sh4rpy's birding blog
Monday, 31 October 2011
Rock Pipit and Purple Sandpipers
3 more pics taken by Paul Frost at Lowestoft Ness; Rock Pipit and Purple Sandpipers.
Suffolk/Norfolk pics
Paul Frost's pics from our recent trip to Suffolk and Norfolk. Black Redstart at Lowestoft Ness in the Turbine Yard, next 2 pics are Grey Seals at Horsey Gap and final 3 pics Common Cranes at Stubbs Mill.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Great Grey Shrike
An afternoon visit to Coombe Road near Sandon; Great Grey Shrike, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Yellowhammer, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel. Also noted 20+ Hare.
Suffolk and Norfolk Birding
29th October 2011. A days birding in Suffolk and Norfolk with Brendan and Paul.
First stop was Lowestoft Ness, we arrived about 08:30 and were quickly on to 3 Purple Sandpipers all showing well on a small jetty in front of the point. Also noted here were Turnstone, Oystercatcher and a Rock Pipit. We had intended to have seawatch from the point but the sea was shrouded in mist. We therefore turned our attentions to the Turbine Yard where Black Redstarts had recently beed reported. It took some searching but we were soon able to connect with 3 Black Redstarts which were hopping about amongst the various items of ironmongery contained within the Turbine Yard.
From here we went to the nearby Sparrows Nest Park in search of firecrest, however, after some intensive searching we could not connect.
Next port of call was Corton Sewage Works, again in search of recently reported Firecrests. Once again we drew a blank. We did connect with Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch and Green Woodpecker.
Next stop was Horsey Gap. Here we noted Fieldfare, Red Throated Diver, Guillemot, Gannet, Whooper Swan, Pink Footed Goose. Also noted here were 20/30 Grey Seal.
Our final stop of the day was Stubbs Mill, which is part of Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Hickling Broad reserve. We arrived at the watchpoint about 2 hours before dusk. As soon as we arrived we connected with 5 Common Cranes as they flew past for a pre-roost gathering in some nearby fields. Then we watched as 25+ Marsh Harriers flew in to roost. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel aslo showed well. We were then able to connect with 3 Merlin that had also flown in to roost. Next a Barn Owl put in an appearence hunting over the fields to the right of the watchpoint. Finally, as darkness fell we watched 32 Common Crane fly past us to roost. Also noted here were Yellowhammer and Linnet.
First stop was Lowestoft Ness, we arrived about 08:30 and were quickly on to 3 Purple Sandpipers all showing well on a small jetty in front of the point. Also noted here were Turnstone, Oystercatcher and a Rock Pipit. We had intended to have seawatch from the point but the sea was shrouded in mist. We therefore turned our attentions to the Turbine Yard where Black Redstarts had recently beed reported. It took some searching but we were soon able to connect with 3 Black Redstarts which were hopping about amongst the various items of ironmongery contained within the Turbine Yard.
From here we went to the nearby Sparrows Nest Park in search of firecrest, however, after some intensive searching we could not connect.
Next port of call was Corton Sewage Works, again in search of recently reported Firecrests. Once again we drew a blank. We did connect with Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch and Green Woodpecker.
Next stop was Horsey Gap. Here we noted Fieldfare, Red Throated Diver, Guillemot, Gannet, Whooper Swan, Pink Footed Goose. Also noted here were 20/30 Grey Seal.
Our final stop of the day was Stubbs Mill, which is part of Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Hickling Broad reserve. We arrived at the watchpoint about 2 hours before dusk. As soon as we arrived we connected with 5 Common Cranes as they flew past for a pre-roost gathering in some nearby fields. Then we watched as 25+ Marsh Harriers flew in to roost. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel aslo showed well. We were then able to connect with 3 Merlin that had also flown in to roost. Next a Barn Owl put in an appearence hunting over the fields to the right of the watchpoint. Finally, as darkness fell we watched 32 Common Crane fly past us to roost. Also noted here were Yellowhammer and Linnet.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Hawk Update
Many thanks to my hard working friend Mr Greville for the following update http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052661/Hawk-nail-head--10k-reward-sadist-shot-it.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Ivinghoe Beacon
An hour near Ivinghoe Beacon late this afternoon; 20+ Redwing, 4 Bullfinch, 6 Skylark.
Wot no Robin
Sat 15th Oct 2011
Another visit to Norfolk with Paul and Brendan. Our target bird was the "mega" Rufous-tailed Robin that had been reported friday afternoon. We arrived at Warham Greens just before 08:00 and joined a few hundred other birders to look for the Rufous-tailed Robin, however, after a couple of hours it was clear the Robin had moved on, probably overnight. Whilst at this site we did connect with a couple of flocks of Pink-footed Geese and a handful of Redwing.
From Warham Greens we made our way to Stiffkey Fen. Here we connected with the following; Brent Goose, Curlew, Brambling, Yellow-browed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Stonechat, Bluethroat. The Bluethroat sighting was particularly pleasing as we and most people on site had all but given up seeing it. Then I was looking at a Stonechat through my scope and the Bluethroat flew in to join it! Brendan put the sighting out on his pager and about 30-40 other birders were soon on the scene. The Bluethroat had moved further out onto the marsh but to my knowledge they were all able to connect with the bird.
Next stop was Holme Dunes; We first searched for the recently reported Red-flanked Bluetail but along with many other birders we could not connect. We decided to have a walk through the dunes, whilst in the dunes Brendan spotted a distant raptor. On closer inspection it turned out to be a Rough-legged Buzzard and luckily for us it drifted our way. Soon after we had seen the Rough-legged we decided to have another look for the Red-flanked Bluetail. We positioned ourselve's close to a wire fence and after a few minute's the Red-flanked Bluetailed popped up right in front of us. It soon disappeared and after some searching by about 40 birders it was re-located nearby. Then lost and re-located again, so the term "elusive" is very apt for this bird. Also noted at Holme was two fairly large flocks of Pintail, in flight over the dunes and a Red-breasted Merganser over the sea.
Next stop was Titchwell Marsh; Cettis' Warbler, Pintail, Red Throated Diver (on the sea), Sanderling, Knot, Turnstone, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Brent Goose, Little Egret, Siskin, Chiffchaff, Short-eared Owl (in the dunes). The Short-eared Owl had flown in off the sea and appeared completely exhausted it was really hard to see in the tall grass and looking directly into the sun.
Paul's pic below; Pink Feet at Warham Greens, some of the many birders at Warham Greens including the "Blue Flash", Bluethroat at Stiffkey Fen, Stonechat at Stiffkey Fen, Pintail over Holme Dunes, Rough-legged Buzzard over Holme Dunes, Golden Plover at Titchwell, Kestrel near Holme Dunes visitor Centre.
We also managed two sightings, one at Warham Greens and another at Stiffkey of Baron von Lapstroppe.
Another visit to Norfolk with Paul and Brendan. Our target bird was the "mega" Rufous-tailed Robin that had been reported friday afternoon. We arrived at Warham Greens just before 08:00 and joined a few hundred other birders to look for the Rufous-tailed Robin, however, after a couple of hours it was clear the Robin had moved on, probably overnight. Whilst at this site we did connect with a couple of flocks of Pink-footed Geese and a handful of Redwing.
From Warham Greens we made our way to Stiffkey Fen. Here we connected with the following; Brent Goose, Curlew, Brambling, Yellow-browed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Stonechat, Bluethroat. The Bluethroat sighting was particularly pleasing as we and most people on site had all but given up seeing it. Then I was looking at a Stonechat through my scope and the Bluethroat flew in to join it! Brendan put the sighting out on his pager and about 30-40 other birders were soon on the scene. The Bluethroat had moved further out onto the marsh but to my knowledge they were all able to connect with the bird.
Next stop was Holme Dunes; We first searched for the recently reported Red-flanked Bluetail but along with many other birders we could not connect. We decided to have a walk through the dunes, whilst in the dunes Brendan spotted a distant raptor. On closer inspection it turned out to be a Rough-legged Buzzard and luckily for us it drifted our way. Soon after we had seen the Rough-legged we decided to have another look for the Red-flanked Bluetail. We positioned ourselve's close to a wire fence and after a few minute's the Red-flanked Bluetailed popped up right in front of us. It soon disappeared and after some searching by about 40 birders it was re-located nearby. Then lost and re-located again, so the term "elusive" is very apt for this bird. Also noted at Holme was two fairly large flocks of Pintail, in flight over the dunes and a Red-breasted Merganser over the sea.
Next stop was Titchwell Marsh; Cettis' Warbler, Pintail, Red Throated Diver (on the sea), Sanderling, Knot, Turnstone, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Brent Goose, Little Egret, Siskin, Chiffchaff, Short-eared Owl (in the dunes). The Short-eared Owl had flown in off the sea and appeared completely exhausted it was really hard to see in the tall grass and looking directly into the sun.
Paul's pic below; Pink Feet at Warham Greens, some of the many birders at Warham Greens including the "Blue Flash", Bluethroat at Stiffkey Fen, Stonechat at Stiffkey Fen, Pintail over Holme Dunes, Rough-legged Buzzard over Holme Dunes, Golden Plover at Titchwell, Kestrel near Holme Dunes visitor Centre.
We also managed two sightings, one at Warham Greens and another at Stiffkey of Baron von Lapstroppe.
Monday, 10 October 2011
All Out Shrike
This morning I made a trip to Lowestoft and was rewarded with crippling views of a juvenile Woodchat Shrike. Some digiscoped pics below. As always click on pics to enlarge.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
A Semi in Essex
A days birding in Kent then Essex with Brendan G and Paul F.
A seawatch at Shellness produced; Arctic Skua, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Brent Goose, Common Scoter, Oystercatcher, Marsh Harrier.
Harty Ferry raptor watchpoint; Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Green Sandpiper, Golden Plover.
Coalhouse Fort (essex); 30 mins after arriving at Coalhouse Fort. Brendan, Paul and myself had a Semi
palmated Sandpiper, also Little Stint, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Great Black Backed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Arctic Skua, Grey Wagtail, Swallow, House Martin, Sparrowhawk.
Vange Marshes; Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Avocet, Snipe, Ruff, Curlew, Stonechat, Teal, Wigeon, Kingfisher.
Paul Frost's pics below. Yellow-legged Gulls, Great black-backed Gull, Curlew and Snipe.
A seawatch at Shellness produced; Arctic Skua, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Brent Goose, Common Scoter, Oystercatcher, Marsh Harrier.
Harty Ferry raptor watchpoint; Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Green Sandpiper, Golden Plover.
Coalhouse Fort (essex); 30 mins after arriving at Coalhouse Fort. Brendan, Paul and myself had a Semi
palmated Sandpiper, also Little Stint, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Great Black Backed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Arctic Skua, Grey Wagtail, Swallow, House Martin, Sparrowhawk.
Vange Marshes; Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Avocet, Snipe, Ruff, Curlew, Stonechat, Teal, Wigeon, Kingfisher.
Paul Frost's pics below. Yellow-legged Gulls, Great black-backed Gull, Curlew and Snipe.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Sandhill Crane
An early evening visit to Boyton Marshes in suffolk produced great scope views of a Sandhill Crane. Paul F, Brendan G and myself viewed the crane untill 18:45 when it flew to roost with a mixed flock of Canada and Greylag geese. Pauls Frost's Crane pics and sunset over Boyton Marshes below.
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