Griswold’s Vacations 2023 (1 Viewer)

[ClarkWGriswold]

Just booked a week in Morston, Norfolk for half-term. A little bit unexpected this but a pleasant surprise.

Very much a family holiday but I’ve had permission to go to Minsmere for the day. A reserve I’ve not been to so I’m very much looking forward to it. I vaguely remember SpringWatch seeing Stone Curlews there but I was wondering if there was a chance of Nightingale? Anyone know if they are present?

If the weathers decent I’ll look to take the boys mackerel fishing. Whilst packing my bins of course😉 Other than that it’ll be long walks on the North Norfolk coast with the boy. And maybe a pint of Norfolk ale to round the day off. Happy days.

Rich

 

[Julie50]

Do not know about Stone Curlew - but love Minsmere

Keep a look out for hobbies feeding on the walk between the Bittern hide and the one on the edge of the lake I can never remember the name of!! Also find snakes basking on the sandy soil between the two.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Do not know about Stone Curlew - but love Minsmere

Keep a look out for hobbies feeding on the walk between the Bittern hide and the one on the edge of the lake I can never remember the name of!! Also find snakes basking on the sandy soil between the two.

Cheers Julie. I’m hoping both the boys will be with me. So fingers crossed for decent coffee and cake as well.

Rich

 

[Julie50]

Island Mere hide is the one I’m thinking of. If I remember correctly, and my aging brain may be wrong, the cafe is not great for a main course, but good for coffee and cake

 

[Owene]

Just booked a week in Morston, Norfolk for half-term. A little bit unexpected this but a pleasant surprise.

Very much a family holiday but I’ve had permission to go to Minsmere for the day. A reserve I’ve not been to so I’m very much looking forward to it. I vaguely remember SpringWatch seeing Stone Curlews there but I was wondering if there was a chance of Nightingale? Anyone know if they are present?

If the weathers decent I’ll look to take the boys mackerel fishing. Whilst packing my bins of course😉 Other than that it’ll be long walks on the North Norfolk coast with the boy. And maybe a pint of Norfolk ale to round the day off. Happy days.

Rich

I most recent stone curlew at minsmere on ebird 31st of March. The birders I was with on Mallorca have it as their local reserve and spoke about having a s c locally but I guess it’s somewhere else nearby

 

[JWN Andrewes]

To be honest Rich, if Nightingale & Stone Curlew are your chief concern I'd probably head to Lakenheath area rather than Minsmere. Closer to Morston, some great birding, both targets available. Minsmere's nice, but can seem a bit overrun by it's Gull colony I find, albeit containing quite a few Meds.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

To be honest Rich, if Nightingale & Stone Curlew are your chief concern I'd probably head to Lakenheath area rather than Minsmere. Closer to Morston, some great birding, both targets available. Minsmere's nice, but can seem a bit overrun by it's Gull colony I find, albeit containing quite a few Meds.

Cheers James. I’ve had them at Weeting Heath before. And Woodlark as well. Rich

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Arrived in North Norfolk at around 10 last night. Traffic was surprisingly ok. Highlight of the drive was a Barn Owl sitting on a Telegraph pole.

Cottage in Morston is very nice though the garden is not enclosed which is a bit of a pain for the boy.

So the alarm was set for 6 today and down to Morston Quay the boy and I went to stretch his legs. Had 4 flyover Spoonbills and all the usual common stuff - Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Skylarks etc.

At lunchtime we headed to Sherringham to do a big shop. Stopped at Clay on the way back again to stretch the boys legs. Plenty of Avocets around and a year tick in the form of a Green Sandpiper. Managed to avoid the decent Birds of Prey that others saw. Good to see Common and Little Terns at the beach though.

Having a break now but will be heading to Weeting Heath and Dersingham bog later to see what’s around.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Trying to put species name in bold to make it easier to read but iPhone not allowing me. Hmmm… Might have to ask my 16 or 12 year old for help. Lovely getting old 😂

 

[d.steeley]

Hi Rich, just arrived home today after a two week stay on the edge of Minsmere reserve. We had good sightings of Nightingales and heard plenty but not on the reserve. The best area IMO is a walk along the lane that connects Dunwich Road and the Vault Hill, Mill Hill junction. I can't find a name for it but if you take the Dunwich Road out of Westleton it is the lane on the right signposted to Minsmere (see Google maps). We heard quite a few especially near and along the footpath to Wesleton Heath where they view the deer rut in the autumn. We came back from the pub after a meal at around 2100 last night and drove slowly with the windows down and we heard 2 or 3 along the lane + Little Owl. They seem to be very vocal all through the day.

We have also had decent views of Stone Curlew, but again not on the reserve. I'll send you a PM.

Dave

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi Rich, just arrived home today after a two week stay on the edge of Minsmere reserve. We had good sightings of Nightingales and heard plenty but not on the reserve. The best area IMO is a walk along the lane that connects Dunwich Road and the Vault Hill, Mill Hill junction. I can't find a name for it but if you take the Dunwich Road out of Westleton it is the lane on the right signposted to Minsmere (see Google maps). We heard quite a few especially near and along the footpath to Wesleton Heath where they view the deer rut in the autumn. We came back from the pub after a meal at around 2100 last night and drove slowly with the windows down and we heard 2 or 3 along the lane + Little Owl. They seem to be very vocal all through the day.

We have also had decent views of Stone Curlew, but again not on the reserve. I'll send you a PM.

Dave

Cheers Dave. Very much appreciated.

Rich

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Absolutely stunning evenings birding in Norfolk yesterday. 5 Stone Curlews at Weeting Heath. Got talking to 2 birders from Norwich- Justin and Andy - who were great company. Gave me a site nearby for Nightingales.

Off I went and could hear the Nightingales from the car park. Also had good views of Bullfinch and a Muntjac deer that was staring right at me. Think he/she had a youngster with them as it seemed even smaller than what I presumed was an adult.

Justin and Andy then arrived with chips. As I only had Snackajacks with me!!! it was time to leave. Justin mentioned stopping off at RSPB Lakenheath on the way and watching a pair of Terns. So off I went. Arrived at the reserve, and headed off in the wrong direction. Not been there before but really enjoyed just wandering around. A Bittern was booming and I had great views of a Cuckoo. Coming back I stumbled upon where Justin was talking about and there they were. A beautiful pair of Black Terns. I tend to see them in non-breeding plumage in South Wales so I spent some time just watching them feed.

I had now thought about looking for Nightjars but decided against it. There was a bottle of Malbec in the cottage with my name on it so headed back.

An absolutely brilliant evenings birding.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Had a few short walks with Bud today. Down to the Quay and on Kelling Heath.

Temnick’s Stints were on North Point pools this morning and Common Sandpiper was a year tick as well.

Stopped at Clay on the way to Kelling Heath. Year ticked Bearded Tit and had great views of the Marsh Harriers. Kelling was quite quiet but I wanted to check it out before having an evening Nightjar session there later in the week. Yellowhammer was nice though.

Now just firing up the new portable barbecue we bought for the trip👍

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Headed down to Kelling Heath again this morning. Unfortunately it was very cold and windy. Plenty of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and ChiffChaffs. The boy enjoyed though. Heaps of scents around. Then it was off to Clay. Another Bearded Tit but the best birds were the Swifts flying around us within a few feet.

Getting back to the house the boys had booked bowling in Fakenham. Dropped them off and headed to Swanton Novers. 1st time I’ve been here and by the time I found it I only had 40 mins there. Managed a good view of a Goshawk though and a Garden Warbler was singing away next to us.

Had lunch in the local and have just got back from a walk down to Stiffkey Fen with the family. Heaps of Marsh Harriers around but the bird of the walk was a male Merlin that flew past us. Very unexpected and really pleased.

An early night tonight as we’re off to Minsmere in the morning.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Headed down to Minsmere this morning. A road we were on was closed and evidently everyone’s sat-nav redirected them down the same single track road. Chaos.

Minsmere is a lovely place but pretty quiet bird wise. Had a flyover Spoonbill along with plenty of Marsh Harriers and a Hobby. Bittern was heard. Really good vegan pastie in the cafe and my oldest had a couple of cracking Sausage rolls.

Came back via Potter Heigham and Hickling Broad. Dipped on the Stilts but had 3 Greenshank. Presumed they were up against the near bank. The reeds were certainly obscuring a lot of the view.

Picked up the female Ferruginous Duck at Hickling. Also had Little Ringed Plover and Peregrine.

Just got back and have walked the boy down the Quay. Time for a Chinese 👍

Rich

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Decided to try Kelling Heath again this morning. Went to the other side by the railway line. Whilst scanning for Dartfords and Woodlarks I had to double take on a bird sat on the bush. Then I triple taked. A bird I’ve always wanted to see. I’ve been lucky enough to see a couple of females but never a male. There he was. An absolutely stunning male Red-backed Shrike. A real adrenaline rush. I considered not reporting it given the time of the year but noted a few had been recorded recently in the UK. So I put it out. Good to see a few other birders have connected throughout the day.

Next it was off to Salthouse to look for yesterday’s Little Stints. Parking up at Salthouse it required a walk along a 60mph road with no pavements. As I had the pup with me I decided against but went to Clay instead. The usual bird here but managed a better view of a male Bearded Tit flying over the reeds.

This afternoon we’ve been to the Crab Hut in Brancaster and Holkham. Quiet bird wise other than Little Terns, Spoonbills and a Great White Egret.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Last full day in Norfolk today. Headed down to Titchwell first thing. Great view of a Barn Owl flying along the main road in Burnham Deepdale and Grey Partridge outside Wells.

Titchwell was fairly quiet tbh. Plenty of Warblers and Cuckoo, Med Gulls, Common Sandpipers and Sanderling.

Next it was off to another site in North Norfolk. As soon as I pulled in I heard my target bird. Then walking a further 100 metres 1 heard several more and saw three of them - Turtle Doves. Great to see them doing relatively well in this area.

This afternoon I walked with Bud the 6 miles along the coastal path into Wells. Absolutely lovely. Great views of Marsh Harriers, Common Whitethroat and a GWE at Stiffkey.

Think I’ve earned my bottle of cider this evening 👍

Rich

 

[Julie50]

Great Rich - saw me my first Jack Snipe yesterday

 

[Owene]

Nice work. Can’t even remember which year my last turtle dove was. Maybe 2019?

 

[Scridifer]

Nice work. Can’t even remember which year my last turtle dove was. Maybe 2019?

You definitely need to get out to Eastern Europe Owen!

Chris