July 2009
31st
Snettisham RSPB produced some nice birds today, but sadly high tide came too late for us to dig out the rare which was surely lurking amongst the thousands of waders out on the mudflats. Large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Knot and Dunlin were present, together with an estimated 700 Sanderling and over 200 Avocet. A few Bar-tailed Godwits were amongst the masses, and other highlights included 9 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Whimbrel. 11 Little Egrets were on the pits and a Marsh Harrier was hunting over the mudflats. A lizard was also of interest.
28th
A non-birding trip to Holme produced a few waders including summer plumaged Knot, and several Little Terns.
Although it was difficult to estimate accurately, over 500 Painted Ladies were on the lavender at the Norfolk Lavender visitor centre in Heacham.
27th
Simeon and I forgot how far it was to Great Yarmouth, so if the Pacific Golden Plover hadn't showed so well (for Breydon Water at least!) it wouldn't have been worth it. Luckily it did: after a bit of waiting all the waders suddenly took to the air, and upon landing the plover showed off all its key features in - a classic summer adult! Other highlights included c.500 Avocets, Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.
26th
A pair of Bullfinch and a single Spotted Flycatcher in the garden in Denver today.
25th
18 Ruff, 7 Dunlin and a female Marsh Harrier were the only birds of note during a short visit to Welney WWT, but there was a Common Sandpiper at the Sluice on the way back.
POLAND TRIP REPORT BEING GRADUALLY ADDED HERE!
10th
We woke to a rather unexpeced view: the fields outside our camp were covered with flood water, and a White-tailed Eagle was sitting in a nearby tree eating a fish! A Purple Heron flew over - perhaps the best find of the trip, although we didn't appreciate it at the time. Over 40 Wood Sandpipers (mainly adults) were present on the floods with a few other species of waders, and a Whiskered Tern was amongst the Common Terns. We spent the morning exploring the area around the plot where we were camped, picking up Black Stork, White Stork, Marsh Warbler, Red-backed Shrike and Golden Oriole; all to become regular sightings during the trip.
In the afternoon we were surprised to meet Richard Campey, who works at InFocus. He kindly took us on a drive along a riverbank on the other side of Slonsk. Here we saw Black Kite, Great Reed Warbler, Crane, Icterine Warbler, Wryneck, a pair of Common Rosefinch and about 15 Red-backed Shrikes, but the biggest highlight was the bird we had come to see. Although we saw it only briefly, perhaps the most lasting memory is of the beast's eerie, echoing call - the Black Woodpecker left a lasting impression on all of us!
Back at the plot we added Great White Egret, two singing Savi's Warblers and very close flypasts of both male and female Goshawk. What a start to the trip!
9th
Today was the day Simeon, Connor and I have been waiting for for a long time, not because of the first newly-fledged Spotted Flycatcher in our garden (although this did provide a nice start to the day) but rather the fact that we were going to Poland! Unfortunately I don't have a camera at the moment, but Simeon and Connor kindly let me use their photos from the trip.
We almost missed our flight twice, but despite the odds we reached our destination and commenced birding immediately. Unfortunately I didn't A tour of the city of Poznan did not produce much, but it was very interesting to see what remained of the beautiful old-Polish architecture, contrasting with incipient western culture and the utilitarian appartment blocks.
The final part of our journey, from Poznan to the village of Slonsk on the edge of the Warta Mouth National Park near the German border, was undertaken as evening approached. We saw a few White Storks, a couple of Great Grey Shrikes and 4 Wild Boar - just a taste of what was to come. The tents were put up in the middle of the meadow which was the front garden of our old school teacher and birder, Mr Munns, during which time we glimpsed an Eared Owl spp., but failed to nail it. Unfortunately this was to be our only sighting of the trip. However, we cut our losses and eagerly awaited the morning!
7th
This afternoon I went to Cley with Connor and Simeon to see the Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Despite not being a lifer for any of us, it was rather sweet. The 9 Spoonbills which flew up and circled the reserve were absolutely beautiful. It was also nice to see Little Terns for the first time this year, and yet another Wood Sandpiper.
At another site on the way home Simeon's sharp ears picked out a singing Quail, and as we were listening to it, a second male started to sing!
6th
The trap this morning produced 37 species, though in low numbers. The main highlights were Diamond-back Moth and Coronet (new for the garden).
A quick tour of the Stowe Estate with the gamekeeper was interesting: I was shown 3 Buzzard nests, a Barn Owl nest and a Pied Wagtail nest. Other highlights included a Hobby, Turtle Dove, a gorgeous Marsh Tit and great views of a family of young Wrens.
This evening there were over 100 Swifts aggregating over my house, though I failed to locate any other species mingling with the masses. Presumably the stormy weather had driven insects ahead of it - Swifts and hirundines often travel ahead of a storm for this reason.
5th
Whilst putting the moth trap out I found two hedgehogs rummaging through the leaf litter in our flowerbed.
4th
A surprise text from an unknown sender had me down at Welney WWT for the fourth time this week in the hope of seeing a Caspian Tern. On arrival it showed well from Buxton hide for a few minutes before flying off strongly in the direction of Denver Sluice. I didn't try and chase it for a patch tick, partly because I knew I wouldn't catch it and partly because I finally met David Campbell! We had a look at Friends hide for any lurking Wood Sandpipers to no avail, but a calling Turtle Dove entertained us. Back at the main hide Thursday's Wood Sandpipers were nowhere to be seen. David then left, and immediately both Wood Sandpiper and Caspian Tern appeared on his pager! I went back to take a second look at this stunning bird, before walking down to Reedbed hide where I heard both male and female Cuckoo. It was nice to leave the reserve at 7 rather than 5, so I had a chance to appreciate how beautiful it is at sunset. A Corn Bunting was singing on the way back home.
2nd
I visited Welney WWT for the third time in a row, and this time my wader-watching efforts paid off with a second Wood Sandpiper from the main hide. Besides this it was very interesting to watch a Little Ringed Plover feigning injury in front of a Whooper Swan which was presumably walking too close to a the plover's nest site, although I did not see a nest. There were several fully-grown juvenile plovers present, which indicated that this could perhaps be a second brood. A male Cuckoo also flew past, and two were heard back at the visitor centre as well as a singing Corn Bunting.
1st
This afternoon I visited Welney WWT again. The reserve offered much the same as yesterday, with the Wood Sandpiper again being the highlight, but this time I counted 10 Little Ringed Plovers and about 60 Black-tailed Godwits. It was also nice to see two Ruff and several Little Egrets in full summer plumage. A couple of Common Terns and a Marsh Harrier were new, and I heard Snipe drumming for the first time - an advantage of being the only birder on the reserve! However, I failed to refind the elusive Green Sandpiper, which was disappointing as this was actually my target: yesterday I had initially identified it as a Wood Sandpiper on jizz in the poor light (an odd mistake to make), so I was hoping to make more detailed observations today. Solitary Sandpiper will have to wait for another time.
Back in Denver a Marsh Tit was calling and the Spotted Flycatchers continue to do well, with several young in the nest.
