[Mark Batten]

Given that the English are a Hybrid race do not understand the argument. The Royal family are decended from Germans.

[ben_lewis]

Looks like there could be 2 1st Summer Monty's along the Yare then- mid-day at Buckenham and 1pm at Breydon- unlikely to be same bird after all!

Fingers crossed Kieran, about time I had a decent days birding at the coast.... Still need Icky!

[Stratton Birder]

This is the first of a five part personal venture which I am undertaking this spring to bird the whole of Boudica's Way between Diss and Norwich. Weather providing, I hope to complete the whole walk within the next seven days. I should say that this is not a quest to find some kind of rarity on my travels - it is just something local that I've wanted to achieve over the last couple of years and I will be happy if I get species like Grey Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Turtle Dove and Hobby. I would like to share it with all you nice people on here and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy writing.

Arriving at Diss railway station at 8.00am in full birding attire and with scope - among all the commuters I was definately the odd one out. A quick visit to the toilet, a little bit of psyching up and it was out of the loo full guns blazing. First species down were Starling with several adults feeding their newly-fledged young. House Sparrows chirrped merrily and Dunnock and Robin sang.
The first part of the walk took me through the streets of Diss and I was having to compete for space on the pavement with parents taking their kids to school, dog walkers and joggers - all this while trying to add each new species. Cars were zooming past every few seconds. It was very noisy and it was with some relief that I left the main road and entered the first field.
Here I was greeted by a singing Yellowhammer - the first of ten noted and the 'chip chip chip' of a Marsh Tit reverberated from the first area of alder carr. Four Jays flew across in front of here and Blackcap and Whitethroat were heard. A Stock Dove called at Frenze Hall.
Slightly on from here and the first of five Lesser Whitethroats was noted and I passed the only area this morning where Skylarks were prominent with four displaying males.
I was pleased to get one each of Black-headed and Common Gull over among the regular Lesser Black-backed and one Herring. The first two are much harder to get locally at this time of year so were welcome ticks.
As expected, the first Buzzard appeared and around six frequent the area, Shimpling being the central point for these, I also had my first Small Copper of the year here too.
I unexpectedly came across three pairs of Lapwings along the way so hopefully they will all have a successful breeding season.
Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker and Moorhen were noted singly and there were three Kestrels. Counts of singing males included in descending order Chaffinch (44) Blackbird (32) Robin (23) Wren (18) Great Tit (16) Greenfinch (16) and Blackcap (15).
The last mile was a hard slog and the quietest time of the birding day always goes hand in hand with tired legs but a few butterflies emerged to entertain me so Orange Tip, Green-veined and Large White also went on the butterfly list. Then I arrived at my final destination today at the Tivetshall Old Ram for a much needed meal and pint. All in all it was a nice day to start my venture and with many obvious species not yet noted, I will have plenty to add on subsequent days to come.

Species so far - Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer.

Other wildlife - Rabbit, Brown Hare, Small Copper, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip.

[James Emerson]

Excellent stuff! I have only done the Norwich-Caistor St Edmund section, so I look forward to hearing about the rest of the route.

Originally Posted by Stratton Birder

This is the first of a five part personal venture which I am undertaking this spring to bird the whole of Boudica's Way between Diss and Norwich. Weather providing, I hope to complete the whole walk within the next seven days. I should say that this is not a quest to find some kind of rarity on my travels - it is just something local that I've wanted to achieve over the last couple of years and I will be happy if I get species like Grey Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Turtle Dove and Hobby. I would like to share it with all you nice people on here and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy writing.

[Stratton Birder]

Thanks James. It feels really good doing something different this spring for a change.

[jimbob]

Originally Posted by Stratton Birder

This is the first of a five part personal venture which I am undertaking this spring to bird the whole of Boudica's Way between Diss and Norwich. Weather providing, I hope to complete the whole walk within the next seven days. I should say that this is not a quest to find some kind of rarity on my travels - it is just something local that I've wanted to achieve over the last couple of years and I will be happy if I get species like Grey Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Turtle Dove and Hobby. I would like to share it with all you nice people on here and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy writing.

Great stuff, really enjoyed your account Stratton Birder. I have been thinking of doing something similar in the South Yare Valley this Summer, and this kind of account is just the inspiration I need.

Cheers,
Jim.

[dwatsonbirder]

I wouldn't worry about the weather not being "productive" in May, as the first few days of June offer better chances of finding the "biggie" than much of May. Friday does indeed look excellent for an arrival (more or less directly onto the N Norfolk coast) and the Point would be an ideal location.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted here, but I recommend the excellent "Birds of Blakeney Point" by S. Joyner and A. Stoddart, as not only does it give past records, but also invaluable information for planning a day on the point in relation to seasonality and weather patterns. It is such a fantastic site, and I have worked it many times over the last 5 years, often with just a handful of other birders present, even in prime conditions. A few tips (again I'm sure most are aware) are to wait a bit longer (I usually set off around 10am) in order for the birds to drift west along the point, or to head out mid to late afternoon, as I have seen at least 4 sizable falls which have taken place an hour or so before dusk. Also, again very obvious, waiting for a band of rain to move across (W-E is generally good) can increase numbers of migrants.

Enjoy it chaps, I'll see you there in late August. I'd be there this weekend if I wasn't spending all my money on travelling around the neotropics!

P.S. if you see James McCallum heading out along the shingle, thats usually a good sign there will be a fall, just say hello from me!

[Penny Clarke]

Originally Posted by dwatsonbirder

P.S. if you see James McCallum heading out along the shingle, thats usually a good sign there will be a fall, just say hello from me!

I am going to get there before him next time

[Penny Clarke]

Three Turtle Doves at Holme NWT this morning, sadly no sign of Red-backed Shrike and according to another birder two more Turtle Doves at Choseley Barns!

Penny

[D0c]

The turtle doves at Choseley barns have been there a while, I saw them during the last bank holiday so at least three weeks ago.

Btw Penny I walked Ringstead Chalk Downs for the first time and didn't see much but the walk was fantastic, thanks for suggesting it.

I'm down Heacham this bank holiday so hopefully something a little rarer might turn up.

[MJB]

Originally Posted by dwatsonbirder

P.S. if you see James McCallum heading out along the shingle, thats usually a good sign there will be a fall, just say hello from me!

For those who may not know what James McC looks like, just use your basic ID skills to home in on the brightest barnet in birding, visible at 300 metres in dense fog!
MJB

[dwatsonbirder]

Originally Posted by MJB

For those who may not know what James McC looks like, just use your basic ID skills to home in on the brightest barnet in birding, visible at 300 metres in dense fog!
MJB

Usually my first find of the day on the point... One day Penny, though I swear he must emit some rare-attracting pheromones. Usually best to follow in the wake of rare and scarce hoping for scraps! In all seriousness though, one of the nicest gents on the scene, and probably the best birder I know and have had the pleasure of birding with.

[Stratton Birder]

I wasn't too sure about doing the second part of my walk today as the weather looked a bit grim and the forecast wasn't very inspiring either. However, I want to try and get this done before going back to work next week so when a break in the clouds let a nice gleam of sunshine through I decided to go for it. In the time it took to get ready, the clouds came over again and it was raining heavily. I had already commited myself to it now and drove out to the next starting point regardless. Thankfully it had stopped raining by the time I got out of the car and was sunny again but I headed off with the knowledge that I would probably get at least one good soaking.

A Lesser Whitethroat kicked the day off and as I left the A140 behind I was surrounded by several displaying Skylarks. Thankfully, I did much better with this species today and recorded 20 songsters compared with only five yesterday.
A new mammal for the walk was added when I flushed a Roe Deer from out of the hedgerow and approaching Pulham Market Hall, I got the first Bullfinch when a calling male flew over. Five more were to come by the time I finished today including at least one more male. Not far on from here and a very mature oak got me thinking about Little Owl and I scanned the branches on the off-chance. I was just about to walk away unsuccessfully but decided on one last scan and a small, greyish, owl-shaped blob just caught my attention through the bins and sure enough, there it was, right in front of the think trunk about six feet up and amazingly well camouflaged in the strong light. It sat there looking at me with those mesmerising cats eyes and I regretted that I hadn't brought my recently purchased new camera with me as it would have made a lovely picture. I will have to return another time.
A small pond and a Moorhens nest situated on the edge discretely placed under some overhanging brambles. It had five dappled eggs in it. Still on the nesting theme and a pair of Blue Tits were nesting under the eaves at Pulham Market church and one was regularly going to and fro with food. At this point the church clock struck nine telling me I'd managed to get through the first hour without a soaking. The village was alive with House Sparrows and Starlings and its nice to know that both these species are holding their own in some villages still.

Leaving Pulham Market behind and things went a little quiet and the sky was beginning to look more threatening by the minute. I made it to a small copse for shelter just before a real sharp shower came down and had to wait several minutes before I could resume. Despite some nice habitat which I walked through here, it remained rather quiet although I did see a Muntjac.
I entered and spent some time in Tyrrel's Wood in the hope of a Nuthatch but unfortunately, none were encountered although Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker were and each was added to the list. A Willow Warbler sang, which is a sound I've never heard in here before but generally the wood was quiet. Had I had started my walk here and at the crack of dawn I think it would be a different matter.

Insect highlight of the day and perhaps the year occured on the other side of the wood near Wood Green when I came across a beautiful male Hairy Dragonfly perched low down on a leaf. Without doubt the closest most prolonged view I have ever had of one and also a patch tick. Yet again I longed for my left at home camera. When the sun came out it began vibrating its wings to warm itself up and when it felt sufficiently ready it took to flight, flew ten feet into the air.....and was clobbered by a Swift!! The poor thing. Of all the thousands of dragonflies I've seen why did it have to happen to this one? Still - I have to admire the speed and agility of the Swift.

The weather deteriorated rapidly during the last two miles - I was getting cold and wet and my main thought was shelter at Stratton St Michael church at the end but at least I managed to get a few good moments in before this and I was pleased that I made the effort.

The most regularly recorded singing bird again was Chaffinch (49) followed by Robin (38) and Blackbird (33). Great Tit, Wren and Dunnock were much reduced compared to yesterday but Blackcap and Chiffchaff were up, 19 and 12 respectively. This was probably due somewhat to the woodland part of the walk.

New species - Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Bullfinch.

Other new wildlife - Roe Deer, Muntjac, Hairy Dragonfly, Speckled Wood, Small White.

[HarassedDad]

Driving along the Acle straight towards Yarmouth at 1.15 today I had a slim brown harrier with a white rump lift up and glide along the dyke. It glided with the wings held in a pronounced V, not the flat angle of a Hen Harrier, but definately had a white rump (albeit rather fuzzy around the edges - not the sharp demarcation of a Hen.)
This was about a mile and a half before the Vauxhall caravan park and on that side of the road. Monty?