 40 birds in them and they make a wonderful sight, flying over the roof tops.

Ron

Hi Ron,

I wonder if these birds roost at Ranworth. There certainly used to be a roost there. I was out in the broads yesterday afternoon into the evening, and as usual at this time of year a constant trickle of Cormorants flew in a south-westerly direction overhead. Groups vary in size from 1 (OK, not a group!) to as you observe around 40. I agree, a wonderful sight and an overlooked Norfolk gem.

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Thanks Jim. I will have to look at a map to see where Ranworth is in relation to Gorleston.

Edit. It seems that Ranworth is north-west of Gorleston, so the birds are off to somewhere else.

Ron

 

[firstreesjohn]

Hornbeam-a-go-go

I had to be over the border this morning, so I took the opportunity, on my way back, to call in at Lynford Arboretum. A couple of birders told me a Hawfinch had been seen in the tops of trees near the Folly, so I gave that area a quick glance.

Then, I met another birder, who’d had a Bullfinch in the vicinity of the feeders opposite the visitor centre. I gradually proceeded to the Paddocks, via a Siskin flock (c50) mini-detour, where I had the interesting male Bullfinch below. Its bill was chunky, but not over large and didn’t ‘emerge’ straight from the top of the head. (That conjours up a surreal, rhinocerotic image!)

I did a complete circuit of the Paddocks, to no avail, then met some birders who knew me, had a chat- and then a male Hawfinch flew in, giving stonking bill. Only one, but then a female Bullfinch, too. A characteristic (i.e. poor) pair of views is given below.

A few Redpolls on the way back- but no Crossbills.

Ron/JimBob: I often see Vs of Cormoroids over my (Gorleston) school- particularly early morning and towards dusk. Mind you, those are the only times I’m allowed out !

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell December 17th

Today’s highlights

Waxwing – 4 in carpark @ 09:30
White fronted goose – 25 in/off sea @ 10:45
Whooper swan – 4 adults with a Bewick’s swan on the fresh marsh briefly @ 11:10 then flew south
Long tailed duck – 8 (6 male) offshore
Great Northern diver – 1 offshore
Red necked grebe – 1 offshore
Slavonian grebe – 1 offshore
Red crested pochard – female on Patsy’s reedbed
Spotted redshank – 6 on saltmarsh

Paul

 

[Tideliner]

Good numbers of Cormorants can often be seen comming off Fritton Lake at dawn and heading down the River Wavenly so presumable have roosted there. The light was so poor the other week they did not have time to have come far. Likewise about 20 flocks ( 70 + birds ) came up the Bure valley heading Ranworth direction on Friday evening.

I must confess I have never been a fan of cormorants , ugly birds that in numbers can decimate a small fishery ( no I am not a fisherman ) and hell to handle without getting your fingers badly shredded. If anyone doubts birds evolved from dinosaurs just have a look at cormorant chicks. But do not get too close or they will vomit over you !!!

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Thanks Tideliner. I suppose Cormorants are best appreciated in flight, from a distance.

Ron

 

[Stratton Birder]

Now three Waxwings at the entrance to Long Stratton Ind Est at dusk today. Still a good supply of berries here so hopefully they'll hang around a couple more days and who knows - maybe a few more will drop in.

 

[paul1127]

There was a Slavonian Grebe on Thorpe Broad this morning (still there when i left half an hour ago)

Lots of Tufted Duck on the Broad as well. I wonder if there has been disturbance at Whitlingham. If I get time later I might go back with a telescope to scan the flocks in case the Ring Necked Duck hasn't been seen at Whitlingham.

Also of note a male Bullfinch, 1 Redpoll, 6 Teal,1 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel and a dead Muntjac Deer by the Bungalow Lane railway line.

Cheers

Steve

Interesting regarding the dead Muntjac. About three months ago I saw a trail of fresh blood on the footpath adjacent to the river. I eventually came across a dead very young Muntjac. I can only assume one of the large foxes that are regularly seen in this location to be responsible.

Visited Thorpe at the weekend. Noted Siskin in one of the Poplars adjacent to the footbridge and a pair of Reed Buntings feeding on the shingle path near the cattle pen. Couldn't see the Slavonian Grebe on this occasion, better luck next time!

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell December 18th

Today’s highlights

Marsh harrier – 26 to roost
Hen harrier – 4 ringtails to roost
Peregrine – 1 over saltmarsh
Bittern – 1 in flight over reedbed
Scaup – 1 offshore
Long tailed duck – 2 offshore
Red kite – 1 over saltmarsh this morning
Spotted redshank – 6 on saltmarsh

Paul

 

[Locostella]

Stainless Steel Finish...

Hey all,

We have suddenly had a very frosty Great Tit turn up on the feeders at work. I only managed a couple of looks at it, both times very brief, but the contrast was hugely obvious. The under-parts were almost an off white, whilst the greenish mantle was heavily diluted.

A quick search uncovered an old thread from this forum, dating back to 2007. Several explanations were given for this colouration; including, 1st-winter female, eastern origin and normal colour variation of British Great Tit.

has anyone else seen Great Tits with this washed out plumage around the Norfolk coast?

Regards, Kieran

 

[trevg]

9 waxwings on the A148 on the west side of Sculthorpe in tall trees west of Sculthorpe Mill by "The Grange" present yesterday afternoon at 15.40 and again this morning at 09.00.

 

[Duke-Maiden]

14 waxwing showing well on Ivy road in Norwich this morning, plenty of berries for them, so hopefully they will stick around.