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Dawn & Alans 2010 Bird List (1 Viewer)

22/04/2010

Strumpshaw Fen.

We both finished early today so it was home for a quick change and out again to Strumphaw.We were watching from the viewing platform at Reception a Great Crested Grebe,at first it looked like it was pecking at a mound it the water,then we saw it was another Grebe but it was laying prone in the water head submerged and we thought it was dead.I asked the RSPB guy what he thought and he said that they had been mating on and off all day so I said that it was probably worn out and as if on cue the male Grebe then mounted the prone female, within seconds it was over and they were both up and swimming about."It's called Spring my dear" said the RSPB guy we then headed off suitably emmbarassed.:-O

115. House Martin
 

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01/05/2010


RSPB Strumpshaw Fen

Had a short visit this morning to Strumpshaw,we only did part of it from the Reception through the woods along the river and back to Reception,however it was really good.There was a beautiful carpet of Bluebells and lots of Primroses through the woods.We had a good sighting of a Stoat it was running up and down the footpath then it disappeared into the undergrowth only to emerge very quickly being chased by a very annoyed Rabbit.We sat by the river and overhead were 30 Swifts whizzing about,heading back we had a good sighting of a Sedge Warbler sitting in a bush close to Fen Hide singing his head off.

116. Swift
 

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07/05/2010

RSPB Minsmere

An extra day off this week due to Bank Holiday and the weather was a lot better than on Monday so this morning we headed to Minsmere.It was bright and sunny on arrival but the wind was really keen.Close to the Warden's Office we had a lovely sighting of two Red Deer Doe's basking in the sunshine.Walking from Bittern Hide towards Island Hide we were lucky enough to see the Montagu's Harrier fly overhead,carrying on we saw our first Whitethroat of the year singing very loudly from the bushes.Later on we spotted a female Redstart in the bushes close to the Sluice and at the Sluice the Swallows were whizzing about.There were several pairs of Terns on the Scrape and it was great to see them just dropping from the sky into the water.Lots of young about including Coot,Moorhen and Greylag but the Ahh factor goes to the Konik Mare and foal. :)

117. Montagu's Harrier
118. Ruff
119. Redstart
120. Arctic Tern
121. Common Tern
122. Little Tern
123. Whitethroat
 

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15/05/2010

NWT Hickling Broad

What a beautiful morning after the dull and chilly week we just had,although when the sun went behind the clouds it was very cool. Driving down the road to the Reserve we had a fab view of a Marsh Harrier flying low over a field.Our first visit to Hickling for this year and although there didn't seem much about we still spotted 38 different species which we were happy with.We had a lovely sighting of a Wood Warbler singing from the treetop we watched him for ages,and while walking from the Bittern Hide down the long track back towards the Visitors Centre we saw 3 Cranes flying overhead which was really great as we were able to watch them for quite awhile too before they disappeared into the distance.;)

124. Wood Warbler
 

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30/05/2010

Walk to Howe

I have been laid up for almost 2 weeks with a nasty virus and not able to go out,so we went for a walk from ours to Howe this morning.Almost immediately we spotted Skylarks up in the sky singing away and then 4 Yellowhammers flitting about ahead of us.Walking through Howe we saw lots of Goldfinches and Swifts and a lovely sighting of a female Mallard and her 7 ducklings and the Copper Beech tree on the green looked spectacular in the sunshine.Further on over the rapeseed fields were loads of Swallows whizzing about and coming so close above our heads.A lovely walk and good to be out for a while.

125. Yellowhammer
 
09/06/2010

Pensthorpe Norfolk.

Well we finally got out today after my illness(it was pleurisy,very nasty)and the weather had conspired against us,and we went to Pensthorpe.It's been two years since we last came here and we had a really lovely day.Down on the Scrape we saw the stars of Springwatch the Avocet's and their four young and the adults were very feisty when anything else got too close.From a tree overlooking the Scrape was the male Kestrel just waiting for the chance to predate one of the young.There were Barnacle Geese and Greylag Geese with young all over the place,some only had one young but others had up to eight so the breeding season has been very sucessful.We have only counted Birds that we saw well away from the Main area and that were not in pen's and enclosure's.;)

126. Grey Wagtail
127. Turtle Dove
128. Ruddy Duck
128a. Lesser Spotted Chris Packham (Brightly Coloured and Showing Well)
 
12/06/2010

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

We had planned this trip awhile ago and up untill a couple of days ago we thought we would have to cancel it,we are so glad we did'nt.Never been to Bempton so it was a first for us and we were'nt disappointed,we arrived early which was a good idea as it was packed when we left.The sky was full with Gannets riding the thermals it was truly an amazing sight.

129. Gannet
130. Kittiwake
131. Fulmar
132. Razorbill
133. Guillemot
134. Puffin
 

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12/06/2010

Rspb Boat Trip from Bridlington to Flamborough Head.

As part of our weekend we booked the Boat trip through Rspb along the coast to Bempton Cliffs to see the Seabirds.Unfortunately the sea conditions were worst than forcast so we only got as far as the Head,I think the term they used was a rolling sea and boy was it rolling,there were several passengers looking green around the gills and some were quite poorly.There were however some lovely sightings of birds in flight and lots of birds on the water but not able to get pics due to the boat going up and down.But we still had a good time and most of our sightings for the weekend are Lifers.:t:

135. Shag
 

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13/06/2010

Rspb Frampton Marsh.

We decided to do a little detour on our journey home as we weren't that far from Frampton Marsh.Never been here before and what a lovely place,all brand new hides and easy to walk round and for a sunday it was so quiet not like Titchwell or Minsmere.We had a lovely sighting of two baby Sedge Warblers sitting on the fence being feed by mum,and there were loads of Reed Buntings and Corn Buntings singing in the sunshine.From the 360 Hide we saw an adult Avocet giving the Whistling Duck what for because it was close too the chicks.It was a great short visit we will definately go there again.

136. Little Ringed Plover
137. Corn Bunting
138. Spotted Flycatcher
139. Fulvous Whistling Duck (presumed escapee)
 

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04/07/2010


Thorpe to Rockland St Mary Staithe

We went for a boat trip along the River Wensum with Laura,Rob and their Border Collie Milly.From the boatyard at Thorpe we headed along the river,it was nice to see all the reserves that we usually walk along from the river.There were loads of Greylag and Egpytian Geese on the water all with young and lots of G.C.Grebes with young as well.Saw two Kingfishers although both in flight but was not quick enough to get a photo.Moored up at Rockland Staithe and had a lovely lunch at the New Inn before heading back.A lovely day was had by all.;)

140. Kingfisher
 
26/08/2010

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Thank Goodness for holidays,it's been ages since our last post but I guess the summer is the same for everyone.It's not that we have'nt been out but Dragonflies and Butterflies took over.Anyway up in Yorkshire for a well earned break and today we are at Bempton,which is not far from where we are staying. A very windy but sunny Bempton today not like yesterday when we just got past the Visitors Centre and the heavens opened and we had to leg it back to the car.There are still hundreds of Gannets here and lots of very fluffy young ones sitting like big balls of cottonwool on the cliff edges.

141. Whimbrel
142. Stonechat
 

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27/08/2010

Filey Dams

This was listed in the info in our cottage as somewhere to visit and we were'nt dissappointed.Although it is a very small reserve,it was hard to find as it is on the edge of a housing estate.There were only two hides and a short boardwalk but it was lovely .We met a very nice couple who told us about the reserve and also pointed out the Greenshank and also mentioned that Filey Brigg was worth a visit too.;)

143. Greenshank
144. Bar-tailed Godwit
 

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02/09/2010

Filey Brigg

After a spot of retail therapy in Scarborough we decided to stop off in Filey as it was on our way back to the cottage.We parked at the Country Park and headed towards the Brigg,we only walked along the cliff top and not down the cliff path and out to the Brigg itself as my shoes would'nt allow it.There were lots of birds flitting about such as Greenfinch,Goldfinch,Swallows and on the cliffs Rock Pipits.While we were walking we saw ahead off us on the footpath a Red-backed Shrike which really made our day as this is a Lifer for us,so good job I had the wrong shoes on afterall.:-O

145. Rock Pipit
146. Red-backed Shrike
 

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03/09/2010

Flamborough Head

While we were on holiday we went to a fab reserve at Tophill Low not far from Driffield (best to Google it),and although we did'nt see anything to add it was a really lovely place and worth a mention,so if anyone's going that way it's well worth a look.We had a great sighting off a Kingfisher feeding right in front of the hide for almost an hour it was amazing.Anyway went to Flam Head and there was a lot of activity,there were loads of Birders all over the place as there had been a report of an Olivaceous Warbler in the area,we did hear that some people had waited 6 hours too only get a 20 second glimpse off it,we were'nt lucky enough to see it but we did see the Barred Warbler that was in the Brambles in front of the Lighthouse.;)


147. Barred Warbler.
 

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12/09/20

RSPB Minsmere

Went to Minsmere today,got there quite early for us and there were already several people scanning the North bushes looking for the Wryneck that had been reported,we looked for awhile then headed on.Along the North Wall the Bearded Tits were showing well and Alan got some good shots of them.On the beach there was a large group of Birders and we went and joined them,in the dunes and showing well was a Lapland Bunting which was fab and everyone was watching from well back till some prize nugget decided to crawl commando style towards it for that one perfect shot,yes you guessed it,it flew away off up the beach,at that point we carried on around the reserve and had the rest of the place virtually to our selves,empty hides and very quite,not a usual sunday at Minsmere.:flyaway:

148. Little Stint
149. Hobby
150. Lesser Whitethroat
151. Lapland Bunting
 

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02/10/2010

RSPB Minsmere

Beautiful morning today after all the rain we had this week so it was off to Minsmere for us.Alan has got a new lens for his camera so it was a good chance to try it out,so the Heron in full view from North Hide was a great subject to focus on.We didn't see the King Eider but we had a great sighting of a Honey Buzzard gliding on the thermals from the sluice.;)


152. Honey Buzzard
 

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1/11/2010

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen

First morning out for awhile due to Daughter's Wedding,Weather and Weekend Away,and again it was a case of dodging the showers.From Tower Hide we had some cracking views of skeins of Geese flying past on their way to Buckenham Marsh and they were announcing their arrival quite loudly.


153. Merlin
 
14/11/2010

Cantley Marsh

A lovely morning so we headed to Cantley as there had been reports that the Bean Geese had arrived.so we decided to give it a go.It was very sunny and quite mild for the time of year as we headed across the train tracks and on to the marsh.There were hundreds of Lapwing and Starlings filling the sky,we also saw Deer and loads of Hares running about.The path was really muddy and very squellchy in places.When we reached the river we turned towards Buckenham Marsh after a short while we met the Rspb Warden who said the Bean Geese have'nt arrived yet but did point out a small flock of White-Fronted Geese which for us is a Lifer.We later headed back to Cantley,mud up to our knees but quite happy with our sighting.;)


154. White-Fronted Geese
 
21/11/2010


Hyde Park London

Went to London today for Christmas shopping,while walking through Hyde Park to go to Harrods we saw a pair of Raven's which for us is a Lifer.Just proves it does'nt matter where you are there's always time for a bit of birding.:-O

155. Raven
 
RSPB Minsmere
12/12/2010

Although it was a cold and frosty start to the day we decided to go to Minsmere.On arrival we had a great sighting of 4 Deer feeding close to the road which was lovely.On the feeders was a G S Woodpecker having breakfast and a White Wagtail seeing off all the other birds who were trying to feed on the ground below.Going through the North Bushes there were several Firecrests,Goldcrests and Redwings so lots of activitity.

156. Redwing
157, Goldcrest
158. Firecrest
159. Bewick Swan
160. Redwing
161. Sanderling
162. Pale-Bellied Brent Goose
 

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