Nightingale, Wissington Beet Factory, 10th June
The rest of the walk produced more insect interest than birds (see my mothing diary if you're interested). There were a few more birds at Welney though, if not very unusual ones.
On my way in I spent a bit of time chatting with the warden (?) about limosa vs. islandica Black-tailed Godwit identification and we attempted to identify some birds viewable from the centre. They may have included limosa but I couldn't be sure. Some more birds showed better from the main observatory but I'm pretty sure they were islandica (I guess I'll find out for sure when I get the ring details back).
Black-tailed Godwits, Welney, 10th June
I could see at least 11 Whooper Swans from the observatory but it was hard enough to see the adults in the long grass let alone the cygnets of the pair that had bred. There was at least one Little Ringed Plover here but from Friends Hide there was a pair of Little Ringed Plovers with 2 tiny chicks.
Little Ringed Plover chick, Welney, 10th June
Given the amount of grief the parents got off the Avocets it's amazing they managed to rear any chicks here. Here they are being chased off...
Little Ringed Plovers and Avocet, Welney, 10th June
...and again...
Little Ringed Plovers and Avocet, Welney, 10th June
...and still the Avocet doesn't give up...
Little Ringed Plovers and Avocet, Welney, 10th June
There was also a family of Shelducks here (11 ducklings) and a Yellow Wagtail for a bit (another had put in a brief appearance at the observatory).
Yellow Wagtail, Welney, 10th June
Common Tern, Welney, 10th June
That evening the Green Sandpiper was still at Ryburgh and I saw Little Owl and Barn Owl near Sennowe.
Green Sandpiper, Ryburgh, 10th June
I saw another Little Owl nearby the following morning followed by the Green Sand remaining at Ryburgh and a Grey Wagtail briefly.
Chiffchaff, Ryburgh, 11th June
As I was heading up to Holt on 13th June I received news of a Roseate Tern at Cley, so I popped in there first. There was no sign of the tern but some Bearded Tits were seen along East Bank, a Razorbill on the sea and a group of 10 Kittiwakes flew west. Later on a Woodlark was singing at Holt Lowes, I'm pretty sure I heard a Tree Pipit a couple of times and a Crossbill called from the Country Park.
Next day I saw 3 Red Kites on the way up to Burnham Overy where another Red Kite showed brilliantly in the dunes.
Red Kite, Burnham Overy, 14th June
A Great White Egret was perhaps the best bird seen, though becoming quite normal here nowadays. Likewise Mediterranean Gull, one or two of which were heard calling today. There were 4 Barnacle Geese, presumably feral birds from Holkham, and an over-summering Dark-bellied Brent Goose. The Pochard's 3 ducklings are getting big now.
Pochards, Burnham Overy, 14th June
You can often see Redshanks perching on the fence posts at this time of year.
Redshank, Burnham Overy, 14th June
There were plenty of Little Terns around and Stonechats continue to be evident in the dunes.
I occasionally hear Lapwings calling at home, often at night, so I guess they must breed in the fields nearby but on 15th June one was flying around calling all morning much closer to my house than usual. I can't imagine why it would have led its chicks this close to my house but I can't think of any other explanation for its behaviour.
That night I heard a Whimbrel calling over the house at 11.50 pm - not something I expected to hear here in mid June.
A Green Sandpiper was still at Ryburgh on 16th along with 14 Barnacle Geese and a heard-only Kingfisher.
Green Sandpiper, Ryburgh, 16th June
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