Apologies for any inconvenience, I have had to change blog providers, I have transferred to
http://norfolkbirdtours.wordpress.com/
from now on you can find my news and pictures there !
many thanks
Stuart
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
15th August 12 - Cley & Blakeney point
Cley reserve produced 5 Spoonbills, Garganey and a good selection of waders, 22 species were seen or heard including Greenshank, both Godwits, 2 Little Stints, 50+ Ruff, LRP and Wood Sandpiper.
After the tour I headed out to blakeney point with a birding mate, the forecast had looked promising with SE winds and a band of rain coming, anticipation was in the air! We weren't to be disappointed with two good self found birds.
We saw a Hobby trying to catch meadow Pipits and a Whinchat fairly quickly, past the boat wreck we flushed a BARRED WARBLER which was nice, it only showed in flight a few more times but was readily identifiable, reaching half way house we saw the first of 6 Pied Flycatchers, a lovely bright Redstart, wheatear and Garden Warbler (nice comparison for the earlier Barred). Reaching Yankee ridge we had a juvenile Black Tern come in off the sea and head into the harbour, also the first of at least 10 willow warblers. Moving on and a WRYNECK appeared from nowhere and flew past us and away, we followed it back to yankee ridge where we had some more good flight views. The plantation was quiet with just one pied fly. Heading back we saw a Reed Warbler creeping around in the sueda at the hood which quickened the heart rate briefly, also of note 2 Painted Ladies.
After 7-8 miles of walking on shingle we were back at the beach car park by 9pm tired but happy! Now I remember why I rarely walk out to Blakeney point !
After the tour I headed out to blakeney point with a birding mate, the forecast had looked promising with SE winds and a band of rain coming, anticipation was in the air! We weren't to be disappointed with two good self found birds.
We saw a Hobby trying to catch meadow Pipits and a Whinchat fairly quickly, past the boat wreck we flushed a BARRED WARBLER which was nice, it only showed in flight a few more times but was readily identifiable, reaching half way house we saw the first of 6 Pied Flycatchers, a lovely bright Redstart, wheatear and Garden Warbler (nice comparison for the earlier Barred). Reaching Yankee ridge we had a juvenile Black Tern come in off the sea and head into the harbour, also the first of at least 10 willow warblers. Moving on and a WRYNECK appeared from nowhere and flew past us and away, we followed it back to yankee ridge where we had some more good flight views. The plantation was quiet with just one pied fly. Heading back we saw a Reed Warbler creeping around in the sueda at the hood which quickened the heart rate briefly, also of note 2 Painted Ladies.
After 7-8 miles of walking on shingle we were back at the beach car park by 9pm tired but happy! Now I remember why I rarely walk out to Blakeney point !
Thursday, 9 August 2012
9th Aug 12 - London
We were lucky enough to get tickets to the athletics today, fabulous stadium and great atmosphere. Should be back to birds very soon !
Friday, 3 August 2012
3rd Aug 12 - Cley area
We started today's tour on Beeston bump with superb close up views of the ALPINE SWIFT, it showed on and off for 30-40 minutes often coming withing a few metres ! Awesome bird, very hard to photograph though !
On the reserve we saw 7 SPOONBILLS, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Bearded Tit, 3 Gannets, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Marsh Harriers and 17 Species of wader including, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 50+ Ruff, 2 Golden Plovers in summer plumage, 4 Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover and Greenshank.
On the reserve we saw 7 SPOONBILLS, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Bearded Tit, 3 Gannets, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Marsh Harriers and 17 Species of wader including, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 50+ Ruff, 2 Golden Plovers in summer plumage, 4 Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover and Greenshank.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
1st Aug 12 - Teddington
A day at the olympics produced reasonable views of Bradley wiggins as he sped past on the time trial ! I also manged to year tick Ring-necked Parakeet (a bird I've never seen in Norfolk)
Sunday, 29 July 2012
29th July 12 - Raptors & Titchwell
On tour today at a spot near Fakenham we saw 4 Red Kites, 4+ Marsh Harriers & Buzzard. While we were there the farmers were cutting the crop, one of them came over and asked me to identify some ground nesting birds, there on his i-phone was a close up photo of 2 Marsh harrier chicks ! Luckily they cut a square around the birds. Moving on we saw 2 Turtle Doves and Yellowhammers. After lunch at Titchwell we were treated to 20 different species of Wader including an adult Curlew Sandpiper, 16 Spotted Redshanks, Bar-tailed & Black-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Greenshank, 20+ Sanderling and my first 2 Golden Plover of the Autumn. Also 5 SPOONBILLS, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Eider, a close in Common Scoter & juv Yellow Wagtail. En route home we saw Corn Bunting & another Turtle Dove.
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| juvenile Dunlin |
Saturday, 28 July 2012
28 July 12 - Cley area
An afternoon/evening tour produced 18 species of wader, including 5 Curlew Sandpipers, Knot, 300+ Black-tailed & 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover chicks, Whimbrel, Greeshank, Spotted Redshank & 30+Ruff, also 6 SPOONBILLS, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Stonechats, 2 Yellow Wagtails both juveniles and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. After a fabulous sunset we only heard a brief churr from a nightjar, but did see Barn Owl and had lovely close up perched views of Tawny Owl.
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