Dawn & Alans 2010 Bird List (1 Viewer)

[alandawn]

1/01/2010 Happy New Year Everyone.


Oh Dear || its snowing so not a good start to the day and its freezing.We decided to stay at home today and we hope to get out at the weekend so the first entries to our 2010 List are the visitors to the feeders and what was seen in the garden.

1. Blackbird
2. Blue Tit
3. Dunnock
4. Starling
5. Robin
6. Chaffinch
7. Great Tit
8. House Sparrow
9. Wood Pigeon
10. Collared Dove
11. Tree Sparrow
12. Black-headed Gull
13. Goldfinch

Lets hope we can beat last years total of 187.

 

[alandawn]

2/01/2010


We had a new visitor to our Feeders today which was quite exciting as we have never had one of these in the Garden before.I thought i needed new glasses but when it returned for a 2nd visit i knew i was'nt seeing things.


14. Blackcap

Not able to get a picture of the Blackcap but here are another couple of visitors to our garden

 

[alandawn]

2/01/2010


We had a very brief visit to Whitlingham Broad this afternoon as it was very very cold and the paths were like glass.We had some nice sightings but were not lucky enough this time to spot the Great-Northern Diver.

15. Rook
16 Egyptian Goose
17. Mute Swan
18. Cormorant
19. Great-Crested Grebe
20. Pochard
21. Greylag Goose
22. Jay
23. Moorhen
24. Mallard
25. Canada Goose
26, Coot
27. Tufted Duck
28. Gadwall
29. Pied Wagtail
30. Wren

 

[alandawn]

09/01/2010

We decided to be brave and venture out today,so with five layers of clothing and two pairs of gloves on off we went.We went to Whitlingham Great Broad as its not too far for us to go and it was freezing,although the temp was -3 the windchill made it feel alot colder than that.The Broad was covered in some places almost half way across with ice so this pushed the birds alot closer and we had some really great sightings and many thanks to the guy with the scope who let us have a look through it. After an hour with very cold feet and hands we headed home but it was good to get out.:t:

31. Great-Northern Diver
32. Smew
33. Fieldfare
34. Marsh Tit

 

[alandawn]

09/01/2010


Weather forecast is not very good for today so we are staying at home.But I have taken over doing our list for this year and have already missed off some sightings from yesterday,Oh well it can only get better (hopefully).

35. Teal
36. Wigeon
37. Grey Heron

 

[alandawn]

11/01/2010

We had the day off today and with the improvement in the weather we headed to Strumpshaw Fen.The Fen was completely frozen over and it was the first time we had seen it with not a bird on it at all.We walked to Tower Hide and had some nice sightings of Birds on the river,there was a lovely pair of Great-Crested Grebes having a bit of a smooch,and across the river over the Ted Ellis Reserve was a Barn Owl and two Marsh Harriers hunting.The Chinese Water Deer were crashing about through the reedbeds and i think Alan got the picture of its backend.Towards Buckenham Marsh there were hundreds of Wigeon and they were making quite a noise.

38. Pheasant
39. Reeve's Pheasant
40. Reed Bunting
41. Magpie
42. Carrion Crow
43. Barn Owl
44. Red-Legged Partridge
45. Kestrel
46. Song Thrush
47. Ross's Goose

 

[alandawn]

23/01/2010


There must be something that happen's to the weather as soon as it's our day off,it was cold,misty and drizzly.We went to Whitlingham Great Broad this morning as there had been some good sightings reported.The Great-Northern Diver was still there and showing well,we also had a great sighting of a Red-Necked Grebe,which for us is a Lifer.We decided to move on to Buckenham Marsh in the hope of seeing the Bean Geese which we did'nt,but there were hundreds of Wigeon making a tremendous noise and filling the sky when they took flight.Unfortunatately the mist closed in and you could'nt see across the marsh so we headed home,hopefully tomorrow we will get out again.

48. Little Grebe
49. Red-Necked Grebe
50. Common Gull
51. Shelduck

 

[alandawn]

24/01/2010

We headed to Minsmere this morning and after a grey and misty drive down we were pleased to see the sun trying to break through on arrival.As we don't usually do Minsmere at the weekend we were surprised at how few people were there.The water on the scrape was really high and not suitable for Waders and apart from three Black-tailed Godwits there were'nt any, over on Island Mere there were two male Smew and also the Marsh Harriers were putting on a good display.We had a good visit today and a pleasant walk around and got some new sightings for our list.

52. Jackdaw
53. Greenfinch
54. Black-tailed Godwit
55. Curlew
56. Shovelar
57. Herring Gull
58. Water Pipit
59. Green Woodpecker
60. Pintail
61. Siskin
62. Nuthatch
63. Linnet
64. Bullfinch

 

[alandawn]

20/02/2010

It's a good job Birding is a marathon and not a sprint as we have'nt got off to a great start so far this year due to work,weather and illness.So it was really good to get out today,we went to Lackford Lakes which was our first visit here since last summer,and it was nice to see the new hides and some work had been done clearing trees around the lakes. We had a fab sightings of a Bittern and the Bean Geese(Lifer) and our first Treecreeper of the year.

65. Bean Goose
66. Barnacle Goose
67. Bittern
68. Goldeneye
69. Treecreeper

 

[alandawn]

06/03/2010

We went to Sculthorpe this morning and although the sun was shining it was quite chilly.Within two minutes we saw a pair of Bullfinches on the feeder by the Portacabin and later from the Whitley Hide we enjoyed the great views of the Bullfinches and Long-tailed Tits on the feeding table.From the Paul Johnson Hide after sitting there quite a while we did see a Buzzard but unfortunately nothing else,we then walked back they way we had come and looking over the fence at the Frank Jarvis Hide we saw a GS Woodpecker on the feeder.

70. Coal Tit
71. Buzzard
72. Great-Spotted Woodpecker
73. Feral Pigeon

 

[alandawn]

21/03/2010

After going a bit stir crazy we finally got out again today.We headed to North Norfolk and went to Cley Marsh.Instead of parking at the Visitors Centre we parked at the Beach and straight away there were two Wagtails flying around and around and landing on the shelter.We decided to just walk the perimeter of the Reserve and not do the hides and we were'nt disappointed.There were several Skylarks soaring and filling the air with their song.We saw our first Little Egret for this year( a favourite of ours) and lots of Avocets.There were plenty of Bearded Tits flitting about in the sunshine.We have the week off this week so hopefully this is the start to a good week off.

74. Avocet
75. Turnstone
76. Skylark
77. Common Sandpiper
78. Meadow Pipit
79. Little Egret
80. Redshank
81. Lapwing
82. Marsh Harrier
83. Black Swan
84. Bearded Tit
85. Spotted Redshank
86. Oystercatcher

 

[alandawn]

22/03/2010

Rutland Water

Having a break for a few days at Rutland Water, fantastic Hotel on the waters edge fantastic views, weather was dull but at least dry to start with.
Went for short walk from Hotel to the yacht station saw 30 species including one for the year, another 2 days here going hopefully to see the Osprey tomorrow.

87. Scaup

 

[alandawn]

23/03/2010

Rutland Water

Today we spent the best £8.00 ever on what must be a very well kept secret in Rutland.We went to Lyndon and Egleton and did both reserves but only managed 17 of the 30 hides there is to offer, we did not see the Osprey but still had some great sightings,

88, Wheatear
89, Snipe
90, Chiff Chaff
91, Sand Martin
92, Red Kite

 

[alandawn]

26/03/2010

Strumpshaw Fen

A lovely morning so decided to head to Strumpshaw,but not very organised today with no boots and no camera it must be an age thing.They still seem to be doing quite a bit of work here at Strumpshaw and we could also see in the distance the new hide at Buckenham Marsh shining harshly as the sun caught it.The new hide does not open till next month but should offer some good sightings when it does.There were 3 Marsh Harriers showing well at Strumpshaw and hundreds of BH Gulls making quite a racket.

93. Dunlin

 

[alandawn]

03/04/2010

Rollesby


We went to The Waterside at Rollesby this morning it was their first week of opening.There is a lovely Restaurant over looking the Broad and also a hide although the hide has no seating in it so if you are vertically challenged like me you either stoop or stand on tiptoes(i expect this will be rectified).We took a trip out onto the Broad on tne new Electric Launch called the Gentleman Jim,it was so peaceful and the sun was shining although there was'nt much to see it was really enjoyable.I think this place will be very popular in the summer.

94. Grey Partridge

 

[alandawn]

04/04/2010


Buckenham Marsh

We decided to stay local as we thought the world and his wife would be out today.First visit for a while to Buckenham Marsh and there have been a few changes,we thought the new car park was a good addition as parking could be a problem unless you walked from Strumpshaw.We walked down to the new hide but it's not finished yet hopefully some sort of screening will be put up because at the moment the birds aren't very close as they can see you coming.We did'nt stay too long as it was freezing but we had a nice sighting of 5 Little Egrets.

95. Sparrowhawk

 

[alandawn]

09/04/2010

Minsmere

What a lovely day,we got up early(well early for us on our day off) and headed off to Minsmere and we could'nt have picked a better day.The weather was warm and sunny on arrival and we headed to Bittern Hide first and as soon as we entered the hide there was a Bittern right in front off the hide,and he was'nt camera shy he was right out in full view feeding, walking about and best of all Booming.We watched him for a good half hour before he disappeared into the reeds.Later on after a great walk and lots of good sightings including a pair of Nuthatches on the feeder by the Wardens Office we saw a Spoonbill land on the scrape and our first Swallow of the year.

96. Spoonbill
97. Sandwich Tern
98. Mediteranean Gull
99. Caspian Gull
100. Little Gull
101. Ringed Plover
102. Great-Black-Backed Gull
103. Swallow
104. Nightingale

 

[alandawn]

11/04/2010

While Alan is watching Tottenham on tv I am checking my notes as we have seen less so far this year compared to last year,and I have missed a couple off.But I'm not going to tell him it will be our little secret.

105. Long-tailed Tit
106. Brent Geese

 

[alandawn]

17/04/2010

RSPB Surlingham Church Marsh

We decided to stay local this morning as Alan has been on nights this week and did'nt want to walk too far.It was a lovely morning with clear blue sky and lots of sunshine and quite warm too.Within minutes of arriving we spotted our first Brimstone,Orange-tipped and Large White Butterflies of the year we carried on walking and soon heard the distinctive song of the Sedge Warbler and Cetti's Warbler too.We had a cracking sighting of a Hen Harrier over the reedbed and also a Red Kite soaring overhead.A lovely couple of hours spent here.

107. Sedge Warbler
108. Cetti's Warbler
109. Hen Harrier
110. Willow Warbler

 

[alandawn]

18/04/2010

Martham Broad and Horsey Gap


What a lovely day,we headed off to Martham Broad as last year we saw Cranes here and hoped to see them again.We had a nice walk round spotting all the usual suspects,as we were heading back to the car having not seen any Cranes a shout went out and there was a pair of Cranes flying in behind us,so that was really good.We then moved on to Horsey Windpump and walked to the Gap having not done this walk before.In the field just after the stile were not only lots of cute calves but pecking about their feet were two Yellow Wagtails,we carried on towards the beach and saw and heard lots of Skylarks then when we got to the beach there were about 12 Seals playing and bobbing about in the sea.It was then back to the tea shop for a well earned ice cream.:t:

111. Crane
112. Lesser-Black-Backed Gull
113. Pink-Footed Geese
114. Yellow Wagtail