07/11/17 to 09/11/17 Norfolk Tour with Chris Mills

Tuesday 7 November to Thursday 9 November 2017
North Norfolk Coast

My final tour of the year was a cracker with a species count of 110 and some memorable birding experiences.  7 of us, including a lively U3A group of 5 women from Crowborough, met up with Chris Mills at the Burleigh in Hunstanton for the 3-day event.

We started, at first light, at Snettisham where, as well as a high tide spectacular, we enjoyed some terrific visible migration.  There were birds everywhere with numbers well in excess of 100 000!

• Our trip got off to a flying start!  Even before we reached Snettisham we spotted a pair of Barn Owls in a field adjacent to the road so we stopped and admired the views.
• As high tide approached we watched in awe and wonder as the birds began to move.  We are talking about huge numbers of Knot, Oystercatchers and Pink-footed Geese.  The Knot tended to stay at sea instead of flying inland to the nearby gravel pits so they made up a stunning "murmuration type"  spectacle as they weaved in and out during their flight.  The skeins of geese were a joy to see.  

Snettisham at first light
courtesy of Chris Mills

Knot on the move
courtesy of Chris Mills

Snettisham again
courtesy of Chris Mills

• Visible migration (VIS_MIG) centred on several birds.  There were huge movements south of Starlings, Chaffinches with associated Brambling and winter thrushes, predominantly Fieldfare and associated Redwing.  It was reminiscent of the hirundine migration events we see on the south coast in the autumn.

We returned to the Burleigh around 10.30 am for a very late, cooked breakfast before heading off to Holme.  

• Our target bird was Shorelark.  We walked east along the shore for about 500 metres when Chris heard the bird flying near us.  We watched its flight for a while until it went to ground some distance ahead of us but try as we may we could not find it again.

We were also keen to see more visible migration and we were rewarded with some exceptional sights.  

• The most fascinating species was blackbird and we watched several birds coming in off the North Sea seeking refuge at the nearby pines and other trees.  I suspect that this was the event of the trip for Chris and he had reports of huge numbers of these birds on the move.
• Lapwings were another species on the move in huge numbers - again Chris was ecstatic.
• A quick sea watch gave us Red-breasted Merganser and Common Scoter but not much else.
• After a late lunch, we headed for the bird observatory at Holme.  Pick of the sightings here were the Raptors.  Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen.
• We ended the day at Thornham where we soon found our target species - Twite.  Also seen was a Peregrine Falcon and a Merlin.  A delightful Kingfisher put in several appearances.

Our second day was much quieter, with far fewer birds, but just as interesting.  We started at Kelling Quags before heading for Cley in the afternoon.

• At Kelling Quags, we had superb views of a Spotted Redshank as it moved around among the Dunlin.  Despite our best efforts, we could not find the Jack Snipe that had been seen previously. On the sea, we added Eider and Long-tailed Duck to our list.  We also had a distant view of a Short-eared Owl as it came in off the sea - another example of VIZ_MIG.  Our first Red Kite was a welcome sight.

• At Cley, we went onto the reserve to see the Grey Phalarope and after a short delay, it duly put in an appearance.  From the hide, we could see other birders watching a flock of birds so we exited the reserve and drove round to the beach where we soon found the flock - between 40 and 50 Snow Buntings. We then spent the next 30 minutes or so watching these lovely birds as they moved around.

Our final day took us to Stiffkey and then to Burnham Overy.  Again it was much quieter than on day 1 but, again, we did see some interesting birds.

• We soon saw the 2 Cattle Egrets on the south side of the A149 trunk road before we crossed the road to look for waders on Stiffkey Fen -  a Greenshank being the best of the bunch.
• We then went looking for Harriers from the car park by the coastal path just to the west of Stiffkey.  We were rewarded big time with excellent views of a distant male Hen Harrier and yet another Merlin.
• From the road west of Holkham Hall, on the way to Burnham Overy, we twitched the Great White Egret to complete our 3 Egret set and saw our first White-fronted Geese of the trip.  In superb lighting, we admired the circling Red Kites and enjoyed watching a Stoat chasing a Rabbit.
• We finished the trip, as we started,  with a close view of a Barn Owl in a field adjacent to the A149.

• A great trip, in excellent company, resulting in a birding experience to savour.  
• Visible Migration certainly appeals to me.  
• How refreshing to see the cream of Norfolk birding waxing lyrical about migrating Blackbirds/Lapwings and the like rather than the rarities.