Window to Wildlife

 We had booked an extra night’s accommodation in the Norfolk Broads, with a primary goal of seeking out the Black-winged Kite, a rare UK species, although one we have seen overseas. However, we made several stops en route, to try to maximise our Norfolk tally. We took the road towards Fakenham, stopping by a field of geese, reported to contain some Bean Geese. However, the light was atrocious, the angle was difficult due to another car already parked, and our scopes were in the boot, so scanning would be difficult and we did not want top flush the entire flock! With some distance to travel, and having already seen Bean Geese at Abberton on Monday, w decided to press on. It really had been a wild goose chase! With news of a flock of Twite at Blakeney headed towards Cley, we decided to divert to the beach road at Cley, where we could scan the marsh from the sea wall. We had seen birds here on a previous year, and with no sightings on this visit, we wanted to give it a try. Other bird...

 This morning proved to be bitterly cold, with an easterly element to the wind, but at least it was drier than forecast. We started our day at Titchwell, but this was rather disappointing in comparison to previous years. The Tawny Owl roosting in its regular tree showed reasonably well, and was a useful annual tick for us all. Elsewhere on the reserve were many of the regular duck species and a decent showing of Pintail at last, but nothing unusual, and unfortunately no sign of the Greater Scaup being regularly reported. The bunds were also bereft of birds, with a couple of Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew all we could find here. The lack of any Greenshank struck as unusual. At the beach, in freezing wind, some other birders got us onto two Snow Buntings, our only ones of the trip, and in short supply around the area this year. A few waders were on the shoreline, but the tide was a long way out, and a quick scan of the sea proved fruitless. It was very frustrating. Returning to the visi...

 Today was cold and grey, but largely dry, save for a few spits which did not interfere with our birding. We started early, with a trip to Titchwell at 6.30am in search of Woodcock dropping in to roost. Although there was some movement in the semi darkness, we were not able to clearly identify any shapes as a Woodcock. An early morning Blackbird and Robin serenaded us from close range, and a Song Thrush perched high on a tree branch, beak agape as it poured forth its magnificent song to greet the morning. After breakfast, we set off for a long drive to Sheringham, in search of an Eastern Black Redstart, a subspecies, with notably differing plumage. A kind non-birder saw us looking and pointed out the bird sat on a nearby roof, where Sue and Tim both took some photos. Then it flew over to the ornamental gardens, where it paused on a bench, before foraging in and around the bushes nearby, giving excellent and sustained views. Eastern Black Redstart Feeling uplifted by this beautiful ...

 We woke to clear skies and sunshine, and with a Redwing from our room and a Barn Owl over breakfast, we were set fair for a good day’s birding. Barn Owl We started by the golf course at Holme, walking across to the saltmarsh where we soon found Stonechat, Rock Pipit and Skylark flitting about the vegetation. Walking towards the beach to scan for Snow Bunting without success, we scoped Sanderling, Dunlin and Oystercatcher on the shoreline. Heading towards Hunstanton, we followed the track by the marsh. In the channel we found plenty of Redshank, a few Wigeon, a single Curlew and a Kingfisher, perched on a stone wall, before it sped off round the corner. A Little egret was new here too, then a Black-tailed Godwit landed just feet away from us and a flock of Goldfinch circled round before settling on the saltmarsh nearby.  Black-tailed Godwit We crossed the channel and scanned the beach, noting a large troop of Oystercatchers, but no new species. We decided to return along the d...

 Our traditional January trip to Norfolk did not get off to the best of starts, with pouring rain and strong winds hampering visibility at Welney, where we met Sue. It was impossible even to view the feeders, just feet from the centre, as the windows were covered in water, and you couldn’t hold your binoculars steady outside. A scamper across the viewing platform next to the cafe to shelter undercover, hugging the wall for protection whilst standing on tiptoe, enabled me to get a brief glimpse of a Tree Sparrow, a prime target at this site. Crossing the footbridge to the main viewing hide gave completely different viewing conditions,with many birds close to the building, and the wind direction ensuring dry windows and excellent visibility. However the water levels were extremely high, with none of the usual islands exposed, although a few traces of reeds and a gate and fence tops still offered a few perching posts. As a result there was a distinct lack of waders. On the water were ...

 We had another enjoyable day out birding with my brothers in Essex today, visiting some of our favourite winter birding destinations. We spent the morning at Abberton Reservoir, starting at Layer de la Haye causeway, quickly finding a good number of great species. John was first onto a group of three drake and two female Goosanders, always good to see. Several Goldeneye were spotted around the reservoir, and a Black-necked Grebe at fairly close range was another great find. There were plenty of regular ducks here too, including good numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Tufted Ducks. Black-necked Grebe At the edges of the water we found a few Redshank, plenty of Lapwings and a Pied Wagtail. A Grey Heron flew in as we watched. Next up was a stunning drake Smew, a spectacular bird with pristine white and black plumage and a tufted crest.  Smew We drove on to Layer Breton causeway, where the ducks were predominantly Shoveler, Gadwall and Pochard. However, scanning amongst them I was delig...

 This afternoon an alert came through from Richard Allan advising that a Little Gull was on the river, foraging over the salt marsh close to the railway bridge. This is an uncommon bird on the Adur, although some are occasionally seen offshore, so we dashed round, and within minutes were enjoying good views of an adult bird, readily identifiable by the dark underwings. Although on the wrong side of the river, at times it strayed closer, at one point landing on the water not far from us, before taking off and returning to its favoured location by the salt marsh. Little Gull Little Gull (Richard Allan) Little Gull (Richard Allan) As we watched, we were soon joined by Jerry who drew attention to a couple of adult Yellow-legged Gulls, with clean, white heads, darker backs than on adjacent Herring Gulls, and showing limited white on the primaries. Although by no means common, this species is becoming increasingly frequent on the river at this time of year, but doesn’t always show as wel...