Norfolk birding (8 Viewers)

[David Norgate]

At a site close by a male Golden Pheasant was feeding on the edge of a field, giving some excellent views, first record I have had here for nearly two years. Chris

(I am not trolling for the site and suggest you don't give it out to anyone, but ...)

Did your Golden Pheasant have a true red throat, or was there any black emerging? The last one's I saw in the Brecks were developing black throats (thought to be a sign of regressive genes, rather than hybridisation), developing like the Wolferton Birds. I recently saw a picture from Suffolk, where the throat was still red.

 

[willowgrouse]

Where have all the Raven's gone?

Here's the Raven Master showing off one of the Tower's birds

I'm aware that immigration is a 'political hot potato' at present, but please don't tell me that the Ravens have lost their jobs at the tower and been replaced by cheap-rate foreign imported labour?

Please ignore the errant apostrophe above, ... can't seem to edit it out

 

[James Emerson]

The BBRC have put up a list of national rarities that haven't yet been submitted by the finders. The Norfolk ones:
Black-headed Bunting at West Runton
Franklin's Gull at Breydon Water
Stilt Sandpiper at Hickling Broad
Two-barred Crossbill at Hoveton Hall

http://www.bbrc.org.uk/main-information/missing-records-2014

 

[C R White]

(I am not trolling for the site and suggest you don't give it out to anyone, but ...)

Did your Golden Pheasant have a true red throat, or was there any black emerging? The last one's I saw in the Brecks were developing black throats (thought to be a sign of regressive genes, rather than hybridisation), developing like the Wolferton Birds. I recently saw a picture from Suffolk, where the throat was still red.

Hi David I must confess at the time I didnt really notice, I (hopefully) have attached a couple of crappy phonescope pics that have been cropped, it was a bit misty and the sun was in my face so not best viewing conditions.
Chris

 

[David Norgate]

Hi David I must confess at the time I didnt really notice, I (hopefully) have attached a couple of crappy phonescope pics that have been cropped, it was a bit misty and the sun was in my face so not best viewing conditions.
Chris

Thanks, the red looks pretty 'pure' to me.
I wonder if that means there is still a viable number in that area?
Good to know, either way.

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell February 24th

Today's highlights

Woodcock - 1 in scrub near Fen Hide
Long tailed duck - 11 offshore
Spotted redshank - 1 on saltmarsh
Greenshank - 1 on tidal pool
Avocet - 50+ on fresh marsh
Water pipit - 2 on drained grazing meadow pool
Twite - 2 briefly on fresh marsh late morning

Paul

 

[breydon]

Breydon Water 24/02/15

At least 20 Twite ASDA river side Breydon Bridge. And a good 200 Avocet on flats in front of the hide Still plenty of winter Wildfowl present

 

[AFeather]

For the last two days there's been an adult med gull in the fields along the cliff top between East and West Runton, with a good number of waders too.

Al

 

[David Roche]

Single Tundra Bean and Pale bellied Brent Goose feeding with the Pink feet on Ken Hill Marsh opposite the coastal park at Snettisham this morning. Also a White fronted Goose with them, which could well have been a Greenland, but seen only in flight and dropped down out of sight.

Couldn't find the female Wheatear that someone reported to me from the north end of the park around Heacham south beach. Certainly felt like spring but I carnt say I was expecting to come across anything like that. Have there been any previous February records that anyone knows of??

David

 

[Michael Stowers]

Single Tundra Bean and Pale bellied Brent Goose feeding with the Pink feet on Ken Hill Marsh opposite the coastal park at Snettisham this morning. Also a White fronted Goose with them, which could well have been a Greenland, but seen only in flight and dropped down out of sight.

Couldn't find the female Wheatear that someone reported to me from the north end of the park around Heacham south beach. Certainly felt like spring but I carnt say I was expecting to come across anything like that. Have there been any previous February records that anyone knows of??

David

Early but not unprecedented.

 

[richardm]

Would be the first Wheatear for anywhere in UK this year!
And, as reported as a female, worth considering Desert Wheatear ...

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell February 26th

Today's highlights

Slav grebe - 1 offshore
Red crested pochard - 3 on Patsy's reedbed
Water pipit - 1 on drained grazing meadow pool
Avocet - 49 on fresh marsh

Paul

 

[David Roche]

Two Tundra Beans giving good views feeding with Pink feet in the ploughed Sugarbeet on the edge of Ken Hill wood this afternoon. Also the Pale bellied Brent and a single Eurasian White front, presumably the same bird as yesterday.

David

 

[paulptct]

Goshawk

Not seen by me, but very reliable source. GOSHAWK over Ormesby Little Broad. Soaring with Buzzards. AM today.
Trusting the people you can trust.
Hoping for a possible 2nd chance tomorrow.

 

[ben_lewis]

Not seen by me, but very reliable source. GOSHAWK over Ormesby Little Broad. Soaring with Buzzards. AM today.
Trusting the people you can trust.
Hoping for a possible 2nd chance tomorrow.

Interesting, I had a good candidate over strumpshaw at 12.45ish, not far from that location. What time was the sighting this morning?

 

[paulptct]

Time

Interesting, I had a good candidate over strumpshaw at 12.45ish, not far from that location. What time was the sighting this morning?

Ben, don't know exactly but will try and find out.

 

[paulptct]

Goshawk

Ben, Time of sighting OLB was 11.30 ish.
It does not seem too difficult to travel that close in an hour or so.

 

[john miller]

Youtube link to video of some of the estimated 20,000 starlings roosting at Baconsthorpe taken yesterday evening.

http://youtu.be/DvfnjWKCkKA

 

[Lightthiscandle]

At last! Thrushes!

Redwings & Fieldfares have been few and far between in the Yare Valley this winter, so this flock of 100+ right opposite McDonalds at Blofield was good to see!

 

[brammer]

Ringousel

Hi all

Are there likely to be any ring ousel's about this time of year ?