Window to Wildlife

 After such a great and busy January, the pace of birding slowed down this month, with half term family commitments having an impact. Our major outings have been reported in separate posts, but across the month we have completed a number of local walks as I strive to achieve my goal of 10,000 steps per day, and we have gradually added to the year list off the back of these walks.  On 2nd February, a walk along the river and up to Lancing Ring and Steepdown gave us just one Corn Bunting, a new tick but a disappointing tally. Presumably the numbers will be substantially higher as the season progresses. A visit to Warnham on 5th February was very enjoyable. We searched in vain for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but on the way home were pleased to spot a Little Owl perched on a distant wall. On 9th February, I took a late walk in dreary conditions around the River Adur, and was thrilled to encounter a Sparrowhawk which dashed past me in the gloom, but alighted on a metal ledge beside ...

 We had a cracking day at the Warnham reserve today. We arrived shortly after opening time at 10AM, and had a leisurely wander around the reserve. We had a quick scan of the lake, but there was little of interest there, although we noted a Cormorant sat on a post had developed a white spot on its flank, indicating it was coming into breeding plumage, a welcome harbinger of spring.  Reminding us that it was still winter, (although the temperature was making that very clear already!) a handful of Redwing were sat in the tree tops. Around the feeders at Bullfinch hide, the main activity was from Blue and Great Tits, so we didn’t linger here. Arriving at Woodpecker Hide, we noted it was already very busy with both photographers and birds. On the ground Chaffinches were foraging and I quickly spotted a couple of Brambling, male and female, fly down to join them. That set the photographers off! The male was particularly striking, with black head fringed with grey, as is typical for ...

 The weather was rather dull this morning as we set off for Sherwood Rough, but at least it was an improvement on our last visit, when thick fog had severely restricted our viewing. As we began to climb the slope from the car park, we immediately, encountered a flock of finches, but only managed to get onto two Greenfinches which settled in the treetop. Climbing the hill, we heard Goldcrests and saw them flitting busily in the foliage as we passed.  Traversing the path on the ridge, was pretty disappointing, with limited bird song or activity, save an elusive Song Thrush. Suddenly a flock of finches appeared over the woodland and settled in a distant tree. Through the scopes we could see Greenfinches, but the light was atrocious and apart from the yellow wing flash it was hard to make out any features. We thought we had Hawfinches too, but struggled to get a decent view. We continued on, moving closer towards the birds, and eventually managed to get confirmatory views, when on...

 Disappointingly our last day in Norfolk was wet and miserable. We drove slowly through the country lanes towards Ringstead, but the birds were lying low, and apart from a flock of Linnets in a tall tree and a mixed gaggle of Pink-foots and Greylags in a field there was nothing to be seen.  At Snettisham, we took a short walk along the sea wall to locate a flock of Lesser White-fronted Geese. Not the greatest of views in wet, muddy conditions, but the extensive white blaze on the heads, barring on chest and smaller size were evident, and Sue could just make out the golden eye ring through her scope.  Despite the grim weather, it was a lovely, although technically non-tickable, bird to end another week in Norfolk. Lesser White-fronted Goose

 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....

 We were out before breakfast today and in position at Titchwell by 6.45 ready to watch for Woodcock coming in to roost. It’s barely light at this time, so it’s not always easy to identify incoming birds in a few fleeting seconds! However, at least one bird was recognisable by its structure and rapidly whirring short wings. A mystery raptor seated in a nearby tree was identified by a passing birder as an escaped Harris Hawk! After breakfast we set off for Holme beach, hoping to find the regularly reported Glaucous Gull. Coincidentally we arrived at the same time as Richard, who joined us for the morning, and we greatly valued his expertise. There was no sign of the gull on the seal carcass, although the five Shore Larks provided some good entertainment while we waited, and a striking male Goosander zipped past in flight. Eventually another birder informed us that the gull was sat on the beach, just beyond the shingle ridge where we were positioned. Moving across, we quickly found t...

 The outlook for today was not good, with showers forecast across the day and drizzle as we left. Our first stop was Holkham, where we scanned the fresh marsh beside Lady Anne’s Drive. In comparison with previous years, this was somewhat disappointing, with Snipe being the best we could muster here. It was good to bump into Richard Allan travelling with a group from Ashdown Forest, and share the scoped Snipe. Next we went goose hunting at Weybourne, where the continuing drizzle dampened our enthusiasm as we approached a field full of geese, to try to scan for a single Tundra Bean Goose. The majority were Pink-footed Geese, with a few Greylag intermingled. However, at the edge of the field, by a large muddy flooded pool, we were pleased to find a handful of White-fronted Geese, and unexpectedly a group of Barnacles too. We scanned for some time, but failed to locate the Bean Goose, so returned to the car. Here we met a couple who had been viewing from a track leading off the A149, s...