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)