Karl J
Well-known member
Holkham & Warham Greens, Norfolk
Another day & another trip to one of the further flung areas in Norfolk which I can't usually get to.
Adding to the several White-fronted Geese along Lady Annes Drive, the throngs of 1000's of Pink-footed & Brent Geese, plus various common waterfowl (Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Lapwing, Teal, Gadwall) made a noisy spectacle in the marshy fields overlooked by the George Washington Hide. Prior to this I'd already had an approachable Little Grebe & 2 very handsome male Goldeneye so having been here half hour or so, it was turning out to be pretty good already.
On leaving the hide a walk along the edge of the pine woods was beginning to get a little birdless but that soon changed when id-ing a call as a Goldcrest turned into a real achievement when I actually made the visual id as well. Really happy now. Just before the path turns toward the dunes I set up scope for a while and steadily increased my list & was even happier when a Merlin came whizzing though and settled on a fence post.
During the couple of mile walk back along the dunes with the tide well out I added various shore birds (Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Turnstone, Grey Plover, gulls ) before noticing several small birds drop into an area of wet 'grass' near the viewing area. As Twite was on my wish list and this being the right area by all accounts this grabbed my attention and soon after a flock of ~15 small birds flitted around about before dropping back again. To be honest I'm not sure I'd id them from that view alone but by a process of elimination / habitat / call / id book concluded the id.
''You should have been here 5 mins ago - they've flown off towards Wells now'' was the answer to '' seen any Shore Larks about ?'' ... so I sat down for a cup of tea, a sort out some notes and see what turns up. About 100 Common Scoter were quite near the shoreline, an overflying Curlew, a Meadow Pipit and that was about it for about 20 minutes, but then a group of about 10 birds flew 'though' my scope and landed in the wet grass ... Oh, very nice !! ... Shore Larks indeed, quite hard to see but showing just enough to pick them out surely.
On then to Holkham Hall, and after a look at the herds of deer generally lazing about under the trees i couldn't find the Tawny Owl thats often reported near the monument but did add Treecreeper, Gt Spotted Woodpecker and a few more common birds. And a very nice walk.
Off then for the final leg - Warham Greens for the evening roost .... 5+ ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 34 Little Egret (in various groups, inc one flock of 12, all heading toward Holkham), 5 Grey Partridge & 3 Red-legged Partridge in the fields behind. And 2 Hares
Got 50 species in total .... Another good day.
Another day & another trip to one of the further flung areas in Norfolk which I can't usually get to.
Adding to the several White-fronted Geese along Lady Annes Drive, the throngs of 1000's of Pink-footed & Brent Geese, plus various common waterfowl (Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Lapwing, Teal, Gadwall) made a noisy spectacle in the marshy fields overlooked by the George Washington Hide. Prior to this I'd already had an approachable Little Grebe & 2 very handsome male Goldeneye so having been here half hour or so, it was turning out to be pretty good already.
On leaving the hide a walk along the edge of the pine woods was beginning to get a little birdless but that soon changed when id-ing a call as a Goldcrest turned into a real achievement when I actually made the visual id as well. Really happy now. Just before the path turns toward the dunes I set up scope for a while and steadily increased my list & was even happier when a Merlin came whizzing though and settled on a fence post.
During the couple of mile walk back along the dunes with the tide well out I added various shore birds (Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Turnstone, Grey Plover, gulls ) before noticing several small birds drop into an area of wet 'grass' near the viewing area. As Twite was on my wish list and this being the right area by all accounts this grabbed my attention and soon after a flock of ~15 small birds flitted around about before dropping back again. To be honest I'm not sure I'd id them from that view alone but by a process of elimination / habitat / call / id book concluded the id.
''You should have been here 5 mins ago - they've flown off towards Wells now'' was the answer to '' seen any Shore Larks about ?'' ... so I sat down for a cup of tea, a sort out some notes and see what turns up. About 100 Common Scoter were quite near the shoreline, an overflying Curlew, a Meadow Pipit and that was about it for about 20 minutes, but then a group of about 10 birds flew 'though' my scope and landed in the wet grass ... Oh, very nice !! ... Shore Larks indeed, quite hard to see but showing just enough to pick them out surely.
On then to Holkham Hall, and after a look at the herds of deer generally lazing about under the trees i couldn't find the Tawny Owl thats often reported near the monument but did add Treecreeper, Gt Spotted Woodpecker and a few more common birds. And a very nice walk.
Off then for the final leg - Warham Greens for the evening roost .... 5+ ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 34 Little Egret (in various groups, inc one flock of 12, all heading toward Holkham), 5 Grey Partridge & 3 Red-legged Partridge in the fields behind. And 2 Hares
Got 50 species in total .... Another good day.
