Norfolk birding (3 Viewers)

[J Moss]

Was in Wells woods this morning, managing several Bramblings, a flyover Redpoll and siskins, and occasionally wondering where the OBP had been seen the previous few days. Then got a txt saying it had been found again and found the group who were watching it. Managed only one view in the 6 hours of looking. Very elusive. When it did sit up, it was pumping its tail a lot, which I didn't expect. However, It was silloueted on this view, so would be a bit of a dubious tick. We'll see...

Also had a Great White Egret on the Stiffkey Floods at 16:45, which then fliew over north.

Jason

 

[Happisbirder]

trying to remain positive about the wind direction this week - westerlies forcast for the whole week - possible good chance for a Yank - repeat of B&W warbler anyone!!

On the subject of weather I usually refer to the Met. Office, but their surface pressure charts only predict 4+half days it seems. I've come across another site, Weather Online, that gives weekly and monthly predictions, although the monthlies are, understandably, somewhat tentative. I haven't watched these long enough yet to comment on their reliability but thought some of you may be interested to check them out yourselves. If at all accurate, it looks like we'll be in for a spell of wintry NE'lies with snow the 3rd week of November! Time will tell...

No real birding at the weekend but I did flush a Woodcock here on Sunday; my 140th species in the parish (mostly on the dog's walks) since moving here August 2006.

James

 

[J Moss]

Dont suppose you could explain how to interpret these pressure charts could you? I think I get the wind side of things (meteorologically speaking), but have no idea about pressure systems.

Jason

 

[BobTag]

neumanni, nigricans and bernicla fun

I wonder if anybody else who'd seen the bird had any feelings on its odd appearance?

Hi Ilya - I've started a thread on the Rare Bird Info forum on this flycatcher, and have attached a couple of pics I took. Interested Norfolk birders could have a look here: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=99941

On another note, on Saturday afternoon whilst walking along the track that leads due south from Burnham Overy Dunes to the A149, whilst scanning through a flock of c.100 Dark-bellied Brents east of the track on Overy Marsh, a big bright white flank patch and broad bright white solid neck patch screemed Black Brant.

However, the back and belly were a little paler than I'd expect for a classic Brant, with a bit more contrast between the lower neck and belly that I'd like. Which, with the history of the site in mind and the stance of the BBRC on non-classic birds before they dropped Brant off the list, raised the bernicla hybrid prospect...

It'll probably be interesting to see if this bird changes appearance if it undergoes any more body moult. Local birders might be interested in keeping an eye open...

Cheers, BobTag

 

[J Moss]

I heard about this today. Bloody disgusting. Apparently two of the Sandringham wardens were counting Harriers going to roost when 2 dropped out of the sky.

They've got the corpses, but I bet the bastard (gamekeeper) will get away with it. Makes you sick.

Jason

Shhhhhhhh.........don't tell the Royal gamekeepers..............:C

Sue

 

[Tim P]

Did Hickling yesterday determined to see cranes if it killed me for first time. As I turned up at Stump MIll 21 flew across in front of me . Ive gone from never seeing any to seeing most of the UK population I guess? Nothing else terribly exciting a few fieldfare and a nice barn owl in front of Bittern hide lots of Marsh hariers but no Hen harriers. I guess the royals have killed them all (allegedly).

 

[J Moss]

Regarding pressure systems, if we want scarce european migrants, we need high pressure over Europe, low p. over the uk, and an easterly wind. Is that right? Does this also apply to Siberian migrants, and american birds as well, obviously with the opposite winds?

Easy as that, or is it more complicated?

Thanks

Jason

 

[Ilya Maclean]

Hi Ilya - I've started a thread on the Rare Bird Info forum on this flycatcher, and have attached a couple of pics I took. Interested Norfolk birders could have a look here: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=99941

On another note, on Saturday afternoon whilst walking along the track that leads due south from Burnham Overy Dunes to the A149, whilst scanning through a flock of c.100 Dark-bellied Brents east of the track on Overy Marsh, a big bright white flank patch and broad bright white solid neck patch screemed Black Brant.

However, the back and belly were a little paler than I'd expect for a classic Brant, with a bit more contrast between the lower neck and belly that I'd like. Which, with the history of the site in mind and the stance of the BBRC on non-classic birds before they dropped Brant off the list, raised the bernicla hybrid prospect...

It'll probably be interesting to see if this bird changes appearance if it undergoes any more body moult. Local birders might be interested in keeping an eye open...

Cheers, BobTag

Cheers, I'll have a look at that thread and photos. There are hybrid black brants knocking around. I saw two hanging around with the pure ones last year

 

[Penny Clarke]

Went to Titchwell this afternoon, arriving about 3pm - sunny afternoon.

4 Little Stints, 1 Sparrowhawk which put a few birds up, loads of golden plover, ruff, 2 spotted redshanks, shoveler, pochard, wigeon, 2 pied wagtails, little egrets, 2 herons. Nothing on the sea at all at 4.30pmish, but loads of usual waders on shore. On the way back, kingfisher flashed across path, 2 marsh harriers over dead trees and below a short eared owl went over the reeds! Fantastic sight of thousands of starlings coming into roost in the reeds.

Best Wishes Penny:girl:

 

[J Moss]

Wells early this morning. Rough Legged Buzzard hovering low over East Hills at around 7:30. Very distant though. Then through to the dell, where there was no sign of the OBP. However, did get absolutely stunning views of the Rough Legged Buzzard again, but this time only around 15 meters away, soaring past and hovering over the fields towards Holkham. This was around 10:00. Incredible views. Also had a possible Little Bunting in the open scrubby area lining the fields. Sun was crap, so no features or colours were evident, except the white moustache. However, it was clearly smaller and plumper than a Reed, even in flight. Flew off and I couldn't relocate it.

Salthouse produced 2 very late Swallows over the grazing fields and good views of 2 Lapland Buntings on the shingle.

Jason

 

[Penny Clarke]

Went to Holme today, arrived 10.45am

Beautiful sunny day - 3 kestrels, 6 long tailed tits, goldcrest, 1 grey wagtail, blue tit, 6 mute swans, 1 heron, several canada geese on the broadwater along with wigeon, teal and lots of coot. 2 little egrets flew over, 1 great tit, 4 snipe, 1 sparrowhawk chasing woodpigeon through pines, 1 brambling calling, 16 goldfinches near feeders by Firs House, 1 male great spotted woodpecker sitting on telegraph wire oppostive NOA carpark, 16 greenfinches, 1 pied wagtail, 7 curlew flying west, 1 redwing. Really wished I had a pager when I found out off a friend later that a rough legged buzzard had been travelling west along the sea, had I known I would have gone and sat on the dunes! never mind. Several dragonflies and a red admiral adorned the buddleia by observatory.

Holme Marsh Reserve 4.40pm

Barn Owl, wigeon, teal, heron roosting, blackbirds, pinkfeet and starlings.

Best Wishes Penny:girl:

 

[matt green]

Went to Holme today, arrived 10.45am

Really wished I had a pager when I found out off a friend later that a rough legged buzzard had been travelling west along the sea, had I known I would have gone and sat on the dunes! never mind.

Don't do it Penny!!, the point of no return

(great read as always:t

Matt

 

[Penny Clarke]

Don't do it Penny!!, the point of no return

(great read as always:t

Matt

Thanks Matt, no I probably won't, they are too expensive, and I would turn into a full time twitcher, BUT it would have been very useful today!

Best Wishes Penny:girl:

 

[Edward woodwood]

Very little out here at the moment - hoping for better at the weekend... hopefully not another Radde's though!

The Lesser Snow Goose continues to be elusive while the cranes are becoming more visible... wonderful sunset over Brograve last night with cranes trumpeting away and owls and geese calling

Just a reminder to east Norfolk birders of the excellent GYBC website, if you want an overview of what's being seen...

http://www.gybirdclub.ukf.net/

 

[Paul Eele]

Richards pipit east over Titchwell village towards Brancaster at 7am this morning.

As well as the rough leg in/off the sea at Titchwell yesterday, 3 little auks offshore and 1+ twite with linnet flock.

Paul

 

[Connor Rand]

See there is some north forecast in the wind this weekend.... A flurry of Little Auks would be nice... Great-grey Shrike still rptd at Burnham Ovary Dunes this afternoon.

Cheers,

Connor

 

[Happisbirder]

Bit of an aside to the usual feathered murmurings in this thread.... there's a comet showing rather well in the night sky at present. It's easy to pick out too. At this time of night it's almost directly overhead: look for an almost equaliteral triangle of 'stars' (part of Perseus apparently), the fuzzy one is Comet P/17 Holmes. It looks best through bins or quite a low mag 'scope but unfortunately the tail isn't side on. Still good though. Currently some good info here, scroll down page...

James

 

[J Moss]

Titchwell produced the goods for me today, in the form of 2 lifers; 5 Velvet Scoters on the sea and 2 Twite from the Parrinder hide. Also from the hide were 2 Water Pipits and 3 Water Rails. Hundreds of Golden Plovers present all put up by a dark Buzzard at one point was rather spectacular. Couldn't pic out any funny looking gringo ones though... Gave me a pounding headache looking.

The fields towards Choseley were a bit of a wader fest, with lots of GPs, about 40 Ruff (?!) and several curlews all feeding/roosting.

Jason

 

[Edward woodwood]

good numbers of Poms passing today

at least 9 past Sea Palling and Eccles before lunch and a couple of Little Auks. Arctic Skua and Bonxie too.

also a good passage of auks and kittiewakes south

2 more Poms in last hour of light at Waxham and DB had a Little Auk just before i arrived. Four Shags this afternoon.

 

[J Moss]

2 Pom Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 45+ Kittiwakes, 3+ Red Throated Divers, 20 Common Scoters, c25 Curlew, Brents, Gannets and Razorbills and high numbers of Starlings off the sea from 1:30 till 3 at Salthouse.

Will be back bright and early tomorrow, hopefully for my first Little Auks.

Fingers Crossed.

Jason