Thursday 26 November 2009

Norfolk (Day 2)

The first port of call on day 2 was Salthouse to look for Snow and or Lapland Buntings but there was no evidence that yesterdays flock was still around.

We again struggled against the wind and walked towards the 'Little Eye', that overlooks a small freshwater pool behind the shingle seawall, and located a single Avocet and 2 Redshanks, Curlew in the fields and a Stonechat appeared briefly on one of the fence wires.

Turnstones were quite confiding as they fed around a small pool close to the car park. (For more pics please go to FABirding).

Our main location today was the RSPB reserve at Titchwell. The marsh is under increasing pressure as the sea continues to erode the land and The Coastal Project has commenced which will drastically change the landscape but hopefully protect the freshwater marshes and specific breeding species such as the Bittern.
I regret that I didn't take many photos as it was difficult battling against the constant high winds.

Black-tailed Godwit

Digiscoped view of a wet and bedraggled Little Egret.

Oystercatcher on the beach.

Distant male Red-breasted Merganser on the sea just before a heavy shower forced us to head back to the centre for refreshments and a bit of retail therapy.
Other species seen at Titwell included: Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Wren, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, Magpie, Blackbird, Collared Dove, Redwing, Crow, Jackdaw, Avocets, Cormorant, Coot, Moorhen, Curlew, Red-throated and Great Northern Diver, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shelduck, Shoveller, Dunlin, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Knot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Creasted Grebe, Little Grebes, Slavonian Grebe, Lapwing and Brent Geese plus a brief glimpse of a Bearded Tit as it dropped deep into one of the reedbeds.

Our mid afternoon walk took us across the tidal marsh from Thorham to Holme. A mixed small flock of finches were seen flying around and then seemed to disappear into the vegetation. Using the scope I eventually located them and first to reveal itself was a Lapland Bunting (ID was its reddish brown wing panel framed by narrow white wing bars), and then a Linnet but the others were very indistictive, suggesting Twite? As the flock moved on to its next hideaway we distinctly heard the 'tveeiht..tveeiht' calls confirming that they were indeed Twite.  Two other mature gentlemen birders had been searching during their walk and were delighted to get a reasonable but brief view through my scope before the flock finally flew far away.

Thornham Marsh at low tide.

I hate to think how much energy was expended to insert these new 6 foot poles into the sand to provide a natural barrier to help prevent the constant errosion of the dunes at Holme by the sea!

Overhead a flock of Pink-footed Geese were moving to their overnight resting place.

Our return walk to Thornham was graced with another beautiful sunset over the marshes towards Holme.
See you next on Day 3.  FAB

10 comments:

  1. Cool birds and a great day. Wonderful photos.

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  2. I love those carrot-nosed Oystercatchers! I'd really like to see one this year. Glad you found your Lapland Bunting, and a new bird I know nothing about, a "Twite." I'll have to look him up. I saw that name posted somewhere else, but didn't realize it was a real bird. Interesting name...
    Beautiful sunset as well...

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  3. An excellent day Frank, and I reckon a very respectable count from Titchwell. I'm itching to get back there.
    A great digiscoped shot of the Little Egret.
    The final sunset is a beautiful end to the day.

    Two blogs now. I'll never get anything done now lol

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  4. Top Notch post Frank the picture story aspect describe's it very well indeed.Seems you had some good species esp Lapland Bunting Always a good bird to scope. Looking forward to the third episode.

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  5. Great photos of the Turnstones. We get Black-tailed Godwit out here - but not many. And how interesting to see your Pied Oystercatcher - just a little different in black and white pattern from over here. Thanks for a very interesting post!

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  7. Mick. The Turnstones were so busily feeding so it was quite eaasy to get fairly close for once.
    Yes, OC's very similar.

    Eileen. Thanks. Not difficult to rack up a few species on this stretch of coastline, whatever the weather.

    Kelly. I read a piece recently about a link between carrots & Oystercatcher but can't remember where, tut..tut. Twite (Passerine & Finch) probably named after it's call..'twit'.twit'. More sunsets to come for you.

    Keith. How about a few days in Norfolk early in the New Year to get your list of to a good start?
    P.S. Haven't told Mrs.B about the 2nd blog!!

    Monty. Cheers. Hope you enjoy what is yet to come.

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  8. A very interesting Norfolk trip. I look forward to day 3!

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  9. Keith. I'll be in touch to check out your availability soon.

    Warren. We enjoyed it. Day 3 after I've posted some other bits & pieces.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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