Norfolk birding (4 Viewers)

[keen newbie]

Well! Yes, I am very embarrassed, as I use a couple of car forums every day and they both have "thanks" buttons, which are used all the time.
I did look for a thanks button here, but couldn't see it? I sncerely apologise. Maybe I'll just read from now on. I help many people with many problems with their car engines questions, however, I don't turn round demanding thanks, nor expect it, as I do it as a selfless act. I'm sorry I offended you, and I can clearly see that you were so overwhemingly upset, that you chose to lambast me openly on the forum to attempt to make me look a fool. I thought birders were supposedly a friendly breed, like owners of particular marques of cars, sadly it appears I am wrong. I'll bother you no further and just read.
Unfortunately, there are always the old school clique on many forums, who because of their posting counts think they are superior and run it.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Don't take it to heart, there are enough friendly folk on here who are more than happy to divulge information and don't require acknowledgement. Some of our "experts" still struggle with ID - ^buzzards ^ - and delete posts off of blogs when their ID is corrected - almost always with no acknowledgement or thanks for the correction! (Booted eagle anybody?)
Anyways, back on point.
There is some excellent information on birding in the Brecks out there (check out Paul Newport's blog) and as a whole the area attracts some interesting visitors as well as the "classic" breeding species. There are many excellent and underwatched areas, particularly along the Peddar's way. As a former breckland resident there is always something to enjoy throughout the year and it's a great area to explore with 90% of the "birders" at honeypot sites such as Lynford/Livermere/Caversham ect.
If you want any information feel free to contact me, but my gen may be a bit out of date.

 

[keen newbie]

Many thanks Daniel, that has kind of rekindled my perceived thoughts on some birders being a friendly bunch. I can now see that not everybody is up themselves. I've wandered around Lackford Lakes/ Lakenheath fen and met some fairly friendly people who will help me on ID's etc. I will indeed check out Paul Newports blog. Once again cheers.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Many thanks Daniel, that has kind of rekindled my perceived thoughts on some birders being a friendly bunch. I can now see that not everybody is up themselves. I've wandered around Lackford Lakes/ Lakenheath fen and met some fairly friendly people who will help me on ID's etc. I will indeed check out Paul Newports blog. Once again cheers.

acknowledged and thanks accepted

 

[sacha]

Was passing Lyng today so stopped for a quick walk around Sparham GP. Most frozen but distant (East?) pits held at least 4 Goosander (at least 2 nice drakes).
No sign of GW Egret seen recently.. But was a very brief stop
Sacha

 

[Mike Cross]

Totally agree with your sentiments. There is one fundamental difference , the door user and driver given consideration are there during the exchange. Because of time lags the recipient of advice and guidance on BF may not evn be logged on to their computer when a response is posted and may not come back for days. Don't therefore take it to heart I find BF invaluable in terms of all sorts of advice whether it when best to look for bird through to take wellingtons and be careful in fields set aside for parking as cars getting stuck in mud through to best chippie in town etc. Please don't refuse to give advice in future it's what makes BF tick.

Mike

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Cheers Mike: points taken!
I certainly won't stop responding to requests for advice I might occasionally receive, but I'll think twice before offering it gratuitously....

On a lighter note: RLB, Merlin, Peregrine and lots of Fieldfares on the Halvergate Marshes this morning.

 

[keen newbie]

Today, I did some searching on Google on birding in the brecks, and up came a plethora of information and blogs. Have had a pleasant afternoons reading. Should have done this in the 1st place. It would have saved all the unpleasantness. Some very good and informative writers.:t:

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell January 22nd

Today's highlights

Snow bunting - 50 west along the beach mid morning
Water pipit - 2 on drained grazing meadow pool
Long tailed duck - drake offshore
Velvet scoter - 1 offshore
Avocet - 7 on fresh marsh
Spotted redshank - 1 on saltmarsh

Paul

 

[norwichbirder87]

Walked the south side of Breydon Water this afternoon. Didn't see another person or, unfortunately, the Richard's Pipit that's been about.

Best of the bunch were 23 Avocets and 2 Med Gulls (almost certainly loads more in the gull flocks in the distance) but loads of Dunlin, Grey and Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, Teal and Wigeon made for an excellent spectacle, particularly when flushed by hunting Marsh Harriers and a big female Sparrowhawk.

Train home gave good views of a Barn Owl over Halvergate Marshes.

Will

 

[jimbob]

QUOTE]

Totally agree with your sentiments. There is one fundamental difference , the door user and driver given consideration are there during the exchange. Because of time lags the recipient of advice and guidance on BF may not evn be logged on to their computer when a response is posted and may not come back for days. Don't therefore take it to heart I find BF invaluable in terms of all sorts of advice whether it when best to look for bird through to take wellingtons and be careful in fields set aside for parking as cars getting stuck in mud through to best chippie in town etc. Please don't refuse to give advice in future it's what makes BF tick.

Mike[/QUOTE]

Agreed- BF works because people give advice and keep us up to date with sightings. You have always done this on here David and I hope you and others continue to do so.

Jim.

 

[john miller]

At least 15 Red Kite at roost near Wells this evening, some sitting in trees only 50yds from road.
There must also be a movement off the continent in the last few days, with small numbers of Waxwing turning up plus a few small groups of Fieldfare over my garden,
high heading south.

John

www.kellingnature.zenfolio.com

 

[willowgrouse]

A sense of perspective...

Well! Yes, I am very embarrassed, as I use a couple of car forums every day and they both have "thanks" buttons, which are used all the time.
I did look for a thanks button here, but couldn't see it? I sncerely apologise. Maybe I'll just read from now on. I help many people with many problems with their car engines questions, however, I don't turn round demanding thanks, nor expect it, as I do it as a selfless act. I'm sorry I offended you, and I can clearly see that you were so overwhemingly upset, that you chose to lambast me openly on the forum to attempt to make me look a fool. I thought birders were supposedly a friendly breed, like owners of particular marques of cars, sadly it appears I am wrong. I'll bother you no further and just read.
Unfortunately, there are always the old school clique on many forums, who because of their posting counts think they are superior and run it.

I haven't checked this forum since I responded to a request for help a couple of days ago and I have now read and digested the 'spat' that has been going on over on-line etiquette (if such a thing exists).

Firstly, a thank-you here and there never did any harm, but in a world where anybody can post any unqualified barely-literate rubbish on-line without any real comebacks (yes I know the law has changed, but you have to almost incite a holy war before you are taken to task by the authorities), it is not always relevant. Indeed, 'newbie's' response to his alleged failings appears to be an honest and humble one, in fact one of the more sensible posts of the year to date.

The most important factor here, as hinted at by the Super Moderator, is that there is young (hopefully) new blood out there showing an interest in our hobby/pastime, that by-and-large has an ageing, and clearly irrascible and cantacerous bloodstock. The first thing he has to endure is being pilloried in front of all and sundry by a ranting self-confessed 'grumpy old man'. Frankly, the conservation movement needs everybody it can get if we are to maintain a minor semblance of order in the never-ending exploitation and pillaging of our natural world. Everybody needs to start somewhere, and every person discouraged is another potential conservationist lost. Although time in the field has no substitute, guidance and assistance can be crucial in enabling the enjoyment our hobby can bring, particularly in the early days. A little encouragement goes a long way.

From my point of view 'newbie', feel free to ask away. There are some excellent birders operating out of Breckland, if you spend time in the field or on this forum, you will come across some of them. You will make some mistakes, we all did, and still do. Show me a man who has never made a mistake in the field, and I'll show you a man who's never been in the field! Good luck, and I hope you get huge enjoyment from your birding.

 

[Shaky09]

Some good comments willow grouse and jimbob. Being someone who has really benefitted from reading the forum for help with ID skills, directions to sites or advice on binoculars I hope that keen newbie isn't put off and keeps asking or replying to questions or the posting of his sightings as that's what I thought this forum was for ,not the silliness & grumpiness or playground speach that it sometimes can become. I would like to say that I hope David carries on giving helpful info and his regular sightings as that what has made this forum a real gem for me in my " novice years" . I was a newbie not long ago to this wonderful hobby and with the help
of BF ,along with getting myself out to new places I have gain not just great days out but some great friends too. Also since having 2 new children over the last 3 years I'm still a novice in many ways and look forward to reading this forum for many years to come for help and advice!
Back to birds -I had a couple of nice visits to halvergate to view the cracking RLB and SEO s and to catfield with the kids to see the Bewick's/ whooper swans. If any one hasn't yet seen them I recommend it as they are a good size in numbers , plus the hunt for them is also fun!
Any way as usual.....
happy birding,
shaky

 

[crapbirder]

Re. A Sense of Perspective.

As one who falls into Willowgrouse's perceptive categorisation of BF participants as consisting of ' by-and-large an ageing, and clearly irrascible and cantacerous(sic) bloodstock ', I hope no one will be offended if I find it interesting that the behaviour of birders generates more responses on this forum at times than the behaviour of birds.

 

[jhopkins]

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!)

From one grumpy , well brought-up old man, to another.....:clap:

 

[keen newbie]

From one grumpy , well brought-up old man, to another.....:clap:

Clearly another clapped out old nob to avoid.:clap:

You will see I have now placed an avatar as to my social standing on here. Clearly I am in the yellow.3

 

[Alcina]

I have noticed that no-one on BUBO has ticked their little owls at Flitcham Abbey Farm this year. Are they still there in the oak, or have they cleared off?

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell January 23rd

Today's highlights

Waxwing - 1 west over the visitor centre @ 09:15
Hen harrier - male hunting the saltmarsh this morning
Water pipit - 2 on the reserve but mobile
Avocet - 7 on fresh marsh
Stonechat - 1 in reedbed
Peregrine - 2 hunting over saltmarsh
Fieldfare - large westerly passage early morning at least

Paul

 

[Dick-E-Dipper]

I have noticed that no-one on BUBO has ticked their little owls at Flitcham Abbey Farm this year. Are they still there in the oak, or have they cleared off?

You have forgotten to say PLEASE

No wonder this norfolk site boasts a high number of blogs:smoke:!!

I suppose, as the saying goes, it takes all sorts, including me:-O

I enjoy reading the majority of BIRD sightings etc.

Dick