Some half-term birding to blog about

On Saturday 14th, I had some old uni friends staying with me for the weekend. It was a glorious day so we headed to Horsey on the east coast so that they could be introduced to the Grey Seal colony. The seals appeared to be enjoying the sunshine and many were hauled out on the beach. A few pups remained but I doubt many were taking milk and indeed a range of colours and markings were present. Walking back down the Nelson's Head track, I heard the bugling of Cranes and was able to show the group a pair grazing in the field. We enjoyed a few pints in the pub before heading back to Surlingham for dinner. I was of course disappointed to see that a Great White Egret had been reported whilst we were dining, but then at least someone had seen it if not me!

I took to Church Marsh on Sunday to blow the cobwebs out. Of note were a pair of Marsh Tit and 4 Grey Herons, the latter making use of the exceptionally low water levels in the river, wading at knee height and catching small fish with some success. Back home in the garden, 3 Bullfinch were stonking!

Yesterday, I was a little put off by the foggy start but stuck to my original plan of Carlton Marshes. It was difficult to see anything at first, but as the Winter light cut through small flocks of both Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit were revealed to me. The scrape held 4 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, plenty of Lapwing and a Shelduck. Black-headed, Common, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls were using the site, many passing through, but another white-winger here is surely only a matter of time. Other bits and pieces today included a Kestrel and Golden Plover over.

Early in the mornings, we are being treated to both Song and Mistle Thrush singing. Interestingly, they seem to take turns: The Mistle belts out his sombre tune, and when resting the Song Thrush kicks in. Two lovely sounds to awaken to.

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Grey Phalarope- a new patch bird

The 7th of April was another bitterly cold Spring day, hats and gloves in prime position on pegs and in bags ready to be deployed. A few brave Garganey have been reported north of the river, but it was a bird from the north itself that had me rushing for the thermals and the telescope late in the day. I was thankful for the local Whatsapp group who were quick to report that a Grey Phalarope had been seen on Rockland Broad. This tiny Wader would have come in on the northerlies over the last few days, although to grace one of the broads is a real surprise, since most stick pretty close to the coast before moving on. Indeed, my experience of the birds has usually been on a sea watch in the Autumn, waves crashing and foam flying, my eyes straining to pick them out as they fly low just above the surf. They are fantastic birds, and now one was here on the patch. I had a brief panic when I realised my scope was in my car at the garage (thankfully I do have a much older spare) but once the ho

A change is as good as a rest

Casting my mind back to February 14th, survival rather than love was in the air for the birds of the Yare Valley. Tramping across the Surlingham corner of the patch, I recorded 8 Woodcock within 2 hours. These Cryptic Waders had been forced out of hiding, and even amongst the woodland floor they were easier than usual to spot against a backdrop of snow. The small pine wood opposite the church and adjacent to the parking area held at least 2 birds, creeping around and huddled up low to the ground. A further investigation of likely habitat around Church Marsh and I was presented with 6 more, a record count for me in a single day. I hope they made it through the trial sent from the north in the form of ice and snow. A Great Egret exploring a dyke at Postwick must've been thinking twice about the whole range expansion thing. However, a small Squadron of Bewick's Swan and a single Goosander over Claxton fitted the mise en scene nicely during this period. That image and that day fee

Foulden Common- Skippers and a Hairstreak

Been meaning to get to Foulden Common for what feels like years, and it probably is that in terms of timescale! I recall being poorly last Spring, and my days put aside for a Butterfly hunt there were postponed. Before long, the mid-summer doldrums had set in and all thought of Norfolk's scarce Skipper species were put on hold until 2019. And so despite the overcast conditions and lack of some Bird Therapy, I headed out this morning. Arriving from the direction of Mundford, travelling through Foulden village and approaching an S bend, I noticed a small bowl-shaped pull in. Doubling back I parked up, walked through two gates and began searching the common land. The first 45 minutes had me cursing the lack of sun and planning my next free morning before returning to work. A pair of Common Blue and Small Copper gave some hope, and a hoarse Cuckoo and 2+ Garden Warbler were clearly harbingers of warmer fronts moving in. As the sun threatened to bust through the clouds, I pic

Notes from the valley

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