Norfolk birding (3 Viewers)

[keen newbie]

During the working day, I drive a van to various parts of Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambs. I am interested in "The Brecks" threads, although I see this sign as I am entering Thetford. Could someone please enlighten me as to what they term as "The brecks" please? (You can tell I'm a newbie).

 

[harrier1234]

Brancaster 1430-1600

Highlights Green Woodpecker, Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier, Jay, Muntjac x 2, flock of Pink Feet between Brancaster and Brancaster Staithe in Beet field.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

During the working day, I drive a van to various parts of Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambs. I am interested in "The Brecks" threads, although I see this sign as I am entering Thetford. Could someone please enlighten me as to what they term as "The brecks" please? (You can tell I'm a newbie).

Hi there!
The Brecks is a region of ancient, sandy agricultural land that has reverted to a wild state: see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breckland

It's a fabulous place to go birding!

 

[gordon hamlett]

Burnham Overy Sunday afternoon.

Highlights included a stoat in ermine
2 red kites
2 rough-legged buzzards showing well all afternoon
10+ buzzards
peregrine
2 barn owls
2 short-eared owls
2 kestrels
Thousands of brents and pinkfeet
2 barnacle geese (probably feral)
redwing
fieldfare
mistle thrush
7 blackwits
ruff
plenty of curlews and lapwings
fewer golden plovers than normal
grey partridges
hare
muntjac

My wife had a probable bittern lurking in the reeds

Gordon

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell January 19th

Today's highlights

Twite - 4 on fresh marsh this morning
Woodcock - 2 in visitor centre scrub
Avocet - 7 on fresh marsh
Hen harrier - 2 ringtails to roost
Water pipit - 1 on fresh marsh
Spotted redshank - 3 on saltmarsh

Paul

 

[Geoff Pain]

I see on Birdguides that the Rough-legged Buzzards are viewable at Burnham Overy from the A149 lay-by, can anybody tell me where it is?

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell January 20th

Today's highlights

Jack snipe - 1 on drained grazing meadow pool this afternoon
Water pipit - 2 on drained grazing meadow pool this afternoon
Peregrine - 1 hunting over the reserve
Barn owl - 2 hunting birds late afternoon
Woodcock - 1 in scrub but elusive
Avocet - 7 on fresh marsh

Paul

 

[willowgrouse]

Rough-legs

I see on Birdguides that the Rough-legged Buzzards are viewable at Burnham Overy from the A149 lay-by, can anybody tell me where it is?

It is a small dirt pull-in on the north side of the A149 coast road, on the highest ground between Holkham and Burnham Overy Staithe villages. It is opposite a minor road (to Burnham Thorpe) that has a small grass/dirt triangle on either side at the junction with the A149.

Views from here are likely to be distant as the birds are usually hunting rabbits in the dunes, or occasionally sitting on gateposts or fences on the grazing marsh.

Beware the common buzzards, one of which is quite pale-headed and is regularly claimed as a rough-leg.

 

[Geoff Pain]

Thanks for that, I know where you mean.

 

[putnoebabes]

Old friends

Spent the day in Norfolk checking the state of our summer residence (static caravan!), caught up with the Hooded/Carrion Crow hybrid at E Runton, and also the adult winter plumage Med Gull on its usual post at W Runton beach car park. Roll on March
Graham

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Buzzards masquerading as Rough-legs!

Great day out on the North Coast (see blog for plenty of photos!)
The pale Buzzard at Holkham posed nicely for the unwary, while the Rough-leg at BN occasionally put on a show. What's it having a bash at in this photo?

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Etiquette

During the working day, I drive a van to various parts of Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambs. I am interested in "The Brecks" threads, although I see this sign as I am entering Thetford. Could someone please enlighten me as to what they term as "The brecks" please? (You can tell I'm a newbie).

You know: here on Birdforum when someone takes the trouble to reply to a question, it's customary to acknowledge their response....

 

[norwichbirder87]

Grow up David.

 

[KC Foggin]

You know: here on Birdforum when someone takes the trouble to reply to a question, it's customary to say thankyou...

With only 8 posts to his name, I'm sure he'll soon learn. No need to try and embarrass a newcomer.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

'Grow up'

You know, that sort of response on BF is exactly the kind that frustrates me and - I know from chatting with people I meet - others too! It's why questions often go unanswered on here:

Someone asks for information: if no-one replies, the original poster often comes back complaining that he's been ignored. If people take the trouble to provide a response, more often than not there's no acknowledgement.

In this case, I took the trouble to reply and provide a link to the information our 'newbie' was seeking (and which he could so easily have done himself!)

I notice 'Norwich Birder' that you generally acknowledge responses to your posts:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3148443#post3148443
But not always!
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3097708#post3097708

And KCF: how exactly do people learn without advice - or occasional admonishment - from others?

I would've thought anticipating an acknowledgement wasn't unreasonable: I don't see how a mild reminder of what is basic good manners constitutes me trying to 'embarrass a newcomer'. It's certainly not in the same league as the invective that is frequently heaped on people - me included - when they post contentious details of a bird: eg the recent SBG, Trumpeter Swan, AWI etc threads.

In future I won't bother replying to enquiries from people I don't know!

 

[AFeather]

You obviously think a lot of your self, but when does it stop?

Do you have to acknowledge the acknowledgement? and then should you acknowledge the acknowledgement that acknowledged the original acknowledgement. And repeat.

Furthermore, does everybody else who found the answer useful and interesting have to acknowledge you too? If so, I've been a more than rude to literally thousands of posters!

Obviously I'm joking, but I expect you will acknowledge this.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

What makes you think I 'think a lot of myself'? I'm just a normal, grumpy old man: but I was brought up in a world where most people said please and thank you and, having spent forty years teaching and lecturing across all phases (KS1 to university) I probably have a reasonable notion of how people learn...

My point was that a specific enquiry eliciting a specific response merits an acknowledgement.... When I'm driving and stop to let traffic flow towards me, I would expect a thank you wave from the first car: if I stand back to let someone through a door, I'd hope for a nod of acknowledgement. Wouldn't you? Anything different about BF? Shouldn't we display similar courtesy on here?

Thanks for your well-considered and thought-provoking response! (Obviously, like you, I'm joking!)

 

[jimbob]

I think we are in danger here of confusing etiquette in public face to face, with online etiquette which is by default a different thing. Yes, manners still apply but the simple fact that one can post and then walk away from the conversation, go to work, the pub, even go birding (!) means that any delay in responding can easily be misinterpreted. Yes David, a lack of response can be frustrating but people do have more important things to do than post on Birdforum. Added to this, and expectations from forum to forum and website to website vary greatly. With regards other hobbies, one forum I am a member of is very lively and supportive, pretty much all posts responded to quickly. Another is sparse in comparison and there is often a delay in responding, and because of this some posts get lost over time. I don't take this personally.

As I have said before, a number of people lurk on here and offer nothing, just taking information I expect. Again, nothing personal, let them get on with it. They are missing out because the forum can be a great place if we want it to be.

There are only so many shits to give in life; I would suggest this is not one of them.

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[jimbob]

And swiftly back to the birds- cold weather movements anyone?

Couple of Coal Tits are more regular in the garden for me, but still lacking Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll.

Jim.

 

[AFeather]

So much thought my brain cell almost blew its fuse.