mr.sim
Honourable founding member of the "day late" gang
Hard luck. At least you can still update the bit in your signature following "Latest British Tick", and it's not every day you can do that...so it's not all bad!
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Norfolk birding (14 Viewers)
- Thread starter Edward woodwood
- Start date
Hard luck. At least you can still update the bit in your signature following "Latest British Tick", and it's not every day you can do that...so it's not all bad!
Penny Clarke
Well-known member
OMG!!!!!!!! Well done John:t::t::t::t::t::t:
Xenospiza
Distracted
I thoroughly enjoyed the Olive-backed Pipit – the first one I've seen in the western palearctic (any bird I haven't seen in the Netherlands is worth the effort), and the first one I could watch closely. The birds overhead, or dropping to the ground for exhaustion, Goldcrests at touching distance and other bits in the gorse (except the Yellow-browed Warbler, which unfortunately attracted too much attention from people who needed to be too close) added to the experience. The Radde's Warbler was a very nice bonus, especially for the birder whom I had persuaded to come along who was having visions of Great Yarmouth already.
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Penny Clarke
Well-known member
Blakeney Point all day
Started walking Blakeney Point at 9.45am. Connor and a friend were way ahead of me at "The Hood" when Connor phoned and asked whereabouts I was! I could see several birders ahead of me aswell, including Richard Porter and Andy Stoddart.
I didn't hurry, I intended to spend the whole day here, which I certainly did! In any case, you couldn't hurry, there were birds flitting everywhere and obviously needed be checked for any blue tails! Half way to Half Way House it all started to happen, hundreds of Redwings and Song Thrushes continuously flying over all day and errupting from every sueda bush. In fact there were birds in almost every single bush!!! It was dripping with birds and the excitement of finding something mega spurred me on. Goldcrests and Robins everywhere and probably hundreds of Chiffchaffs. Its a long time since I have seen this number of birds. Bramblings going over also. Wheatears dotted about, but not in large numbers and a Redstart before Half-way House, also several blackbirds.
Half-way House
At Half-way House I had a Brambling by my feet and one on the table! Also a lovely Black Redstart sat on the House (11.50am) and also was feeding alongside a Wheatear. Lots of Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings and also Hedgesparrows about. Chiffchaffs were everywhere all the way along the point, along with Redwings in equal numbers.
At 2.45pm Andy Wilkinson, along with Justin Lansdell, sent me a text saying he had found a Raddes' Warbler in Great Yarmouth Churchyard - Well done Andy!
The Plantation
Siskins feeding by my feet! Merlin overhead being mobbed by a Carrion Crow. Several robins, chiffchaffs and blackbirds and a blackcap actually in the plantation, but nothing more exciting. Several people had ring ouzels on the point today, but I wasn't lucky with them!
The Lupins
Redstart, meadows pipits, redwings, chiffchaffs, blackbirds and blackcaps.
Mid and Far Point
Even more birds up this end! Didn't know which way to look! Found a Yellow browed Warbler at Mid Point at 4.15pm, which I was very pleased about, although doesn't really compare with John's Red Flanked Bluetail he found today! At least 10 Common Redstarts here flitting about with loads of Chiffchaffs, Meadows Pipits, Redwings. Also a massive flock of 100+ Bramblings flew, close across me and landed!!!
Suddenly I got VERY excited, 'what the h*ll is that' went through my mind, Flycatcher sp. sitting on a small piece of sueda with its back to me, panic panic, take picture, get nearer, take another picture....... bird flies across me and lands on the sand, take more pictures, get closer, take more, get closer, take more, bird flies... gone!!! Don't get excited its more than probably a Spotted Flycatcher BUT when I got back as far as the Lifeboat house I noticed Paul (one of the wardens) coming out of the door which was lucky. I showed him my pictures and he said he could see why I was excited - we looked through Collins and eliminated most things, can't be a Brown Flycatcher as no eye ring, 'only leaves Spot Fly or an American flycatcher' he smiled. Wherever I saw the bird sitting, both perched on the sueda and on the ground, it looked very round bellied! I have never seen a spot fly that looked like this or with the same upright stance! Have emailed it to RBA and to two others. As I left the Lifeboat house another Black Redstart sat on the fence by the toilet block.
By the time I got to the Plantation again it was only half light, but still loads of birds coming in, chiffchaffs and redwings being the biggest numbers of the day. I sighed when I realised that it was now 6.40pm and I only now had started to walk back! It was a long, lonely and tiring walk. I felt like an old lady, right hip aching like hell etc etc! Its a VERY long way from Far Point! Thank goodness I bought the torch today, I walked as far as I could with no light, but it was really black out there tonight. When I got 3/4 of the way back something REALLY SCARY happened!! I suddenly became aware of shingle crunching behind me!!!!! I spun round and shone the torch at the crunching shingle to see two people, a man and a woman who explained they were wildfowlers - what they hell they were doing out here at this time I don't know and also were they allowed to be shooting out there!? Anyway they went on ahead of me and I remained alone again, not too long after this I was aware of more crunching shingle behind me!!! Another wildfowler!! who said 'sorry if I startled you'!!!!!!! There was, he explained a whole group of them. This is the last time I walk back from the Point alone in the dark - nearly had two major heart attacks!!!!!!
Arrived back at the car at just after 8pm. Had a coffee and cruised home, arriving just after 9pm and missed most of XFactor!
Best Wishes Penny:girl:
ALL PICTURES ON BLOG NOW
Started walking Blakeney Point at 9.45am. Connor and a friend were way ahead of me at "The Hood" when Connor phoned and asked whereabouts I was! I could see several birders ahead of me aswell, including Richard Porter and Andy Stoddart.
I didn't hurry, I intended to spend the whole day here, which I certainly did! In any case, you couldn't hurry, there were birds flitting everywhere and obviously needed be checked for any blue tails! Half way to Half Way House it all started to happen, hundreds of Redwings and Song Thrushes continuously flying over all day and errupting from every sueda bush. In fact there were birds in almost every single bush!!! It was dripping with birds and the excitement of finding something mega spurred me on. Goldcrests and Robins everywhere and probably hundreds of Chiffchaffs. Its a long time since I have seen this number of birds. Bramblings going over also. Wheatears dotted about, but not in large numbers and a Redstart before Half-way House, also several blackbirds.
Half-way House
At Half-way House I had a Brambling by my feet and one on the table! Also a lovely Black Redstart sat on the House (11.50am) and also was feeding alongside a Wheatear. Lots of Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings and also Hedgesparrows about. Chiffchaffs were everywhere all the way along the point, along with Redwings in equal numbers.
At 2.45pm Andy Wilkinson, along with Justin Lansdell, sent me a text saying he had found a Raddes' Warbler in Great Yarmouth Churchyard - Well done Andy!
The Plantation
Siskins feeding by my feet! Merlin overhead being mobbed by a Carrion Crow. Several robins, chiffchaffs and blackbirds and a blackcap actually in the plantation, but nothing more exciting. Several people had ring ouzels on the point today, but I wasn't lucky with them!
The Lupins
Redstart, meadows pipits, redwings, chiffchaffs, blackbirds and blackcaps.
Mid and Far Point
Even more birds up this end! Didn't know which way to look! Found a Yellow browed Warbler at Mid Point at 4.15pm, which I was very pleased about, although doesn't really compare with John's Red Flanked Bluetail he found today! At least 10 Common Redstarts here flitting about with loads of Chiffchaffs, Meadows Pipits, Redwings. Also a massive flock of 100+ Bramblings flew, close across me and landed!!!
Suddenly I got VERY excited, 'what the h*ll is that' went through my mind, Flycatcher sp. sitting on a small piece of sueda with its back to me, panic panic, take picture, get nearer, take another picture....... bird flies across me and lands on the sand, take more pictures, get closer, take more, get closer, take more, bird flies... gone!!! Don't get excited its more than probably a Spotted Flycatcher BUT when I got back as far as the Lifeboat house I noticed Paul (one of the wardens) coming out of the door which was lucky. I showed him my pictures and he said he could see why I was excited - we looked through Collins and eliminated most things, can't be a Brown Flycatcher as no eye ring, 'only leaves Spot Fly or an American flycatcher' he smiled. Wherever I saw the bird sitting, both perched on the sueda and on the ground, it looked very round bellied! I have never seen a spot fly that looked like this or with the same upright stance! Have emailed it to RBA and to two others. As I left the Lifeboat house another Black Redstart sat on the fence by the toilet block.
By the time I got to the Plantation again it was only half light, but still loads of birds coming in, chiffchaffs and redwings being the biggest numbers of the day. I sighed when I realised that it was now 6.40pm and I only now had started to walk back! It was a long, lonely and tiring walk. I felt like an old lady, right hip aching like hell etc etc! Its a VERY long way from Far Point! Thank goodness I bought the torch today, I walked as far as I could with no light, but it was really black out there tonight. When I got 3/4 of the way back something REALLY SCARY happened!! I suddenly became aware of shingle crunching behind me!!!!! I spun round and shone the torch at the crunching shingle to see two people, a man and a woman who explained they were wildfowlers - what they hell they were doing out here at this time I don't know and also were they allowed to be shooting out there!? Anyway they went on ahead of me and I remained alone again, not too long after this I was aware of more crunching shingle behind me!!! Another wildfowler!! who said 'sorry if I startled you'!!!!!!! There was, he explained a whole group of them. This is the last time I walk back from the Point alone in the dark - nearly had two major heart attacks!!!!!!
Arrived back at the car at just after 8pm. Had a coffee and cruised home, arriving just after 9pm and missed most of XFactor!
Best Wishes Penny:girl:
ALL PICTURES ON BLOG NOW
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Cortonbirds
Well-known member
Just read Connors blog about his trip to Blakeney Point..loads of birds. In particular...his count of 160 Chiffchaff..if accurate is by far a Blakeney Point record (per Andy Stoddarts "Birds of Blakeney Point"). Chiffchaffs are migrating in massive numbers currently including a phenomenal 1750 counted on Heligoland 2 days ago.
Happisbirder
Always looking, seldom finding...
There are birds in East Norfolk! A photo of the GY Raddes can be seen here, the Punks have visited, the Winterton Collective's exploits can be followed here and you can see what the East Norfolk Ringing Group has been netting here. I catch your drift though John
and how jealous am I of your Bluetail?Part of Happisburgh this morning provided 3 Redstarts, 2 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 8+ Chiffchaff, 20+ Goldcrests, a Siskin feeding on Dandelion, some good, on the deck, close-up Brambling and numerous Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins and Dunnocks. Several parties of Brent were passing offshore too; does anyone have any sustained counts for the day? There appeared to be little overhead but I didn't arrive until 09:45!
No Laps for me today but 15 were present yesterday and a field not too far away held c100 last Saturday with ever decreasing numbers during the week. There are an awful lot of stubble fields around NE Norfolk for them to take advantage of though...
James
wolfbirder
Well-known member
As far as I can see high tide today (Sunday) is at 8.34a.m. at 9.4m (high!) - this being at nearby Brancaster Staithe. So not sure when access will be available onto the tidal marshes as I do not understand Norfolk tides, but I guess this is near to Wells so will be fairly accurate. Does the tide only come in once per day? Tomorrow high tide is 9.15 am approx, so maybe judging by that, afternoon today would be better time to try for the birds out on the marshes.
But do NOT rely on my interpretation, find out for yourself please. I do not know if this is an accurate assumption and assumptions are not good to follow. We do not have tides in "the cut" in the Black Country!
But do NOT rely on my interpretation, find out for yourself please. I do not know if this is an accurate assumption and assumptions are not good to follow. We do not have tides in "the cut" in the Black Country!
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Paul Woolnough
Well-known member
I will not be going to East Hills this Sunday
Thanks Dave.
Having slept on it I consider the bird I saw to be monty's. Geoff who found the pec sand went back for a good look at it. Not nailed as monty's as far as I know. People not keen on the Stiffkey OBP walk went to Holme.
As for East Hills, I am not going.
Only birding on Norfolk yestersday as one of my bogey birds, semipalmated sandpiper, was in Essex. Finished early Thursday and went. Got it, eventually - lifer!
Another bogey bird is paddyfield warbler. Knew about the first county record at Sheringham on Friday 24 September 1993 and could have got there before dusk. Very tired that evening did not go.
The second record was a Lodge Marsh Wells in 1996. No way could I get there easily or at all.
Still need paddyfield anywhere. The third record in Norfolk was trapped and disappeared afterwards. Not sure it was on the pager anyway.
It would be nice to get a red-flanked bluetail year tick. Would have been nice to have seen the Corton bluetail. Did not chase after that bird even though I often go birding in that part of Suffolk and enjoy new birds for that area. My first Suffolk wood warbler was in Corton in 2010 but more time and more daylight that day.
Thanks Dave.
Having slept on it I consider the bird I saw to be monty's. Geoff who found the pec sand went back for a good look at it. Not nailed as monty's as far as I know. People not keen on the Stiffkey OBP walk went to Holme.
As for East Hills, I am not going.
Only birding on Norfolk yestersday as one of my bogey birds, semipalmated sandpiper, was in Essex. Finished early Thursday and went. Got it, eventually - lifer!
Another bogey bird is paddyfield warbler. Knew about the first county record at Sheringham on Friday 24 September 1993 and could have got there before dusk. Very tired that evening did not go.
The second record was a Lodge Marsh Wells in 1996. No way could I get there easily or at all.
Still need paddyfield anywhere. The third record in Norfolk was trapped and disappeared afterwards. Not sure it was on the pager anyway.
It would be nice to get a red-flanked bluetail year tick. Would have been nice to have seen the Corton bluetail. Did not chase after that bird even though I often go birding in that part of Suffolk and enjoy new birds for that area. My first Suffolk wood warbler was in Corton in 2010 but more time and more daylight that day.
Spent most of the day in the field yesterday, mainly Waxham and Happisburgh. Great variety on show, but all common migrants.
3 Redstart at Happisburgh were perhaps the pick, although I did manage cracking views of Brambling in various spots which more than competes!
Song Thrush numbers must have been close to 100 in total, still plenty of continental Robins knocking about. Chiffys in abundance, the odd Willow and Blackcap. Siskin, Linnet, Reed Bunting were all flocking together. Goldcrest were in every other bush, a single Wheatear was at Waxham. Few Redwing in with the Songies, and managed my first Fieldfare of the year!
Brents in off the sea were flying underneath Pinks and Golden Plover were in with Lapwing. Quite a sight as I stood on the dunes and took it all in, so much on show. Sorry James, I was a little too distracted to count!
Called in at Surlingham before home to find most of the wildfowl had cleared off, but Song Thrush and Reed Bunting numbers were up here too, and I managed good views of a Cettis, which makes a change to just hearing the things.
So, did not manage to turn up that something special, but I can take some comfort from the fact that I was not alone! There are birds in East Norfolk!
Cheers,
Jim.
3 Redstart at Happisburgh were perhaps the pick, although I did manage cracking views of Brambling in various spots which more than competes!
Song Thrush numbers must have been close to 100 in total, still plenty of continental Robins knocking about. Chiffys in abundance, the odd Willow and Blackcap. Siskin, Linnet, Reed Bunting were all flocking together. Goldcrest were in every other bush, a single Wheatear was at Waxham. Few Redwing in with the Songies, and managed my first Fieldfare of the year!
Brents in off the sea were flying underneath Pinks and Golden Plover were in with Lapwing. Quite a sight as I stood on the dunes and took it all in, so much on show. Sorry James, I was a little too distracted to count!
Called in at Surlingham before home to find most of the wildfowl had cleared off, but Song Thrush and Reed Bunting numbers were up here too, and I managed good views of a Cettis, which makes a change to just hearing the things.
So, did not manage to turn up that something special, but I can take some comfort from the fact that I was not alone! There are birds in East Norfolk!
Cheers,
Jim.
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James Emerson
Norwich Birder
Winterton yesterday was awash with Meadow Pipits, filling the North and South Dunes. Also large numbers of continental Robins, plus Song Thrushes and Dunnocks feeding up on blackberries. Only bird of note in the South Dunes was a small flock of Brambling. In the North Dunes there had been a small fall of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs, as well as at least one Redstart. A Ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting close to the coast road just to the North, and three Cranes (one juvenile) were close to the road near Horsey Mill. A good days birding, shame there were no rare pipits though! Whilst we had lunch three small flocks of brent went north, (4,8,5).
StuartReeves
Local rarity
Nice juv. Montagu's Harrier!
Just a few facts about the East hills and Warham Saltmarsh. The marsh does not have public assess north of the main creek it is privately owned though as long as birdwatching in low key there is no problem , but large numbers of birders going out there may change this. The access bridge ( the only one ) was built and owned by Wells Wildfowlers who rent the whole marsh. The wildfowlers club have already removed a number of bridges and will consider closing the last one if the number of people walking out across the marsh increases.
The marsh is very dangerous to say the least. There are two tides a day roughly every 12 hours. If you miss the path and are unable to cross the bridge on a spring tide ( as we have at the moment ) you are in very real danger. The tide tables are only a guide and if the wind is from the West to North East can come a hour or even more early and linger a long time. The worst tides can occur even when predicted heights are quite low on North winds when the water backs up in the creeks and you can then get a double tide.
It may seem a Mecca and at the moment there a few good birds there , but there is only a small amount of scrub and the majority of birds quickly move on the Holkham Pines where much more habitat and food is available.
If anyone is thinking about visiting for the first time , do not do it alone go with someone who knows the place well , do not go 4 hours each side of a high tide , be vary careful crossing the creeks , there are some bad quicksand’s which are worse during the big tides , and do not attempt any visit if the weather is misty. Mist can quickly turn to thick fog which if coupled with a running tide can get you in big trouble.
The marsh is very dangerous to say the least. There are two tides a day roughly every 12 hours. If you miss the path and are unable to cross the bridge on a spring tide ( as we have at the moment ) you are in very real danger. The tide tables are only a guide and if the wind is from the West to North East can come a hour or even more early and linger a long time. The worst tides can occur even when predicted heights are quite low on North winds when the water backs up in the creeks and you can then get a double tide.
It may seem a Mecca and at the moment there a few good birds there , but there is only a small amount of scrub and the majority of birds quickly move on the Holkham Pines where much more habitat and food is available.
If anyone is thinking about visiting for the first time , do not do it alone go with someone who knows the place well , do not go 4 hours each side of a high tide , be vary careful crossing the creeks , there are some bad quicksand’s which are worse during the big tides , and do not attempt any visit if the weather is misty. Mist can quickly turn to thick fog which if coupled with a running tide can get you in big trouble.
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Paul Woolnough
Well-known member
Penny the spotted flycatcher in your photos may be of the race Musciapa s neumanni as it looks very similar to a bird I caught back in the 1996 fall at Wells , but biometrics are needed to be sure. I would post a photo , but I only have the bird on slide and no way of converting slides onto my PC. ID was confirmed by the late Chris Mead and other ringers at their annunal meeting in Dereham spring 1997. As far as i know this was the first recorded in the UK , but I could be wrong.
stuart white
Well-known member
Olivaceous warbler ?
Paul Woolnough
Well-known member
What is the story of the olivaceous warbler please anyone?
Pager says no further sign by dusk.
First message came up at 430 as I drank a coffee in Lowestoft, after seeing my third Suffolk isabelline wheatear. Oh for one in Norfolk!
Did see the Benacre Suffolk olivaceous warbler. On the first day of its TWO day stay.
Pager says no further sign by dusk.
First message came up at 430 as I drank a coffee in Lowestoft, after seeing my third Suffolk isabelline wheatear. Oh for one in Norfolk!
Did see the Benacre Suffolk olivaceous warbler. On the first day of its TWO day stay.
