[Mark Batten]

A

Originally Posted by Lightthiscandle

Jimbob!
Your contributions are always most welcome! We used to have a protocol when seawatching at the coastguards: call out straight away. If you're wong, no harm done. If you're right, you've given everyone else the heads up. Always seemed a good policy!
We local patchers need to stick together! LOL!

Making a call to get on an interesting seabird should be custom and practice. No harm done should it be something common. Bit of a shame if people are not do doing this when sharing the same shelter!

[Lightthiscandle]

Wow!
Any chance it was locally bred, John?

[firstreesjohn]

Originally Posted by Lightthiscandle

Any chance it was locally bred ?

Wouldn't have thought so, Dave: The Bible proclaims they last bred in '92.

I'm not aware of any since; but stand ready to be corrected.

Not sure that breeding should be publicised here, anyway.

A few were moving elsewhere on the weekend.

[Connor Rand]

Originally Posted by Lightthiscandle

Wow!
Any chance it was locally bred, John?

Already at least 2 in at Spurn last time I checked, so presumably an early passage migrant

[Paul Eele]

Today’s highlights

Spoonbill - 8 on fresh marsh
Curlew sandpiper – 1 on fresh marsh
Little stint – 1 on fresh marsh
Black tailed godwit – 70 on fresh marsh

I am away on leave now so there will be no updates until the 10th

Paul

[firstreesjohn]

The immature Whinchat still inhabited the barbed wire fence, south of Salthouse Beach Car Park; although it was even less photogenic than yesterday.

A solitary sandpiper fed just west of the Beach Road. Unfortunately, it was a lone Green !

This small area of mud and water looks great for something much better. I only hope it doesn't happen when I'm away in vampiric dominions.

[Lightthiscandle]

"This small area of mud and water looks great for something much better. I only hope it doesn't happen when I'm away in vampiric dominions. "

You off to Yarmouth, John?

The raptors keep coming at Buckenham!

[firstreesjohn]

The first pager message ‘about a swift’ told of a place I’d not heard of, despite having lived in Sheringham for 14 years. GoogleMap was unable to assist and doesn’t recognise the later location of ‘Priory Stables’, either. A physio appointment then intruded.

After some lamb, I tried again- and was unlucky over the Common.

Finally, this superb shot was obtained at the above Hill. (Well it wouldn’t be below, would it ?) As someone remarked: ‘a good start to August’. Better pix should soon be available on the Birding World website.

[Paul Woolnough]

A pair of buzzards kettling over Norwich viewed north from Ipswich road / ring road traffic lights in the morning sunshine at 10am.

[Locostella]

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

The first pager message ‘about a swift’ told of a place I’d not heard of, despite having lived in Sheringham for 14 years. GoogleMap was unable to assist and doesn’t recognise the later location of ‘Priory Stables’, either. A physio appointment then intruded.

After some lamb, I tried again- and was unlucky over the Common.

Finally, this superb shot was obtained at the above Hill. (Well it wouldn’t be below, would it ?) As someone remarked: ‘a good start to August’. Better pix should soon be available on the Birding World website.

I was the one who put Priory stables out (Well Robert Smith did for me), John. Sorry it was so obscure, but I didn't know what hill was in front of me and the stable name on the gate was my only land mark I had to work with.

Funny you mention about the Franklin hill, I had no luck finding a location for it either. I did think to myself John would be the best man to ask, seems I was wrong.

Glad you saw the bird anyway

Kieran

[firstreesjohn]

Originally Posted by Locostella

I didn't know what hill was in front of me and the stable name on the gate was my only land mark I had to work with.

I’m glad you were ‘only’ at the Sheringham Priory, Kieran !

No need for an apology. It’s not your fault: we’ve all been faced with attempting to describe where we are (in unfamiliar surroundings) and then disseminate such news as quickly and as accurately as possible. It is, surely, one of the functions of whichever national service is involved to translate this into user-friendly information.

This was not done.

On occasions, this fails dismerably: Wells Woods; a warbler. ‘It’s on the branch, in the trees’- in a slightly different directional context !

Franklin’s Hill is, in fact, on the OS map: SW of the main roundabout on the A149 and W of the A1082. I should have looked at it, rather than making forlorn attempts on the interweb. It even has its own web page (http://www.experiencesheringham.com/poi.php?page_id=38), although the ‘directions’ on it are unclear and confusing. I soon gave up on this, having to go and be kneaded and stretched.

It was known as Hook’s Hill. As such, it is bounded by Hook’s Hill and Abbey Roads. There are, apparently, two ‘passages’ of access from the former, west of the Hill. I shall soon reconnoitre these.

To return to the bird: it has just appeared on the pager as being over Beeston Bump. It did give superb, overhead views at Franklin’s Hill (1 metre higher than The Bump, at 64m), but was obviously and quickly ranging widely.

I hope this assists those who try today.

[davethebird]

I had to leave yesterday before getting a view so I went back to Beeston Bump this morning. The Alpine Swift was showing well just to the south east of the bump and I got a few shots.

[jimbob]

Buckenham held a good few Waders this morning including Wood Sandpiper, Dunlin and Greenshank. Hobby hunting also. Chance of something decent here again before long!

Dipped on those W-L Hairstreaks mentioned on the Butterfly thread!

Cheers,
Jim.

[firstreesjohn]

Originally Posted by davethebird

The Alpine Swift was showing well just to the south east of the bump and I got a few shots.

Fine shots, Dave. You’ll have to show me how to do as well with fast, aerial avians, if you used the Lumix.

The summit of Franklin’s Hill (or Franklin Hill, as the inscribed sign has it, in the modern, unapostrophied fashion) proved easy to access. There are two ‘passages’ between houses- the more interesting one depicted below- off Hook’s Hill Road.

The hedges are good for insects and there is a small, cleared area at the top.

Needing little oxygen (at 64m), I spied an hexagonal seat, in memoriam of the prominence’s namesake. As can be seen, views are had over The Splash and the golf course to Skelding Hill (the coastguard’s lookout) to the north. However, The Bump is invisible, with trees obscuring all to the NE.

In the short time I was there, I did not see The Swift. I would hazard that the site has limited birding interest.

[davethebird]

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

Fine shots, Dave. You’ll have to show me how to do as well with fast, aerial avians, if you used the Lumix.

Hi John,

After my shoulder recovered I went back to a Canon 7D with 300 F4 and 1.4x extender. This is a great combination for flight shots.

I have used the Lumix for flight shots. I focused using the rear screen with a loupe lens so it felt more like an SLR. This Alpine Swift was shot like that but was only a 'fly-past' at Holkham Lake and disappearing quickly.

[Paul Woolnough]

Originally Posted by jimbob

Buckenham held a good few Waders this morning including Wood Sandpiper, Dunlin and Greenshank. Jim.

And the beet factory even more.
Big count of green sands there 1 Aug: 54. (Not by me)

My wader list for mid Yare -
Buckenham anglers car park pools to Cantley Beet Factory lagoons

1 Avocet
2 Baird's Sandpiper one at Buckenham and three at Cantley BF
3 Black-tailed Godwit
4 Common Sandpiper
5 Common Snipe
6 Curlew
7 Curlew Sandpiper
8 Dunlin
9 Golden Plover
10 Green Sandpiper
11 Greenshank
12 Jack Snipe
13 Knot
14 Lapwing
15 Lesser Yellowlegs two at Cantley BF
16 Little Ringed Plover
17 Little Stint
18 Marsh Sandpiper three at once Cantley BF
19 Oystercatcher
20 Pacific Golden Plover Buckenham
21 Pectoral Sandpiper Cantley BF
22 Redshank
23 Ringed Plover
24 Ruff
25 Spotted Redshank
26 Temminck's Stint
27 Wood Sandpiper
28 Woodcock

Still need grey plover, bogey bird for area and whimbrel

Have not seen "coastal" species bar-tailed godwit, purple sandpiper, sanderling or turnstone

[jimbob]

Originally Posted by Paul Woolnough

And the beet factory even more.
Big count of green sands there 1 Aug: 54. (Not by me)

My wader list for mid Yare -
Buckenham anglers car park pools to Cantley Beet Factory lagoons

1 Avocet
2 Baird's Sandpiper one at Buckenham and three at Cantley BF
3 Black-tailed Godwit
4 Common Sandpiper
5 Common Snipe
6 Curlew
7 Curlew Sandpiper
8 Dunlin
9 Golden Plover
10 Green Sandpiper
11 Greenshank
12 Jack Snipe
13 Knot
14 Lapwing
15 Lesser Yellowlegs two at Cantley BF
16 Little Ringed Plover
17 Little Stint
18 Marsh Sandpiper three at once Cantley BF
19 Oystercatcher
20 Pacific Golden Plover Buckenham
21 Pectoral Sandpiper Cantley BF
22 Redshank
23 Ringed Plover
24 Ruff
25 Spotted Redshank
26 Temminck's Stint
27 Wood Sandpiper
28 Woodcock

Still need grey plover, bogey bird for area and whimbrel

Have not seen "coastal" species bar-tailed godwit, purple sandpiper, sanderling or turnstone

An enviable list Paul. In no way competing with that lot, but I did have Whimbrel through the patch last year. Just a fly over though, tough otherwise I would imagine. Hopefully you will be able to add to that this Autumn. Can we call it Autumn yet?!
I will certainly be giving Cantley and Buckenham plenty of attention over the coming weeks.
Jim.

[O.Reville1989]

Originally Posted by davethebird

I had to leave yesterday before getting a view so I went back to Beeston Bump this morning. The Alpine Swift was showing well just to the south east of the bump and I got a few shots.

Excellent shots Dave.
Managed to see the bird around 6:30pm after a 20 minute wait in torrential rain.
A group of 10 swifts came over but their larger cousin wasn't present.
With the ceasing of the rain it came from behind me, hung in the air calmly for a few minutes before moving over towards the town.
A great bird.

[Paul Woolnough]

Originally Posted by jimbob

An enviable list Paul. In no way competing with that lot, but I did have Whimbrel through the patch last year. Just a fly over though, tough otherwise I would imagine. Hopefully you will be able to add to that this Autumn. Can we call it Autumn yet?!
I will certainly be giving Cantley and Buckenham plenty of attention over the coming weeks.
Jim.

Cheers Jim
Thirty years of birding in the Yare Valley. Ten years before I ever twitched anything.

It is much easier for me to get to the north side of the Yare than the south. Do not go to Surlingham Church Marsh or Rockland much these days but recall seeing my first little owl south of church marsh in the mid eighties plus watching marsh harriers roosting at Strumpshaw and listening and perhaps seeing cettis warblers at Rockland.

Have gone back to patch birding in the last year or so.

[Mick Sway]

In case anyone might be interested you can find our North Norfolk experience
from last week here.We spent most of last week in your lovely county, enjoying the great weather.
Thanks
Mick

[scary-canary]

Originally Posted by Mick Sway

In case anyone might be interested you can find our North Norfolk experience
from last week here.We spent most of last week in your lovely county, enjoying the great weather.
Thanks
Mick

The link doesn't work.

[James Emerson]

Originally Posted by scary-canary

The link doesn't work.

It should link to here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=236580

[Mick Sway]

Originally Posted by Mick Sway

In case anyone might be interested you can find our North Norfolk experience
from last week here.We spent most of last week in your lovely county, enjoying the great weather.
Thanks
Mick

I can confirm that the original link was incorrect and should have been to:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....58#post2504258
Thanks to James, Mr Scary Canary and John.
Apologies for any inconvenience.
Mick

[john miller]

A few more shots of the Sheringham Swift, unfortunatly in very poor light, but when the sun appeared the bird disappeared.
The last shot was taken just after a Peregrine went past

John

[knotsbirder]

Originally Posted by john miller

A few more shots of the Sheringham Swift, unfortunatly in very poor light, but when the sun appeared the bird disappeared.
The last shot was taken just after a Peregrine went past

John

Well it wasn't quite like that... Fantastic set, and thanks for all your help and advice, it was nice to meet you today.

Cheers, Sam