Norfolk Broads. Cranes, Geese & Raptors Tue 4 th Fri 7 th December Limosa Holidays Trip Report. report compiled by tour leader: Gary Elton

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1 Limosa Holidays Trip Report Norfolk Broads Cranes, Geese & Raptors Tue 4 th Fri 7 th December 2012 (Above:) Common Cranes over Hickling... This short December break was a great trip for Cranes, the highlight being a visit to the watchpoint at Stubb Mill, where we saw as many as 23 birds coming into roost! photo kind permission Barry Brooks (Below): View across the winter marshes from Stubb Mill Chris Kightley/Limosa report compiled by tour leader: Gary Elton 1 Limosa Holidays, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham Norfolk NR12 9EJ tel: +44 (0) / 4 info@limosaholidays.co.uk website:

2 Trip Diary Tour Leader: Gary Elton with John & Wenda Badger, Harry Baillie, Dave Johnson, and Brook Phillips. Tue 4 th December - Day 1 The group arrived and assembled safely at our hotel, where after introductions and an enjoyable evening meal we retired to bed our minds full of expectations for the days ahead. Wed 5 th December - Day 2 We woke the following morning to a cold but dry day and after a hearty breakfast made our to our first stop of the day Buckenham Marshes RSPB Reserve. On arrival, we parked, crossed the railway line and made our way along the main track through the reserve. A dozen or so Greylag Geese were immediately obvious, and several Red-legged Partridges could be seen along the field edge. Calling Wigeon and Teal could be heard ahead of us, and a scan out across the marshes revealed a Peregrine perched on a fence post. Several groups of distant geese were identified as Canadas; several more further out and largely hidden from view were suspected of being Bean Geese. Our walk through the reserve gave us better views of the large number of Wigeon and Teal present, and searching through them revealed three Shoveler and a solitary Black-tailed Godwit. The path running round the reserve runs parallel with the river, and following this gives a slight gain in height, and a better view of the corner of the reserve where the 'possible' Bean Geese were seen. On checking these again from here they were indeed confirmed as Beans, with c. 25 birds present. Other birds added along the way included a showy pair of Stonechat, another Peregrine and a flock of Barnacle Geese, which over flew us on several occasions. We returned to the car park and minibus for a welcome cup of tea, noting a Goldcrest in a nearby bush and several overflying Redwing. A chance meeting with some local birders led to the suggestion we try a nearby local area for Cranes. Their parting comment was 'the Cranes are always there' - this of course was the kiss of death with us driving to the site and no Cranes in sight. By way of consolation though, we found a mixed flock of Whooper and Bewick's Swans loafing in the fields there, though exact numbers of each species was hard to ascertain, with a percentage of the birds having their heads tucked in or down, or the birds themselves partially hidden from view. Another addition to our list here was Egyptian Goose, several of which sat in full view on nearby fence posts. With time already slipping by we headed on to our final destination of the day, Hickling Broad and the Stubb Mill raptor roost. Lunch was taken in the car park before we made the walk out along the lane to the watchpoint, being joined by 'Chief Godwit' Chris Kightley for the remainder of the afternoon. On arrival at the watchpoint almost the first bird noted was a Kingfisher that perched in the open for us along the stream running behind the raised platform. On scanning the fields and reedbeds several Marsh Harriers could already be seen circling over the roost and distant Common Cranes were heard calling. The weather unfortunately at this point was starting to deteriorate with the passage of some sharp wintry squalls and on several occasions it was necessary to move from the watchpoint to the shelter of the nearby hedgerow. Birds seen included a perched male Merlin, a ringtail Hen Harrier and three fly over Lesser Redpoll, plus an increasing number of Marsh Harriers. Unfortunately, the intensity of the sleet was also increasing, and it was with some reluctance we admitted defeat and returned to the minibus and then the hotel. Thu 6 th December - Day 3 We woke to a cold clear start to the day and after breakfast we made our way to the nearby coast, planning to work south from Sea Palling down to Breydon Water. As we drove into Sea Palling a flock of Lapwings was evident in a roadside field along with, what a first glance, was thought to be Golden Plover; closer inspection though revealed the huddled shapes to be Common Snipe, with at least 50 collected up in the centre of the field, presumably frozen out of their normal favoured spots. 2 Limosa Holidays

3 Driving on to the beach car park, we then walked on to view the sea, where a flock of c. 500 scoters could be seen just offshore and Red-throated Divers were readily visible, flying past in ones and twos. Moving on to nearby Waxham, the same scoters and more divers were visible, but as we returned to the bus Gary glimpsed four Cranes in flight appearing to drop onto nearby farmland. We made our way along the coast searching the fields and, after a short while, located the Cranes, six birds were present in total, including two juveniles. We enjoyed good scope views of the Cranes, also noting a large distant flock of Golden Plover, with several closer individuals also recorded. Our next stop was Horsey Corner, where a short walk took us out to view the Grey Seal colony. This is the best time of year to visit, and mothers and pups littered the beach with a total of 505 pups apparently born this year to date. Several Sanderling were spotted by Wenda on the beach, and a seemingly constant procession of Red-throated Divers was noted going past. We continued our journey along the coast to stop near Horsey Windmill, where a confiding ringtail Hen Harrier flew across the road and over the field alongside us. Next stop was Caister seafront, where a dusting of sleet and rain followed by a drop in temperature had made road and walkway slippery to say the least. We walked out onto the beach where we were met by the first of three adult Mediterranean Gulls, and after a short walk located our target species, Snow Bunting - a flock of 22 birds seen including several adult males. As we walked back, a family group of swans could be seen coming in off the sea; although the views were far from ideal, the adult birds appeared to have an extensive area of yellow on the bill and were thought to probably be Whoopers. We gingerly returned to the bus, continuing our journey along the coast to Great Yarmouth and Breydon Water. On arrival at Breydon Water, a high-flying flock of 15 swans was noted; again little could be picked out on bill detail, but structurally these were thought more likely to have been Bewick's. We viewed the estuary initially from the Yarmouth side where the birds were still quite distant, after which we crossed the bridge to view from the other side, which was to prove a good move as the light was behind us and the rising tide was forcing the birds into areas closer to us. Birds noted here included a count of 54 Avocets, 40 Knot, several Pintail and 1000s of wildfowl, which were largely Wigeon and Teal plus a good selection and similar number of commoner waders. With the day rapidly disappearing, we headed off to again finish the day back at the raptor watchpoint, hoping the weather was going to stay favourable for us tonight. On the way to Hickling we passed Rollesby and Ormsby Broads, where we stopped and scanned both from the roadside car park. These were relatively quiet, but we did manage to find several new birds for the trip which included Goldeneye and Great Crested Grebe. We arrived at Hickling to a fine, dry, but cold evening and made our way to the watchpoint. We then spent a very rewarding hour's birding, highlights including three Merlins, two ringtail and one male Hen Harrier, a minimum of 16 (and perhaps as many as 23) Common Cranes, and Marsh Harriers galore, with 25 counted in the air together at one stage. As we walked back to the car park dusk was falling and when we arrived some of us went to look out over the reedbeds hoping for a Barn Owl. Brook had already mentioned he was keen to see Woodcock, a new bird for him, and we scanned the sky at the same time hoping for a fly over bird. One flew over but unfortunately Brook missed it, and his frustration was added to when we returned back to the car park to be told by Wenda and John that they had counted ten so far flying over their heads! We boarded the bus with Brook fortunately the last one in - for, as if by fate, a Woodcock flew directly over him giving him a fantastic silhouetted view of it. Fri 7 th December - Day 4 We woke this morning to a wet start to the day, exactly as the forecast had predicted. With this in mind, we had already decided that our main destination was to be Strumpshaw Fen RSPB reserve, where we would have some hides to shelter in. Ranworth Broad was another potential site en route and it was decided to visit this first. After a short drive we arrived at the car park - the only problem with our plan being that heavy snow that was now falling! 3 Limosa Holidays

4 We left the minibus and made our way through the woodland area to view the broad, by which time the snow had fortunately almost stopped. A Lesser Redpoll made a brief appearance nearby, and 100s of ducks could be seen on the broad. Closer scrutiny revealed them to be exclusively Wigeon and Teal, while the walk back to the bus produced a female Bullfinch and a Brambling, the latter seen by John. We continued on to Strumpshaw Fen, stopping briefly along the way to view a flock of Fieldfare in a roadside field. Arriving at the reserve we walked to the visitor centre, halting to view the bird feeders. Several Marsh Tits were immediately noted and several Lesser Redpoll and Siskin were in the nearby alders. On the pool in front of the hide at least ten Gadwall were present, and a Water Rail could be seen picking through a pile of sticks at the edge of the reed bed. We spent the next couple of hours walking the trail around the reserve, stopping at the Fen and Tower hides. A male Bullfinch and a six Snipe were noteworthy, as were several Chinese Water Deer and a flock of Siskins and Redpolls perched nicely in view for us on the way back to the visitor centre. With lunchtime upon us we sat in the visitor centre, once again looking out over the pool... it wasn't long before we noticed an Otter wrestling with an eel at the far end of the pool, which was a rather splendid finale to the trip! After lunch we returned to the hotel, where we said our goodbyes before making our return journey's home. Gary Elton ANNOTATED LIST OF BIRDS RECORDED (total of 96 species recorded by the group) Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa Several small coveys of birds were noted daily. Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Recorded daily. Taiga Bean Goose Anser [fabalis] fabalis 25 at Buckenham Marshes were eventually seen well, albeit distantly by the group. Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus A small flock of c. 100 birds over flew at Buckenham Marshes, and c were seen on our first visit to the raptor watchpoint. Greylag Goose Anser anser Ten at Buckenham Marshes, were followed by two at Stubb Mill and a flock c. 100 birds at Strumpshaw Fen. Canada Goose Branta canadensis 50 or so birds were on the marsh at Buckenham. Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis A flock of 40 birds flew over us several times at Buckenham Marshes. Mute Swan Cygnus olor Noted daily throughout the trip Bewick's Swan Cygnus [columbianus] bewickii A mixed flock of swans at Ludham on day two contained these and the following species with around 50 birds present in total. 15 birds high over Breydon Water were also thought to probably be this species. Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus A mixed flock of swans at Ludham on day two contained these and the above species with 50 birds present in total. Five Swans, a family party, flew in off the sea at Caister were thought to be this species. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus Seen at three sites, with ten at Ludham, two at Stubb Mill and two at Ranworth Broad. Gadwall Anas strepera Only noted at Strumpshaw Fen, where ten birds were present. 4 Limosa Holidays

5 Wigeon Anas penelope 1000s were present at both Buckenham Marshes and Breydon Water with smaller numbers noted at various other water bodies visited. Pintail Anas acuta At least six birds were in amongst the Wigeon at Breydon Water. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Common, seen at all wetland sites Shoveler Anas clypeata Seen daily at a variety of wetland sites visited. Teal Anas crecca As with Wigeon, present in large numbers at Buckenham Marshes and Breydon Water. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 20 birds on Ormsby Broad and a single male at Strumpshaw were the only recorded. Common Scoter Melanitta nigra A large flock of approx 500 birds were noted just off shore between Waxham and Sea Palling. Goldeneye Bucephala clangula A single redhead at Ormsby Broad was the only one recorded. Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata Constantly recorded, largely in flight, offshore during our visits to Sea Palling, Waxham, Horsey and Caister. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Seen at Ormsby (10+) and Ranworth broads (three). Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Several were noted daily. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Three sightings in total. Two at Buckenham Marshes, with singles at Horsey Gap and Stubb Mill. Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Noted daily at various sites. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Seen daily, invariably at the roadside. Merlin Falco columbarius A single bird at Stubb Mill on our first visit, was followed by three on our second. Peregrine Falco peregrinus Two perched out on fence posts and then on the ground, gave us nice views at Buckenham Marshes. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Seen at Buckenham Marshes, Ludham, Horsey and Strumpshaw Fen, with largest numbers noted at the raptor roost. Assessing exact numbers was difficult, but between birds on each visit would not be unreasonable. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus A single ringtail was noted on our first visit to Stubb Mill, with two and a male noted on our second, earlier that day a ringtail was also seen by us at Horsey Mill. Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus One glimpsed briefly at Caister was the only one seen. Buzzard Buteo buteo One was seen by Dave on day one during our travels. Water Rail Rallus aquaticus One showed well for us at Strumpshaw Fen, with a second bird heard calling nearby. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Several were seen at Buckenham marshes, Ranworth broad and Strumpshaw Fen. Coot Fulica atra Noted at Ormsby broad and Strumpshaw Fen. Crane Grus grus Heard at Stubb Mill on our first visit, with a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 23 seen coming into to roost on our second visit there. Six birds, including two juveniles, were also seen between Waxham and Horsey on our second full day. 5 Limosa Holidays

6 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Surprisingly one at Sea Palling was the only one seen. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta A count of 54 birds was made on our visit to Breydon Water. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Noted daily at various sites during the trip. Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Several large flocks were noted in roadside fields on day three. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Easily seen at Breydon Water. Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Easily seen at Breydon Water, with a single bird also recorded at Horsey. Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Seen at dusk over the car park at Stubb Mill. Snipe Gallingo gallingo A single a Buckenham Marshes, was followed by the unusual sight of 50 together in field on the edge of Sea Palling that had pressumably been frozen out of their favoured habitat. Six more were also seen from the tower hide at Strumpshaw Fen. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa A solitary sleeping bird was at Buckenham Marshes, with at least 50 birds at Breydon Water. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Easily seen at Breydon Water Curlew Numenius arquata As above easily seen at Breydon Water. Redshank Tringa totanus Again large numbers present at Breydon Water. Turnstone Arenaria interpres Two at Sea Palling were the only ones seen. Knot Calidris canutus A flock of c40 birds were seen at Breydon Water Sanderling Calidris alba Six birds were on the beach at Horsey gap. Dunlin Calidris alpina Large numbers were present on the mudflats at Breydon Water. Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Common, seen in numerous locations. Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus Three adults on Caister beach were seen well, a little more challenging was the adult in amongst Black-headed Gulls at Breydon Water. Common Gull Laurus canus Seen daily at various sites during the trip. Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Easily seen at coastal sites. Herring Gull Larus argentatus Easily seen at all coastal sites. Lesser Black backed Gull Larus fuscus An adult bird near the hotel was the only one seen. auk sp. Several unidentified auks were seen distantly from Waxham. Feral Rock Dove Columba livia Seen daily Stock Dove Columba oenas Several were seen in the fields near Horsey Mill. Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Common, seen daily 6 Limosa Holidays

7 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Noted daily, primarily as we travelled through the local villages. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis One perched along the channel behind the raptor watchpoint at Stubb Mill was a nice surprise. Jay Garrulus glandarius Two-three birds were seen daily Magpie Pica pica Seen daily in small numbers Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Seen daily primarily in roadside flocks Rook Corvus frugilegus Noted at various sites, invariably in roadside flocks with the above species. Carrion Crow Corvus corone Small numbers were noted throughout the trip at various sites Marsh Tit Poecile palustris At Strumpshaw Fen, two were at the feeding site; two more seen on the walk around the reserve. Great Tit Parus major Seen daily at various sites Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus As above, seen daily at various sites. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Small flocks were seen daily at several sites. Sky Lark Alauda arvensis Up to ten birds were noted at Buckenham Marshes and in fields near Horsey Mill. Goldcrest Regulus regulus One was seen in the car park at Buckenham Marshes, two were near the watchpoint at Stubbs Mill and one was seen at Strumpshaw Fen Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Recorded daily at various sites Starling Sturnus vulgaris Common, recorded daily Blackbird Turdus merula Common, recorded daily Fieldfare Turdus Pilaris A flock of c100 birds were seen in a roadside field near Ranworth Broad. Redwing Turdus iliacus Two flew over us calling at Buckenham Marshes, with several others noted at Stubb Mill. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Single birds were seen at Stubb Mill, Waxham, Ranworth Broad and Strumpshaw Fen. Robin Erithacus rubecula Seen daily at various sites. Stonechat Saxicola rubicola A pair were seen at Buckenham Marshes. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Seen daily, with birds regularly seen near the hotel. Dunnock Prunella modularis Recorded daily. Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii One at Waxham was followed by ten in a field near Horsey Mill. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Noted at Buckenham Marshes, Horsey and Breydon Water. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Recorded daily, again at a selection of sites. Brambling Fringilla montifringilla One seen briefly by John at Ranworth Broad was the only one recorded. 7 Limosa Holidays

8 Greenfinch Chloris chloris Noted daily in small numbers Siskin Spinus spinus Several around the feeders at Strumpshaw Fen, was followed by bigger numbers in amongst a mixed Redpoll/siskin flock at th same site. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Noted daily, at various sites Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret Three were around the raptor roost on day two, with a single bird there on day three. Also noted around the bird feeders at Strumpshaw, with birds also noted in amongst a large mixed Redpoll/Siskin flock at the same site. Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Single birds were seen at Ranworth Broad (female) and Strumpshaw Fen (male) Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Noted at Buckenham Marshes, Breydon Water and Strumpshaw Fen. Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis A flock of 22 birds, including several adult males, were on the beach at Caister on day three. MAMMALS Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Brown Hare Lepus europaeus Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Otter Lutra lutra Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Chinese Water Deer Hydropotes inermis Red Deer Cervus elaphus 8 Limosa Holidays