Norfolk birding

firstreesjohn · Wednesday 21st July 2010, 03:24

The winds have been quite strong and from a southerly direction !

And I distinctly heard an Ozzie accent at work the other day.

Lightthiscandle · Wednesday 21st July 2010, 06:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by scary-canary

Dare I suggest it was an escape?

No sh*t, Sherlock! (Unless it flew over with the breeding pair of Black Swans!)

scary-canary · Wednesday 21st July 2010, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightthiscandle

breeding pair of Black Swans!)

Are they unringed and fully winged? Gotta be worth a trip... "for insurance"!

ChrisBish · Wednesday 21st July 2010, 15:09

Sat in my garden (in Swardeston) having a drink with a friend this afternoon when the distictive sound of Crossbill reached my ears. 2 birds seen flying but a hedge prevented me seeing how many were actually in the flock as it sounded like there were at least a few more than that. A good garden tick!

Chris

keithmc · Wednesday 21st July 2010, 15:48

thanks firstreejon and stu

Paul Woolnough · Wednesday 21st July 2010, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

The winds have been quite strong and from a southerly direction !

And I distinctly heard an Ozzie accent at work the other day.

John
I note your message is from 424am. Did you go out and twitch the budgie earlier today?

firstreesjohn · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 05:41

No budgie seed by me, yesterday.

Was it similar to the pic ?

Paul Eele · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 15:59

Today's highlights

Common crane - 14 west over reserve @ 09:40!
Pectoral sandpiper - 1 on fresh marsh from mid-morning
Spoonbill - 1 east @ 12:00
Ruff - 30 on saltmarsh
Greenshank - 6 on fresh marsh
Green sandpiper - 3 on fresh marsh
Grasshopper warbler - 1 singing from main path
Eider - 15 offshore

Paul

Paul Woolnough · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstreesjohn

No budgie seed by me, yesterday.

Was it similar to the pic ?

No it was a blue and WHITE budgie. This may be countable (?).
Phew! I thought you had gripped me off John.

As with house finch, which I have seen, yellow forms do not count.

The yellow and black faced bunting on the right hand picture can be counted. Both from Prawle area, Devon.

Penny Clarke · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 17:45

Something tells me there is a distinct lack of rares around with all this budgie talk!!!!!

At least we have the Bird Fair to look forward to!!!

scary-canary · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Clarke

At least we dave the Bird Fair to look forward to!!!

Who's Dave?

Tractorboy69 · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 21:47

Nice bit of wader passage through the patch in the last couple of days with my first ever LRP for the patch yesterday along with up to 4 Green Sands and a Common Sand, and a Greenshank through today.

A Mandarin was on Felbrigg Lake today, plus one of the Crested Ducks that were present there earlier in the year.

Simon

Richard Abr · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Clarke

Something tells me there is a distinct lack of rares around with all this budgie talk!!!!!

At least we dave the Bird Fair to look forward to!!!

More importantly Penny - will Simon King be there this year?!!!
Now that will be something to look forward to.
Best wishes
Richard

Penny Clarke · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by scary-canary

Who's Dave?

Obviously I mean't 'have'!!!!!!!

..... now corrected!

Penny Clarke · Thursday 22nd July 2010, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Abr

More importantly Penny - will Simon King be there this year?!!!
Now that will be something to look forward to.
Best wishes
Richard

Of course Simon will be there - he always is!!!!!!!

Of course I will be queuing for my yearly picture again and signed card. I am a devoted fan, but then you already know that!

Best Wishes Penny

ben_lewis · Friday 23rd July 2010, 07:12

Hi all,
Not sure how many of you know me (or care) but I am returning to Norfolk after a years absence in Kent at Sandwich and Pegwell bay KWT. I will be starting my new role as Assistant Warden at Strumpshaw at the back end of August.
Looking forward to seeing some familiar friendly faces again, not to mention some more great Norfolk birding...I have missed it!

PYRTLE · Friday 23rd July 2010, 09:54

Well done to the observers of this mornings probable Wilson's petrel - a potential first for Norfolk? Betcha F.T.J. spat out his cornish cream tea when that news came out on t'pager!

David Norgate · Friday 23rd July 2010, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYRTLE

Well done to the observers of this mornings probable Wilson's petrel - a potential first for Norfolk? Betcha F.T.J. spat out his cornish cream tea when that news came out on t'pager!

I wonder if the observers feel the same?!? Must have been a frustrating sighting - unless they were more confident than the 'probable' suggests!
Anybody know any details? Feel free to PM me if you don't want to name names on here!! Amazing the bird took 45 mins to get from Sheringham and to Cley, it's usually only 10! What did it get up to in between, I wonder?!?
(Also amazing it was seen at both sites considering the (lack of) conditions this morning!)

Paul Eele · Friday 23rd July 2010, 16:22

Today's highlights

Spoonbill - 1 east at 11:05. Just had a response on a colour ringed bird that was here on the 17th. It was ringed in France in May and was seen was seen at the Ouse Washes on June 26th and at Welney on July 15th and 19th.
Green sandpiper - 1 on fresh marsh
Greenshank - 1 on fresh marsh
No sign of the pec sand so far today.

Paul

James Emerson · Friday 23rd July 2010, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Norgate

I wonder if the observers feel the same?!? Must have been a frustrating sighting - unless they were more confident than the 'probable' suggests!
Anybody know any details? Feel free to PM me if you don't want to name names on here!! Amazing the bird took 45 mins to get from Sheringham and to Cley, it's usually only 10! What did it get up to in between, I wonder?!?
(Also amazing it was seen at both sites considering the (lack of) conditions this morning!)

You're obviously underestimating the "fresh NNW winds"

- there is a summary of the sighting now on the UK400 club blog (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/). Bearing in mind the eight observers at Cley I'm surprised it was still put out as a probable.

Richard Abr · Friday 23rd July 2010, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Clarke

Of course Simon will be there - he always is!!!!!!!

Of course I will be queuing for my yearly picture again and signed card. I am a devoted fan, but then you already know that!

Best Wishes Penny

Penny
Trust you will post your picture with Simon on here and on your blog, and that you enjoy your time with someone who is a great naturalist and a thoroughly nice chap. Best one by a country mile on Spring and Autumn Watch.
Best wishes
Richard

sacha · Friday 23rd July 2010, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Emerson

You're obviously underestimating the "fresh NNW winds"

- there is a summary of the sighting now on the UK400 club blog (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/). Bearing in mind the eight observers at Cley I'm surprised it was still put out as a probable.

I agree with you there James...
Fantastic Norfolk record. Presumably only the second north sea record too??
The winds looked great this afternoon when I was strolling along Cromer beach on a (unfortunately) non birding visit!

rob lee · Saturday 24th July 2010, 05:59

[quote= there is a summary of the sighting now on the UK400 club blog ([url]http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/[/url]). QUOTE]

Just to set the record straight, the bird was not I.D`d by Kevin as a Wilsons, he called it as a "storm petrel" but was alerted by the fact that it performed two large shears/glides as it flew past & was definately not a Leaches. He then phoned the bird out to B.I.S.

mr.sim · Saturday 24th July 2010, 11:20

Brilliant morning at Welney today. First up, the juv. Spoonbill showed much better than this species normally does! The Pectoral Sandpiper was quickly located a few metres away from the Spoonbill and a Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover were seen from the main observatory too.

Moving on to Lyle hide nothing was of note except a few Yellow Wagtails and Marsh Harrier. At Friends hide a Wood Sandpiper showed nicely and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling nearby.

Walking back we decided to check Lyle hide again, and on walking into the building I flushed a bird that had been preening on the windowsill! Walking up to the window quickly I saw it as it flew into the reeds, and noting the red on its tail as it landed I called James over. It was the Bluethroat, and it had been on the windowsill of the hide!!!

A nervous wait ensued, as James had missed this bird 4 times already. Suddenly a small bird hopped into the undergrowth just in front of the hide. It was dark on the back, but it couldn't be anything else. Soon after, the Bluethroat just walked out and performed brilliantly for us. It was clear that it was in moult; grey on the back and the breast colours were fading, along with a creamish patch on the forehead. It was skulking most of the time, keeping on the ground, so I had walked in at just the right moment!

After a few more views we left the bird, and told others on site about it. I think it was the first sighting of it for a few weeks now, but no doubt it will be thinking of migrating before too long.

Attached are pictures of the Spoonbill and a record shot of the less obliging Pectoral Sandpiper.

Paul Eele · Saturday 24th July 2010, 16:03

Today's highlights

Pectoral sandpiper - adult on fresh marsh all day
Little ringed plover - 3 on fresh marsh
Spotted redshank - 4 on fresh marsh
Golden plover - 12 on fresh marsh
Green sandpiper - 3 on fresh marsh
Med gull - 1 on fresh marsh

Paul

Wednesday 21st July 2010, 03:24	#9351
firstreesjohn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Norfolk Posts: 1,944	"a blue and white Budgie" The winds have been quite strong and from a southerly direction ! And I distinctly heard an Ozzie accent at work the other day.

Thursday 22nd July 2010, 05:41	#9357
firstreesjohn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Norfolk Posts: 1,944	No budgie seed by me, yesterday. Was it similar to the pic ? Attached Thumbnails

Thursday 22nd July 2010, 15:59	#9358
Paul Eele Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1,917	Titchwell July 22nd Today's highlights Common crane - 14 west over reserve @ 09:40! Pectoral sandpiper - 1 on fresh marsh from mid-morning Spoonbill - 1 east @ 12:00 Ruff - 30 on saltmarsh Greenshank - 6 on fresh marsh Green sandpiper - 3 on fresh marsh Grasshopper warbler - 1 singing from main path Eider - 15 offshore Paul

Thursday 22nd July 2010, 17:45	#9360
Penny Clarke Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: King's Lynn, Norfolk Posts: 4,138 My location	Something tells me there is a distinct lack of rares around with all this budgie talk!!!!! At least we have the Bird Fair to look forward to!!! __________________ *http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.com/* Last edited by Penny Clarke : Thursday 22nd July 2010 at 22:31.

Thursday 22nd July 2010, 21:47	#9362
Tractorboy69 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Norfolk Posts: 362	Nice bit of wader passage through the patch in the last couple of days with my first ever LRP for the patch yesterday along with up to 4 Green Sands and a Common Sand, and a Greenshank through today. A Mandarin was on Felbrigg Lake today, plus one of the Crested Ducks that were present there earlier in the year. Simon __________________ http://www.pbase.com/poppylandnature Twitter @PoppylandNature

Wednesday 21st July 2010, 15:09	#9354
ChrisBish Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Costessey Posts: 594	Sat in my garden (in Swardeston) having a drink with a friend this afternoon when the distictive sound of Crossbill reached my ears. 2 birds seen flying but a hedge prevented me seeing how many were actually in the flock as it sounded like there were at least a few more than that. A good garden tick! Chris

Wednesday 21st July 2010, 15:48	#9355
keithmc clumsy bird scarer Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: south shields Posts: 200	thanks firstreejon and stu

Friday 23rd July 2010, 07:12	#9366
ben_lewis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1,053	Hi all, Not sure how many of you know me (or care) but I am returning to Norfolk after a years absence in Kent at Sandwich and Pegwell bay KWT. I will be starting my new role as Assistant Warden at Strumpshaw at the back end of August. Looking forward to seeing some familiar friendly faces again, not to mention some more great Norfolk birding...I have missed it! __________________ ....Ben http://bensbirding.blogspot.com/

Friday 23rd July 2010, 09:54	#9367
PYRTLE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Norfolk Posts: 1,241	Well done to the observers of this mornings probable Wilson's petrel - a potential first for Norfolk? Betcha F.T.J. spat out his cornish cream tea when that news came out on t'pager!

Friday 23rd July 2010, 16:22	#9369
Paul Eele Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1,917	Titchwell July 23rd Today's highlights Spoonbill - 1 east at 11:05. Just had a response on a colour ringed bird that was here on the 17th. It was ringed in France in May and was seen was seen at the Ouse Washes on June 26th and at Welney on July 15th and 19th. Green sandpiper - 1 on fresh marsh Greenshank - 1 on fresh marsh No sign of the pec sand so far today. Paul

Saturday 24th July 2010, 05:59	#9373
rob lee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: norfolk Posts: 650	[quote= there is a summary of the sighting now on the UK400 club blog ([url]http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/[/url]). QUOTE] Just to set the record straight, the bird was not I.D`d by Kevin as a Wilsons, he called it as a "storm petrel" but was alerted by the fact that it performed two large shears/glides as it flew past & was definately not a Leaches. He then phoned the bird out to B.I.S.

Saturday 24th July 2010, 11:20	#9374
mr.sim Honourable founding member of the "day late" gang Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1,024 My location	Reappearance of the Bluethroat Brilliant morning at Welney today. First up, the juv. Spoonbill showed much better than this species normally does! The Pectoral Sandpiper was quickly located a few metres away from the Spoonbill and a Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover were seen from the main observatory too. Moving on to Lyle hide nothing was of note except a few Yellow Wagtails and Marsh Harrier. At Friends hide a Wood Sandpiper showed nicely and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling nearby. Walking back we decided to check Lyle hide again, and on walking into the building I flushed a bird that had been preening on the windowsill! Walking up to the window quickly I saw it as it flew into the reeds, and noting the red on its tail as it landed I called James over. It was the Bluethroat, and it had been on the windowsill of the hide!!! A nervous wait ensued, as James had missed this bird 4 times already. Suddenly a small bird hopped into the undergrowth just in front of the hide. It was dark on the back, but it couldn't be anything else. Soon after, the Bluethroat just walked out and performed brilliantly for us. It was clear that it was in moult; grey on the back and the breast colours were fading, along with a creamish patch on the forehead. It was skulking most of the time, keeping on the ground, so I had walked in at just the right moment! After a few more views we left the bird, and told others on site about it. I think it was the first sighting of it for a few weeks now, but no doubt it will be thinking of migrating before too long. Attached are pictures of the Spoonbill and a record shot of the less obliging Pectoral Sandpiper. Attached Thumbnails __________________ You know you're having a bad birding day when you realise you'd rather be working...

Saturday 24th July 2010, 16:03	#9375
Paul Eele Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1,917	Titchwell July 24th Today's highlights Pectoral sandpiper - adult on fresh marsh all day Little ringed plover - 3 on fresh marsh Spotted redshank - 4 on fresh marsh Golden plover - 12 on fresh marsh Green sandpiper - 3 on fresh marsh Med gull - 1 on fresh marsh Paul

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