Notes from the valley

After feeling shitty last weekend, it was a relief to get out and about this weekend. A phonecall from a friend who had twitched the Oriental Pratincole straight after a flight in from Oz inspired me to leave the county and make the trip to Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincs. Simple enough drive, under 2 hours. Staff in the visitor centre put me onto a male Gargany, as usual looking like an odd bar of chocolate. I took in the reserve...and what a reserve it is. Reminded me of both Boyton Marshes in Suffolk and Titchwell. On hitting the reserve trail, I was surrounded by birds- Avocet, Lapwing, Redshank, Corn Bunting, Yellow Wagtail......and, distantly, an Oriental Pratincole. Happy but far from satisfied, I walked round to the east hide where the bird was apparantly showing down to 10 metres. On route, I watched a tiny wader land and despite poor views on the ground it was confirmed by an 'expert' as a Temmincks Stint. Feeling increasingly smug, I rounded the corner and true to form, t...

After Saturday's Bluethroat 'experience', a trip to the east coast would help ground me more firmly in reality, but of course with the chance of something a bit special. The strong northerly winds may have made for some good sea watching, but without shelter this I decided would be futile. Bush bashing it was to be. Happisburgh coast watch was absolutely dead, apart from the carpet bowls competition. Easy....... Sea Palling was a little quiet, the winds clearly having an effect on the smaller birds which had probably taken to hunkering down in the scrub. Waxham proved more fruitful. At the Shangri La cottage, a Sparrowhawk upset a Willow Warbler and the resident Chaffinches. A walk to the pipe dump produced little on route except for a singing Cettis, but the chicken field held 13 Whimbrel and a single Bar-Tailed Godwit. Couldn't help but notice that had been missed as per RBA........ Nice. 2 Stonechat were present and the local Skylark were now attempting to sing over ...

A visit to a friend's at Methwold provided the ideal opportunity to spend the morning at Lakenheath and the afternoon at Welney. The RSPB reserve was alive with song, Whitethroat, Reed and Sedge Warbler were all seen in good numbers by the train track. My first Cuckoo of the year was heard, but not seen. Stock Dove and the squeal of Swifts added to the cacophony of sound. A single male Golden Oriole was present on site, but not seen by me. It has been too long since I have laid eyes on one. At the Joist fen watchpoint, the sight of 30+ Hobbies greeted us, probably the most I have ever seen in one spot. What a sight, what a reserve. Orange Tip Butterflies accompanied me on my walk back to the carpark. The afternoon was spent at Welney, my obvious target bird being the White-Spotted Bluethroat, now present for just over a week. £6.90 entrance fee; I would like to know how this can be justified, considering the cheaper entrance fee to NWT and RSPB reserves. However, from near the Lyl...