Tuesday 8th February to Friday 11th February
This was almost a repeat of the previous trip but this time all my fellow birders (7) were from my own East Grinstead RSPB group. We had the accommodation to ourselves and Mary, our host, made sure we were well wined and dined.
With one exception, the venues were the same as last time too - instead of going west into Lincolnshire to see the Owls we headed east to the Norfolk Broads on Thursday.
Despite the repetition, I managed to add 10 species to my year list.
Welney WWT on Tuesday 8th February
- We saw the special birds - Tree Sparrows, Whooper Swans, Tundra Bean Geese (x9) and another cracking Short-eared Owl. We missed out on Bewick Swans, Cattle Egrets and Barn Owls although Sue and Phil got the latter on the drive from Welney to our B&B at Hindolveston and we all, subsequently, saw the other two on the Norfolk Broads.
courtesy of Alison Playle
Short-eared Owl
courtesy of Alison Playle
- Alison and I saw a Woodcock flying across the road, in front of us, as we drove from Fakenham towards the B&B at the end of the day.
North Norfolk Coast on Wednesday 9th February
- I immediately added Treecreeper and Goldcrest to my year list as we walked from the car, through the pine trees, towards Holkham Bay.
- As before, we saw the Shore Larks (x4) and the Snow Buntings (75+) at Holkham. The Shorelarks were obviously the rarer of the two species but the Snow Buntings provided the most memorable moment of the trip when they started moving towards us at the edge of the roped off area, coming within 10 metres, crossing the main path ahead of us and giving spectacular views as they went about their business - completely oblivious to our presence.
Shorelark – one of the four
Snow Bunting – came right out onto the path in front of us
- The group were desperate to see a Little Owl so Marcus diverted inland to an old WW2 airfield where we managed to see two!
Little Owl – one of two today
- Next stop was the Blakeney Fresh Marsh to catch up with the Red-breasted Goose that had been seen there regularly over the past few days. After a long search, spanning lunch, Marcus used his considerable birding skills to locate the bird and eventually we enjoyed some terrific views.
Red-breasted Goose – finally came out into the open
- We finished day 1 looking at waders at Brancaster Staithe.
It was a great start to the tour!
The Norfolk Broads on Thursday 10th February
- After a long drive down to the Broads, we quickly found the Cattle Egret and, eventually, a couple of Bewick's Swans alongside the more numerous Whooper Swans.
Bewick’s Swan – just one pair today
- The Cranes were not in any of their favoured places when we first tried to locate them but they were there when we returned later. Like before, the views were stunning. All in all we managed to see 33 birds - 30 here and another 3 at Horsey, their original starting site in 1979.
Common Cranes – part of the flock of 30
- Whilst watching the Cranes I also saw my first Yellowhammers of the year.
- Between the two attempts to find the Cranes we visited Rollesby Broad where we managed to see the Red-necked Grebe. Fortunately this bird was still around after spending nearly a week here and this turned out to be its last day.
Red-necked Grebe – still here
- We also had saw a Ferruginous Duck which is probably a hybrid with the resident pochards.
Ferruginous Duck x Pochard hybrid – on the left
- We stopped off at Strumpshaw Fen for lunch and I managed to find my first Siskins of the year on the feeders.
- Our final port of call was to be Hickling Broad but we had time to spare so we visited nearby Buckenham where we saw lots of the usual suspects. On the way out, we were struck by the magnificence of a large mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares. We watched from the minibus to avoid disturbing them and, just like the Snow Buntings at Holkham, it was an "awe and wonder" experience as they went about their business foraging for food in the field.
courtesy of Alison Playle
- At Hickling Broad there were lots of standard water birds - the pick of which was a Bittern which flew briefly over the reeds before dropping down. Alas, I was one of those who didn't see it.
- At Stubb Mill we saw at least 24 Marsh Harriers in the air together - a remarkable sight. We also managed to find a couple of distant Hen Harriers including a male.
Another spectacular day - totally different to yesterday!
The Brecks on Friday 11th February
Another long drive, this time due south to the Brecks. Incredibly, on the very day we needed some wind it was absent! Nevertheless it was our best weather of the tour with lots of sunshine.
- I had no luck finding Woodlark, despite our best efforts at a couple of sites. Some of the group spotted a flyover bird, but not me. I'm afraid I shall have to wait to find one in the Ashdown Forest when we get home.
- Marcus tried to find the Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at Santon Downham but it was a very late request and the bird hadn't been seen for hours when we arrived. Better luck in three weeks time when I get back here again.
- Goshawks like some wind to complement the thermals caused by the heat and as we had hardly any wind we had to be patient. Our patience paid off however with some amazing behaviour. A young male Goshawk was displaying away merrily above the trees in front of us when an adult rose from the trees to chase the young upstart from its territory. Soon after, a second young male joined in before they were both chased off by one very angry adult.
- At Brandon Country Park they have the most obliging Mandarin Ducks you could imagine. These are wild birds and, unusually, not bothered by human presence.
Mandarin – one of four today
Last stop on our Norfolk holiday was Lynford Arboretum
- At the feeders we saw many birds but the best was the group of Bramblings feeding on the ground
Brambling – coming to the seed
- Up to 9 Hawfinches had been seen at the feeders earlier. We got our fix in the paddock area, near roost time. There were only 3 left in the Ash trees, a male and two females. Had we arrived a few minutes later we would have missed them.
Hawfinch – still in the paddocks
- Marcus had one more surprise for us before we set off for home - a Tawny Owl high up in the pines close to the paddock area. In fact there were two but only one was showing.
Tawny Owl – in its usual tree
What a fitting end to our trip - over 120 species seen including 10 new birds for me to add to my year list
Year total - 142
