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Norfolk birding (14 Viewers)

Hi all,

It would seem that many migrants have arrived in Norfolk quite late. A 12 mile walk around my local area today resulted in many more House Martins than a fortnight ago, lots of local Swifts back at breeding sites, several more Garden Warblers than previously heard & I also had my first Spotted Flycatcher (at Thursford) & lovely surprise a Turtle Dove in the back garden.

For the first time we have had 3 Tawny Owl chicks from a nestbox in the front garden, we have been watching/listening to their progress since they left the box 3 nights ago. Unfortunately today one was taken by a Sparrowhawk! I was rather surprised at this being a prey item does anyone else have any experience of this?

Mega views of Nightjar, males are currently disputing territories, lots of wing clapping & butterfly dispaly flight, if you have chance get out & have a look this week.

Regards Chris
 
Titchwell RSPB - had a quick look on the feeders for redpoll but no luck and walked around the fen trail - lots of orchids out and ragged robin. Ray Kimber alerted us to a popular hawk moth on an alexander by the toilet block. Blackcaps, chiffchaffs, baby chaffinches being fed by parents and the usual robins.

Montague's Harrier site - at least 5 common buzzards spiralling distantly along with 1 hobby close by.

Back road on the way to Little Walsingham by a church ruins - 1 Turtle Dove purring away and also cracking views of a male marsh harrier on route.

Swanton Novers - lunch time and a very long wait for Honey Buzzard. Watched here from 12pm until 4pm - watched a few common buzzards, ate lunch, snoozed, watched - EVENTUALLY we had stunning views of a Honey Buzzard (4pmish) which worked its way along the horizen to sail directly over our heads - flat wings, and lots of 'clapping' right above and got some pretty decent record shots too!!! Feeling very pleased with ourselves we then went to the coast and had a look around Walsey Hills - no birds whatsoever apart from a chaffinch and greenfinch on the wires, cettis Warbler and chiffchaff, but stunning views of 2 Adders entwined on the bank.

Ice-cream by the duck pond.

Holkham - evening walk - no birds of note but lovely walk.

Best Wishes Penny:girl:
 
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Norfolk Visit

Was in Norwich for the weekend & managed to get out on Friday to Titchwell, Cley & Strumpshaw Fen.

Saw over 50 different species with 8 firsts that were Chiff Chaff, Cetti's Warbler, Grey Plover, Brent Goose, Bearded Tit, Meadow Pipit, Reed Warbler & Whitethroat.

Attached is a few pics.

Thanks to those who gave advice & suggestions!! B :)
 

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Will be spending this weekend birding in norfolk. We would be very grateful for good sites for montague's harriers (I understand there is a watching point), woodlark, turtle dove and stone curlew (tried weeting a few weeks back but were nesting over the brow of a hill).

Thanks, Marc
 
Marc Suller said:
Will be spending this weekend birding in norfolk. We would be very grateful for good sites for montague's harriers (I understand there is a watching point), woodlark, turtle dove and stone curlew (tried weeting a few weeks back but were nesting over the brow of a hill).

Thanks, Marc
Click to expand...

To start you off I saw Woodlark at Roydon Common at the weekend. One of the assistant wardens said that they aren't breeding on the Weeting reserve this year, and I didn't see any at a few suitable areas of Brecks either. Roydon has two car parks, I saw mine in the heathland immediately to the left of the westerly one. Turtle Doves were along the hedges on the road to the east of Flitcham Abbey Farm, and also at Lakenheath Fen.

Regards,
James
 
Marc Suller said:
Will be spending this weekend birding in norfolk. We would be very grateful for good sites for montague's harriers (I understand there is a watching point), woodlark, turtle dove and stone curlew (tried weeting a few weeks back but were nesting over the brow of a hill).Thanks, Marc
Click to expand...

Birders are encouraged to only visit Weeting Heath for Stone Curlew to minimise disturbance to sites elsewhere. Hopefully, you'll have more luck at this site next time - if the chicks have hatched, there can be more activity. Visiting early or later in the day can also help the heat haze problem!

As Penny rightly said last week in response to someone else requesting information on Montys, details of a site for a rare breeding bird shouldn't go on an open forum or even by PM. There is no official watchpoint.

Turtle Doves seem even scarcer than usual this year - several usual spots have failed to produce any. Try the barns up at Choseley near Titchwell which are also good for Corn Bunting.

Enjoy your trip.

Regards,
Irene
 
It was nice to see that the tree sparrows that frequent my parents feeders in North Pickenham have bred locally - in the last few days there have been upto seven recently fledged birds.
 

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Irene Boston said:
Turtle Doves seem even scarcer than usual this year - several usual spots have failed to produce any.
Click to expand...

Denver Sluice has still got a pair which have been singing a lot recently. Also there 4 Cuckoos (3 males)! Quite an impressive number I thought, and they should have no problem breeding, as there are lots of Reed Warblers singing. I have always thought of the host species for Cuckoos being Reed Warbler, but do they also target Sedge Warbler nests?
 
Just had a fantastic Red Kite over the garden! It went South-West at about 1:50pm. Has anyone had any other sightings of Red Kite in Norfolk recently, as 2 have gone South through Welney and another SW here today, I was wondering if they are all leaving the county?
 
mr.sim said:
Just had a fantastic Red Kite over the garden! It went South-West at about 1:50pm. Has anyone had any other sightings of Red Kite in Norfolk recently, as 2 have gone South through Welney and another SW here today, I was wondering if they are all leaving the county?
Click to expand...


My other half saw a Red kite today, near Denver over the A10.

We had one here near Swaffham about three weeks ago, first time we had seen one here
 
We have 1-2 semi resident red kites in the Swanton Novers area for the past few months. They leave south most mornings and return in mid-late afternoon. After an absence of a few days one was seen from the Swanton Novers Watch point this afternoon. A displaying male honey buzzard was giving great views today with perhaps 10 sightings during the day , some lasting half an hour along with a close hobby , sparrowhawks , kestrel and 7 or more common buzzards.

A light painted lady passage resumed when the sun came out with about 25 seen.
 
mr.sim said:
......Has anyone had any other sightings of Red Kite in Norfolk recently, as 2 have gone South through Welney and another SW here today, I was wondering if they are all leaving the county?
Click to expand...

No!!!:C I think this is going to be a bird I don't see this year at all!!!!!!!
 
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Felbrigg Lake today

A stroll around produced 1 Common Sandpiper and a Hobby high over. The Mute Swans were with cygnets (not signets, as at Cley!).

Red-eyed Damsels were much in evidence and ovipositing and I managed a few shots of this recently-emerged (?) Black-tailed Skimmer.

Also, on Yellow Iris (or Flag) was this strange beast. Does anyone know what it is, please ? A kwik flik through my Chinnery left me none the wiser.
 

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mr.sim said:
Denver Sluice has still got a pair which have been singing a lot recently. Also there 4 Cuckoos (3 males)! Quite an impressive number I thought, and they should have no problem breeding, as there are lots of Reed Warblers singing. I have always thought of the host species for Cuckoos being Reed Warbler, but do they also target Sedge Warbler nests?
Click to expand...

Also Dunnocks and Mipits as well.

John the dragonfly is Black tailed skimmer like you said, and the bug is a stonefly of some type.
 
Felbrigg

firstreesjohn said:
A stroll around produced 1 Common Sandpiper and a Hobby high over. The Mute Swans were with cygnets (not signets, as at Cley!)
Click to expand...

Pic of said cygnets taken on Thursday attached!

Also 3 drake Mandarins on the lake this afternoon and for a change they decided to pose for pics rather than slinking away under the bushes. Also 3+ Grey Wags also around the lake, presumably having bred in the vicinity and a Cuckoo calling in the distant trees the first I've heard this year up this end of the coast.

Simon
 

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