Norfolk birding (11 Viewers)

[davethebird]

Warham Greens

I didn't know that the western track leading to Warham Greens is also known as Garden Drove. Are there any other local names for the middle track, etc that may be useful in interpreting directions or conveying more precise instructions?

The whirlygig (also sometimes called the Gibbet although this is inaccurate) I know but what about the small pit west of the north end of the western track and the larger pit west of the middle track.

We plod this area at least once a week so it would be nice to fill this gap in our local knowledge. |=)|

 

[hamish a]

I didn't know that the western track leading to Warham Greens is also known as Garden Drove. Are there any other local names for the middle track, etc that may be useful in interpreting directions or conveying more precise instructions?

The whirlygig (also sometimes called the Gibbet although this is inaccurate) I know but what about the small pit west of the north end of the western track and the larger pit west of the middle track.

We plod this area at least once a week so it would be nice to fill this gap in our local knowledge. |=)|

I use Os explorer 24.... 1.25000 scale Norfolk coast central.Also a Wilfrid George footpath map than can be bought at local stores.

I regard the area of Warham Greens as having 4 paths from the A149.

* Ice cream van track...the most western which goes down to a parking area from the A149 where the road narrows going east after passing the chalk pit on the south side which is near the narrow gauge railway station

* Garden Drove also known by some as 'The Driftway' and by most as Western track which leads to concrete pad where most birders park (the RT Robin track will prob be the new name) This is the track to use for access to East Hills and Western Pit

* Cocklestand Drove or Middle Track which is accessed from the Warham turning on the A149 and leads to a parking area for a few cars adjacent to coastal footpath.This track is the one to use for Central pit/ Blyths Reed pit

* Eastern Track or Sewage works track but this now has a private sign and is not to used for access to whirligig/gibbet

There are also the two tracks down to marsh @ Stiffkey which are the Campsite track which leads down to the west end of wood
and the track that leads to east end of wood which is no longer accessible to vehicles but is called Camping Hill track.

You could also have some fun with what birders call the 'Dell' , the Firesign area, kissing gate, six pines and the drinking pool which has no water @ Wells Wood!

 

[firstreesjohn]

Welsh birder, in England, with Scottish name. Are you sure there isn’t an Irish connection somewhere ? Would complete the ‘set’.

This is most detailed and helpful to those who did not know all the local names.

PLEASE DO THE SAME FOR WELLS WOODS. This was mooted some time ago, but didn't happen.

 

[hamish a]

Welsh birder, in England, with Scottish name. Are you sure there isn’t an Irish connection somewhere ? Would complete the ‘set’.

This is most detailed and helpful to those who did not know all the local names.

PLEASE DO THE SAME FOR WELLS WOODS. This was mooted some time ago, but didn't happen.

I will try but there will be some opportunity for misunderstanding i'm sure as there is new kissing v old kissing gate (which no longer exists),the Fire sign that was removed many years ago v new tidal sign in a different position, 5 pines v 6 pines .....need i go on!

 

[Penny Clarke]

Sunday 16th October

Bird of the day was a Ring Ouzel at Holme!

See blog for full account and also revamp/re-posting of Rufous-tailed Robin posts and a message for 'some'.

Today is the last day of my holiday - hoping for something good!:t:

Penny:girl:

 

[Penny Clarke]

RFB was skulky but some had very good views, just had to be in the right place at the right time!
That and the Radde's certainly made me feel better about this morning, Win some, lose some.

I choose to go out to East Hills - not a case of being in 'the right place at the right time' Oliver.

 

[David Norgate]

Bird of the day was a Ring Ouzel at Holme!

See blog for full account and also revamp/re-posting of Rufous-tailed Robin posts and a message for 'some'.

Today is the last day of my holiday - hoping for something good!:t:

Penny:girl:

Penny, sorry to hear about what has been going on. There are, unfortunately some sick and stupid people in the birding world (as unfortunately in all aspects), hopefully there will be some 'man' enough!

Hopefully, the group of genuine people in this hobby of ours, people like yourself, will slowly help to change all sorts of negative attitudes and behaviours that wind people up!

 

[davethebird]

I use Os explorer 24.... 1.25000 scale Norfolk coast central.Also a Wilfrid George footpath map than can be bought at local stores.

I regard the area of Warham Greens as having 4 paths from the A149.

* Ice cream van track...the most western which goes down to a parking area from the A149 where the road narrows going east after passing the chalk pit on the south side which is near the narrow gauge railway station

* Garden Drove also known by some as 'The Driftway' and by most as Western track which leads to concrete pad where most birders park (the RT Robin track will prob be the new name) This is the track to use for access to East Hills and Western Pit

* Cocklestand Drove or Middle Track which is accessed from the Warham turning on the A149 and leads to a parking area for a few cars adjacent to coastal footpath.This track is the one to use for Central pit/ Blyths Reed pit

* Eastern Track or Sewage works track but this now has a private sign and is not to used for access to whirligig/gibbet

There are also the two tracks down to marsh @ Stiffkey which are the Campsite track which leads down to the west end of wood
and the track that leads to east end of wood which is no longer accessible to vehicles but is called Camping Hill track.

You could also have some fun with what birders call the 'Dell' , the Firesign area, kissing gate, six pines and the drinking pool which has no water @ Wells Wood!

Perfect reply Hamish.

Cocklestand Drove would have left me scratching my head. 8-P

Thanks.

 

[hamish a]

I use Os explorer 24.... 1.25000 scale Norfolk coast central.Also a Wilfrid George footpath map than can be bought at local stores.

I regard the area of Warham Greens as having 4 paths from the A149.

* Ice cream van track...the most western which goes down to a parking area from the A149 where the road narrows going east after passing the chalk pit on the south side which is near the narrow gauge railway station

* Garden Drove also known by some as 'The Driftway' and by most as Western track which leads to concrete pad where most birders park (the RT Robin track will prob be the new name) This is the track to use for access to East Hills and Western Pit

* Cocklestand Drove or Middle Track which is accessed from the Warham turning on the A149 and leads to a parking area for a few cars adjacent to coastal footpath.This track is the one to use for Central pit/ Blyths Reed pit

* Eastern Track or Sewage works track but this now has a private sign and is not to used for access to whirligig/gibbet

There are also the two tracks down to marsh @ Stiffkey which are the Campsite track which leads down to the west end of wood
and the track that leads to east end of wood which is no longer accessible to vehicles but is called Camping Hill track.

You could also have some fun with what birders call the 'Dell' , the Firesign area, kissing gate, six pines and the drinking pool which has no water @ Wells Wood!

Just to clarify the Stiffkey tracks....
Campsite track..aka...Green Way
Camping Hill track..aka..Bangay Green way
There is also a central track which is rarely used as parking is an issue which is called...Hollow Lane

 

[O.Reville1989]

I choose to go out to East Hills - not a case of being in 'the right place at the right time' Oliver.

I don't understand how this relates to views of the Red-Flanked Bluetail at Holme on Saturday being dictated by where one was standing?
I haven't mentioned east hills.....

 

[Songkhran]

Just to clarify the Stiffkey tracks....
Campsite track..aka...Green Way
Camping Hill track..aka..Bangay Green way
There is also a central track which is rarely used as parking is an issue which is called...Hollow Lane

Very interesting, going further East, the track to the West of Stiffkey Fen is the baitdiggers track?. There is a sign at the bottom saying only for use of baitdiggers. Is there a name to the track that leads to Stiffkey Fen? A name for the track that goes from the main busstop in Stiffkey down to the Eastern tip of Stiffkey Woods. Also is there a name for the track opposite 'House on the Hill' just West of Blakeney?

 

[hamish a]

Very interesting, going further East, the track to the West of Stiffkey Fen is the baitdiggers track?. There is a sign at the bottom saying only for use of baitdiggers. Is there a name to the track that leads to Stiffkey Fen? A name for the track that goes from the main busstop in Stiffkey down to the Eastern tip of Stiffkey Woods. Also is there a name for the track opposite 'House on the Hill' just West of Blakeney?

Yes I would call it the baitdiggers track although I'm not aware that it is a public footpath.
The track from the road running along the Fen I would call the' white bridges track...west of the fen'.
The track from the thatched house on the hill does not appear to have a name but i would refer to it as the track from the quarry beneath the 'house on the hill' across Morston Downs to the coastal path.

 

[Robert S J Smith]

Dersingham Bog

Great Grey Shrike just north of the boardwalk but flushed by a photographer/birder walking out into the bog at around 3ish. Red Kite over head too plus 20+ Crossbill and 2 Stonechats.

Regards,

Rob

 

[Songkhran]

Yes I would call it the baitdiggers track although I'm not aware that it is a public footpath.
The track from the road running along the Fen I would call the' white bridges track...west of the fen'.
The track from the thatched house on the hill does not appear to have a name but i would refer to it as the track from the quarry beneath the 'house on the hill' across Morston Downs to the coastal path.

sounds like a few decent find need to be made along these tracks, so they can be rechristened with slightly more catchy names , and no, need to do better than Ibechiff Lane

 

[firstreesjohn]

There are, unfortunately some sick and stupid people in . . birding

Only too true, David.

And not just those setting out to upset Penny.

a Wilfrid George footpath map than can be bought at local stores.

RBA will now have to be equipped with these examples of highly idiosyncratic and useful cartography.

 

[ben_lewis]

Looks like Paul E and co have proven that it is always good to do a HH roost the day after the official date. Good score with the Pallid!
Maybe I should follow suit as we had a stunning male Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw today, if only someone had told me....

 

[Mark43]

Had a great week in Norfolk yet again with the highlight being the mass influx of SEO's at Titchwell which was a sight to behold.......even enjoyed that more than the RFB at Holme which was a lifer for me.

Probably would have had a RT Robin but while sitting at Stiffkey Saltmarsh half asleep i read it as Rufous Bush Robin when it came up on the pager.I said to the wife dont worry to much we will see loads in Lesvos next year.Only sunk in when i clicked on the 3rd message by which time we wouldnt have made it before dark i expect.What a c**k

Anyway the twitch the next morning was quite exciting until disagreements started then it was time to leave.......got no time for all that.

Penny - it was nice to meet you at the twitch and later on your partner up by the quarry.

Stuart - thanks for the directions - almost found a GG Shrike but some bloody local birder from Wells 50 yards ahead of me found it first

Just for completeness the Great White Egret at Titchwell ws visible for a good while over by Thornham Bank....i watched it from the Bittern viewpoint on the mainpath for a good 10 minutes or more......its head and neck visible in the dip it was in.I RBA'd it in but it never appeared on the pager

 

[Adam M]

Great Grey Shrike just north of the boardwalk but flushed by a photographer/birder walking out into the bog at around 3ish. Red Kite over head too plus 20+ Crossbill and 2 Stonechats.

Regards,

Rob

Any instructions on where to park? Heading over on Wednesday for a few days holiday and might stop off for the shrike on my way through.

Thanks in advance.

Adam

 

[Paul Eele]

Looks like Paul E and co have proven that it is always good to do a HH roost the day after the official date. Good score with the Pallid!
Maybe I should follow suit as we had a stunning male Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw today, if only someone had told me....

Nowt to do with me, don't know anything about a pallid at Titchwell!!

However we did have an awesome harrier roost this evening with 19 marsh harrier (11 on Thornham side, 8 on reserve) inc a wing tagged bird and 4 hen harriers (1 male)

Paul

 

[Robert S J Smith]

Any instructions on where to park? Heading over on Wednesday for a few days holiday and might stop off for the shrike on my way through.

Thanks in advance.

Adam

Coming from Lynn heading towards Hunstanton take the first left sign-posted Wolferton and then take the right hand turning at the crossroads. You'll see a small carpark here but further down the road towards the village of Wolferton you'll find the main bigger car park.

P.s. I wouldn't take a dog if you have one as there's a very dangerous illness here and at Sandringham which has still not been identified! Several dogs have died because of this illness !!!