Thursday 30th January 2025: Titchwell again and Stiffkey

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 Having failed on our seawatching yesterday, we decided we’d try again this morning, when the tide was higher. We’re not the greatest at this specialist type of birding, but quite enjoy having a go. The water was quite choppy, which made it more challenging, but a flock of Scoter bobbed up and down on the water, quite some way out. With the scopes, we were clearly able to pick out the telltale wing pattern of several Velvet Scoters in amongst the flock. Elsewhere on the sea a group of two female and one Eider were found, the black and white markings of the male more easily identifiable! 

On our return I found a Spotted Redshank on the tidal lagoon, which obligingly flew towards us and worked its way along a nearby channel. Sadly, we again had no luck with the Water Pipit.

Spotted Redshank

Driving towards Stiffkey, I spotted a Grey Wagtail by the water on a bend in the road, and Sue was able to stop just long enough to get her bins on it before a car appeared and moved us on. 

Next stop was to find a Glossy Ibis, recently reported. We followed the directions on Birdguides, but ended up on saltmarsh, and were sure this was not the right habitat for it. Retracing our steps, Tim surmised correctly that the directions for east and north should have read west and south, and we soon found the bird in the same flooded fields where it had been regularly seen the previous year. A good result, as we failed to find it here last year!

We stopped at a tea shop for some tea and cake to keep us going, then parked at the National Trust car park at Stiffkey Marshes and walked along the sea wall towards Wells-next-the-Sea.  Scanning the marshes we again had decent views of a Short-eared Owl, this time scope views of one sat out on the marsh, before it took off and began hunting. Then a ringtail Hen Harrier was also found perched on a low bush, and I was able to track this in flight, white rump clearly visible, before losing it in the distance. A few scattered Curlew, Little Egrets and a single Spoonbill were also feeding out on the marsh.

Eventually, with my back aching from standing and bending over the scope, we called it a day and headed for the car. Another perched Hen Harrier and a lovely male Bullfinch on the walk back rounded the day off nicely.

Stiffkey Marshes


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