Jimmy & I pick up Brian & give him a break from driving for once & head back to Cliffe to try for the Red-necked Grebe that we missed out on on the last trip.
We park up & take a long walk to the far end of the pool, we find 20 or so Little Grebes among the Pochard & Tufted Ducks,a few Great-crested Grebe then we spot a cracking looking Black- necked Grebe.
As we scan we find 3 more of them & then Jimmy spots the Red-necked to make the return trip worthwhile as all 3 of us get a good year tick.
It's off round to the black barn to see whats about,the wind has got up & it feels a lot colder & apart from large flocks of Lapwing not to much was showing.
We hoped for a Greenshank but never saw any but Brian needed Avocet for a tick & Jimmy & I got our first Sparrow Hawk of the year as we walked back.
With no news of the Bonaparte's at Erith that would not have been far away, we head back to New Hythe that we visited a couple of weeks ago without Brian where we picked up a tick when we found a Ring-necked Duck so we hope it's still about for him to tick it.
On arrival we manage to get parked a lot closer than last time so a shorter walk than we had, Brian finds the duck at the far end of the pool so a good day not a lot about but we get a couple of ticks out of the trip so always worth the effort.
Not a day for the camera that was the only down side as Brian loves to get a few shots off.
Sunday 27 January 2019
Sunday 20 January 2019
Great day's birding in Norfolk for 7 ticks.
A early call from Brian to meet up at 6 am See's us arrive at Lady Ann's drive just before 8 am.
With the car park fee payed for a few hours we head off down the board walk to Holkham Pines.
It's a couple of hundred yards or so before we reach the start of the roped off area & we get the first tick of the day as a flock of Shore Lark drop down just inside the roped off area,maybe 20 or so birds.
As we scan the area a large flock of Snow Bunting are spotted at the far end of the ropes, so a quick walk round to them gets tick number 2 .
After 2 hours we think it's time to move on hard as that was to stop watching these great little fellows.
Walking back we spot Stonechat & a single Dartford Warbler in the left side bushes, the 2nd one we have seen this year away from where we normally go to find them.
Heading back to the car we scan the fields on both sides of the drive looking for the reported White-fronted Geese but all we see are thousands of Pink foot, in one of the fields all you could see were Geese the grass was not visible.
Next up is the car park at Cley beach as a Glaucous Gull was about.
Of course the the bird had to be right at the east end of the beach & it looked a long long walk on the pebbles but a tick's a tick so off we set to find it.
Find it we did after about a mile walk, sitting on the sea & then very obligingly it drops down on the beach a few yards away from us, so tick number 3 for the day.
Off to Sheringham for an easy tick so we think but in fact all we see is just one Purple Sandpiper but that makes it tick no 4. We plan to head home now but Jimmy tells us the White-fronts had been seen at Holkham.
Brian thinks we should try once more for the White-fronts, Good of him as he did not need it for a tick himself, we head on past Lady A's drive for about a mile & scan over a gate & get tick no 5 when we pick out 25 of them fairly distant but good scope views.
While in the area we had to try for the Rough-legged Buzzard at Choseley Barns. We go past the barns & start to scan past the pig field, no luck at first until Jimmy gets us onto what he thinks is a bird sitting in the ploughed field & as everybody gets on it we have tick no 6 & what a cracking bird as it takes to the air to give us all great long views of it.
What made it so good was that we have been up here a number of times & not found the bird.
We really must head home now,but not before tick no 7 shows as a Woodcock flies up & over the car.
With the car park fee payed for a few hours we head off down the board walk to Holkham Pines.
It's a couple of hundred yards or so before we reach the start of the roped off area & we get the first tick of the day as a flock of Shore Lark drop down just inside the roped off area,maybe 20 or so birds.
As we scan the area a large flock of Snow Bunting are spotted at the far end of the ropes, so a quick walk round to them gets tick number 2 .
After 2 hours we think it's time to move on hard as that was to stop watching these great little fellows.
Walking back we spot Stonechat & a single Dartford Warbler in the left side bushes, the 2nd one we have seen this year away from where we normally go to find them.
Heading back to the car we scan the fields on both sides of the drive looking for the reported White-fronted Geese but all we see are thousands of Pink foot, in one of the fields all you could see were Geese the grass was not visible.
Next up is the car park at Cley beach as a Glaucous Gull was about.
Of course the the bird had to be right at the east end of the beach & it looked a long long walk on the pebbles but a tick's a tick so off we set to find it.
Find it we did after about a mile walk, sitting on the sea & then very obligingly it drops down on the beach a few yards away from us, so tick number 3 for the day.
Off to Sheringham for an easy tick so we think but in fact all we see is just one Purple Sandpiper but that makes it tick no 4. We plan to head home now but Jimmy tells us the White-fronts had been seen at Holkham.
Brian thinks we should try once more for the White-fronts, Good of him as he did not need it for a tick himself, we head on past Lady A's drive for about a mile & scan over a gate & get tick no 5 when we pick out 25 of them fairly distant but good scope views.
While in the area we had to try for the Rough-legged Buzzard at Choseley Barns. We go past the barns & start to scan past the pig field, no luck at first until Jimmy gets us onto what he thinks is a bird sitting in the ploughed field & as everybody gets on it we have tick no 6 & what a cracking bird as it takes to the air to give us all great long views of it.
What made it so good was that we have been up here a number of times & not found the bird.
We really must head home now,but not before tick no 7 shows as a Woodcock flies up & over the car.
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| The Glaucous Gull |
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| In flight ( Brians photo ) |
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| Purple Sandpiper |
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| ( Brians ) |
Tuesday 15 January 2019
Lemsford Springs Hertfordshire
Last week Jimmy & I visited Cliffe Pools in Kent, we were after the Black-necked Grebe,only trouble we can't find the pit that it's on.
We walk around the reserve & find a large pool that gives us our first Avocet of the year also a couple of Common Sandpiper gives another tick.
We walk for what seems like miles still not being able to get to the pit, the reserve has no birders that we can ask,a dog walker comes to our aid & we finally reach the pit & find 3 Black-necked Grebes without to much trouble but the Red-necked was a lot harder to find.
Jimmy gets a likely in the scope but it dives before we get a proper I D & we can't find it again & the wind was blowing a bit of a gale making the water very choppy & it was not nice so we give up & miss out on another tick.
Next we are off to Leysbourne Lakes country park & once again it's a long long walk before we find New Hythe pits & as soon as we find Abby mead's pit we are onto the Ring-necked Duck for another good year tick.
Next day a quick trip over to KGV reservoir gets us a first winter drake Scaup,3 Goosander also seen while there.
Today looking for somewhere to get ourselves out & about we decide to pay our yearly visit to Lemsford springs in Hertfordshire, it's only 25 miles from home so a nice easy drive to get there.
The watercress beds here make good feeding for Green Sandpiper & we find at least 7 birds while here.
A walk down to the bridge gets us our first Red Kite of the year.
Grey Wagtail is another bird always seen here & today is no exception.
This is a favourite place of mine to visit always so quite & peaceful & a guarantee year tick.
We walk around the reserve & find a large pool that gives us our first Avocet of the year also a couple of Common Sandpiper gives another tick.
We walk for what seems like miles still not being able to get to the pit, the reserve has no birders that we can ask,a dog walker comes to our aid & we finally reach the pit & find 3 Black-necked Grebes without to much trouble but the Red-necked was a lot harder to find.
Jimmy gets a likely in the scope but it dives before we get a proper I D & we can't find it again & the wind was blowing a bit of a gale making the water very choppy & it was not nice so we give up & miss out on another tick.
Next we are off to Leysbourne Lakes country park & once again it's a long long walk before we find New Hythe pits & as soon as we find Abby mead's pit we are onto the Ring-necked Duck for another good year tick.
Next day a quick trip over to KGV reservoir gets us a first winter drake Scaup,3 Goosander also seen while there.
Today looking for somewhere to get ourselves out & about we decide to pay our yearly visit to Lemsford springs in Hertfordshire, it's only 25 miles from home so a nice easy drive to get there.
The watercress beds here make good feeding for Green Sandpiper & we find at least 7 birds while here.
A walk down to the bridge gets us our first Red Kite of the year.
Grey Wagtail is another bird always seen here & today is no exception.
This is a favourite place of mine to visit always so quite & peaceful & a guarantee year tick.
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Green sandpiper |
Saturday 5 January 2019
Nice day at Lynford Arboretum
At 12 0'clock last night Brian tells Jimmy that we are off to Lynford at 7 am,I find out when I wake around 6 & quickly text to say I'm in and we set off to arrive around 8.15.
It's a dull sort of a day & we are the only ones here.
First off we look over the gate at the feeding station & it's not long before the first tick of the day when a flock of Brambling come in to the drinking pool followed by a Marsh Tit for tick number 2.
As we walk down to the paddock we hear Crossbill calling & then 7 birds fly over.
On the walk around the Paddock Jimmy spots a single Hawfinch as it feed on top of a Hawthorn tree, we needed the scope to get a good clear view of it.Tick number 5 comes when a large flock of Siskin fly in.
Back at the feeding station another Hawfinch comes in to drink to give us a great view. And a single Lesser Redpoll drops down for another tick. While here we meet Chris the guy who puts the food out for us to enjoy the birds here, such a nice man so glad to meet him & have a good talk & to thank him.
Off for a very quick look in at Santon Downham where another tick is seen as we watch a Kingfisher & also another flock of Siskin are seen.
Near home we decide to have a look in at the Eagle pond in Snaresbrook for the Caspian Gull & it's seen soon after arrival.
Another really good day where we pick up all the birds that we set out to get for the day. With Brian not back to work after xmas yet we have had a lot of fun over the last few days with a good total of over 130 birds seen.
It's a dull sort of a day & we are the only ones here.
First off we look over the gate at the feeding station & it's not long before the first tick of the day when a flock of Brambling come in to the drinking pool followed by a Marsh Tit for tick number 2.
As we walk down to the paddock we hear Crossbill calling & then 7 birds fly over.
On the walk around the Paddock Jimmy spots a single Hawfinch as it feed on top of a Hawthorn tree, we needed the scope to get a good clear view of it.Tick number 5 comes when a large flock of Siskin fly in.
Back at the feeding station another Hawfinch comes in to drink to give us a great view. And a single Lesser Redpoll drops down for another tick. While here we meet Chris the guy who puts the food out for us to enjoy the birds here, such a nice man so glad to meet him & have a good talk & to thank him.
Off for a very quick look in at Santon Downham where another tick is seen as we watch a Kingfisher & also another flock of Siskin are seen.
Near home we decide to have a look in at the Eagle pond in Snaresbrook for the Caspian Gull & it's seen soon after arrival.
Another really good day where we pick up all the birds that we set out to get for the day. With Brian not back to work after xmas yet we have had a lot of fun over the last few days with a good total of over 130 birds seen.
Friday 4 January 2019
First Dungeness visit of the new year.
With Brian still on a work break it's off to Kent & one of our favoured places Dungeness.
It's straight to the beach just by the boats & the sea is alive with Auks & Gannets plus Cormorants.
Mostly Guillemot the odd Razorbill just one Kittiwake seen & 3 Great Skua also seen but they were all just off the beach.what a pleasure to watch the Gannets diving for food that close. One of many
Red-throated Divers settled on the sea very close in, it's so nice we spend more time than we should have just enjoying the show.It's 5 year ticks before we head off.
A ride round to Galloway's gives us another 2 ticks with loads of Stonechat about. Then a real bonus when we find the single Dartford Warbler that had been reported on bird news earlier, it was very accommodating sitting up for a good show.
Off now for a quick look over Scotney which never gave us any ticks until we see the few Barnacle Geese on the Suffolk side.Going back to Dunge we find 4 Cattle Egret in a Sheep feed before we turn into the reserve & tick Tree Sparrow & a Great white Egret.
Before we head off home we call in at Capel Fleet, on the track going down to the mound 3 more ticks with a flock of Corn bunting fill one of the bushes.Also seen Fieldfare & Redwing.
At the mound a group of fellows had a Merlin in sight so a good tick straight away.
The aim is to hang around till the Harriers come into roost & we see over 20 Marsh Harriers come in
to roost.another Peregrine is spotted sitting on a post that was nice.
Then as we drive back up the track a Short-eared Owl is spotted ,so it's another half hour enjoying it before it got to dark & we set off home after a really great day out birding with the boys.
It's straight to the beach just by the boats & the sea is alive with Auks & Gannets plus Cormorants.
Mostly Guillemot the odd Razorbill just one Kittiwake seen & 3 Great Skua also seen but they were all just off the beach.what a pleasure to watch the Gannets diving for food that close. One of many
Red-throated Divers settled on the sea very close in, it's so nice we spend more time than we should have just enjoying the show.It's 5 year ticks before we head off.
A ride round to Galloway's gives us another 2 ticks with loads of Stonechat about. Then a real bonus when we find the single Dartford Warbler that had been reported on bird news earlier, it was very accommodating sitting up for a good show.
Off now for a quick look over Scotney which never gave us any ticks until we see the few Barnacle Geese on the Suffolk side.Going back to Dunge we find 4 Cattle Egret in a Sheep feed before we turn into the reserve & tick Tree Sparrow & a Great white Egret.
Before we head off home we call in at Capel Fleet, on the track going down to the mound 3 more ticks with a flock of Corn bunting fill one of the bushes.Also seen Fieldfare & Redwing.
At the mound a group of fellows had a Merlin in sight so a good tick straight away.
The aim is to hang around till the Harriers come into roost & we see over 20 Marsh Harriers come in
to roost.another Peregrine is spotted sitting on a post that was nice.
Then as we drive back up the track a Short-eared Owl is spotted ,so it's another half hour enjoying it before it got to dark & we set off home after a really great day out birding with the boys.
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| 2 Of the 4 Cattle Egret |
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| Just one of the many Guilliemot on show |
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| Just so accommodating at Galloways the Dartford Warbler |
Wednesday 2 January 2019
Off we go again 2019
New years eve See's us get out birding after a bit of a lull in December. A trip to Norfolk to look for the Black-bellied Dipper at Ebridge Mill in North Walsham.
We find the spot with ease & park opposite the mill, a walk across the road & we are looking at our second only Black-bellied Dipper as it swims out from the bank looking for food in the middle of the stream.The only other one seen was a few years ago at Thetford.
It is a really good view the bird being only a short way down the stream. Off we go now to Norwich in search of Waxwings, we find Walpole Gardens & 4 Waxwings are sitting on top of a tall tree & at regular intervals drop down to feed on the Rowan tree berries, lovely can't get enough of them.
New years day & we meet up as we always with Brian on the first day of the year full of anticipation for the birding year to come.
A 6 o'clock start & on a whim we pull into Epping Forest before we leave Loughton & our first tick of the year is ticked as we hear a very loud male tawny owl.
Off we go now back to Norfolk as we seem to get better returns number wise from there on the first day. First up as usual is a Barn Owl at Runcton as it turns out the only one seem by us today.
A very quick call in at Hunstanton to tick some Gulls manly a Fulmar, it's very cold as we just jumped out of the car with no coats on for a very quick tick.
off to Thornham to tick the Twite there plus some Waders & we see the first Marsh Harrier of the year, then we are off to the big one at Titchwell.
It was already filling up with people mainly birders but a lot of walkers trying to shake off the festivities of the night before.
All the usual birds on the feeders ticked before we head to the beach. Long-tailed Duck,Eider 2,Merganser,Slav Grebe,plus plenty more seen.
Walking back towards the hide a nice female Peregrine puts everything up in the air & hangs around for some great views of it.Nothing out of the ordinarily but a lot of year ticks as we always get here.
A Water Pipit is a nice bonus tick. With the water high there are no Avocet about.
Next up Chosley where it's an easy tick with plenty of Yellow Hammers about but no Corn Buntings, a few Red-legged Partridge add to the list.
The plan is to pop into Holkham but it's impossible to get near the place just so packed & the same at Wells. So with a few ticks picked up on route we head back to yesterdays trip at Ebridge Mill North Walsham & hope it's going to be as easy. A few birders already there tell us it 's not been seen for over two hours, so as we are trying to get a load of early ticks we don't hang around & head off to get the Swans at Ludham Airfield. As we head round the back roads we come to a bridge with a few birders on it & as luck would have it the Black-bellied Dipper had made it's way down stream & we get another sighting of it plus this is a new year tick now.
On arrival at the Airfield that was only a few miles away we meet up with just one other birder & we have both Whooper & Bewicks Swans ticked.
There was maybe 40 birds on show but the fellow tells us that this is well down on other years.
With the light going fast it's a gamble but we head off to Long Stratton in the hope that the Waxwings had not gone to roost yet.
As we pull into the police station yard we see 5 Waxwings just waiting for us to arrive to see them.
So as always a really great first day, lots of running around but that's how it is on this day. 87 is a fair total with 9 more added today makes it a good start to the year.
We find the spot with ease & park opposite the mill, a walk across the road & we are looking at our second only Black-bellied Dipper as it swims out from the bank looking for food in the middle of the stream.The only other one seen was a few years ago at Thetford.
It is a really good view the bird being only a short way down the stream. Off we go now to Norwich in search of Waxwings, we find Walpole Gardens & 4 Waxwings are sitting on top of a tall tree & at regular intervals drop down to feed on the Rowan tree berries, lovely can't get enough of them.
New years day & we meet up as we always with Brian on the first day of the year full of anticipation for the birding year to come.
A 6 o'clock start & on a whim we pull into Epping Forest before we leave Loughton & our first tick of the year is ticked as we hear a very loud male tawny owl.
Off we go now back to Norfolk as we seem to get better returns number wise from there on the first day. First up as usual is a Barn Owl at Runcton as it turns out the only one seem by us today.
A very quick call in at Hunstanton to tick some Gulls manly a Fulmar, it's very cold as we just jumped out of the car with no coats on for a very quick tick.
off to Thornham to tick the Twite there plus some Waders & we see the first Marsh Harrier of the year, then we are off to the big one at Titchwell.
It was already filling up with people mainly birders but a lot of walkers trying to shake off the festivities of the night before.
All the usual birds on the feeders ticked before we head to the beach. Long-tailed Duck,Eider 2,Merganser,Slav Grebe,plus plenty more seen.
Walking back towards the hide a nice female Peregrine puts everything up in the air & hangs around for some great views of it.Nothing out of the ordinarily but a lot of year ticks as we always get here.
A Water Pipit is a nice bonus tick. With the water high there are no Avocet about.
Next up Chosley where it's an easy tick with plenty of Yellow Hammers about but no Corn Buntings, a few Red-legged Partridge add to the list.
The plan is to pop into Holkham but it's impossible to get near the place just so packed & the same at Wells. So with a few ticks picked up on route we head back to yesterdays trip at Ebridge Mill North Walsham & hope it's going to be as easy. A few birders already there tell us it 's not been seen for over two hours, so as we are trying to get a load of early ticks we don't hang around & head off to get the Swans at Ludham Airfield. As we head round the back roads we come to a bridge with a few birders on it & as luck would have it the Black-bellied Dipper had made it's way down stream & we get another sighting of it plus this is a new year tick now.
On arrival at the Airfield that was only a few miles away we meet up with just one other birder & we have both Whooper & Bewicks Swans ticked.
There was maybe 40 birds on show but the fellow tells us that this is well down on other years.
With the light going fast it's a gamble but we head off to Long Stratton in the hope that the Waxwings had not gone to roost yet.
As we pull into the police station yard we see 5 Waxwings just waiting for us to arrive to see them.
So as always a really great first day, lots of running around but that's how it is on this day. 87 is a fair total with 9 more added today makes it a good start to the year.
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| One of the Waxwing |
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| The Black=bellied Dipper |
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| Jimmy & Brian at Ebridge Mill |
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