12/01/2019 In and around Wells-next-the-Sea Day 2/3

Saturday 12 January 2019
Norfolk Day 2/3

There were only 5 of us, plus Marcus, for today's birding in the Wells area.  Conditions were dry and mild again but by now the wind was significant and would hinder us at times during the day.  Nevertheless we had another superb day with some excellent birding.

Holkham was our first port of call.

• We were lucky enough to get there before the Pink-footed Geese left for the cropped sugar beet fields.
  

Soon we were on the beach and walking east.

• An area of beach had been cordoned off to protect the Shorelarks but the birds had other ideas and moved to the nearby vegetated area which had not been cordoned off.  Alas the vegetation was quite tall, so it was difficult to see the Shorelarks.  With a little patience we eventually got great views as they moved around.  

courtesy of Marcus Nash

 

• A little further along the beach we saw the Snow Buntings, some 22 in all, moving along the edge of the water.  No problems with tall vegetation this time as we enjoyed brilliant views.

courtesy of Marcus Nash
 



• On the sea, we saw a Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser and a couple of Red-throated Divers flew by.

• On the way back to the car, the highlight was a covey of Grey Partridge feeding on the edge of the nearest field - less than 20 metres away!

  

  courtesy of Marcus Nash

We tried to see some Little Owls in the Holt area but we were unsuccessful - almost certainly due to the windy conditions.
  


Next stop was Cley, starting at the beach car park.

• This time there were hundreds of Common Scoter flying to and fro, with several Velvet Scoters among them. 
• There was also at least 2 Red-throated Divers on the sea and a Guillemot.

We next headed east to Sherringham looking for the elusive Glaucous Gull.

• There was no sign of the gull but we did spot a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks by the tide line.

courtesy of Marcus Nash

Finally we headed inland to look for Barn Owls and Tawny Owls. 

• We waited by the Owl box until a Barn Owl appeared.  It stayed on the platform for several minutes before starting hunting.  We had excellent views as it foraged in the meadow.



courtesy of Marcus Nash

courtesy of Marcus Nash

 

• In an ivy - covered tree in the car park, a Tawny Owl was known to roost and while we were watching the Barn Owl it was heard "hooting".  When we got back to the car park the hooting had stopped but shortly afterwards the bird was seen briefly as it flew out of the tree to a nearby tree before disappearing.

By now it was getting very dark so we made the short journey back to our B&B, fully satisfied with our day 2 adventure.

Roll on tomorrow!

Other species added to 2019 Year List:
Guillemot
Avocet