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Norfolk birding (42 Viewers)
- Thread starter Edward woodwood
- Start date
Penny Clarke
Well-known member
Red necked Phalerope still here at Kelling Water Meadows at 9.05am but no sign of the Barred Warbler that Pete S. Saw yesterday.
Glad you had a good day Ian.
Best Wishes Penny
(posted via iphone)
Glad you had a good day Ian.
Best Wishes Penny
(posted via iphone)
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Selsey Birder
Well-known member
Jim,
There is no photo since I do not carry a camera, however as you will see above I never claimed it as a Melodious - somebody later in the day did that, presumably not looking at the same bird we saw first thing in the morning!
In view of that for my sake I am not in the least concerned.
Ian
Ian,
and neither should you be. The early bird catches the worm then! It has been a good year for Icterine records in Norfolk. Quite where the Melodious bit comes in is a mystery. Both of the usual Hippos in the same place in one day? Stranger things have happened.
Cheers,
Jim.
Selsey Birder
Well-known member
Hi Ben,
I think the problem may well be that the bird moved on after we left it at 7.30am. I have no idea when the next birder arrived, but for it not to be seen all day would appear to indicate that (it was a very showy bird all the time we were there and in my mind its id was never in doubt).
So purely my speculation here, it had roosted in the pine overnight (we arrived not long after first light), it fed up (it was very actively feeding all the time we were watching it), and then it moved on.
I guess for once in my birding life I was very lucky!
Ian
davethebird
Well-known member
Hi Ian,
I'm glad you had such a good day. The reason for posting the photos of the "yellow-footed grey-legged warbler" was just to highlight that there was a bit of collective hysteria going on with at least one of the later claims.
Mind you there could be some jealousy involved as I have dipped on every Icterine in this area for the last 2 years. :C
I will still be out in the field for the next one.
Dave
Selsey Birder
Well-known member
Hi Dave,
I am pleased you did post the picture it permitted me to pass comment, anyway surely size of bill and of the bird should always eliminate this type of error. We were fortunate in that there were 2 Chiifys flitting about at the same time when we found the bird - and i agree that hysteria seems to have ruled.
I had dipped my fair share before yesterday, it made finding it myself all the sweeter. I hope you will get the same thrill soon!
Ian
Paul Woolnough
Well-known member
Bird was not a melodious warbler
Bird reluctant to show openly unlike the willow warbler, two chiffchaffs and the "yellow and greenless" reed warbler.
Do not know what to make of the melodious warbler report and or sighting. Perhaps they saw the icterine?
I hoped my sighting and the better early one would lead to a later clinching sighting.
It was not to be. The icterine showed at 720 and once or twice soon after 10 (as did two chiffchaffs which showed well as the presumed icterine warbler skulked).
A confusing willow warbler and a not confusable reed warbler were what I saw after that.
- The bird I saw had too long a bill, dagger like and pale coloured below.
- I could not see an eye-stripe which would suggest a willow warbler. (Some reported hippos turn out to be willow warblers.)
- A medium shade of grey legs.
- Yellow / green body.
- Bird did arch its neck, to confirm it being bigger than willow-chiff. This to feed on the berries below the right of the two conifers.
- I always think of hippo warblers as being like small bananas.
not like phylloscs.
Bird reluctant to show openly unlike the willow warbler, two chiffchaffs and the "yellow and greenless" reed warbler.
Do not know what to make of the melodious warbler report and or sighting. Perhaps they saw the icterine?
I hoped my sighting and the better early one would lead to a later clinching sighting.
It was not to be. The icterine showed at 720 and once or twice soon after 10 (as did two chiffchaffs which showed well as the presumed icterine warbler skulked).
A confusing willow warbler and a not confusable reed warbler were what I saw after that.
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Dave Appleton
Well-known member
Cheers Paul - glad we've established that... but given your earlier doubt and observation of no pale wing-panel, is it also possible that the bird you saw around 10 o'clock wasn't an Icterine Warbler either?
Yes... or Chiffchaffs?
I'm sure I'm just being dim but I fail to see why a bird arching its neck confirms that it's bigger than willow-chiff. What am I missing?
Personally I've never made the connection between either Icterine or Melodious Warbler and a small banana, but maybe I've not seen enough of them yet
- I always think of hippo warblers as being like small bananas.
Are you saying you saw something that looked like a small banana?Paul Woolnough
Well-known member
Icterine present am only juv willow warbler most of the day!
I did not think the photo was of the bird I considered a probable icterine warbler. Bill too short, face too well marked around the back of the eye.
Agree the willow warbler was a yellow juvenile.
The second (fourth if both chiffchaffs included!!) was not as yellow as the claimed refound icterine warbler.
Many gave the shout in the afternoon when the willow warbler came into view on its circuit. Two much yellow on it and showing too well.
A probable icterine is the bird I am commenting on. Kept low so unable to clinch it.
I did not think the photo was of the bird I considered a probable icterine warbler. Bill too short, face too well marked around the back of the eye.
Agree the willow warbler was a yellow juvenile.
The second (fourth if both chiffchaffs included!!) was not as yellow as the claimed refound icterine warbler.
Many gave the shout in the afternoon when the willow warbler came into view on its circuit. Two much yellow on it and showing too well.
A probable icterine is the bird I am commenting on. Kept low so unable to clinch it.
Paul Woolnough
Well-known member
ID not always straightforward
Probable icterine as the willow warbler was around at the time.
I did see an icterine in 2010 at the umpteenth attempt didn't I?? Wasn't a willow warbler??
Melodious warbler - the Melodious sighting muddies the waters even more. Never could I claim my washed out yellow (or yellow-green according to the light) grey-legged bird going to be my first Norfolk melodious warbler.
Probable icterine as the willow warbler was around at the time.
I did see an icterine in 2010 at the umpteenth attempt didn't I?? Wasn't a willow warbler??
Melodious warbler - the Melodious sighting muddies the waters even more. Never could I claim my washed out yellow (or yellow-green according to the light) grey-legged bird going to be my first Norfolk melodious warbler.
stuart white
Well-known member
The plot thickens, not the 2 bird theory but maybe the three bird theory ?
Paul Woolnough
Well-known member
Cheers Paul - glad we've established that... but given your earlier doubt and observation of no pale wing-panel, is it also possible that the bird you saw around 10 o'clock wasn't an Icterine Warbler either?
Yes... or Chiffchaffs?
I'm sure I'm just being dim but I fail to see why a bird arching its neck confirms that it's bigger than willow-chiff. What am I missing?
Personally I've never made the connection between either Icterine or Melodious Warbler and a small banana, but maybe I've not seen enough of them yet
Banana comment was tongue-in-cheek. Bird looked too long for willow-chiff and even longer with neck strained.
Icterine or not icterine that is the question
Pain the neck that sends you bananas:eek!:
Dave Appleton
Well-known member
Three birds and a banana theory I think, Stu. Sadly none of them were Melodious Warblers though.
And now cue someone to produce that photo that proves us all wrong...
Peter Dolton
Well-known member
Wouldn't all sightings of bananas be ship -assisted?
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
Going bananas ?
"Wouldn't all sightings of bananas be ship -assisted?"
No ! Only the fruits themselves.
Is it now being claimed that there was also a Blyth's Reed present, with the mentioning of bananas ? Or am I taking the wrong posture ?
"Wouldn't all sightings of bananas be ship -assisted?"
No ! Only the fruits themselves.
Is it now being claimed that there was also a Blyth's Reed present, with the mentioning of bananas ? Or am I taking the wrong posture ?
Norfolk Snake
Well-known member
This might be of use - I entered the wood from Lady Annes Drive just after 10 (maybe about 10.15 ish) and there was a crowd of about 20 people gazing into a ivy clad pine tree. Not having a pager I knew nothing of what had been reported, so enquired to the group and got no reply...I followed, however some directions into the ivy and saw a warbler working its way up the tree. It was a willow warbler albeit quite brown on the back, but with pale yellow on the breast, obvious dark eye stripe and supercilium and pale bare parts. Someone mentioned Icterine and I informed the nearest observer it was a Willow warbler, which everyone seemed to ignore so I wandered off, wondering how Icterine could have even be considered, taking into account its face markings, wing length, lack of wing panel and its bright legs. I thought the only thing that looked a bit odd was that it was moving rather sluggishly and it did look rather brown, but nothing to suggest a 'hippo'. Returning later in the afternoon having heard the report of the Melodious, I was intrigued to see if this rarity was the same bird that had been observed earlier. When the shout eventually piped up that it was back (by someone who had seen it 'mid morning') it was indeed the same Willow Warbler that had been misidentified earlier. Don't know whether this helps or hinders anyones view on what they saw in the morning.
Andy Bloomfield
Andy Bloomfield
Penny Clarke
Well-known member
Dave - I have been in uncontrollable laughter - just opened this thread and between you, John Furse and Pete Doulton I have been in hysterics:-O:-O:-O:-O:-O THANKS EVERYONE!!!:t::t:
P.S. I will be posting a nice yellowy willow warbler that I took at the Cross tracks at Holkham yesterday on my blog later.
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Penny Clarke
Well-known member
Arrived Kelling Water Meadows at 7.55am after a nippy journey from King's Lynn in the Audi A3!!! I daren't confess how quickly I got here - its a good job the car is being returned tomorrow morning really!
Rain looked imminent so put all the waterproofs on and set off down the track. A chiffchaff was calling along the path and a few linnets and Siskens flew overhead. Watched the Red necked Phalerope at 8.30am and until 9.10am. A kestrel sat on the fence wire near the pool. Searched up the track that diverts left by the pool, for the Barred Warbler that was there yesterday, but no luck. Stood up on the shingle ridge to admire the view, weather much brighter now. Trudged back to the car in the mud and puddles and had a quick look in the bookshop/tearooms opposite just so I could use the loo!
Parked at the Iron Road (track opposite Sarbury Hill) and walked up the hill and round by the field side. Through a gap in the hedge I watched yellowhammers, chafffinches, greenfinches, a tit flock, blackbirds, robins and 2 Redwings feeding off Sloe berries.
Lunch at the Cley NWT Visitor Centre: Jacket Potato with cheese and coleslaw + Salad.
Walsey Hills - as soon as I parked up it started to rain heavily. I don't mind birding in the rain at all, but I couldn't see the point in getting wet when there's not much about. I waited for the rain to stop and slept and snoozed, woke up, re-snoozed - 2 hours passed!!! Rain stopped. Walked round Walsey Hills - nothing of note apart from the usual tit flock of great, blue, coal and long tailed tits and chiffchaffs and robins.
Parked the car at Old Woman's Lane and walked to Daukes' Hide. Eddie M. was also in the hide along with a few other birders. This was the best part of the day, the sun shone beautifully. The Red-necked Phalerope that had been at Kelling was now here on Simmonds' Scrape, very distantly until 6.10pm. A posing Wheatear sat on the fence/wire for me to photograph (see pic). Marsh harriers majestically glided over the reed beds and 2 Spoonbills flew east over the scrape. A kestrel hovered directly in front of the hide.
Left here at 6.15pm and drove home.
No car after tomorrow morning!
Best Wishes Penny:girl:
Rain looked imminent so put all the waterproofs on and set off down the track. A chiffchaff was calling along the path and a few linnets and Siskens flew overhead. Watched the Red necked Phalerope at 8.30am and until 9.10am. A kestrel sat on the fence wire near the pool. Searched up the track that diverts left by the pool, for the Barred Warbler that was there yesterday, but no luck. Stood up on the shingle ridge to admire the view, weather much brighter now. Trudged back to the car in the mud and puddles and had a quick look in the bookshop/tearooms opposite just so I could use the loo!
Parked at the Iron Road (track opposite Sarbury Hill) and walked up the hill and round by the field side. Through a gap in the hedge I watched yellowhammers, chafffinches, greenfinches, a tit flock, blackbirds, robins and 2 Redwings feeding off Sloe berries.
Lunch at the Cley NWT Visitor Centre: Jacket Potato with cheese and coleslaw + Salad.
Walsey Hills - as soon as I parked up it started to rain heavily. I don't mind birding in the rain at all, but I couldn't see the point in getting wet when there's not much about. I waited for the rain to stop and slept and snoozed, woke up, re-snoozed - 2 hours passed!!! Rain stopped. Walked round Walsey Hills - nothing of note apart from the usual tit flock of great, blue, coal and long tailed tits and chiffchaffs and robins.
Parked the car at Old Woman's Lane and walked to Daukes' Hide. Eddie M. was also in the hide along with a few other birders. This was the best part of the day, the sun shone beautifully. The Red-necked Phalerope that had been at Kelling was now here on Simmonds' Scrape, very distantly until 6.10pm. A posing Wheatear sat on the fence/wire for me to photograph (see pic). Marsh harriers majestically glided over the reed beds and 2 Spoonbills flew east over the scrape. A kestrel hovered directly in front of the hide.
Left here at 6.15pm and drove home.
No car after tomorrow morning!
Best Wishes Penny:girl:
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