Norfolk birding (2 Viewers)

[firstreesjohn]

A quick stroll around West Runton produced the Med Gull (MU) harrying and being harried by the Black-headeds (BH). He (?) was also calling and displaying towards several, who were having none of it. The hoped-for flood of southern migrants was, strangely, absent.

Gramboro’ had me almost in stitches, as a group of either rambling birders or birding ramblers had pronounced to them, in stentorian tones, that the flock of Wigeon which had been alerted by this bellowing, and was waddling fast away was, in fact, composed of Shelduck (SU). I think I could see the look of disdain on some of their (the WN’s) faces.

Nothing of interest floated on Abe’s Lower Neck and Wells Woods could only furnish the same group of Bullfinches (BF), feeding on shoots.

 

[BirdBeard]

Morning Campers,
I know it's not the best time of year, but just have an itch to do some seawatching. Anyone seen anything tasty or have advice on a good place to go at this time of year - preferably somewhere that does battered rock and picled eggs nearby...and a good pint?

Cheers,
BirdBeard

 

[kittykat23uk]

You could try Sheringham. We went to Cley but no fish and chips near there AFAIK.

 

[Kevin Groocock]

Best fish & chips in my opinion are French's at Wells Old Harbour. Not too good for sea watching though!

 

[Mark Batten]

Fish and chips at holt is also very good. The chip shop away from the centre is the better of the two. Seawatching is very poor although several feas petrels were claimed last year!!

 

[Archie Opteryx]

There is a chippy in Salthouse, but it doesn't open late as far as I remember.

 

[firstreesjohn]

Fishing for info; chipping in with a reply

Morning Campers . . . BirdBeard

Is that ‘campers’, as in VW (River Warbler) or “Hi-de-Hi!” ?

Best fish & chips in my opinion are French's at Wells Old Harbour. Not too good for sea watching though!

Agree with both opinions. The ‘poisson et frites’ (yer actual French's) is the best on the north coast.

Sheringham would probably be the best for the scope of the food and the supply of bins.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

If we are in the area, we always make a detour to get fish and chips from Seafare in Church Street, Sheringham. They haven't let us down yet. Plus there are handy benches outside to sit and eat them. I have heard that people occasionally seawatch from Sheringham too.

Ron

 

[James Emerson]

The Brent Goose of a few weeks ago was around the carpark area at Whitlingham again this morning (it favours the overflow carpark which has a lot of grassy areas, but makes regular forays onto the broad and slipway), and a Buzzard was being mobbed by Jackdaws over the woods near the picnic meadow. Otherwise not much around as there was a big canoe race going on on the river.

 

[BirdBeard]

Well ta very much, campers (as in Hi-de-hi : my wee man got me up v early this morning)!
Will maybe do a tour of the chippys and produce a coded chart of batter ratings, etc. Sheringham does sound good and its track record for seawatching is rather tasty. My last seawatch was in Mundseley and produced some good 'uns (Black Throated Diver, Bonxie) but refreshment facilities were poor and we nearly got a parking ticket. Think my next chance will be next weekend, so will report back.

In other news, had a delightful bit of pram-birding with the boy this morning in Earlham Crem. Almost deafening birdsong, loads of Tits and a nice pair of Goldcrests. I will find the Tawny Owl's roost tree soon!

Happy spotting!

BirdBeard

 

[firstreesjohn]

The Med Gull below (from Teal Hide at Cley NWT) was a little further away than yesterday’s bird at West Runton. Starlings flew west in parties of up to a few dozen; close scrutiny producing, well . . . Starlings. Here, was also the ladybird below, whose corresponding image I could not see in the FSC chart. Perhaps it’s because it’s in its early stages of development (?). Anyone able to assist with the ID, please ?

Walsey Hills NOA could not furnish a butterfly, but 7-spot Ladybirds were all over- probably totalling in the low hundreds. Highlight of the day must be (?) a Gorse Shieldbug, appropriately in situ, amongst the lovely coconutty smell of the freshly-flowering Ulex. Is this rather early, or not ?

Seafare in Church Street, Sheringham

Although a Sheringham resident, I do think that French’s in Wells is very slightly batter: they do crispier chips and their fish usually smells sea-fresh.

 

[James Emerson]

Here, was also the ladybird below, whose corresponding image I could not see in the FSC chart. Perhaps it’s because it’s in its early stages of development (?). Anyone able to assist with the ID, please ?

Walsey Hills NOA could not furnish a butterfly, but 7-spot Ladybirds were all over- probably totalling in the low hundreds. Highlight of the day must be (?) a Gorse Shieldbug, appropriately in situ, amongst the lovely coconutty smell of the freshly-flowering Ulex. Is this rather early, or not ?

I think the ladybird is a 16-spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis 16-punctata).

Gorse is known for flowering all year round, there is a country proverb that when the gorse isn't flowering, kissing will go out of fashion (based on the premise that it won't happen)

 

[firstreesjohn]

kissing will go out of fashion

Heaven forfend that kissing be abandoned, James ! The loss of the kissing-gate at Wells Woods is bad enough.

Thanks for the 16-point Ladybird lesson, using your font of knowledge; Punc ta very much. I see why I couldn't ID it from the FSC chart: its illustration there is 'coloured' black & white.

I was wondering if the Shieldbug was early, not the Gorse ! I am aware that the latter flowers in every month.

I attach another photo from Walsey today: of Red Deadnettle Lamium purpureum and, according to a local botanical expert, an early flowerer.

 

[James Emerson]

I was wondering if the Shieldbug was early, not the Gorse ! I am aware that the latter flowers in every month.

Ah my mistake. I know very little about shieldbugs, but the ever useful British Bugs website suggests the adults can be seen all year round. I guess a couple of warm days is a big kick start to emergence.

http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/piezodorus_lituratus.html

 

[Andy Musgrove]

Ah my mistake. I know very little about shieldbugs, but the ever useful British Bugs website suggests the adults can be seen all year round. I guess a couple of warm days is a big kick start to emergence.

http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/piezodorus_lituratus.html

Have got a good little booklet on Shieldbugs & Squashbugs of the British Isles (Evans & Edmondson 2005); apparently Gorse Shieldbug can be found from July to early June, so I guess that it's to be expected on mild days in the winter. Nice beastie though.

Andy

 

[Penny Clarke]

Titchwell RSPB

Fantastic seawatching at Titchwell RSPB this morning. Bittern flying over the main path later on and a Short-eared Owl at Holme Marsh Reserve at 4.45pm.

Full update on blog.

Penny:girl:

 

[putnoebabes]

For F&C in N Norfolk, I use Mary Janes in Cromer, then walk to the shelter above the pier to seawatch, or E Runton F&C, then park in the Gap car park. Bon Appetit!!!

 

[Bittern2010]

Fish and Chips Recommendation

Like some other posters, I like French's Fish & Chips in Wells. As for some nearby sea watching, drive down to Well's beach car park and head towards the Life Boat Station. It's more of a "Baywatch" than a sea watch but there is usually something interesting to see there e.g. Mergansers, Scoters, Seals.

Saw a lovely male Hen Harrier hunting at Haddiscoe Island today (viewed from near Reedham). Also, a Peregrine swooped down to join it's mate on the ground and a Short Eared Owl quartered distantly.

Regards

Steve

 

[eco]

Great white egret on my local patch yesterday near bawburgh.

 

[firstreesjohn]

Nothing fishy, here. Feeling quite chipper & dandy, today.

the Life Boat Station. It's more of a "Baywatch" than a sea watch . . . Steve

Yes, but I’ve yet to see anything as stunning as ‘our Pamela’ (‘though Greenish Warbler- NP- in the pines near the Lifeboat Station) or even a ‘Hoff’ lookalike, there.

You do get Rough-legged Buzzards (RF) ‘opposite’, hunting East Hills; a grotty 1st W male Surf Scoter (FS) doesn’t (and didn’t) come close, but White-tailed Eagle (WE) was more impressive.

Today, more signs of spring at Walsey Hills NOA, with the ladybird and hoverfly below, a ‘marmalade’ not snapped and a Dandelion on the top. Herons were barking in and from the North Foreland.

I believe it to be a Pine Ladybird Exochomus 4-pustulatus- and, indeed, it was near the conifers at the ‘top’ east end of Walsey reserve.

And, for the weekend, England 1 – Cymru 1 .