Good Omen - Great Day!
Had a cracking day in Norfolk today - first visit this year.
Arrived at Cley 0845 - WC Sparrow showing on the driveway as we arrived, managed to get decent views through the gate (crouching at the front of the crowd) for about 5 minutes before it dissapeared. At this point about half of the people present moved on and left about 15 of us waiting for it to show again. During the next twenty minutes or so, the odd Robin, Chaffinch, Dunnock & Greenfinch came down onto the drive to feed, accompanied by no less than 8 Blackbirds (including one really mean looking male!), but no Sparrow. A few minutes later it became apparent that it was showing in the brambles behind us, where it showed well for about the next 3/4 hour - mainly feeding around the bush with the nest in it.
What a smashing bird! Although it never really came out into the open, it was often in the top of the bush, allowing a really good look, and looked good it did, especially at 60x! Brilliant.
Had a chat to the chap with the collecting bucket (after giving my donation), who was saying that they were hoping to go for the Guiness record for a collection, and at that point thought they had raised about £2500 - great stuff, i hope you managed it.
We left the site about 10, moving on to Salthouse for the buntings which although quite flighty, gave excellent views. Only one Lapland Bunting present today, but a welcome year tick none the less; more striking was the really white snow Bunting amongst the flock, not seen one like this before. Also saw 2 RT Divers on the sea before moving on to Cley Visitor centre (old).
No sign of the Water Pipits, in fact no sign of any birds at all in the field, so a quick scan of the reserve added Shelduck & Avocet to the year list - nice bird for my 100th of the year!
From here went to Saxlingham to look for the Lesser Snow Goose which had been reported. This was birding made easy - from the corner overlooking the field, the goose stood out like a beacon! We then moved just around the corner to get a closer look at the geese, where we were told about the 3 Barnacles in the field too. At this point the news came though that the possible Slender-billed Gull at Sheringham was believed to be a hybrid - with what we wondered, three other birders who were there, offered Bittern as a suggestion!! (Hi if you're reading this & cheers for the Barnies).
After this we were going to try for the Twite reported earlier in the week at Brancaster Staithe on the way to Titchwell, but decided against it as we also wanted to get to Roydon and we knew time would be tight, so straight to Tichwell we went.
After a cuppa & sarnie (plus the usual Robin feeding out of your hand) we decided to quickly get some yearticks then move on to Roydon. There was a group of people along the path towards the visitor centre who were looking at the roosting Woodcock, following directions, we finally managed to see it asleep, quite deep in the undergrowth - took some finding, but after it was located, it was obvious, but there were some still struggling to see it (i hope you all got it!).
All the usual on the reserve, quickly picked out Black Brant in the field and very pleased to catch up with the wintering Spotted Redshank (saw it in December), and a lone Grey Plover. Also a very striking Ruff with a white head on the freshwater lagoon.
Not a great deal on the sea - a distand raft of Common Scoter, a single Eider & Goldeneye, and a couple of RT Divers. All the grebes I saw were Great-crested (no Red-necked as reported - at the same time we were there).
As it was now getting on, we moved on to Roydon Common, arriving at 1515. After plenty of scanning, we realised that we were probably too late for the Shrike so we waited for the Harriers to come in. Loads of Red-legged Partridges in the field with the bee-hives (i counted at least 10, but probably more) and we could hear a couple of Greys, but couldnt find them from our viewpoint.
By now the light was starting to go - whilst scanning for Harriers, i picked out a Merlin perched on a post - a welcome bonus - before two ringtails appeared, quatering above the heather for about 20 minutes before they went down. No sign of any males by this time.
As it was now raining quite heavily and it was getting quite dark we decided to call it a day.
Overall, a great day - 2 lifers (Sparrow & Snow Goose) and several year ticks. By far the commonest bird of the day though was Barn Owl!
Our first was on the A17 near Holbeach, in the dark. The second was in the field behind the Cley Village Hall car park. The Third in the field next to In Focus at Tictchwell and the Fourth quatering the reedbed on Titchwell reserve (accompanied by 2 Marsh Harriers!). I think this is the first time i've ever seen 4 Barn Owls in one day - they were certainly a good omen!
Anyway, an excellent day (as always) and i'll be back to do the same again a week on Monday - can't wait!!
Mike
a Bittern coming into roost at 4.15pm!!!
