Sunday 26 March 2017

Patching Cosw

I spent all weekend on the patch, i wasn't expecting too much as the wind was from the North East, probably better it it was from the South East. However there were a very small trickle of migrants.
A nice list with at least 7 Chiffchaffs singing, 2 Sand Martin, my first of the year, Bullfinch, and birds of the day 7 White wagtails with another 5-6 Pied Wagtails.




A quick look on the Sea a Fulmar, Several Gannets and Red Throated Divers.
There must have been a fall of Firecrest today i had very good views of one with a Goldcrest low down in a single small Conifer opposite Corton allotments.
A Coal tit on territory in the Dis Railtrack and a Tree-creeper too.
Lastly Raptors 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk.
Spent some time in the garden, regular visits from 2 Long tailed Tit, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.

After a second walk around the patch this afternoon i decided to cut my losses and headed for Carlton Marsh where it was nice to see the Drake Garganey Black-tailed godwit and a lovely Water pipit. not much else of note but a nice evening anyway.










Off to Spain Tuesday so hopefully the next blog will be an exciting one. 
 

Sunday 19 March 2017

North Norfolk

We booked Kelling Heath early on in the week without looking at the forecast properly. The Week ahead was awesome nice sunny and warm so Chiffchaffs were evident on the patch.

Anyway come this weekend and the weather changed dramatically to windy and wet. The Tent went up anyway and we made the best of what we could. The heath was sunny first thing in the morning so i managed to find 2 Basking Adders and 5 Common Lizards.



Further round i was lucky to see briefly a Dartford Warbler and 2 Woodlarks in flight. Then a nice Red Kite. A pale Buzzard had me looking twice for a Rough Legged Buzzard but no such luck. Funny really as today a Rough legged buzzard was reported from Kelling and then re identified as a Common Buzzard.
Anyway walked the East Bank of Cley and found my first Little Ringed Plover of the year and possibly the first at Cley this year too.




The Black Brant was still present with a few Dark Bellied Brents.



We finished the day walking from Morston to Stiffkey Fen. It was quiet along the way and we only got 9 Adult Med Gulls on the fen to show for it. I made the most of a wet dreary old day.



Today wasnt much better, Chiffchaff and Brambling from the tent but nothing of note on the heath or at Cley so headed towards Titchwell stopping at Holkham where a distant Great White Egret was still present, also a lone White fronted Goose.
At Titchwell 15 Velvet Scoters.

 

Also 5 Red Crested Pochards, 6 Pintails and usual Waders and Geese but nothing special.


 

Decided to call it a day just after lunch and head home.

Saturday 11 March 2017

Brecks

Quickie, Saw the Pallid Harrier in New Holkham last weekend in the pouring rain so didnt get the camera out. Red Kite also.

Today went into the brecks and managed 3 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Goshawks.



Record Video of the Lesser Pecker. Need to watch in HD


Record Video of a Diplaying Goshawk. Need to watch in HD



Also Red Kite, 6+ Chiffchaff singing, Woodcock, Grey Partridge, Brambling, Redpoll, Woodlark and Siskin.

Did some local sites seeing afterwards.

Warren Lodge



Thetford Priory








I only had a couple of target species to look for today the Gos and Woodpecker.