Cranes at Welney

14/10/07

Simeon and I went to Welney this afternoon because I volunteer there, but we made sure to arrive a little early to look for the cranes. It was a long trek down to Friend's Hide, but definitely worth it! They were absolutely beautiful, giving excellent views, and the Wood sandpiper (which I missed last week) was an added bonus!

(James)

Titchwell

13/10/07

Simeon got up early and did some ringing at Snettisham Coatal Park again, ringing a Fieldfare and several Redwing amongst the other usual birds. A Long-Tailed tit was nice in the hand. Other birds seen were several Brambling, Siskin, a couple of Redpoll, a Grey Wagtail and a passage of over 7000 Starlings. I picked him up and we went to Titchwell as nothing else had turned up on the coast. Several Little Stints were on the freshmarsh along with 6 Little Egrets around the reserve, a Goldeneye, and some Spotted Redshank. A Snow Bunting perched beautifully on some grass by the path! On the sea, there were 2 Great-Crested Grebes, 6 Eider, 5+ Razorbill, 30+ Common Scoter and I had a Skua sp. (probably pomarine), several Gannets and a late Sandwich Tern. A walk to Thornham Point provided another Grey Wagtail over, a Goldcrest sitting on the sand in the dunes (obviously a migrant), a pair of Stonechats and some more Thrushes. A tit flock near the visitor centre back at Titchwell contained 2 Chiffchaffs, and several things that were impossible to get onto! We tested out Viking Vistrons in the waning light (this is often a good time to do it because the conditions really test the binocular's performance). Both our binoculars currently have double vision, thanks to me! The Vistrons were very comfortable and nicely compact, though the 8x42 performed better than than the 10x42.

(James)

Holme NOA

(06/10/07)

James and I set out at 12 noon after having 10 Bullfinches on a survey of the local area. The Subalpine Warbler had left the night before, the Lesser-Grey Shrike had gone on Thursday, so (having missed both) we decided to meet up with Connor to try and refind the Radde's Warbler at Holme NOA. On arrival at about 1:00am we quickly got onto the Ross's Goose on the marsh with Pinkfeet. 550+ Common Scoter were on the sea and a beautiful male Eider flew West, along with an adult Arctic Tern. A Shag was also on the sea. We got to the Observatory and soon picked up a Yellow-Browed Warbler in its usual favourite haunt - a sycamore! Another one was present near the Heligoland, but never went in. I then thought I had the Radde's in a large bush near the car park, but the views weren't good and it was very elusive, so I decided not to call it. On returning with other birders, loads of Goldcrests were present, but not the Radde's. We were about to leave when a Hume's Yellow-Browed Warbler came up on the pager at Well's Wood. We ran for it, but in the fading light only managed to get another two Yellow-Browed Warblers. It had been an good day with 4 Yellow-Browed Warblers in total, though somewhat annoying!

(Simeon)

Autumn!

(Connor) In what has been an extremely good autumn so far, both for common migrants and scarcities, particular highlights from trips out in the last week or so include: Brief views of the Blyth's Reed Warbler at Salthouse 29/9/07, A Lesser Grey Shrike at Holkham 3/10/07 and 6 Yellow-browed Warblers (2+ at Holme NOA and 4 at Wells Wood) 6/10/07.