[O.Reville1989]

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

As for the ‘blue headed wagtail’, please note the qualification (in brackets) for this bird and my earlier post yesterday. Flava wagtails have been passing through in small numbers along the coast, for the last few days, unfortunately without staying put for very long, wherever I've seen them. This bird, apparently, put down for a minute and was reported to the VC, as I said- albeit more than an hour after it had gone. Vainly did I search, immediately I saw the pic. Pat will testify how fast I progressed along the boardwalk and many know my predilection for the wag fraternity- and sorority.

Apologies, I hadn't read the earlier post so the amount of time which the bird was present was unknown to me.
Perhaps it will be relocated.

[john miller]

Originally Posted by ben_lewis

Unfortunately the Harris Hawk seems to have found Strumpshaw to its liking and can be seen mostly around the scrub in the middle of the reserve usually being mobbed. I fear that having a bird like that on the reserve during the breeding season will not help things at all! Hopefully one of the falconers from Kelling Heath will come and collect their property soon.

??????????? what falconers on Kelling Heath, I think you are a good few years out of date Ben.

John

[willowgrouse]

Originally Posted by ben_lewis

...I fear that having a bird like that on the reserve during the breeding season will not help things at all!...

Correct Ben. The Guist bird (still present earlier this month) is held responsible locally for recent breeding failures in other species.

Originally Posted by ben_lewis

...Hopefully one of the falconers from Kelling Heath will come and collect their property soon.

Unfortunately I think that is extremely unlikely.

There is at least one documented record of a pair of Harris hawks trying to breed 'up north', and another of successful breeding by a mixed pairing with common buzzard

[firstreesjohn]

Originally Posted by willowgrouse

a pair of Harris hawks trying to breed 'up north', and another of successful breeding by a mixed pairing with common buzzard

Depends how far ‘up north’ you mean, but might the progeny then be Harris Tweed ?

Originally Posted by O.Reville1989

Apologies

“I wasn’t requesting a ‘sorry’,
From ‘tony’, or even ‘our Orrie’.
I just wanted to show
How those thought ‘in the know’
Cannot always succeed with their quarry.”

As for birds today, rain stopped play. We need about another three months of this to avoid a drought, according to an expert. (I wonder if that chap’s forecast about the coldest ever May [80%!] has any legs.)

It was useful to meet Mike (thanks) at the VC, who was able to provide some assistance for my next jaunt. I do not intend to remain here at Whitsun, but Romania at Whitsun; and not go too hungry on holiday, but . . .

[Dave Appleton]

Originally Posted by john miller

??????????? what falconers on Kelling Heath, I think you are a good few years out of date Ben.

John

I don't know what falconry activity continues in the Kelling Heath area but one of the staff (volunteer?) at Strumpshaw seemed to think that someone from Kelling had been there the day before in order to recapture it, but without success. No doubt Ben will be better informed about this.

[Lightthiscandle]

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

We need about another three months of this to avoid a drought, according to an expert.

My a*se!

[firstreesjohn]

I had no idea you were 'into' religious architecture, Dave.

Please find below a diagram of an early apse.

[ben_lewis]

Originally Posted by john miller

??????????? what falconers on Kelling Heath, I think you are a good few years out of date Ben.

John

The bird was being flown/shown in the Kelling area and just flew away, it ended up at Strumpy. (fact)

Someone did come and try to get the bird but it was not the birds owner so did not come to his calls, hopefully the real owner will come soon.

[SueBryan]

and now to a real bird seen at the weekend!
Sue

[john miller]

Originally Posted by ben_lewis

The bird was being flown/shown in the Kelling area and just flew away, it ended up at Strumpy. (fact)

Someone did come and try to get the bird but it was not the birds owner so did not come to his calls, hopefully the real owner will come soon.

Fair enough, I presumed you were refering to the falconary centre that was next to the heath some 10+ years ago. Was up there today and speaking to the lads who cover it every day, nobody has heard of any recent falconary activity. But somebody must be flying birds up here, would be interested to find out where.

Garden feeders are getting expensive to run recently!!

[Penny Clarke]

Originally Posted by SueBryan

and now to a real bird seen at the weekend!
Sue

Sue!!!! That shot is awesome

[firstreesjohn]

Originally Posted by Penny Clarke

Sue!!!! That shot is awesome

Yes, we weren't short-changed with that photo.

I'm afraid I can't match the quality with my Salthouse Heath Redstart, but it gives a flavour of a bird we don't see enough of.

(BTW, it wasn't really where I thought it was going to be: directions a little misleading.)

[David Norgate]

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

I'm afraid I can't match the quality with my Salthouse Heath Redstart, but it gives a flavour of a bird we don't see enough of.

(BTW, it wasn't really where I thought it was going to be: directions a little misleading.)

At least you saw it, John. There was no sign of it later this afternoon and I drove within 100m of it this morning without knowing it had been around for a few days! Oh well, that's birding these days!

[SueBryan]

Originally Posted by Penny Clarke

Sue!!!! That shot is awesome

Thanks Penny. It sat and posed by the roadside at Marham airfield.

[Connor Rand]

Originally Posted by David Norgate

Oh well, that's birding these days!

Goodness me Dave, don't sound quite so despondent, you'll even bring my mood down with cynicism like that

So, tell us all about the 'good old days' where everyone in Norfolk birding got on harmoniously and every spring Redstart was pagered, or details were widely known about

All the best,

[firstreesjohn]

Finally, the culprit, bagged this morning.

A very difficult shot, in the murk and with the rain pelting into my window, creating false focus points.

Originally Posted by Connor Rand

every spring Redstart was pagered

I remember the story of a White-tailed Plover and how someone was sent a postcard, telling them about it. But, at least, they were told.

[Archie Opteryx]

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

was sent a postcard

Younger viewers may not be aware of this concept.

[Paul Eele]

Today’s highlights

Spotted redshank – 3 on fresh marsh
Red crested pochard – female on fresh marsh
Velvet scoter – 3 offshore
Grasshopper warbler – 1 singing on grazing meadow
Short eared owl – 1 hunting over grazing meadow
White wagtail - 10 on fresh marsh

Paul

[James Emerson]

4 Arctic Terns, 7+ Common Terns and a Green Sandpiper at Whitlingham this evening, and my first Swift of the year in with a large flock of hirundines over the Great Broad.

[dendroica]

Arctic Tern at Taverham ski pit at 1pm. Unfortunately was chased off by 2 Commons after a few minutes and left North.

[DM156]

Originally Posted by James Emerson

4 Arctic Terns, 7+ Common Terns and a Green Sandpiper at Whitlingham this evening, and my first Swift of the year in with a large flock of hirundines over the Great Broad.

Also saw the Arctics and swifts there this evening.

[Shaky09]

A reeling grasshopper warbler this evening at the patch, Heard from bridge .
I hadn't got there earlier enough to check for the terns which James had seen over the other side but will be back there tomorrow so fingers crossed.
Shaky

[Shaky09]

Just to add that I have been informed that the Grasshopper warbler was present on Friday heard by a local birder so it's been there at least 5 days for those interested.
Shaky

[O.Reville1989]

Nice pair of Wagtails by the sound of it!
Hope a positive ID is obtained for everyone soon.
Unfortunately the potential Ashy-Headed will probably escape me as I am off to Spain for a week from tomorrow.
Have a good week everyone.

[davethebird]

I was hoping to get a chocolate box photo of something in my pear tree but didn't expect it to be the loser from a sparring duo of male Pheasants. When he ventured down he was seen off by the similarly coloured victor. Also present in the garden were 4 females and a very dowdy male. The dowdy male was ignored by the feisty male even when it called and displayed.

Maybe this is the next logical step in pheasant evolution in response to the shooting of mainly cock birds late in the season - looking more like a hen might fool the guns. As long as he still finds a mate this colouring might spread.