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Autumn Birding In Norfolk (1 Viewer)

teamsaint

Well-known member
Hi all,
Had an excellent trip to Norfolk on 19th,20th,21st October with some great birds and a few lifers. 104 species were seen in total. Here's what happened!
 
i was also up in Norfolk, well from the 17th to the 20th. Saw some great birds, and the weather was pretty good as well.
 
Day 1 - 19th October

After arriving late the previous night we had a nice walk to Holkham this morning, just 2 miles away. Walking was certainly a good decision as quite a few birds were seen. The fields were full of Red-legged Partridge and there was also a Fieldfare amongst the numerous Woodpigeons. Also 2 Jays flew past us and 2 Redwings flitted around a bush. The first Pink-feet of the trip were the next birds to be seen and by the time we had got to Lady Anne's Drive we could see probably a 1000 more in the fields here. 2 Egyptian Geese, some Curlews and more Red-legged Partridges accompanied them.
We carried on towards the Washington Hide where we were able to shelter from the rain that was just beginning as well as seeing some good birds. The highlight was probably the first Marsh Harrier of the trip but wildfowl were the main feature of this hide. Perhaps another 1000 Pink-footed Goose were grazing in the wet meadows here with c1000 Wigeon. The lakes had c300 Teal, c100 Shoveler, c50 Gadwall & smaller numbers of Pintail, Pochard & Shelduck. Also seen here were 3 Little Grebe and 4 Mute Swan.
Next we went out onto Holkham Gap in the hope of seeing Snow Buntings and Shorelarks. It was not surprising that we didn't find any as this area was vast but we did get 3 Twite, 2 Redshank, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Oystercatcher, Skylarks & 100's of Meadow Pipits. While walking towards the Joe Jordan hide we found, some Coal Tits, lots of Goldcrests in Holkham Pines and more surprisingly 3 juv. Hobbies were flying around coming very close at times and sometimes stopping to sit on top of trees.
When we got to the Joe Jordan hide there were even more Pinkfeets but the Marsh Harriers stole the show with 4 seen together delicately gliding low across the reedbeds and fields. There was a good variety of other geese here as well including c50 Greylag Geese, a few Canada Geese and a single White-fronted Goose.
While walking back towards Lady Anne's Drive we saw 1 of the juv. Hobbies again, 2 Kestrel, 2 Reed Bunting, Pheasants, a Chiffchaff and how could I forget the Yellow-browed Warbler, so dainty and small.
63 species were seen in total.

That afternoon we were going to Snettisham to witness the high tide wader spectaculer but high tide wasn't until 16:49 so we were able to relax a bit in our lovely cottage in Wells-next-the-Sea.
We arrived at Snettisham RSPB at 15:00 and began with a female Scaup, 2 Little Egrets & a Redshank on the first pits. As soon as we got to the sea we realised what we had come to see. 1000's upon 1000's of waders had gathered on the mudfalts. Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Oystercatcher and Lapwing all passed the 100 mark. It wasn't just waders though. There were 200+ Shelduck, c50 Pintail, and surprisingly c200 Mallard. It was rather strange to see the Mallards on the mudflats.
The tide seemed to be quite a long way out still and the waders didn't look like moving yet so we walked around the pits. Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Redshank, Lapwing, Dunlin, Little Egret, Cormorant, Mute Swan & Kestrel were all seen around here. Also Red-legged Partridge, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and c150 Greylag Geese were seen in the fields behing the reserve.
We then settled in the hide overlooking the mudflats (forgotten what it's called). This gave us a chance to estimate the number of waders. We estimated the following: 40,000 Knot!, 4000 Oystercatcher, 4000 Golden Plover, 2000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1000 Dunlin, 500 Curlew, 500 Grey Plover, 200 Lapwing, 100 Redshank, 100 Turnstone. Also 4 Greenshank were running around along a channel and at least 20 Little Egrets could be seen.
Then it all started. Suddenly a mass of birds flew up and formed amazing patterns in the sky. One time they did an enormus mexican wave, although how they all do the same thing I don't know! This happened about 10 more times, and each time they got closer to us. One time the entire mass of birds came quite close and all we could here was the beating of wings. However as the tide was not a big one it soon began to go out again and we decided to leave. Nevertheless a memorable experience. Then just as we were leaving the first Pink-footed Geese came in to roost, about 100 of them. A perfect end to a perfect day.
51 species seen in total.
 
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Day 2 - 20th October

Today we went to Cley Marshes, just 15 minutes from where we were staying. There had been heavy rain so far that morning but upon arrival the rain had stopped. We started in the Bishop Hide where we had close views of Dunlins, Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Stint, 3 Ruff, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shelduck and of course Mallard. Also a Marsh Harrier glided over and lots of Greylag Geese were flying in from nearby fields. A Bearded Tit gave all too brief views a flitted over the reeds before diving back in.
We carried on going towards the west bank and Avocet, Daukes & Teal Hides. There were 4 Little Grebes diving in a stream along here and another Marsh Harrier glided over the reeds. Teal Hide was very crowded but gave more good views of waders. 3 more Little Stints, Dunlins, Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings, various wildfowl and a Snipe were seen here while 2 Marsh Harriers were nearly always in view over the reeds.
Dauke's Hide was pretty much the same but gave better views of the waders on Simmond's Scrape. There were a lot of Pied Wagtails here and a single Avocet was added to the list. Avocet hide had nothing of interest except 2 Egyptian Geese however it was interesting to be in a hide which was surrounded by cows that kept sticking their head in!
Then we walked along the west bank towatds the tearoom. A Cetti's Warbler made itself heard hear and we also had good views of a Kestrel, 2 Pheasants & 2 Stonechats. But then the rain started again and we got soaked, the joys of birding! However a stop at the tearoom for hot chocolate & tea brightened spirits. Thanks for that Cley Bird Club!
We then walked along the shingle towards North Hide. There was a flock of c50 Goldfinches feeding on teasels here but nothing on the sea. There was a good selection and number of birds on North Scrape. While eating lunch and scanning the birds we were entertained by 2 Marsh Harriers again. Ocassionally they would put evrything up but seemed more happy with just messing around. The number of Greylag Geese here was amazing, probably 300+. Also seen were 20+ Brent Geese, Canada Geese, all the previously mentioned ducks but in much higher numbers (including c600 Wigeon), c20 Black-tailed Godwits, c10 Redshank & 3 Snipe were feeding around the edges.
Arbold's Marsh was the next stop. There were some good waders here including 2 Spotted Redshanks and more Black-tailed Godwits (40+) & Redshank. There were a lot of Cormorants here as well and a Little Egret, various ducks and another Marsh Harrier were also seen. I'm sure that some of the Marsh Harriers had been seen more than once though as they were all females or juveniles.
We walked back along the east bank where we saw 5 more Egyptian Geese in a field. We stopped in at the Bishop Hide again but nobody had seen the White-rumped Sandpiper/s yet. A quick scan though showed that there had been at bit of movement as there were now 5 Little Stints and a few extra Snipe.
54 species were seen in total.
 
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Day 2 continued

After Cley we went to the Raptor Watchpoint at Stubb Mill. On the way there there was a big field with about 200 Golden Plover. The first birds were seen while walking from the car park to the watchpoint, a pair of Marsh Harriers. When we got to the watchpoint we saw the Marsh Harriers again as well as large skeins of Greylag Geese and a few Red-legged Partridges. Then someone spotted a pair of Cranes distantly flying just above a skein of geese. Much better views were wanted though. The movement of geese continued and c200 Lapwing, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Heron & 3 more Marsh Harriers (1male) also passed. Then some movements in the field turned out to be 2 Chinese Water Deer although they were quite elusive and kept disappearing. The highlight of the evening showed next. A beautiful Barn Owl, heard and then seen as it flew around in the field. It was a magical moment. However it wasn't on show for long as it quickly flew back where it had come from behind some trees. After about 10 minutes of waiting for it to come back it emerged again bringing another owl, a slightly smaller one with it. 2 Barn Owls together hunting over the field, it was amazing. The first one never came that close but the smaller one, perhaps a juvenile came up to about 20 metres. The midges and mossies were coming out in force now so we decided to leave. However as we were walking back down the path 2 more Cranes took off from a field and flew over us. The views were so much better and more satisfying. Also there were lots of small bats, presumed to be Common Pipistrelles, flying around us. While driving back to our cottage we saw more bats and a Fox.
 
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Day 3 - 21st October

After packing up and leaving the cottage by 9:30AM we headed to Titchwell. We started by seeing 2 Jays and a Blackcap in the car park and Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch & House Sparrow on the bird feeders. Next stop was the Fen Hide where despite waiting patiently for 25 minutes, we could only hear Bearded Tits and not see them. Then we saw a Redshank, a Curlew and a flock of Linnets on a pool on the saltmarsh opposite Island Hide. When we got into Island Hide careful scanning produced some good birds including 6 Avocet, a few Dunlin, 40+ Ruff, c40 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, Lapwings, c200 Brent Goose & very good numbers of Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler & Pintail as well as a few Gadwall & Tufted Duck. Then something spooked all the waders and everything flew up. We then realised that there was an adult Peregrine sitting on an island eating something that it had just caught. The views were excellent and the best I'd ever had of this species. Parrinder hide was quiet but did give better views of some of the waders. Then a man who I presume was the warden told us that there were about 1000 Scoter and 6 Eider on the sea with a good selection of waders on the beach. So we went down there to see what we good see. While walking down there we saw a Shelduck, a single Knot and 2 Oystercatchers on the tidal marsh. When we got down to the beach the tide was quite far out, which meant that there weren't the numbers of Scoter that we had been told about. As I soon as I'd got the scope up a Common Seal popped up but then disappeared. There were 100+ Common Scoter but no Velvets although I know that one was seen that day. Despite there not being 1000, 100 would be an amzing count for Hampshire so I was quite happy about that. There was a very good selection of waders on the beach. Oystercatcher were the most numerous with c100. Other waders included c60 Bar-tailed Godwit, c20 Ringed Plover, 10+ Dunlin, c20 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, c10 Turnstone, c20 Redshank and c20 Grey Plover. Also c20 Sanderlings were running about by the waves. 2 winter plumaged Common Terns were resting on the beach and on the sea 10+ more passed with 1 Arctic Tern. Then another scan of the sea produced 2 Red-throated Diver, one in summer plumage, although they were living up to there name and kept diving then reappearing in a different place. Also a juv. Gannet flew past. Then just as we were setting off back the Seal popped up again and gave us all good views. On the way back quite a lot had changed. c300 Golden Plover had flown onto the freshmarsh and their were also 2 Egyptian Geese there. Surprisingly we hadn't yet seen any Marsh Harriers but then 2 flew up over the saltmarsh giving very good views. My favourite bird at Titchwell was the next to show. We were walking along when suddenly we heard the distinctive pinging of a Bearded Tit coming from close in the reedbed. We then watched as it climbed up the reed stem to show very well. It was a very smart male with the blue head. Then it flitted along to another piece of reed and again climbed up it, seemingly oblivious to the 10 or so people watching it. We watched it for several minutes with it often coming very close until it flew up and flitted over our heads (we could of touched it it was so close) before diving into the reeds on the other side of the path, closely followed by a female that had also just flown out.
73 species were seen in total

Our final stop for the trip was Sheringham, where we were hoping to see some good sea passage. On the way there we saw one of the juv. Hobbies near Holkham. Unfortunately there was no wind and the see was very still the no skuas or anything else. However far out there was a constant trickle of Gannets and Commic Terns and on the sea close in there was a Red-throated Diver and a Razorbill. Also there were Cormorants and Turnstones along the beach.
 
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The List

104 species were seen during the trip. Full list:
Arctic Tern
Avocet
Barn Owl
Bar-tailed Godwit
Bearded Reedling
Black Swan
Blackbird
Blackcap
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blue Tit
Brent Goose
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Cetti's Warbler
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Coal Tit
Collared Dove
Common Buzzard
Common Gull
Common Scoter
Common Tern
Coot
Cormorant
Crane
Curlew
Dunlin
Dunnock
Egyptian Goose
Feral Pigeon
Fieldfare
Gadwall
Gannet
Goldcrest
Golden Plover
Goldfinch
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Greenshank
Grey Heron
Grey Partridge
Grey Plover
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Hobby
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Jay
Kestrel
Knot
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Linnet
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Little Stint
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Meadow Pipit
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Oystercatcher
Peregrine Falcon
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Pink-footed Goose
Pintail
Pochard
Razorbill
Red-legged Partridge
Redshank
Red-throted Diver
Redwing
Reed Bunting
Ringed Plover
Robin
Rook
Ruff
Sanderling
Scaup
Shelduck
Shoveler
Skylark
Snipe
Sparrowhawk
Spotted Redshank
Starling
Stock Dove
Stonechat
Teal
Tufted Duck
Turnstone
Twite
White-fronted Goose
Wigeon
Wood Pigeon
Wren
Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellowhammer
Yellow-legged Gull
 
Seems like Norfolk has been quite for birds this October a part from WR Sandpipers a one or two other things.Been very poor for Radde's,Dusky Warblers and especially Pallas's Warblers.But it has been poor all down the east coast this October for those birds.One of the poorest on record i have no doubt due the lack of easterly winds.
 
I heard that Pallas Warblers tend to appear later on, November time. Sept/Oct is good for Yellow Browed. Especially Holkham Pines.
 
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