Ryburgh

I spent an hour or two at Ryburgh again on Wednesday morning and heard then saw another adult Mediterranean Gull fly over.  The 3 White-fronted Geese were still there, one female Stonechat was still present and a Kingfisher flew down the river.  The Wigeon x Pintail hybrid was still present but out of view most of the time - I'd been there about an hour before I saw it.

Wigeon x Pintail hybrid, Great Ryburgh, 8th March

Lapwing, Great Ryburgh, 8th March

There are always lots of common birds coming down to the feeders here too.

Blue Tit, Great Ryburgh, 8th March

Blackbird, Great Ryburgh, 8th March

Goldfinch, Great Ryburgh, 8th March

Pheasant, Great Ryburgh, 8th March

I returned on Thursday to find a Green Sandpiper on the scrape.  After 15 minutes or so it flew off north.

Green Sandpiper, Great Ryburgh, 9th March

There were lots of geese on the hill including 120 Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Goose and at least 2 White-fronted Geese.  The Barnacles all flew off towards Pensthorpe between 7.50 and 8.15.  The Wigeon x Pintail hybrid was still present but it is always difficult to see spending most of its time hidden in the valley.  A flock of 75 Golden Plover flew around in the distance.  This Stock Dove was displaying in front of the hide briefly.

Stock Dove, Great Ryburgh, 9th March

Long-tailed Tit, Great Ryburgh, 9th March

Pheasant, Great Ryburgh, 9th March

The next day I arrived earlier and saw the Barnacle Geese fly in from the direction of Pensthorpe - well, some of them - 91 Barnacle Geese this time, along with 2 Pink-footed Geese and an immature White-fronted Geese (the 3 adult White-fronted Geese were also still present among the 180+ Greylag Geese).  The Wigeon x Pintail hybrid remained with at least 62 Wigeon.

There were 2 Barn Owls on show and the female Stonechat reappeared.  A flock of 5 Stock Doves flew high north-west up the valley - presumably migrant birds.

On Saturday I went to Sparham Pools where the highlights included 2 Chiffchaffs singing, flyover Redpolls and Siskins, Sparrowhawk, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Treecreeper and Bullfinch.  At Bylaugh there was another singing Chiffchaff and a pair of Grey Wagtails.

On Saturday night in the Brecks several Woodcocks were seen at dusk and heard into the evening.

On Monday morning I heard a Mediterranean Gull calling as I arrived at Ryburgh.  There were still 4 White-fronted Geese present along with 2 Pink-footed Geese and 28 Barnacle Geese.  The Wigeon x Pintail hybrid was still there and about 100 Golden Plover were flying around in the distance.

Blackbird, Great Ryburgh, 13th March

A lot of people were shouting about all the Redwings, ducks and rallids flying over their houses on Monday night.  I spent a bit of time outside and had the window open while I was inside, and heard precisely zero of all of the above.  Mind you, I made up for it with some good vis migging the following morning - which I will leave for another post.