Norfolk - Lesser Spots revisited but where are the migrants ...

A return to Norfolk for the end of March in the hope of catching the arrival of the early migrants didn't quite go to plan - with cold windy weather allowing a trickle of birds through. The first Swallow on the 22nd was followed the following day with Sand Martin Weatear and Little Ringed Plover. Breckland however continued to deliver star birds in the form of outstanding performances from the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Stone Curlews at 2 sites, and the jewel in the Crown Displaying goshawk at 2 sites. Dersingham Bog entertained with the long staying Great Grey Shrike showing well with an accompanying cast of Crossbills. Crossbills remained at Holme and Brancaster turned up 2 colour ringed Brent Geeses in a failed search for the the Black Necked Grebe. Redwell Marsh continues to look good for waders and other migrants, and produced a fine pair of adult Mediterannean Gulls with a Ringtail Harrier quartering the Dunes while driving down from the Obs to Redwell.

Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecke Breckland 21 March 2009

Ruddy Shelduck Welney 24 March 09

Brent Goose Brancaster25 March 09 1 of 2 colour ringed birds within the flock

Great Grey Shrike Dersingham 27 March 09


Little Egret Redwell Marsh 31 March 09. The Egret flew in while the 2 Med Gulls successfully thwarted all attempts at photographing them. Both Sand Martins and Swallows over the marsh at the same time

Lesswer spotted Woodpecker Breckland norfolk 14 Mmarch

1 of at least 3 birds seen during the morning

Lesser Spots in the Brecks - and some bonus pheasants

Saturday 14 March.Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Breckland Norfolk. After good views of the 2 Rough Legged Buzzards in the Wolferton area the previous week-end, Saturday saw an early start, heading to the Brecks - and superb views of at least 3 Lesser Spots - 2 females 1 male.The escaped Red Tailed Hawk showed well at a nearby site, and 5 Hawfinches were at Lynford. A flock of 30+ treee Sparrows were found in a hedgerow and the real surprise if the day was a group of male Reeves Pheasants found on the return journey. Stunning birds, even if their origins will be as escaped or released birds. A roadside Tawny at Snettisham at the end of the day was a near perfect end to a long days birding. A return to Wolferton on Sunday failed to produce a repeat show from the Rough Legged Buzzard but did provide views of 2 Hen Harriers, a Peregrine circling over our heads, as well as Common Buzzards, Marsh Harriers Sparrowhawks and Kestrel, and good numbers of Crossbills - at least 25 in 1 flock.

Male reeves Pheasant 14 March

Red Crested pochard Bedford 16 March - a case of back to the escaped/released birds but showing well in bright sunshine

Little Owl Woburn Beds 4th March

Little Owl - spotted in the shadows of his hole but eventually coming out to survey the Deer Park from his tree. An accepteable alternative to the Waxwings I had failed to find.

Goosander - up to 8 present as well as at least 1 drake Mandarin. 2 on the lake by the Abbey, 4 more in flight,and another pair on the smaller lake towards the stables.

Black Swan - very elegant but also very tame !

Dungeness 27 February - 2 March

Returning David to Dungeness for his second season as Assistant warden at the Observatory gave me the chance for another visit to the Kent Coast. Though photographically not particularly productive, the birdwatching did not dissappoint. Black Redstarts were around the Power station. The Iceland Gull performed on a daily basis, and after such a quiet winter on the sea in Norfolk the numbers of Guillemots, Divers, Kittiwakes and Gannets among the Guills and Grebes offshore was very welcome. A passage of Brents on the 1st March also produced at least 10 Velvets among the Scoters. Smew, Goosanders, and both Slavonian and Black Necked Grebe were present on the RSPB Reserve, as well as 2 Firecrests, and a delightful Water Vole - posing in front of 1 of the hides until spooked by a low flying Magpie !!! The biggest surprise of the trip was a flock of 25 Snow Geese and 1 Empereor Goose on the 1st. These had been reported in Sussex earlier in the day but had sneaked through to dungeness unnoticed!! A flock of this size was an impressive sight in flight, and enough to cause a bit of local excitement - at least until a walker on the footpath passed within feet of them, failing to flush them in the process and excitement levels plumetted !! Still an impressive flock whatever its origins.

Above and Below Iceland Gull - showed well on all 4 days, but a difficult bird to photograph as the sun was never in the right place ! Aptly likened to a Barn Owl in its flight and pale colouration as it wheeled over the patch among the mass of Gulls.

Above and Below Kittwake. Good numbers of both Adult and juvenile birds present.



Red Crested Pochard - popping up everywhere these days !





Snow Geese - of unknown origin. 20 white birds and 5 blue form in the flock of 25. A particularly impressive sight in flight.

A welcome return to Norfolk and a few local extras ..

Kingfisher and Gey Wagtail Breckland Norfolk 21 February.From a riverside walk that also produced an overhead Buzzard to add to the Raptor list, having already enjoyed good views of male Goshawk and a soaring Red Kite at a nearby site.

Glaucous Gull Cley 19th February Close views of the gull on the Beach, with short flights to sit out on the sea when flushed by beachwalkers. Damage to the wing evident in photos below.
The day had started with a failed attempt to catch a second view of the Black Bellied Dipper - with a diversion to seee the nearby Cattle Egret. decent views in the Scope but too far off even for a 'record shot'

Black Necked Grebe 17 February. Gypsy Lane Titchwell. Showing well but in extremely poor light

Great Grey Shrike 17 February Dersingham Bog. Same day same light and a bird that was never really close enough. Singing woodlarks and good numbers of Crossbills also present - with 1 flock of 23 feeding in the Pines later in the week.

Pink Footed Geese Holme Marsh 15 February. Still good numbers of Pink Feet in the Snettisham area too.This mixed flock of several hundred Brent and Pink Footed Geese at Holme containined 2 collar ringed birds -LBI in the Photo, as well as TUB. 2 more collar ringed Geeese located at Abbey Farm later in the week -TAH and TAK - with a large flock of Brambling, several Tree Sparrows and the resident Little Owl also on show



Fox Priory CP Bedford 13 February. 1 OF 2 Lying up around the finger lakes - but not wanting to be photographed! Good numbers of corn Buntings coming in to roost were an added bonus

Fieldfare 13 February. Not the first Fieldfare to appear in the Garden, but the first I have managed to get any pictures of. Both redwings and Fieldfares have been brought in by the harsh weather, with both male and female Blackcap in the garden since the middle of December

Grey Heron 7 February. Very approachable in the snow - photos taken without using the telescope