Norfolk birding (2 Viewers)

[Johny121]

I apologise if a little rude and sadly I am not the man you are after. I believe I have met him in the field and apart from him having a good name do not know him.

You seem to get quite upset if people give you a one word answer or bother to help you or correct your pictures so I am not sure why you are upset.

Well done finding those birds but it is a little bit sad that they never appear on your blog.

I am very glad you have seen several pelagic species- I have seen lots too. It was just a shame the Sabine's photo you put up was not one.

I have no idea who Martin is. Martin Garner? I know he's seen a lot of birds. I have been on birding tours to far-flung places and some of the birders I met out there were shocking. All you need is a big wallet to get there and a guide to show you what you're seeing, it often does reflect one's skill out and about.

I can't think that birding in most of South America would actually help you here in Norfolk either.

ATB

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Ttfn!

Well: for the third and final time I shall cease to post on BF and will delete it from my 'favourites'...

This will, undoubtedly, cause universal satisfaction and pleasure, but if anyone out there is actually interested in birds (as opposed to scoring cheap points to make themselves seem cleverer than they really are!)
and wishes to look at lots more photoshopped images of Turtle Doves in my garden, the blog will continue: and yes: I will assert my editorial powers most rigorously!

By the way: 'Martin' is Martin Read, bird artist, traveller and very high-lister. He birded in the far-flung locations alone or with one or two friends and has never taken part in one of the guided tours you describe.

 

[Kayn]

Well: for the third and final time I shall cease to post on BF

Says it all, surely.

 

[Johny121]

"very high-lister. "

Loves to list, hates to ID

 

[ben_lewis]

Wow that escalated quickly!

Just got back from Buckenham where I spent 2 hours watching a breeding plumage great white egret (black bill, raspberry pink legs!) feeding in the ditches.
How's that for timing!

 

[RyanI]

Wow that escalated quickly!

Just got back from Buckenham where I spent 2 hours watching a breeding plumage great white egret (black bill, raspberry pink legs!) feeding in the ditches.
How's that for timing!

I hope you've got unphotoshopped photos ;-)

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell April 28th

Today's highlights

Garganey - pair on the fresh marsh until early afternoon at least
Little ringed plover - 2 on fresh marsh
Med gull - 2 (adult + 2nd summer) on fresh marsh this morning
Spotted redshank - moulting adult on fresh marsh
Grasshopper warbler - 1 singing by viewing screen on east trail
Red crested pochard - at least 4 birds around the reserve
Common sandpiper - 1 on fresh marsh
Peregrine - immature still present on the reserve

Paul

 

[crapbirder]

Has the candle really gone out?.

Quote:

"Well: for the third and final time I shall cease to post on BF"

Personally, I have difficulty attaching any credibility to someone apparently unable to keep their word.

 

[paulptct]

A few good men

Well: for the third and final time I shall cease to post on BF and will delete it from my 'favourites'...
.

David, I felt guilty when I read your Blog and thought not to reply. Afraid of being ridiculed for having an opinion. As you have now closed the blog thread, I choose to reply here. First I agree with almost all that you have said both on your blog and also the Norfolk BF.
Unlike the rest of the people who have responded, I am not an “expert”, still think of myself as a newbie, though having said that I am still entitled to an opinion.
As a NWT and RSPB member who is retired from full time work, I get the opportunity to visit nearby reserves mid week. Usually managing Strumpshaw every couple of weeks.

Mobility
I have difficulty walking and for those of you who have passed me by, you will have seen me hobbling along with my walking staff (Monopod)
Often in the company of Annie, “the bug lady” who uses her mobility walker to help her along.
O the joy to see Countryfile on Sunday, with the RSPB taking so much interest in mobility.
When will the path to Fen hide ever but usable for anyone other than the young and fit.
Annie is usually unable to get, due to the bogginess of the path.
Years ago I used to take my Father in his wheelchair, Fen hide was and still is a no go, even the with help and his stick he would have been able to get up the steps, but the path was not to be.
I have commented on this in the past, and filled in many feedback forms with the same complaint. Still no change. How much would it cost?

Photography
Time to wake up, these days 50 per cent of the people who walk onto the reserve are carrying a camera of some description. Most days that I visit I carry a camera, though on very dull days I carry my binoculars (I’m not a very good photographer). The reason I don’t have to carry bins when I’m out with the camera is that by looking into the camera I get the equivalent to an 8 times magnification, its also good practice for “settling onto the shot” moving or static. Therefore why would I want to carry both?
Whilst some birders seem to be anti camera, this would be a very foolish decision for reserve management to make.
Is it a crime to sit in a hide with a camera and socialise with like minded people? Like minded meaning Nature not Photography, not everyone brings a camera.

Closeness
Yes everyone wants to be closer, particularly photographers. If you took your children or friends to a hide and they where unable to see anything other than through a scope, what then.
Even if you put a Kingfisher post 10 metres from the hide windows, the bird has a choice whether to fish from there or elsewhere (Lackford Lakes)
Props like grit trays for the Bearded reedlings, whilst needed in winter are still frequented by familiarity in summer. (Lakenheath)
Water levels/scrapes making wading areas close the the hide. (Cley, Hickling, Minsmere, Titchwell) Waders can choose to feed or rest near to or away from a hide as they wish.
Milkweed by the walkways (Hickling)

Funding
Funding for everything that could be done to improve things (please don’t forget basic path maintenance), we are told it is all about footfall, do walking aids count?
Well OK, would the footfall be higher if visitors where welcomed and wanted to come back again?
Don’t bother coming if you are not fully mobile.
Don’t bother coming if you carry a camera.
Don’t bother coming if you expect to see wildlife as close as you do by the roadside.
Would you or your friends want to come again?
Large salaries in head office has now become the norm, sadly that will not change. However the quality of decisions and budget responsibly could change.
Locally:- Are the results in for Fen hide? Will the results get published? Will there ever be any cash?

Here are two thoughts.
1 Please all remember every time you say nothing, you get nothing.
2 If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.

David, please don’t quit the forum (you are one of the few good men)
Even 1 candle power can be the light at the end of the tunnel.
Regards Paul

 

[jimbob]

Phew. I return to the killing fields, blood everywhere and the Norfolk birding scene at peace once more. In this day and age to see an elder beaten up by three young hoodies emerging from the shadows really does require photo(shop) evidence.

David- I suspect you will continue to read the thread (you were an active user below well after your last post) so I would say that I will miss your input, whatever people say about the photos. You put this stuff out there, people are welcome to an opinion.

However, I would add that if you want to see Waders up close and personal, I would consider a visit to Slimbridge..... or just view from the tracks at Buckenham. The RSPB do a great job and we are spoilt in Norfolk when it comes to what is on offer. Johnny has already made a number of good points on this subject so it would be pointless to repeat them again. Infact, I feel sure Ben has clearly outlined the management of the water levels before. As a Strumpshaw regular I am surprised you are not aware of the reasons behind high and low levels.

Finally- can we have Kayn, Kieran and Johnny posting more often?!

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[FOOON]

David, I felt guilty when I read your Blog and thought not to reply. Afraid of being ridiculed for having an opinion. As you have now closed the blog thread, I choose to reply here. First I agree with almost all that you have said both on your blog and also the Norfolk BF.
Unlike the rest of the people who have responded, I am not an “expert”, still think of myself as a newbie, though having said that I am still entitled to an opinion.
As a NWT and RSPB member who is retired from full time work, I get the opportunity to visit nearby reserves mid week. Usually managing Strumpshaw every couple of weeks.

Mobility
I have difficulty walking and for those of you who have passed me by, you will have seen me hobbling along with my walking staff (Monopod)
Often in the company of Annie, “the bug lady” who uses her mobility walker to help her along.
O the joy to see Countryfile on Sunday, with the RSPB taking so much interest in mobility.
When will the path to Fen hide ever but usable for anyone other than the young and fit.
Annie is usually unable to get, due to the bogginess of the path.
Years ago I used to take my Father in his wheelchair, Fen hide was and still is a no go, even the with help and his stick he would have been able to get up the steps, but the path was not to be.
I have commented on this in the past, and filled in many feedback forms with the same complaint. Still no change. How much would it cost?

Photography
Time to wake up, these days 50 per cent of the people who walk onto the reserve are carrying a camera of some description. Most days that I visit I carry a camera, though on very dull days I carry my binoculars (I’m not a very good photographer). The reason I don’t have to carry bins when I’m out with the camera is that by looking into the camera I get the equivalent to an 8 times magnification, its also good practice for “settling onto the shot” moving or static. Therefore why would I want to carry both?
Whilst some birders seem to be anti camera, this would be a very foolish decision for reserve management to make.
Is it a crime to sit in a hide with a camera and socialise with like minded people? Like minded meaning Nature not Photography, not everyone brings a camera.

Closeness
Yes everyone wants to be closer, particularly photographers. If you took your children or friends to a hide and they where unable to see anything other than through a scope, what then.
Even if you put a Kingfisher post 10 metres from the hide windows, the bird has a choice whether to fish from there or elsewhere (Lackford Lakes)
Props like grit trays for the Bearded reedlings, whilst needed in winter are still frequented by familiarity in summer. (Lakenheath)
Water levels/scrapes making wading areas close the the hide. (Cley, Hickling, Minsmere, Titchwell) Waders can choose to feed or rest near to or away from a hide as they wish.
Milkweed by the walkways (Hickling)

Funding
Funding for everything that could be done to improve things (please don’t forget basic path maintenance), we are told it is all about footfall, do walking aids count?
Well OK, would the footfall be higher if visitors where welcomed and wanted to come back again?
Don’t bother coming if you are not fully mobile.
Don’t bother coming if you carry a camera.
Don’t bother coming if you expect to see wildlife as close as you do by the roadside.
Would you or your friends want to come again?
Large salaries in head office has now become the norm, sadly that will not change. However the quality of decisions and budget responsibly could change.
Locally:- Are the results in for Fen hide? Will the results get published? Will there ever be any cash?

Here are two thoughts.
1 Please all remember every time you say nothing, you get nothing.
2 If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.

David, please don’t quit the forum (you are one of the few good men)
Even 1 candle power can be the light at the end of the tunnel.
Regards Paul

The blog post has been edited since this morning. Or blogshopped. So your perception (depending on when you read it) may have been influenced.

 

[ben_lewis]

Firstly, I would echo that it will be a shame to loose your/Davids comments on here. regular updates from the Mid Yare were useful to many i am sure. and will be missed.

Since there are others who may agree with David's blog comments I will also post my response to his comments here in what will probably be the longest post on BF! My answers are short as I have already spent a fair bit of my 2 days off reading/writing comments....

I apologise for those who do not wish to read this, but since its started here I will continue, but this is my last post on the subject.


1) The 'hide' at Buckenham is 400 yards from the nearest pool and seems mostly to be used for al fresco assignations and as an anglers' toilet! The Avocets, Whimbrel, Godwits, Curlew, LRPs, Ruff etc that were present recently could have been at Strump if there had been somewhere for them to go! As it is, they are virtually unviewable (See photos below!) You mention the erosion of the spit and the disappearance of the mud in front of Tower Hide as being 'caused by wave action': this, of course is a direct result of the exceptionally high water levels: nearly flooding across the Low Road at the moment!

-The waders 'could have been at Strumpshaw' but we do not manage this reserve for waders, this is what the wet grassland sites are for.
-The flooding across low road has nothing to do with the fen water level, a sluice flap was closed under the road by someone else (not our land/sluice) and this has backed up throughout the winter flooding.
-The water level in the fen is right on target as it is most years, it is not exceptionally high.

2) The best region at Buck for waders (by the old wind pump) is similarly distant from any viewing point: the path to Cantley is still closed for no obvious reason, restricting even further the opportunities to enjoy the birdlife.
I'm not sure about your comment: 'Our priority has to be the wetland species that we manage the fen for, not just the passing wader.' Surely the two aren't mutually exclusive? Also - and I know you didn't intend it to be so - it almost sounds like the welfare of Godwits, Ruff, Greenshanks etc is not something the management is concerned about! If you believe that global warming is occurring, then you might consider the possibility that many of the 'traditional' northern species will increasingly be replaced by Night Herons, Cattle Egrets, Glossy Ibises, Great Whites (I remember when a GEW at Horsey initiated a day-long twitch to view it - the 8th for the UK - from the top of Horsey Mill!) but only if the habitat exists!


-The riverbank has now been reopened as the (external) works have been completed (late last week).
-Of course I care for the welfare of the waders but, again, the management of strumpshaw is not concerned with these species, this is for Buckenham and Cantley's remit, we consentrate on the fen assemblage. However as previously stated the creation of islands is on the cards for the future, which will hopefully benefit the passing waders.
-There was a great white egret at Buckenham feeding well today

3) In the greater scheme of things - all conservation considerations aside - you need numbers through the gate to generate the revenue you so badly require. You won't get a new Fen Hide or duckboards or a restaurant or anything else until the Yare Valley has the same visitor appeal as Minsmere or Titchwell.

Visitor numbers have to be carefully managed due to small capacity car parks, trail conditions, and the threat to the natural feel of the place, which we know is very important to our visitors. Therefore we are trying to do other things to raise money ie through the rent a warden scheme, guided walks, a fundraising group etc. Dont forget that increased visitors will mean increased management of the estate and therfore more cost in staff time, so the increase does need to be carefully managed and is not the magic answer to everything.

4) I've been visiting SF since 1986. Back then Bitterns, marsh terns, Lesser Spots, waders, Hen Harriers etc etc were far more common. Admittedly Cetti's Warblers & Marsh Harriers have increased in number, but I'd doubt that has much to do with your management plan. As for the Swallowtails, they are always easiest to see off the reserve in a private garden! At Hickling and Cley they seem to manage to maintain reedbeds as well as productive wader scrapes: let's be really honest: you're not exactly having their levels of success in encouraging Bitterns or Bearded Tits to breed... The 'good wildlife experience' you aim to provide rarely includes either species for the casual visitor. If Cranes should decide to breed at the Fen, it will be as a result of their natural expansion from Hickling rather than anything the RSPB has encouraged....

The swallowtails all originate from the fen, where their foodplant milk parsley grows in wet peat. They can be seen all around the reserve but do find the planted border in the garden very attractive, or more to the point can be seen by public from this spot. The nectar garden by reception has been built in recent years to give a good chance of connecting as soon as you enter the reserve.
Bitterns have increased over the years, lesser spots and willow tits have disappeared in line with the rest of Norfolk's range contraction.
The habitat is wrong at Strumpshaw for breeding cranes, but who knows for the future?

5) Even Kingfishers are hard to see at the moment: the water is so deep in front of Fen Hide that they don't stop to feed (And whose idea was it to put two branches at the far side of the Fen Pool? At Lackford / Hickling etc they happily perch and feed right in front of the hides!)

The water in front of fen hide is shallow enough to walk across as it has a shallow ledge leading up to the deep dyke, where I placed 2 perches for kingfishers to feed from. I was told to take them out because the KF's were using them to feed too frequently and it was too far for camera lenses, but the KF's were feeding in front of the hide as they had a perch over deep water and didnt get a sore head from diving into shallow water. Please tell me if this wrong. The new fen hide will have deeper areas in front of the hide to encourage perching kingfishers, fishing otters and diving ducks.

6) As you know, there are quite a few people - both birders and photographers - who consider Strump their local patch and I am aware of many of these who share my frustrations: I realise you are bound to defend the 'party line' out of a) a sense of loyalty and b) the desire to hang on to your job, but I reckon - in your heart of hearts - you'd love to see a bridge over Lackford Run, new / repositioned hides at Buck / Cantley, decent footpaths and somewhere for migrant waders to feed! I'd just add that there are many hectares of reedbed in the Yare Valley that cannot be visited or observed closely by the public. These areas (Cantley, Berney, Claxton, Buckenham & Halvergate Marshes for example) already constitute massive opportunities for the conservation projects you mention and which are the sources of many of the 'star organisms' that turn up at Strumpshaw. (Bearded Tits, Montagu's & Marsh Harriers, Swallowtails etc)

I believe I told you last year that we did a levelling survey to gain knowledge of the height of this bank with a view to getting a bridge over the run, so it is on our list of possible developments.
Im not sure what you mean by 'many hectares of reedbed in yare valley..for star organisms' Strumpshaw is not just a reedbed, but one of the most important fen habitats in the country, you cannot just create fen as easily as you can reedbed, it takes a very long time and the conditions have to be just right and supports thousands of rare invertebrates and plants that are becoming increasingly rare due to habitat loss elsewhere, its not just about the birds with this reserve.

In response to the disabled access comments by Paul above- we are aware that the paths and facilities are not best suited for disabled/limited mobility access, this is something we are fixing, but it takes time. All new facilities being added are accessible to all (the new viewpoint at the top of sandy wall, river viewpoint, roof over disabled viewing area by reception and new benches that have been added in recent years, I added another disabled parking bay this winter too, which was suggested in a c card) the new fen hide (and path), reception and toilet buildings will also be fully accessible when they are created. So in answer to your comments, we do take it all on board and are doing our best to be accessible to all, but being on a soft, deep peat substrate which regularly floods has its limitations when it comes to trails. Please do continue to leave the comments as it serves as a very useful pointer, all comments cards are seen and logged by the management too.
In response to your comments regarding funding, we want to encourage all users of the reserve and are trying to increase facilities access issues as mentioned above; increase photography opportunities/habitat manipulation for close views and at the same time increase families visiting the reserve, there are many different users using the reserve in different ways so it takes time to appeal to all... and dispite the figures being spoken of, the budgets are very tight!
Many thanks for your comments, as I have said on Davids blog it is good to ask questions as you find out the reasons for any issues on the reserve. I would invite anybody to come and talk to the staff to find out any information they wish to know as you may understand some of the unseen issues and limitations that occur.

Thanks- Ben

 

[Shaky09]

Well said Ben and yes I think that was the longest post in four in history but a bloody good one! . I'm not gonna add any more then that as I think its all be covered but back to this evenings sightings,
I had a great couple of hours birding at the patch. Nightingale singing , 1 Grasshopper Reeling and a Hobby over the broad heading west the main highlights . May try and russle up a photo too ( shopped or unshopped ?) anyway as always,

Happy birding
Shaky

 

[Carol Baldock]

I had a great couple of hours birding at the patch. Nightingale singing , 1 Grasshopper Reeling and a Hobby over the broad heading west the main highlights . May try and russle up a photo too ( shopped or unshopped ?) anyway as always,

Happy birding
Shaky

Great to hear that the nightingale is back again for you Ricky and double patch gold for you in a short space of time. I will be joining Chis' walk at Thorpe in the morning. Rob and I really enjoyed his last one last month . Best wishes, Carol

 

[Shaky09]

Thanks Carol! I've yet to get to one of Chris 's guided walks as yet but did pass all info regarding the birds I see and locations so let me know how you get on!
Happy birding
Shaky

 

[RonMac]

Cantley & Buckenham Marshes

Spent a good 4 hours surveying on behalf of the RSPB and spotted the great white egret flying out of Cantley marsh into Buckenham (poor digiscoped pic attached). Other birds noted included red kite with prey, 2 peregrines working together to catch and kill a pigeon, hobby, 5 whimbrel,3 yellow wagtails, 5 ruff, med gull came in with about 150 black-headed gulls that stayed briefly to wash in far pools before flying over the woods to the north and all this against a backdrop of the large numbers of breeding waders - what a brilliant spectacle!

 

[Carol Baldock]

Thorpe Marshes

Hi Ricky,
Rob and I have only visited Thorpe Marshes twice, today and 1 month ago on the 31st March.
Over the two visits, both of which have been Chris' group walks, I have recorded 36 species of birds seen / heard.
The feature of today's walk was very much the songs we were all treated to : willow warbler, sedge warbler , whitethroat, wren, reed bunting, garden warbler, chiff chaff, blackcap, cetti's warbler, blue tit, chaffinch, cuckoo, dunnock and goldfinch...it was certainly a feast for the ears and such a cocophony of sounds/ songs/calls.

Things that we saw a month ago, but not today : buzzard; tufted duck ( high count of 29 last time) , teal, robin , oystercatchers ( 4 in display flight a month ago) and greenfinch. There were 30 species today, as opposed to 19, 1 month ago.

It was great to see some breeding activity too, I noticed the Canada Goose with a couple of goslings, which is great news and particularly as I noticed that Chris' 2014 report mentioned no evidence of breeding, for this species.
It's great to see the reserve progressing in this way, no doubt ,in part, due to a lot of hard work and good site management by many people. We are so very fortunate to live where we do.Happy days . Best wishes, Carol

Thanks Carol! I've yet to get to one of Chris 's guided walks as yet but did pass all info regarding the birds I see and locations so let me know how you get on!
Happy birding
Shaky

 

[Stratton Birder]

Sounds like you had a good time, nice pun too.

I saw the redstart briefly too in the afternoon in the hedge at the end of East Trail but it was being chased by a robin and very mobile!

Paul

Great Paul. I'm glad you saw it. Once it dived into that copse I thought that's the last anyone will see of that...end of... so its nice to know someone else managed to get it.

Steve.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Request for information

Dear Norfolk Birders,

My good friend Gary Prescott (aka the Biking Birder) is repeating his adventures of 2010 by cycling around the UK visiting every RSPB and Wildlife & Wetlands Trust and seeing as many species as possible, all in aid of charity gaining sponsorship as he goes (RSPB, WWT, Asthma UK and an orphanage in Peru where he spent some time on previous travels). Further details and his travels so far this year are on his blog (sort of uptodate): http://bikingbirderridesagain2015.blogspot.co.uk/

This time around he has altered his schedule to maximise his birding opportunities as he aims to connect with over 300 species (he is currently on 204 as of this evening) and as a result is spending to whole of May in East Anglia.

Gary would be very grateful for any information regarding the following birds that are currently missing from his year list; I appreciate some could be sensitive breeders whilst others are relatively common (but time is of the essence in trying to connect as quickly as possible):-

Garganey, Grey Partridge, Quail, Crane, Golden Pheasant, Montagu's Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Hobby, Spotted Crake, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Stone Curlew, Caspian Gull, Turtle Dove, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Nightjar, Red-backed Shrike, Woodlark, Shorelark, Grasshopper Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Golden Oriole, Little Tern, Black Tern, Ring Ouzel, Tree Pipit, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting

Any information (depending on its nature) can be posted on the forum, PM'ed to me to pass on or emailed direct to Gary at: [email protected]

Many thanks in advance
Phil (and Gary)

 

[Tim P]

Little Owls

A short walk on my local patch finally realised a sighting of this little fellow who stayed stubbornly beyond a decent photo range also three other local patch ticks including two new ones for me in the area including Lesser Whitethroat.

More photos and details on the website https://hethersettbirdingblog.wordpress.com/