Back out to the local ponds, and I could see at the first pond encountered that there was now a good showing of Azure Damselfly about, with these were a few Large Red Damselfly.
I was hoping now that I could find some larger Dragonfly about, so I moved on to the larger ponds, and as I was making my way thru the brambles, I inadvertently put up a Four Spotted Chaser, as it took flight I watched were it came down, and of course, it became inaccessible, and to far for the camera.
So I moved into the larger of the ponds, and here I found more Azure and Large Red Damselfly, no action over the water, so I looked in the surrounding vegetation, finally picking up a couple of Four Spotted Chaser, out of reach and in bad positions for the camera, but the season was underway.
Bird highlights included a Green Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Swallow, Blackcap, Long tailed Tit, and hearing Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Butterfly highlights were Holly Blue and the first Small Heath of the year.
Other highlights included Hairy Shieldbugs and a few Helophilus pendulus hoverfly
A family holiday to Seahouses up on the Northumberland coast, 4 nights 5 days, a chance to go around the Farne islands, but no landing this year, due to the bird flu.
Seahouses Harbour holds a good-sized flock of Eider at high tide, giving great photo opportunities, coming in really close.
Around the headland at Seahouses breeding Fulmar, Kittiwakes and Sand Martins could be seen, with plenty of Swallows, Starling, House Sparrow, and Herring Gull. On the rocky areas, I found a male and female Wheatear on one occasion, my first of the year. On another day, I found a small flock of Ringed Plover and a single Whimbrel as it took flick, giving off its distinctive whistle call as it flew overhead.
Sandwich Terns, Oystercatcher, Shag, Swifts, House Martins, Pied Wagtails, we’re just a few species I found around the Seahouses Harbour.
We had a boat trip around the Farne islands on one afternoon, an hour and a half in total, no landing, to see the usual seabirds and seals. Guillemots, Razorbill, Shag, Puffin, Arctic Terns, Kittiwakes, and seals were all easily seen from the boat.
Bird List:- Arctic Tern, Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Canada Goose, Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Collard Dove, Common Gull, Dunlin, Eider, Fulmar, Gannet, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Black backed Gull, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Guillemot, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Kittiwake, Lesser Black backed Gull, Linnet, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied wagtail, Puffin, Razorbill, Red legged Partridge, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Robin, Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon, Rook, Sand Martin, Sandwich Tern, Shag, Skylark, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Swift, Turnstone, Wheatear, Whimbrel, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon (57)
Ossett today along the river Calder, attraction was a pair of Night Herons. Last time I saw these in the Huddersfield area was back in 2008 at Scout Dike reservoir, which I know believe was of dubious origin, so it would be good to get this firmly on the Huddersfield area list.
It was raining, there were few birds about, Mallards and Goosanders on the river, mermors from passing birders was that the one of the Night Herons had flown up river and the other was hiding somewhere in the bushes.
I didn’t find it on my first pad of the area, I was now the only one there, but I could see other birders arriving, I told them the news, and I was now wet.
I decided on another look-up river and to my relief someone had located the bird, happy days, twenty minutes of viewing the bird, a bit of video, before this one decided on flying up river too.
Other bird of note, my first Reed Bunting of the year, along with Willow Warbler and Blackcap
8th of April and members day at Cromwell Bottom, this takes in a guided walk around the site with a couple of people from the committee, also takes in the North loop, which is mainly a closed off area.
The guided walk was due to start at 10am, so I decided on a earlier start, before it got busy. Leaving the car park, the Heronry seemed very active this morning with quite a few Grey Herons around bringing in nesting material. Green Woodpecker was noticeable by its “Yaffling” call, but not seen. The feeders by the visitor centre were active with Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robins, and Chaffinch.
Down at the weir there was a single Grey Wagtail this morning, and nothing else, so onto the reserve. The main feeding station was a quiet today, only Robins seen with a nearby calling Chiffchaff.
A walk on down to the viewing platform were there was a male Teal and a Grey Heron. I came back via the river footpath hoping for that Kingfisher sighting, not today.
A Blackcap made itself known by its loud call around by the feeding station, a bit of a dull start, hope the walk is better.
The members walk started at 10am setting off down along the canal towpath with the aim of coming onto the reserve further down. we were off to a good start picking up a couple of Willow Warblers and three female Goldeneye, Oystercatchers and Goosanders (ski lake). Our next stop was the viewing platform where we heard a Little Grebe and found a male Reed Bunting, also a couple of Lesser Redpolls .Walking back along the river footpath a Kingfisher was heard but alas not seen.
After lunch we were allowed up onto the North Loop site, where we could see the plans being made for this area, a horseshoe shaped lagoon was was being made and eventually would be a good area for passing waders, with hopefully some stopping to breed. Meadow Pipit was up on this location with of course the breeding Barn Owls.
44 species seen or heard today
Bird List : Blackbird, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Coot, Dunnock, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Tit, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Greylag Goose, Jay, Kingfisher, Lesser Black backed Gull, Lesser redpoll. Little Grebe, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Nuthatch, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Reed Bunting, Robin, Song Thrush, Stock Dove, Teal, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren
Well today’s plan was for Wombwell Ings early doors then on to Thorne Moors for Adders, when hopefully the day had heated up a bit for the adders.
Wombwell was quiet, a few Meadow Pipits along with Skylarks, the Water Pipit was a quick glimpse as it flew off.
Thorne Moors produced the said Adders, we managed five today, a couple of large dark females, a great experience. Birds we managed to see on site were, Stonchat ♂, a single Swallow, Marsh Harrier, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps,
We then decided on a visit up to St Aidans RSPB, as this site doesn’t shut early, like Blacktoft |Sands. Lots more to see at St Aidans, good start was the Little Owl, in its usual spot near the drag line. A long walk then to fin the Black necked Grebes, we managed to see four birds. Gorse bushes on a sunny day had me looking and finding Gorse Shieldbugs. Bittern was heard booming but not seen, another heard was Water Rail and Cetti’s Warblers.
A great day out with 68 species seen or heard, the Adders however stole the show today
Bird List : Bittern, Blackcap, Black headed Gull, Black necked Grebe, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Crow, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Collard Dove, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Gadwall, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jay, Lapwing, Lesser Black backed Gull, Linnet, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pink footed Goose, Pochard, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Robin, Rook, Shoveler, Skylark, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Stonechat, Swallow, Teal, Tufted Duck, Water Pipit, Water Rail, Wigeon, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren
The return home day, after three great days birding in Norfolk. The plan was to return via RSPB Adwick Washlands on the way thru. finally arriving at Adwick at about 1pm to a full car park, so I had a wait of about 10 – 15 mins before a space became available.
Little bit of a steady walk down to the actual Marsh area, along Lowfield Lane, lots to se on the way down there, Chaffinch, Robin, Kestrel, Crow, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Canada Geese, Greenfinch, Long tailed Tit and Woodpigeon.
At the marsh area, first pool, plenty of Avocets along with Black headed Gulls, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Mallards and a couple of Redshank. I then moved off and had a look at the feeders, along the hedgerow in the left field, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Buntings, Robin, Blue and Great Tits all to be found.
Further down the lane, another pool, again on the right side, there was a small number of birders assembled, looking at the bird I’d forgotten about, a drake Garganey, always a nice bird to see, a summer migrant to these shores.
Saturday and Day 3, the plan was to stop at Cley Marshes for the day, a place I hadn’t been to since September 2011, so long overdue a visit. A good start on arrival, I was buzzed by a Sparrowhawk as it went thru the car park. Five pound for a permit, purchased at the visitor centre, this includes the car park fee, centre opens at 10am, all a bit completed to me.
Anyway out on the reserve, my first port of call was to bishop’s hide, where there was a splendid Grey Wagtail along with a couple of Pied Wagtails. A few Ruff about, with no shortage of Avocet’s, and a couple of Redshanks in and amongst. Wildfowl included Mallard, Teal, a lot of Shovelers, Shelducks, Wigeon and a pair of Pintail, to finish off with Coots, Crows and Marsh Harriers.
After Bishops it was on to the East Bank, in the hope of seeing the star birds at Cley at the moment. The first bird was a no show on Arnolds Marsh , I walked down the bank to the call of Cetti’s Warblers, Redshanks and Curlews bubbling away, soon down on the shingle beach looking for quarry number two, they were soon located, with the help of other birders, always a pleasure in seeing Snow Buntings, Along with the SNOBS as some people like to cal them were, Meadow Pipits, who blended in nicely with the surrounding fauna.
The first of the rain moved in so I took refuge in the shelter at the bottom of East Bank, where I could look over the marsh, watching Brent Geese, Black tailed Godwits, and Ringed Plovers. After the rain ahd moved thru it was back onto the bank, looking for and finally finding the Long billed Dowitcher, very close as well. This is an American wader, a Snipe sized bird, with plumage and shape looking like a cross between a snipe and a Bar tailed Godwit. I’d managed to get some video footage just before the rain moved back in, press HERE but by the time I’d got back to the car for dinner I was cold and wet.
After a dry out, it was back over to Bishops Hide, mainly to avoid another down pour, I just made it into the hide before the heavens opened, we even had to shut the hide windows, as rain was coming in. When the rain eventually stopped I moved over to the Avocet, Daukes and Teal hides, I ended stopping here for the rest of my time at Cley, watching and photographing Redshanks, Black tailed Godwits, Ruff, Dunlin, Meadow Pipits, Avocets, Wigeon, Mute Swans, Teal, Pied Wagtail, Lapwing and Marsh Harriers and finally for the day a pair of Egyptian Geese, 41 species for the day.
Bird List :- Avocet, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Goldfinch, Great Black backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Little Egret, Long billed Dowitcher, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied wagtail, Pintail, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Rook, Ruff, Shelduck, Snipe, Snow Bunting, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Teal Wigeon, Woodpigeon (41)
Friday and Day 2, todays plan was to head out to a new reserve, I hadn’t visited before, called, Sculthrope Moor Nature Reserve near Fakenham.
On entering the reserve your soon upon the first hide, called Dragonfly Hide, here I saw Dunnocks, Nuthatch, Siskin, Greenfinch, Stock Dove, Chaffinch, Long tailed Tit, Blue Tit, heard a Song Thrush and Little Grebe. Moved away from the Dragonfly hide and made my way to the Woodland Hide, where the first surprise of the day was a paie of Muntjac Deer, feeding around the bird feeders, one female and one male, I ended up taking a few photos. Birds here included Blackbird, Bullflinch, Robin, Blue and Long tailed Tit.
I made my way slowly onwards taking in the scenery of Scultrope, a very wooded reserve along with areas of fen, meadows and wetland areas, I was enjoying the place. I finally came across the Whiteley Hide, there are seven hides in total, this is the place to see Red Kites and it wasn’t long before one was spotted over the tree tops, along with the Kite was a Common Buzzard and Rooks. Down at the nearby feeders were Long tailed, Blue and Great Tit, Male Reed Buntings, Chaffinch, Coal and Marsh Tit.
After a while I moved on to the new Wetland Area and the hide there, but on the my walk there I came across a roosting Tawny Owl, which was a nice experience of seeing one of these in the day time, nearby was a calling Chiffchaff. So from the Wetland hide, Common Snipe was a nice addition to the day list, along with a Common Redshank.
Sculthorpe Moor is a great place, one I think I could gladly spend all day there, lovely big hides, good reception area, clean toilets, and friendly staff, definitely be visiting again, 31 species encountered.
Bird List ;- Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Coot, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Little Grebe, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Red Kite, Reed Bunting, Robin, Rook, Siskin, Snipe, Song Thrush, Stock Dove, Tawny Owl, Teal,
Muntjac Deer
After Sculthrope I moved onto Heacham South Beach for the reported Slavonian Grebe, after about a 20min walk, thanks to another birder showing me the way and another birder on site we were soon onto the bird, it did give us the run around as it was moving up and down the river, I did manage a few distant photos of the bird.
After the Slavonian Grebe encounter it was then on to RSPB Titchwell were on arrival and just thru the hub, I had my first rain shower of the day, so I sat down at the visitor centre feeders watching Woodpigeon, and Dunnocks to pass the time away whilst the shower went thru.
After the rain I was onto and into the Island Hide where , Black headed Gulls, Shovelers, Avocets, Pochards, Mallards, Pintail, Marsh Harriers, Brent Geese, Mediterranean Gulls, Teal, and a few returning Sand Martins and Swallows could all be seen. Moving on then I soon stopped off at one of the seats along the pathway down to the beach which overlooks the reserve, from here I got to see ten Mediterranean Gulls in all, also Gadwall, Pied Wagtail, Avocets, Brent Geese, Shovelers and Greylag Geese.
On at the Parrinder Hide, ducked in here mainly to dodge another rain shower, bird highlights from here were a fine Male Pintail, three Turnstones, Redshank, and a single Ringed Plover. After the rain I headed down to the beach, stopping off firstly at the salt marsh to scope through some more birds, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Grey Plovers and Curlews.
Finally down at the beach, I was greeted by a guy coming off saying “I had all the beach to myself, as there were no people and no birds to be seen”. Funny that as I found Red breasted Mergansers on the sea, on the beach were, but at a distance, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Sanderling, and Bar tailed Godwits.
Itt was now late and I was getting a bit cold, so I decided on heading back to the car park, seeing Little Egret and more Marsh Harriers and Cormorants on the way. 42 bird species seen at Titchwell, plus another Muntjac Deer at the visitor Centre.
Bird List :- Avocet, Bar tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Brent Goose, Buzzard, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Dunlin, Dunnock, Gadwall, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Mediterranean Gull, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pintail, Pochard, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Ringed Plover, Robin, Sand Martin, Sanderling, Shelduck, Swallow, Teal, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Wigeon, Woodpigeon, Wren
Huddsbirder 