Sun, Sea And Skuas - North Norfolk Wed 23 July To Sun 27 July 2008 (1 Viewer)

SUN, SEA AND SKUAS - NORTH NORFOLK WED 23 JULY TO SUN 27 JULY 2008
In contrast to our Easter visit ,when we had 6 inches of snow at Docking, we at last dropped on some good summer weather, which coincided with our summer break in Norfolk. Temperatures stayed in the mid twenties each day although not great for birding, there was still the odd gem for us to squeeze out of this beautiful county, including two lifers, even in mid July.
Wed 23 July Weeting Heath:
Stopping off at Weeting Heath on our way, we gained distant views of three Stone Curlew and a Spotted Fly which briefly posed for us in front of the west hide. A number of coal tits were active in the surrounding pines and two stoats played on the heath along with numerous rabbits. Both species of which, must prove of some concern to the breeding stone curlews.
On our way to Jasmine House in Docking, as we turned off the main road into a side road, a sparrow hawk was about to pounce on a blackbird as it drank from a road side puddle, fortunately it was saved as the hawk veered off due to our oncoming car.
In the evening at Docking,hundreds of swifts wheeled and screamed over our heads as we walked down to the Railway for dinner.
Cley Marshes, Thurs 24 July & Sat 26th July:
On 24th July, a visit to the north hide gave us distant views of five spoonbill, white rumped and pectoral sandpiper In truth the views were so distant that, from the identification of the latter vagrant birds point of view, we had to go with the hide “experts” who were kind enough to point them out for us. As we left the hide at 13.00, a fantastic arctic skua chased a common tern over the roof towards the main reserve, sending up all the birds. Half an hour of sea watching gleaned only two razorbills and feeding common and sandwich terns.
On both visits marsh harriers were showing very well, with as many as three in the air at any one time.
In the channel opposite the visitors centre, a little grebe kept us entertained feeding two youngsters with tiddlers.
(To be continued)B
Other birds seen at this site :
Avocet
Lapwing
Snipe
Curlew
Common Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper
Black Tailed Godwit
Greenshank
Ruff
Redshank
Spotted Redshank
Oystercatcher
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Dunlin
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Egyptian Goose
Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Northern Shoveler
Shellduck
Pintail
Mallard
Swift
Swallow
House Martin
Starling
Greenfinch
Reed Bunting
Reed Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Black Headed Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Herring Gull
Black Swan
Mute Swan
Pheasant
Jackdaw
Crow

Part 2 Sun, Sea And Skuas - North Norfolk Tour Wed 23 July To Sun 27

SUN, SEA AND SKUAS - NORTH NORFOLK TOUR WED 23 JULY TO SUN 27 JULY 2008
PART 2
CHOSELEY BARNS AND TITCHWELL RESERVE,FRIDAY 25 JULY 2008
When we got out of the car at Chosley Barns, a buzzard circled overhead.
A skylark rose, singing above the recently cropped wheat fields and a corn bunting called from the dead branch of a tree. Meanwhile a couple of yellow hammers settled on the telegraph wires, whilst red legged partridge scuttled away across one of the adjacent fields.
When we arrived at Titchwell a turtle dove cooed from a tree, between the main car park and the meadow trail.
As a wren burst into song, six linnets could be seen busy bathing, on the fringes of the marsh, near the island Hide.
A willow warbler called briefly from the shrubs, although general it was relatively quite from a bird song point of view.
On our walk down to the Parrinder Hide, we stopped for brief glimpses of bearded tit and reed warbler, as a Kestrel hovered in the fields.
Unfortunately most of the birds were inactive, sunning themselves on the banks of the Freshwater Marsh.
From the hide a large gull roost was observable, including herring, common, black headed and lesser black backed, with the odd little gull dotted amongst them.
About a dozen spotted redshank, in eclipse were preening in the shallows, along with two curlew sandpipers and some dunlin, all still holding their summer colours.
Down on the beach the tide was right in, as six sanderling and a single turnstone patrolled the tide line.
Out at sea there was a gannet diving and several feeding terns.
Having wandered around the reserve and we then caught some rays in the dunes down at the beach.

HOLME,SUNDAY 27 JULY 2008The great weather continued on Sunday, so we decided to have a good walk around Holme dunes.
In truth we hardly saw a bird of any species apart from the odd meadow pipit and a great spotted woodpecker that was on a telegraph pole down the lane,as we left for our journey back home.
Common birds also seen, but not listed above:
Robin
Goldfinch
Dunnock
House Sparrow

Butterflies - Sun, Sea And Skuas - North Norfolk Tour Wed 23 July To Sun 27 July 20

BUTTERFLIES:
This summer we have hardly seen a butterfly in our Staffordshire Moorlands garden. However it was very pleasing to see that the warm weather brought out good numbers whilst we were in Norfolk.
It was also nice to see six spot burnetts buzzing about in good numbers.
Weeting Heath
Brown Argus
Brimstone
Green veined white
Cley & Titchwell
Small white
Large white
Comma
Small tortoiseshell
Red admiral
Painted lady
Small Copper
Small skipper
Large skipper
Meadow brown
Ringlet
Gatekeeper
Speckled wood
Peacock
Moth:
Six spot burnett

Common Blue

Hi To Both Of You,
Looks Like You Had A Good Break In Norfolk Will Some Good Birds And A Good List Of Butterflys,i Am Looking Forward To Seeing The Photos Of The Butterflys, They Look Impressive On Here!
See You Soon,
Steve, Di.