Norfolk birding (2 Viewers)

[Penny Clarke]

Fabulous views of the Lapland Buntings at Blakeney Freshmarsh on Tuesday morning along with Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits, a Little Ringed Plover and a Wheatear.

Full write up here and pics here.

Penny:girl:

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell March 31st

Today's highlights

Firecrest - 1 in scrubby bushes on the seawall by the main path at the north end of the Volunteer Marsh until early afternoon at least
Sand martin - 9+ west
Wheatear - 1 on grazing meadow
Little ringed plover - 2 displaying over fresh marsh
Bittern - male 'grunting' in reedbed early morning only
Red kite - at least 2 west + 1 east
Red crested pochard - 8 on Patsy's reedbed
Brambling - 4 around the feeders with at least 1 singing male

Paul

 

[PYRTLE]

Great photo Penny, a refreshing and clever composition of this species at Blakeney rather than the many uber "perched on wires" or headshots frequenting.

Regards, Pat

 

[MJB]

Fabulous views of the Lapland Buntings at Blakeney Freshmarsh on Tuesday morning along with Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits, a Little Ringed Plover and a Wheatear.

Full write up here and pics here.

Penny:girl:

Missed you by a couple of hours, Penny, but at least the buntings were still there around 1430, in wonderful light.
MJB

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell April 1st

Today's highlights

Willow warbler - 1st of year singing on East Trail
Red kite - 2 east
Brambling - at least 2 still on feeders
Little ringed plover - 2 displaying on fresh marsh
Water pipit - 4 on grazing meadow
House martin - 6 west + light passage of sand martins & swallows

Paul

 

[Penny Clarke]

Great photo Penny, a refreshing and clever composition of this species at Blakeney rather than the many uber "perched on wires" or headshots frequenting.

Regards, Pat

Thanks Pat:t:

 

[Penny Clarke]

Missed you by a couple of hours, Penny, but at least the buntings were still there around 1430, in wonderful light.
MJB

Fabulous birds, glad you enjoyed them:t:

 

[crapbirder]

You answer your own question before asking it. The very fact birds can sense weather stimuli is testament to their ability to interpret and react sufficiently well enough to survive and genetically pass on the innate ability. You should read 'Weather and Bird Behavior' by Norman Elkins.

I read the latest edition of Elkins' book soon after it was published in 2004 and as I recall, the author largely referenced data which could be as much as 20 years old at the time the book was published. Again as I recall, there was no mention that there may be a need for evolutionary change to deal with the effects of climate change and other anomalous weather systems.

Both these matters have since been extensively addressed by a number of eminent researchers and the names Berthold and Pulido spring to mind.

 

[super-silly-um]

I read the latest edition of Elkins' book soon after it was published in 2004 and as I recall, the author largely referenced data which could be as much as 20 years old at the time the book was published. Again as I recall, there was no mention that there may be a need for evolutionary change to deal with the effects of climate change and other anomalous weather systems.

Both these matters have since been extensively addressed by a number of eminent researchers and the names Berthold and Pulido spring to mind.

I am sure they are very interesting studies.
Although the matter of discussion was weather, not climate, common sense would dictate to me that as birds are still with us after millions of years they are adaptable enough to survive changes in climate. This shows further the amazing versatility and resilience of birds.

 

[putnoebabes]

red-necked grebe

Went to Ormesby Broad this am, no joy from the road bridge, then see message on birdguides it was seen from the viewing platform. Can anyone tell me where this is, please

 

[James Emerson]

Went to Ormesby Broad this am, no joy from the road bridge, then see message on birdguides it was seen from the viewing platform. Can anyone tell me where this is, please

The viewing platform is at the end of the footpath north from the car park. The grebe seems to move about quite a bit and the broad can't all be viewed from one place, so it may require a look from near the road, then through the trees as you go along the path, and finally from the viewing platform at the end before you track it down!

 

[putnoebabes]

Thanks, James, I was looking from the road bridge on the A149 over Ormesby Great Broad. No wonder I dipped doh! Will try again today. Thanks again, Graham

Update: Saw it well from the right place!! What a stonking bird, I wonder if it's the same bird that was at Brancaster Staithe

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell April 7th

Today's highlights

Water pipit - 3 on grazing meadow
Red crested pochard - 3 on Patsy's reedbed
Yellow wagtail - 3 west this morning
Med gull - 2 adults on fresh marsh early morning
Sedge warbler - at least 3 singing males
Little ringed plover - 2 on grazing meadow
White wagtail - 3 on grazing meadow
Willow warbler - 4 singing on Meadow Trail

Paul

 

[fisherfinder]

Fence at Cley

It seems that the juvenile female Tundra Peregrine that has been in Norfolk since December was killed by a collision with the fine wire fence alongside the Eye field. I suspect that over the years it has caught several birds out resulting in their deaths. Is there an easy fix to make the wires more visible ?

 

[tonyfenn]

I remember a quail being found dead under the wire a few years ago, believe a photo was on birding world website

 

[Stratton Birder]

Like buses, good birds do seem to have a habit of turning up in quick succession and that was certainly the case going by todays happy example.

On the way back from the coast, a quick half hour 'Pop in' to Smockmill Common, Saxlingham Nethergate bagged me my first ever patch record of Mandarin when a pair flew over. Great excitement over this unexpected sighting meant that I hung around the site longer than planned and I was just about to call it a day and was just metres from the car when a Cetti's Warbler exploded into song right next to me. Always an area I felt one day might produce one and it finally came up with the goods. My only other record of Cetti's Warbler locally was at Flordon Common way back in 2005 so this second bird was gratefully received.

Steve.

PS. Jim, I finally managed to connect with the Penduline Tit on Monday :t:

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell April 11th

Today's highlights

Redstart - male on Meadow Trail again today + female along East Trail morning only
Firecrest - singing male in the carpark again today
Med gull - 5 though the reserve today
Little ringed plover - 2 pairs on fresh marsh
Greenshank - 1 on fresh marsh
Red crested pochard - 4+ around reserve
Sandwich tern - 2 offshore
Velvet scoter - 2 drakes

Paul

 

[crapbirder]

British Bird Lovers website.

Quite by chance I stumbled upon the above and I wonder if I'm being unfair by stating that its main purpose appears to be providing information on purchasing bird and gardening-associated equipment and accessories.

However, the website does have a page which allows its followers to post their latest sightings and I note it contains some exceptionally early Cuckoo records for 2016. Of particular Norfolk interest was the record of a bird calling at Wiggenhall St Germans, Kings Lynn on 1st April and another calling at Corpusty on 4th April. Before rushing to claim 'April Fool' and or Collared Dove for these records it may be worth considering that one of the Cuckoos fitted with a BTO satellite-tracking device has this year made the earliest ever recorded desert crossing since the project began.

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell April 13th

Today's highlights

Redstart - males on Meadow Trail and East Trail
Firecrest - singing male in wood at end of East Trail
Short eared owl - 1 hunting over grazing meadow this morning
Yellow wagtail - 3 feeding in horse paddock from East Trail
Reed warbler - 1st of year singing near Island Hide
Spotted redshank - 1 on fresh marsh
Med gull - at least 10 west through the reserve today
Brambling - female on feeders
Red crested pochard - 3 in reedbed
Bittern - 1 booming near Fen Hide all day
Little ringed plover - 6 on grazing meadow
Peregrine - male east this morning

Paul

 

[Paul Eele]

Titchwell April 14th

Today's highlights

Med gull - big westerly movement with at least 16 through the reserve today
Red crested pochard - 4 in reedbed
Black tailed godwit - 90 on fresh marsh this afternoon
Little ringed plover - 2 on fresh marsh
Spoonbill - 1 high west @ 07:30
Bittern - male booming all day
Avocet - 52 on fresh marsh
Whimbrel - 3 west

Paul