More raptors...

23/12/08 North Norfolk Coast, Simeon, James, Connor, Matthew

We finally dragged Matt out birding again and all four of us were together in force once again!

The only problem was, it was winter - finding wasn't really much of an option - neither was twitching anything to be honest! We had a walk at Titchwell and got good views of Peregrine and Marsh Harrier hunting over the marshes. A ringtail Hen Harrier was just visible over Thornham harbour, where we picked out the Peregrine again. A Black Brant on the Fresh Marsh was probably a hybrid, but one on the beach was nice and proper. Seawatching was tedious, with the mist making identification difficult - a probable Red-necked Grebe was the only bird of note, save for an odd Eider. 40 Snow Buntings flew West along the beach and dribbled back in small flocks during our visit to Thornham Point. The bushes held a Dunnock and 2 Magpies - joy to the world!

Back at Titchwell we had a Spotshank with the Blackwits on the Fresh Marsh and delighted in having bacon baps! Perfect presciption for that winter low that lingers for an age.

We then moved on to Salthouse in hope of photographing the Glaucous Gull that had been on the beach there for a few days. Finding the Glauc was one thing - which proved impossible - let alone photographing it! It later showed up at Cley Marshes to roost apparently.

40 Snow Bunts flew East and then a couple of flocks totalling 60 birds flew West, bringing the day total to 100. Brill!

We then checked a large flock of Brents in fields just South of Salthouse but we couldn't find any Red-Breasted Geese.

The last stop was Warham Greens where we were a little late, but still managed 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and superb views of a Barn Owl hunting right in front of us.

A great trip in all, and a good one to end the 2008 birding season - roll on 2009 (especially Spring!)
Merry Christmas everyone - have a good'un!

NOA Christmas Party!

20/12/08 Holme, Thornham and Chosely: Simeon, Connor, James

We decided to get to Holme for first light so we could search for owls before the party, but we couldn't be bothered to check the whole forestry, so instead Connor showed us a new area he recently discovered which looks perfect for rarities - we will definitely be visiting it during the next fall! On the way a Lapland Bunting and a few Rock Pipits flew over, and a Barn Owl was floating over the fields. A pair of Bearded Tits showed amazingly well in a reedbed. At the site itself a male Merlin flew over, and another Barn Owl was nearby. We walked back to the observatory before Jed could eat all the food, and had an unhealthy lunch before doing a seawatch. The seawatch was not one of Holme's best moments, although a few Red-throated Divers were nice. Back at the observatory a Snipe flew up off the marsh, and a Water Rail was squealing in the reedbed close by. Single Brambling and Redpoll flew over the car park.

We left to follow up a report of Waxwings nearby, without much luck. As the dusk began to set in we drove back via Chosely. Just before the turning we glimpsed a harrier and quickly pulled over where we all piled out to watch a lovely male Hen Harrier ghosting over the fields. As we were watching the second Merlin of the day, a female, shot through and we were able to watch it for a few minutes before both birds disappeared over the ridge.

Stopping at Choseley we were out of luck for Corn Buntings, but one last highlight was in store before the close of day - a female Hen Harrier gave us a farewell flyby! A great day on the Norfolk coast, despite missing out on the hoped-for Serin.

Blackborough End Tip

7/12/08, Connor, James and Simeon

Gullwatching was the order of the day for the first Young Norfolk Birders trip since James left for university in the Autumn. Before meeting Connor at 10:00 we stopped at Tottenhill to look for the Smew. A Skylark and a Bullfinch flew over, calling, and several Pintail were on the pit, but there was no sign of the Smew.

Meeting Connor and Billy with David and Ray Roche, we drove to Blackborough End Tip to find Dave Hawkins already there. Despite spending a good hour there we saw nothing unusual, save for a group of Goosanders which David spotted flying over. A Redshank was feeding at the edge of the pit and a Bullfinch called nearby. Eventually we drove to some nearby lakes to try our luck, but there was still no sign of the Caspian, Glaucous or Iceland gulls. A group of about 10 Siskins was searched thoroughly for Redpolls, with no success. However, a couple of Green Sandpipers brightened up the trip, with two adult Bewick's Swans which were later joined by a juvenile.

We ate our sandwiches before leaving for Kings Lynn to meet with Mr Munns about our birding trip to Poland next summer...!