A ton of longtails

I headed up to Holme early yesterday and made my way to Gore Point, taking care not to disturb the hundreds of waders roosting there over the high tide.  It was immediately apparent that there lots of Long-tailed Ducks on the sea but counting them was impossible - not only were they bobbing up and down behind the swell but they were diving too.  I got to a miminum of 90 but suspected there were double that many.  Eventually - after the best part of two hours - a lot of birds flew a short distance making it possible to count them.  Sadly they didn't fly very far and I'd only got to 42 before they went down again.  I wasn't anywhere near half way through the flock so I think it's safe to say there were over 100 Long-tailed Ducks.

In the meantime I had several sightings of Great Northern Diver flying past but it was difficult to know how many of them involved the same birds.  At one point there were 3 Great Northern Divers on the sea so a minimum of three, but I think it's likely there were 5-6.  There were a few Red-throated Divers out there and one diver flying east was almost certainly a Black-throated Diver though I decided I hadn't seen enough to claim it as 100%.

There were quite a few Great Crested Grebes offshore and after a while I picked up a Slavonian Grebe just offshore - the closest bird on the sea.

A single Scoter proved to be a Velvet Scoter.  A few Common Scoter flew in later but nowhere near as many Scoter off here as there have been off Titchwell.  Two groups totalling 37 Eider flew east at one point, the vast majority of birds being drakes.  Also a few Red-breasted Mergansers.

There seemed to be more Fulmars flying offshore than I've seen on recent visits to Titchwell - I suspect these weren't migrants but birds from Hunstanton.  As I headed back to the car I checked the flock of Pink-feet feeding opposite.  A young lad had seen a couple of White-fronts among them and sure enough there were 2 White-fronted Geese in there.

As I drove down past the barn at Thornham a Spotted Redshank was feeding next to a Redshank.  After spending some time from the raised car park area (seeing at least a dozen Red-breasted Mergansers and a Goldeneye) someone picked up another Spotted Redshank to the left - or was it the same one?  I headed off along the seawall back towards Holme finding 5 Twite next to the path.  Had a good view of them before they hopped over to the fields and disappeared.  From the dunes I could see another Great Northern Diver on the sea off Thornham and thousands of Wigeon.  Walking back to the car there was another Spotted Redshank - now is that 3 birds, 2 birds or 1 bird seen 3 times?  Having now analysed the photos of the first and third I'm satisfied that they at least were the same individual, so one or two at the most.

Spotted Redshank, Thornham, 15th February - the same bird methinks

Rock Pipit, Thornham, 15th February

I couldn't find much of interest around various lanes inland of here so continued on to the patch where the the first Oystercatcher had returned.  They always seem to appear inland in mid February, though unusually this one seemed to be alone - they normally arrive in pairs.

Red-legged Partridge, Choseley, 15th February

Siberian Stonechat, Yellow-browed Warblers and Great Grey Shrike

On Saturday 8th October I knew Burnham Overy would be crawling with birders so decided to go somewhere quieter.  I started off at Broad Lane, Brancaster, a fab little location that I had discovered for the first time during the week before and found it teeming with birds.  Not quite so many birds this morning, but one of the first was a calling but invisible Yellow-browed Warbler.  There were a few thrushes, mainly Song Thrushes and Redwings, at least 3 Blackcaps and a Brambling.  Then a second, silent, Yellow-browed Warbler appeared briefly.

Yellow-browed Warbler, Broad Lane, Brancaster, 8th October

Looking over to the dunes I could see a Short-eared Owl heading west past the clubhouse.  I decided to do Gypsy Lane next but it was quiet here - Siskin and 2 Redpoll sp. west were the highlights, along with a Treecreeper.

Redwing, Gypsy Lane, 8th October

Next stop Titchwell Church, a site that I can't believe I've never birded before.  Brambling, a couple of Blackcaps and more thrushes was all I could find today, but there's potential for a lot more here.  Many times I've driven up or down Chalkpit Lane and wondered what the chalk pit would be like.  From the road it looked like it might be quite a nice little spot that would probably hold things like Yellow-browed Warblers in the autumn and sometimes probably much better things.  But there isn't much parking space right next to it and I'd never got round to making the effort to walk up to it from the village.  Now I was already parked in the village it was the perfect opportunity to see what it was like.  It's pretty close so no problem at all to stroll up from near the church, and the local folk have done a good job of making the place nice.  It used to be used as a dump and you can still see evidence of that, but they've cleaned it up nicely, made a good path through it and planted it up.  The biggest mature trees are Ash I think but there's a large variety of other species of tree and shrub.  It's a bit of an oasis of quiet and calm on a windy birder-swamped day.  And it held birds, pretty much exactly like I thought it would.  Not vast numbers, but a good few thrushes, at least 3 Chiffchaffs and, audible the second I stepped in, at least 2 Yellow-browed Warblers.  It's not hard to imagine a Mugimaki Flycatcher spending a few days in here without anyone noticing.

Yellow-browed Warbler, Titchwell Chalk Pit, 8th October

Next stop was Thornham where I took the path round Marshlands.  A Yellow-browed Warbler was calling in there but I hadn't got very far when I received a phone call which required a speedy drive home and an emergency trip to Norwich.  Was in Norwich when I received news that the Black-browed Albatross had been seen again off Scolt Head flying west.  Dropped Vitty off at home and sped up to Hunstanton where the albatross had now been reported flying into the wash.  Perhaps it would turn round and come back out?

There were lots of Gannets coming out but no Albatross.  At least not that I saw, although one small group of birders seemed to think they'd seen it, despite none of the rest of the 20-30 birders looking seeing it.  A late Whimbrel called briefly but the best thing seen was a funnel cloud (thanks Dave H).  Also a Barn Owl at Colkirk on the way home.

Next day I was free in the afternoon and decided to have another look at the Chalk Pit.  Apart from anything I'd heard what sounded a bit Pallas'sy the day before, although I'm pretty sure it was just one of the Yellow-browed Warblers calling oddly.  Same thing occurred today but I spent a lot of time there and was never able to confirm Pallas's and only ever heard the Pallas'sy call when there was a definite Yellow-browed Warbler in the same area.  It was never convincingly Pallas's and I'm all but sure it was just variation in the Yellow-browed call.  There was also Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs in there and 2 Red Kites flying low over the pit.

Red Kites, Titchwell Chalk Pit, 9th October

As I was looking round the church yard I came back into phone reception and received news of a Siberian Stonechat at Thornham Point.  I was nearby so headed straight there.  From the bank at Titchwell could see a small group of birders looking for it.  A call to Penny who was among them confirmed that they hadn't seen it for a while and it was flightly and elusive.  Not sure how far it ranged I decided to stay put and scan the saltmarsh from where I was.  After a while a call from Penny (thanks!) confirmed that it had been seen again, and I headed over to join them, accidentally flushing a fabulous Short-eared Owl on my way.  A lovely Siberian Stonechat that had apparently been found by James McCallum and Mark Golley on what I'm told was James's first visit to Titchwell in years!  Often tricky to see though as it kept low and frequently dipped out of sight.

Siberian Stonechat, Thornham Point, 9th October

It was getting dark as we headed back through the reserve - there were some Yellow-legged Gulls out there but it was too dark to see them properly.  This Spotted Redshank next to the path was taken on maximum ISO.

Spotted Redshank, Titchwell, 9th October

On 11th October I decided to return to Burnham Overy in the hope that it being mid-week there wouldn't be too many other birders there.  I arrived at first light to see a group already on their way out and changed my mind!  Instead I nipped over to Thornham and decided to work my way east from there.  There were a few thrushes at Thornham, at least 3 Blackcaps and a couple of Bramblings, but it wasn't heaving with migrants.  A Barn Owl quartered the field while a Little Owl called nearby.

More thrushes at Titchwell church, a Grey Wagtail and a Brambling.  There was another Brambling on the way up to the chalk pit but not so much in there today.

Titchwell Chalk Pit, 11th October

There wasn't a huge amount to see as I wandered through the trees along Gypsy Lane - fewer thrushes than of late, the odd crest, 3+ Bramblings.  A Grey Wagtail was heard and further down the nice weather meant that Bearded Tits were in evidence with small flocks exploding out of the reed bed at regular intervals (though none actually departed, so hard to know how many involved - at least 20).  The odd Snipe flying around too.

Snipe, Gypsy Lane, 11th October

One of 3 Cetti's Warblers showed quite nicely (if a bit too far for photos) and at the pool at the northern end of the path a Yellow-browed Warbler was calling.  There was a Wheatear along the footpath and another on the practice green, and then I walked on to Broad Lane.  Fewer birds here than in recent visits but I was pleased to see 2 Mealy Redpolls drop in briefly.

Mealy Redpolls, Brancaster, 11th October

Redwing, Brancaster, 11th October

Next day I headed up to Burnham Overy again and although there were other birders out there early I stuck with it this time.  The walk out was uneventful, although I got my first distant view of the Great Grey Shrike that has been around for a few days.  There was a lot of rain as I did Gun Hill and that end of the dunes, but plenty of birds.  Final totals included 80 Redwings, 70 Song Thrushes, and 25 Goldcrests, though these were probably underestimates.  Also 6 Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatears, 5 Brambling and Grey Wagtail.  A Woodcock was flushed and a Redstart sp. seen in flight (got the impression it was Black, but not 100% sure and couldn't relocated it - a Common Redstart was also present, not seen by me, but was a different bird).  A young male Merlin was seen and a Peregrine was on the beach.  Also a Red Kite seen.

Bramblings, Burnham Overy, 12th October

Redwing, Burnham Overy, 12th October

Blackcaps, Burnham Overy, 12th October

Reed Bunting, Burnham Overy, 12th October

I got another better view of the Great Grey Shrike as I headed through the dunes - it popped up just in front of me.

Great Grey Shrike, Burnham Overy, 12th October

This Dunnock was the wrong accentor.  Another Dunnock showed peculiar white spectacles, but sadly they aren't the fieldmark of any rare eastern Accentors.

Dunnock, Burnham Overy, 12th October

At the far east end I heard a Yellow-browed Warbler call briefly and I could see the Great White Egret at Holkham.

Great Knot but not great

Having dipped on the Great Knot three times I thought it was about time I saw it.  It was on the fresh marsh at Titchwell on 27th June while I was at work.  Did I have enough time to see it in my lunch hour?  It would be touch and go, but I went for it.  Racing out to the freshmarsh I looked a bit out of place all togged up for work, a fact that was confirmed by the various comments I received, but I got there with 5 minutes to go before I needed to head back to work.  The flock of Knot was still there, but was the Great Knot?  Yes, but it was asleep in the middle of the flock. All I could see was what looked like a dark breast on a bird more or less front-on, but views weren't great - I wasn't quite sure which side its body was on for a start!  Then briefly it woke up and stuck its head up - that's better, I can see it's a Great Knot now, just.  Then immediately it went back to sleep.  It woke up again once or twice more, and then I had to go.

When the Great Knot arrived I decided I wasn't bothered about seeing it unless I could get good views of it.  Now I'd seen it, but I still hadn't got good views of it.  I enjoyed the Mediterranean Gull that flew over the visitor centre as I raced back to the car just as much, and the Corn Bunting that was singing at Choseley as I drove past without stopping, just as much.  I'll just have to keep trying with the Knot, I figured.

It stayed on the reserve most of the afternoon, long after high tide had been and gone.  It was a nice evening and I didn't have to be back home for anything so I decided to have another go after work.  Needless to say I arrived a few minutes too late - it had just flown off.  But I did have a very pleasant evening chatting to Paul and watching a few bits and pieces.  The reserve was teaming with birdlife in fact and it was a wonderful bright warm calm evening.  Among the highlights was a fine female Spotted Redshank parading around in front of us.  This is a Dutch-ringed bird that has returned for the third consecutive year.

Spotted Redshank, Titchwell, 27th June

Other waders included a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and about 3-400 Avocets.  A Red Kite flew over in the distance and both Little Gull and Mediterranean Gull put in an appearance (a different Med Gull to the one I'd seen at lunchtime).  2 Bearded Tits showed briefly but the bird of the evening for me was a Teal.  At this time of year I often get sent pictures of Teal with brown cheeks which the observers think might be hybrids, but in fact they are pure Teals moulting in to eclipse plumage.  This appeared to be one such bird but it was a more distinctive example than any I've seen before with really strikingly pale cheeks.  Later update: it transpires that the unusual appearance of this bird is due to it being intersex... a female developing male features.

intersex Teal, Titchwell, 27th June

High tide roost at Snetts

I had a day off on Wednesday 30th September and decided to head to Snettisham for the high tide roost.  An early start was required to get there for the recommended time but I overslept and arrived later than intended.  As I walked down towards the hide I could see the last of the waders coming off the wash and on to the pits.  Not a good start, missing them coming off the Wash, but at least I'd be able to see them roosting and heading back out to the Wash.

high tide, Snettisham, 30th September

I stopped off on the way down to photograph this Eider.  I've rarely seen beached Eiders in Norfolk and suspect this one was sick.  Mind you, it's perfectly normal for them to rest on land further north so not sure why it shouldn't be here too.

Eider, Snettisham, 30th September

Little Egret, Snettisham, 30th September

From the hide the spectacle was great - Oystercatchers covering one shore but the moving carpet of Knot (among other things) was fun to watch. 

Oystercatchers, Snettisham, 30th September

Knots, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits, Snettisham, 30th September

Knots, Snettisham, 30th September

 Bar-tailed Godwits and Knot, Snettisham, 30th September

I tried hard to pick out something more unusual among the hordes of birds but struggled to find anything remotely unusual.  I eventually picked out 3 Greenshank and there was a flock of 8 Spotted Redshank away from the main flocks.  A Kingfisher showed and a Short-eared Owl did so very briefly.

 Spotted Redshanks, Snettisham, 30th September

As the tide turned the hide emptied.  I should have taken that as my cue, but with thousands of birds still on the pits I figured I had enough time to sift through them before heading out to look at the swirling around on the Wash.  Once I admitted defeat on that front I headed out of the hide expecting to find the water still pretty high, albeit going down, and huge and impressive flocks of birds swirling around the Wash, the spectacle Snettisham is so well known for.  What I actually found was that the tide had gone down far more than I imagined was possible in what seemed like no time (but in hindsight probably was much longer than I'd realised) and all the waders were tiny dots about a mile away, happily feeding away and not flying around at all.

So all in all a bit disappointing.  But at least I know for next time - get there in good time and don't stick around in the hide for too long!

Long-tailed Tit, Snettisham, 30th September

Other days this week were spent at work, getting out only at lunch times when I failed to find anything of note.

Blue Tit, Thornham, 28th September

Little Grebes, Thornham, 28th September