ORIOLE BIRDING TOUR REPORT NORFOLK 31st OCTOBER 5TH NOVEMBER 2010

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Imogen Wilcox
5 years ago
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1 ORIOLE BIRDING TOUR REPORT NORFOLK 31 st OCTOBER 5 TH NOVEMBER 2010

2 Monday 1 st November The fantastic birding continues as we had a brilliant first day to our Norfolk late autumn week. An early start for a pre-breakfast walk along the saltmarsh at Warham Greens produced a good introduction with excellent visible migration of Starlings moving West. We estimated 25,000 between 0700 and 0830 in flocks about one thousand strong. At least three Eurasian Sparrowhawks, two Common Kestrel, female Peregrine, two Marsh Harrier and two ringtail Hen Harrier made for a good morning for raptors, especially with one of the ringtails passing really close to the path. A trickle of finches moving west included about five Brambling and two Lesser Redpolls, and Skylarks, Rock Pipits and a single calling LAPLAND BUNTING were also moving. Grey Plover, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Common Snipe were also noted. After breakfast, we headed down to Wells and as we made our way down through the town to the harbour, we chanced upon four WAXWINGS perched on an overhead wire. They sat there just long enough for everyone to get decent views before hurrying west, trilling as they went. At Wells Woods several small tit flocks produced a couple of Treecreeper, Great-spotted Woodpecker, a dozen or so Goldcrest and a few Coal Tits, though a FIRECREST was all too brief as it dashed through the canopy. A few Song Thrush were about and four or five Bullfinch were seen, though the highlight was another WAXWING which dropped in and fed on rose berries in beautiful sunshine just a few feet away from us. Bizarrely, this winter visitor shared its bush momentarily with a nice bright Common Chiffchaff! Moving on towards Cley, a brief search for a Great Grey Shrike was fruitless as the bird seemed to have moved on by the time we got there, so we headed down to the visitor centre. From Bishop s Hide about seven hundred Eurasian Golden Plover were resting and bathing, and amongst these were were able to pick out the smart juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and enjoy good views of its subtle but distinctive features. Blacktailed Godwit, Dunlin, Ruff and Northern Pintail were among other species noted, and two WATER PIPIT dropped in close to the hide. While trying to relocate these birds in the long grass, a JACK SNIPE was spotted, bouncing as if on springs as it tried to hide from view. A well earned lunch followed before we set off along the East Bank towards the shingle ridge. Three Common Snipe showed well by the path, and on the shingle behind North Hide about thirty SNOW BUNTINGS gave some lovely close range views. Offshore, five drake Common Eider flew west, and about twenty Common Scoter were on the water. Single Red-throated Diver and Northern Gannet were also seen, though the best bird was a first-winter GREY PHALAROPE feeding on Billy s Wash. From the hide, another WATER PIPIT was seen briefly and plenty of common waterfowl were seen including more Northern Pintail. Walking back, we paused at Arnold s Marsh where about two hundred Black-tailed Godwit, two hundred Dunlin, five Grey Plover, ten Ringed Plover, two Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, several Little Egrets and a nice Spotted Redshank were feeding. Another Eurasian Sparrowhawk and five Marsh Harriers were seen over the reedbed as dusk approached, and two Barn Owls on the way home rounded off the day nicely. Tuesday 2 nd November A blustery day today started at Holkham where we spent the whole morning sifting through the tit flocks at the west end of the pines. A Pallas s Warbler had been seen here yesterday and Ashley had a fleeting glimpse of what was either this bird or a Yellow-browed in Holm Oaks North of the crosstracks, but try as we might we just could not relocate it. Huge numbers of Coal Tits were with these flocks, as well as about thirty Goldcrest and a few Treecreepers. The highlight of the morning came as we approached the dunes and picked up one of the juvenile ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS hanging on the wind. Climbing to a vantage point, we spotted the bird sat among the grass before it took flight again and passed close to us before hunting over the pines and eventually dropping back down onto the marsh. We had stunning views, and everyone managed to scope it too. After lunch, we stopped along the coast road and found nine Eurasian White-fronted Geese on the freshmarsh, which was a nice bonus. With the wind increasing we decided to head to Titchwell for a bit of shelter and enjoyed a good afternoon here. From the Island Hide good numbers of wildfowl and waders were feeding close to the hide, including about fifty Dunlin, twelve Spotted Redshanks and ten Ruff. A single Pied Avocet was noted and a few Northern Pintail and Common Snipe were noted. On the Brackish Marsh, thirty TWITE gave excellent views as they fed on grain, allowing us to compare them with nearby Common Linnets. From the beach, seawatching produced three SALVONIAN GREBES as well as five Great Crested, female Common Eider, one Common Goldeneye, ten Common Scoter and two Red-throated Divers. Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings fed along the tideline at close range and two Bar-tailed Godwits were on the tidal pool. As we walked back dusk was approaching and large numbers of gulls were coming in to roost. We quickly picked out an adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL and then noted the subtle characteristics of three adult Yellow-legged Gulls among the throng. Other species noted included Stonechat, five Marsh Harriers and twenty Eurasian Siskins.

3 Wednesday 3 rd November Another action packed days birding as we smashed last years species total for this tour by lunchtime on day three this year! A measure of how fantastic the birding has been this autumn. Starting in the Brecks, the Stone Curlew flock had unfortunately moved on following ploughing if their favoured field and only a few Grey Partridge were noted in this area, and a Common Buzzard. At Lynford, a tit flock greeted us as we got out of the vehicle and this included a couple of Marsh Tits, Treecreeper and plenty of Goldcrest. A FIRECREST was tantalisingly only seen by Ashley, but in the Arboretum we located a second bird, a stunning male, which showed superbly for about fifteen minutes as it hovered to catch insects from a Holly bush just feet in front of us. Down at the paddocks, a few Eurasian Siskins were flying about but it only took about five minutes before our target bird appeared, a superb male HAWFINCH which landed in the treetops at close range and with the sun behind us, we had great scope views. Heading back, a Green Woodpecker showed well and we also added our first Nuthatch of the trip before checking the gravel pits. Apart from a few Great Crested Grebes and a flyover Great-spotted Woodpecker, nothing much was about here. Heading back up to the coast after lunch, Stiffkey Fen was our next port of call. We enjoyed a brilliant spell here, with large numbers of wildfowl on the fen as well as good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, two Common Snipe, single Ruff, Dunlin and Green Sandpiper and a nice Common Greenshank. A juvenile GARGANEY was picked out among the Common Teal and gave a useful ID lesson, and passerines noted included Rock Pipit and Reed Bunting. Behind in Blakeney Harbour, two cracking RED-NECKED GREBE were well picked out in the main channel and three Red-breasted Merganser also showed well. A female Common Goldeneye reminded of the approach of winter and a selection of waders and wildfowl were also seen. Finally we scanned the saltmarsh from Stiffkey campsite car park as dusk approached, and noted three Hen Harrier, two Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, fifty Little Egrets and a fine MERLIN which perched on a sueda bush allowing us to get good views. A Barn Owl on the way home was a typical way to end the day. Thursday 4 th November Strong winds today for our visit to the Norfolk Broads, but it didn t really affect our birding success. It was a mixed day, with a few species missed but some quality ones seen too. We started at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, where we spent about an hour in the reception hide. Tufted Duck, comically, was a new trip bird and Marsh Harrier and Eurasian Sparrowhawk were over the reedbed. A dog OTTER which fished along the edge of the reeds close to the hide was a real treat, it didn t give brilliant views but a great animal to catch up with all the same. A GREAT BITTERN then added to the excitement by making a short flight over the reedbed, but unfortunately was not seen by everyone. Other species noted included a Marsh Tit at the feeders and plenty of Gadwall on the water. Moving on, we called next at Ormesby and Rollesby Broads to scan for wildfowl. Common Pochard was new for the trip and two Common Goldeneye were also present, along with large numbers of Gadwall and a few Great Crested Grebes. Nearby at Filby Broad, we had great views of a female VELVET SCOTER despite the wind making the broad as choppy as the ocean! On adjacent Ormesby Little Broad, six RED CRESTED POCHARD showed well but there was no sign of the earlier reported Black-necked Grebe. Marsh Tit and Goldcrest were in the bushes and more Great Crested Grebes were also seen. After lunch at nearby Caister, we took a walk along the beach noting eleven SNOW BUNTINGS but couldn t find the Shorelarks reported yesterday, so we moved on. We scanned the roadside fields between Horsey and Waxham for Cranes to no avail, and even scanning from the dunes didn t produce a sighting. A couple of Northern Gannets and a Ruddy Turnstone being the only rewards for our efforts. It all came together at Hickling Stubbs Mill roost however, with a ringtail Hen Harrier at close range as we arrived followed by around thirty five Marsh Harriers, including twenty in the air together. A male MERLIN perched in some dead bushes, and finally eight COMMON CRANES gave superb views as they flew in to roost, two of the birds landing in the field right in front of us. A great end to the day! Friday 5 th November A mopping up day today as we tried to catch up with one or two species that had so far eluded us during the week. This saw us start the day at Cley with a walk from the coastguards along the shingle ridge to Arnold s Marsh. Eleven SNOW BUNTINGS were around but mobile, and a Red-throated Diver showed well close inshore. On North Scrape, a GREY PHALAROPE was still present and we had better views than we did on Monday. Large numbers of wildfowl here included plenty of Northern Pintail, and a small flock of Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting were feeding along the base of the shingle ridge. On Arnold s a juvenile EURASIAN SPOONBILL was found sleeping and two Red Knot were also present along with the usual assortment of godwits, dunlin and other waders. Moving on to Titchwell we noted a few Eurasian Siskin in the alders along the footpath and a CETTI S WARBLER showed near the junction with the Meadow Trail having been heard calling. On the freshmarsh, a few

4 European Golden Plover were present along with Ruff, Pied Avocet, Common Snipe and a rather elusive WATER PIPIT around the edge of one of the islands. Over the dunes, a ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting and completed an excellent week for sightings of this species and the flock of TWITE gave more excellent views on the Brackish Marsh. Out on the beach, we really finished the tour in style as we located seven beautiful SHORELARK on the strandline about ½ mile east of the boardwalk. While watching these exquisite birds, a SHORT-EARED OWL ghosted into view over the dunes and gave some stunning views as it quartered the ground, at one point chased by five incessantly calling Shorelark! Two LAPLAND BUNTINGS then flew low west overhead calling and as we walked back towards the boardwalk, eleven SNOW BUNTINGS did the same. A quick look on the sea revealed more birds present than on Tuesday with around two hundred Common Scoter, five Common Eider, twenty Great Crested Grebe and a spectacular total of fifty nine Red-breasted Merganser. Four VELVET SCOTER were observed well at mid distance and four Red-throated Diver were also seen. After lunch, it was time to head to King s Lynn station to drop two people off, the rest of the group calling in briefly at Flitcham on the way back. Apart from lots of Common Teal, Gadwall and two Egyptian Geese, not much else was noted. Systematic List Birds 1. Red-throated Diver 2. Great Crested Grebe 3. Little Grebe 4. Red-necked Grebe 5. Slavonian Grebe 6. Great Cormorant 7. Grey Heron 8. Little Egret 9. Great Bittern 10. Eurasian Spoonbill 11. Mute Swan 12. Greylag Goose 13. Canada Goose 14. Egyptian Goose 15. Brent Goose 16. Pink-footed Goose 17. White-fronted Goose 18. Common Shelduck 19. Mallard 20. Common Teal 21. Garganey 22. Eurasian Wigeon 23. Gadwall 24. Northern Shoveler 25. Northern Pintail 26. Common Scoter 27. Velvet Scoter 28. Common Eider 29. Red-breasted Merganser 30. Common Goldeneye 31. Tufted Duck 32. Common Pochard 33. Red Crested Pochard 34. Grey Partridge 35. Red-legged Partridge 36. Common Pheasant 37. Eurasian Sparrowhawk 38. Common Kestrel 39. Merlin 40. Peregrine 41. Marsh Harrier 42. Hen Harrier

5 43. Rough-legged Buzzard 44. Common Buzzard 45. Common Moorhen 46. Common Coot 47. Common Crane 48. Pied Avocet 49. European Oystercatcher 50. Common Ringed Plover 51. European Golden Plover 52. American Golden Plover 53. Grey Plover 54. Northern Lapwing 55. Dunlin 56. Sanderling 57. Red Knot 58. Ruddy Turnstone 59. Common Redshank 60. Spotted Redshank 61. Common Greenshank 62. Eurasian Curlew 63. Green Sandpiper 64. Ruff 65. Common Snipe 66. Jack Snipe 67. Black-tailed Godwit 68. Bar-tailed Godwit 69. Grey Phalarope 70. Black-headed Gull 71. Common Gull 72. Herring Gull 73. Yellow-legged Gull 74. Lesser Black-backed Gull 75. Great Black-backed Gull 76. Mediterranean Gull 77. Green Woodpecker 78. Great-spotted Woodpecker 79. Barn Owl 80. Short-eared Owl 81. Woodpigeon 82. Collared Dove 83. Stock Dove 84. Skylark 85. Shorelark 86. Meadow Pipit 87. Rock Pipit 88. Water Pipit 89. Pied Wagtail 90. Grey Wagtail 91. Waxwing 92. Winter Wren 93. European Robin 94. Dunnock 95. Stonechat 96. Common Blackbird 97. Redwing 98. Song Thrush 99. Mistle Thrush 100. Fieldfare 101. Cetti s Warbler 102. Common Chiffchaff 103. [Pallas s Warbler]

6 104. Goldcrest 105. Firecrest 106. Blue Tit 107. Great Tit 108. Coal Tit 109. Marsh Tit 110. Long-tailed Tit 111. Bearded Tit 112. Treecreeper 113. Nuthatch 114. Rook 115. Carrion Crow 116. Western Jackdaw 117. Magpie 118. Eurasian Jay 119. Common Starling 120. House Sparrow 121. Chaffinch 122. Brambling 123. Greenfinch 124. Goldfinch 125. Linnet 126. Twite 127. Eurasian Siskin 128. Lesser Redpoll 129. Hawfinch 130. Bullfinch 131. Lapland Bunting 132. Snow Bunting 133. Reed Bunting 134. Yellowhammer

TOM BEDFORD S OXFORDSHIRE LIST [IOC 2017] UPDATED

TOM BEDFORD S OXFORDSHIRE LIST [IOC 2017] UPDATED 1 Canada Goose 2 Barnacle Goose 3 Greylag Goose 4 Pink-footed Goose 5 Tundra Bean Goose 6 Greater White-fronted Goose 7 Mute Swan 8 Tundra Swan 9 Whooper Swan 10 Egyptian Goose 11 Common Shelduck 12 Gadwall