30/01/2018 Bewick's Swans at Dungeness

Tuesday 30 January 2018


Went to Dungeness again today - in search of the Bewick's Swans. Called in at Scotney on the way down. 

Scotney

• Saw 100+ Barnacle Geese from the double bend.
• Walked out through the farm on to Walland Marsh but did not see the Bewick's.

ARC Hanson Hide, Dungeness NNR

• The Bewick's were already there when I arrived - 21 in all on the opposite side of the water, near the tower.  They looked majestic in the evening sun.
• Around sunset a Bittern took flight from the reeds by the swans - presumably going off to roost.

Well worth the second visit.

29/01/2018 RSPB Dungeness, Kent

Monday 29 January 2018
RSPB Dungeness, Kent

I went down to Dungeness specifically to see the 35 Bewick Swans come in to roost around dusk.  Unfortunately, they didn't arrive.

• I did, however, manage to see my first Lesser Black-backed Gull of 2018.

• Earlier I saw the Slavonian Grebe from the Christmas Dell Hide.  It was showing really well, as were the 3 Smew.

• On my way, I stopped at the double bend near Scotney to get a good view of one of two Taiga Bean Geese.

I met young Jack Headley and Plodding Birder and spent a really good hour or so in their company at the ARC Hanson Hide waiting for the swans to arrive. 12-year-old Jack was visiting the reserve with his dad and he kept everyone on their toes with his questions and quips - a breath of fresh air!

I will try again for the Bewick's, later this week.

28/01/18. Ashdown Bird Group in Norfolk. Day 4.

Sunday 28 January 2018

Our final day!  We checked out of our hotel around 09.30 with a clear programme ahead of us.

Sculthorpe Moor NR, Norfolk

First stop was this lovely little Hawk & Owl trust reserve near Fakenham where we saw some delightful woodland birds, at close quarters.

• One of the highlights was seeing 5 male Bullfinches in one telescope view from a hide.  Add to this a superb close view of a Water Rail and we were off to a flying start.
• At the high level hide we had views, from less than 2 metres, of Coal Tit, Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll, Siskin, Goldfinch, Chaffinch etc. as they fed on the tray just in front of us - an Attenborough type experience!
• On the way back to the car park we saw our first Kingfisher of the trip.

Lynford Arboretum

We dipped on Hawfinch.

Santon Downham

We dipped on Parrot Crossbills.

A disappointing end to the day after a brilliant start.  However, spirits were high as we had such a fantastic trip.

100+ species seen.

Caley Hall, Hunstanton

I must mention the accommodation and hospitality at Caley Hall as it set the backdrop for the visit.  The rooms were great as you would expect but the meal times were precious with a lovely 3-course meal included in the price.  The meals alone cost in the region of £30 and with a wide choice of menu, I was able to go for a different selection each time. The standard of cooking was excellent - fine dining standard I think!

Sadly our leader Bob and his wife Judy had to return home first thing Saturday morning.  They had arrived in Norfolk with flu-like symptoms and things only went from bad to worse.  What a shame - having organised such a great trip they missed out on the delivery of the event.  

Thanks Bob!

27/01/18. Ashdown Bird Group in Norfolk. Day 3.

Saturday 27 January 2018

The first day where the weather was to be a problem.  After dry but overcast conditions early on, the rain duly arrived before easing in the late afternoon.  Nevertheless, we managed to put together a decent schedule.

Hunstanton Cliffs

• We parked near the lighthouse and from one of the shelters, we watched Fulmars rising up above the cliffs before dropping back down.

With no sign of any activity out at sea, we moved on quickly.

Choseley Drying Barns

• So far we had not seen any Pink-footed Geese, despite a couple of visits to Holkham.  The group had seen some here on previous visits so we were optimistic about our chances.  
• Initially, we had no luck and had to settle for seeing Red-legged Partridge and Yellowhammer.

We saw a large flock of geese go down in the fields to the east of the barns so we moved to a position on the back road, parallel to the barns.

• The geese were still there and lo and behold they were "pinkies" - some 2000+ of the beauties!  For the next five minutes or so we had amazing views as they fed on the ground.  Soon after, a land rover drove by, causing them to fly away in spectacular fashion.

Holkham

• Next stop was Holkham sand dunes where we quickly located the 9 Shorelark and spent an hour or so enjoying watching them forage. Yet another awe and wonder situation.  Alan hadn't seen Shorelarks for many years so he was particularly pleased.

Stiffkey

By now the rain had arrived so we saw little point in chasing the Snow Buntings at Salthouse.

• We settled for a return trip to Stiffkey for the harrier roost.  This time we had at least 4 ringtails Hen Harriers but no males.and a couple of Marsh Harriers  There was a Merlin but I reacted too slowly to make the sighting.

Despite the adverse weather, we had another great day with some cracking sightings.

26/01/18. Ashdown Bird Group in Norfolk. Day 2.

Friday 26 January 2018

Another glorious day with clear skies, no wind and bright sunny conditions.

Thornham Harbour

• First stop was Thornham Harbour to see the long-staying Twite (10+) and a lovely Spotted Redshank.

Titchwell

At Titchwell we enjoyed a terrific sea watch.

• Top of the bill for me were the 4 drake Long-tailed Ducks which moved majestically 20 metres out to sea.  
• Not far behind were the drake Eiders which were nearby. 

• Several Red-throated Divers moved through.
• Not to be snubbed were the 10+ Goldeneye including at least 5 males.
• On the reserve a Bar-tailed Godwit was seen next to a Black-tailed Godwit to allow a simple comparison.

Salthouse

We dipped on the Snow Buntings at Salthouse.

Stiffkey

The roost at Stiffkey was spectacular with 3 Ringtail Hen Harriers and a superb male Hen Harrier which came very close - much to the delight of everyone present.  Also seen was another Barn Owl.

Wonderful!

25/01/18. Ashdown Bird Group in Norfolk Day 1

Thursday 25 January 2018
The first day of our groups annual Norfolk Outing.  11 of us made the trip, based at Caley Hall in Old Hunstanton.  The weather was ideal with clear skies, 7C to 11C, and only light winds.   After breakfast at the Swan & Anchor in St Ives (PE27 5AL), we were off birding.

• We stopped off at the St Ives gravel pits to twitch the Smew that were there.  We were unable to find the drake but succeeded with 2 Redheads.

• At RSPB Ouse Washes (Welches Dam near Manea) we were thrilled to see half a dozen or so Whooper Swans, a really close Water Pipit as well as Tree Sparrows, a Lesser Redpoll, a Siskin, an Egyptian Goose, a Stonechat - nearly all of them firsts for me in 2018.

After lunch we made our way to the Nene Washes RSPB site at Eldernell where we enjoyed a truly spectacular finale.

• We had to split our time between watching Short-eared Owls, Cranes, Barn Owls and a Red Kite.  There were at least 8 Short-eared Owls with 4 in one scope view, 6 Cranes and 2 Barn Owls.  The Short-eared Owls provided the "wallpaper" for the duration of our 2 hour stay and were undoubtedly the bird of the day and probably will become bird of the trip.

Roll on tomorrow!

21/01/2018 and 22/01/2018 West Sussex

Sunday 21 January 2018

With rain forecast all day today I decided to go looking for water birds!

Widewater Lagoon, Shoreham, West Sussex

• First stop was Widewater Lagoon where I soon found the female Goosander.
• I also managed to see my first Redshank of 2018.

Church Norton

At Church Norton the weather was even worse than at Widewater Lagoon.

Although I "dipped" on the Red-necked Grebe I did manage to add a few birds to my year list:-

• I saw 10+ Bar-tailed Godwits in the distance.
• A magnificent drake Red-breasted Merganser was my bird of the day.
• A Curlew and loads of Grey Plovers and Oystercatchers were also seen.

Ferry Pool at Visitor's Centre

• A lovely Spotted Redshank was showing well at the far end of the pool.
• On the long walk back to the car park I saw a Gadwall.

Despite the very wet conditions I thoroughly enjoyed this trip!

Monday 22 January 2018
By contrast, Monday afternoon was dry and sunny with hardly any wind.  I couldn't resist a return visit to Church Norton.  This time I had more luck.

• I saw a close Knot - barely 10m away!  My 100th bird in 2018!
• One of the Peregrines was showing well from the usual island setting.
• The Whimbrel was most obliging.
• It looked as if I was going to dip out again with respect to the Red-necked Grebe but I managed to walk round to the spit and eventually locate the bird as it returned to its favourite spot near the white notice board.

Well worth the second look!