Norfolk birding (1 Viewer)

[MJB]

This is indeed the oldest and most common conception of 'reverse migration' but I have always doubted the wisdom of the term 'genetic abnormality'. Far from being abnormal is it not essentially normal for a small percentage of a breeding bird population to behave in a different manner to the masses, thus exploring new (potential wintering/breeding) territory? Is this not what the dynamics of bird populations are all about? Genetically different perhaps, but not abnormal.

I think your succinct assessment is a basis for Ian Newton's scepticism about genetic abnormalities being a significant cause of misorientation. I'm grateful to Tideliner for taking the time to demonstrate that there isn't a reasoned consensus on the use of the term 'reverse migration'; it's just that Peter Berthold describes many variations of migration strategy and how each varies, but he does so with careful thought as to 'definitions of terms'. In general, I'm more convinced by meticulous coverage across a broad canvas than by individual studies. However, there are always exceptions!
MJB

 

[petehasset]

No LRP at thope marsh this afternoon , has any one else see them there in there last 2 wks other than shaky09 ,

 

[Paul Woolnough]

No LRP at thope marsh this afternoon , has any one else see them there in there last 2 wks other than shaky09 ,

I dipped LRP at Thorpe Marsh again but had willow warbler from bungalow lane this Saturday morning.

 

[Alan Christies]

Pope's Marsh is highly over priced and probably far to expensive for the NWT and RSPB to buy, the site will almost certainly be bought by a wildfowling syndicate from london or the sout-east. Like the current owner has for many years they will bait the site and draw in many ducks, espsecially Teal which they will slaughter by the hundreds.

 

[Joseph N]

A couple of Short-eared Owls hunting by the A1064 opposite Acle Bridge late this afternoon; always a treat.

When down here I'm based between Costessey and Drayton. I have adopted a patch which is primarily a mix of woodland and meadows by a stretch of the Wensum. It's produced some nice birds this week including Kingfisher, Barn Owl, Little Egret and Cetti's Warbler.

Best of all though on the patch was an Otter along the Wensum on Wednesday, delightful to see. I've heard they're few and far between in Norfolk. Can anyone shed light on the estimated Otter population in the region? Would be interesting to know, and cheers in advance if anyone can elaborate on this.

Joseph

 

[Tideliner]

Otters are not that uncommon in Norfolk , just not often seen. I have seen them in the Broads , Wensum Valley , Stiffkey valley and North coast in last couple of years. You need to be quiet , still and well hidden to get regular views.

 

[Andy Musgrove]

They've been there for over a month. They seem happy enough, but I'm a confirmed windfarm detester: demolish the lot, I say!

Ah, OK then. I later wondered if it might simply be the spring tides forcing them off Scroby, but maybe not. Clearly finding Horsey to their liking.

Cheers

Andy

 

[jimbob]

No LRP at thope marsh this afternoon , has any one else see them there in there last 2 wks other than shaky09 ,[/QUOTE

Is who sees them important? Photos on his blog if you are in doubt Pete, Shaky is down there more than most so no suprise he connects often.
And no, i haven't seen them either

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[Penny Clarke]

12 Hours Birding!

Highlights today were: 3 Spoonbills at Cley this evening and throughout the day, 2 Sand Martins over Kelling Water Meadows at 2.50pm, 2 Wheatears at Little Eye this morning, Distant Red Kite over Arnold's Marsh at 2.25pm.

Full update on blog.

Penny:girl:

 

[C B Allen]

I don't claim to have any experience of land prices, but how on earth can Pope's marsh be worth 1.2million?

I was led to believe that good agricultural land is going for around £6500 to £7000 per acre.

How can Pope's marsh, at best marginal grazing land, likely to be inundated by the sea in our lifetimes and wholely unsuitable for commercial developement, be worth £1.2million of anybody's money?

Like any capital asset you want to sell there is nothing to stop the owners fishing for the best possible price. As you suggest, prime agricultural land is currently selling in the area of £7-8k per acre - but if considered as rural amenity land (usually for horses or a small plot adjoining domestic properties) it could be offered at £10-20k per acre or more ...

While most locals would know that the long term prospects for this land are not great (given current thinking on managed retreat etc.), you only have to look at property prices around Cley to see that prices are vastly distorted by weekenders and incomers. £1.2 million might buy the average champagne socialist a 3 bedroom townhouse in Islington or represent a few months wages for a run of the mill premiership footballer (or bailed out Italian banker with "sporting" blood lust). In comparison environmental charities could probably only consider buying at realistic marsh prices - for example recent grass marsh sales near us (Waveney/Yare valleys) have gone for between £3 & £4k depending on the level of environmental payments attached to the land.

So, unless you - or your favoured wildlife charity - win the lottery it's likely these marshes will stay in private hands & probably those who value looking at a duck more down the barrel of a gun than a scope.

Chris A.

 

[halcyonlisa]

Pheasant

How do you post pics up on here? I tried in the same way I do with other forums, uploading to photobucket and then using image tags etc, but this forum doesn't like it

 

[ben_lewis]

How do you post pics up on here? I tried in the same way I do with other forums, uploading to photobucket and then using image tags etc, but this forum doesn't like it

below the text box below click 'go advanced' then click on 'attach files- manage attachments'

your picture will need to be a certain size to upload it 1200x1200 pixels on a jpeg

 

[FenJ]

Had a decent couple of bonus days, didnt expect to get out much, but ended up being able to "nip out" to Welney on Friday morning & Titchwell on Saturday afternoon.

At Welney the reported Ibis didnt show, the highlights where great views of a Little Ringed Plover, and a Red Kite as I was driving away.

Titchwell highlights where Spotted Redshank, Blackcap & a beautiful hunting S.E.O

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Ring Ousel from my back garden!

Nice 'from the garden tick'! A beautiful cock R.O here for its second day!

 

[petehasset]

Where in Norfolk is this fine bird

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Where in Norfolk is this fine bird

Obviously you're not coming in my back garden! LOL!
But you can see it well if you look west from Pedham Road (Off Mill Lane, Blofield Heath)
There's a double gap in the hedge with tube-framed gates: lean on those and look torwards the newly-converted barn!

 

[petehasset]

Thanks

Obviously you're not coming in my back garden! LOL!
But you can see it well if you look west from Pedham Road (Off Mill Lane, Blofield Heath)
There's a double gap in the hedge with tube-framed gates: lean on those and look torwards the newly-converted barn!

Ok thanks wil have a look on my way to Cantley this afternoon

 

[James Emerson]

No LRP at thope marsh this afternoon , has any one else see them there in there last 2 wks other than shaky09 ,

Hi Pete.

I saw two Little Ringed Plovers at Thorpe this morning, along with a Green Sandpiper on the shingle spit. I also saw them on Tuesday afternoon scanning across from Whitlingham. As with many birds at Thorpe they can be visible one moment and gone the next, so perseverance is needed.

As Jim pointed out in an earlier post, Shaky is a very competent birder and the number of times he has seen the LRPs is simply down to the number of times that he visits his patch. He has some photographs of them on his blog: http://shakysbirdingblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Regards,
James

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Ouzels

We've had up to twelve in past years!

 

[petehasset]

Hi Pete.

I saw two Little Ringed Plovers at Thorpe this morning, along with a Green Sandpiper on the shingle spit. I also saw them on Tuesday afternoon scanning across from Whitlingham. As with many birds at Thorpe they can be visible one moment and gone the next, so perseverance is needed.

As Jim pointed out in an earlier post, Shaky is a very competent birder and the number of times he has seen the LRPs is simply down to the number of times that he visits his patch. He has some photographs of them on his blog: http://shakysbirdingblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Regards,
James

No LRP late this afternoon , thats 5 visits in 2wks & still havn't seen them , I have no problem in seeing them in past years