Bat hibernation roost visit

Last Saturday, I met with fellow members of the Norwich Bat Group at Whitlingham to investigate 2 traditional Bat roosts in the vicinity. Even during the Winter, Bats become active every 20 days or so depending on temperature and and weather. What with the exceptionally cold weather, it was hoped that Bats would be using these tunnel roosts to keep warm, rather than the natural environment, for example trees.

The temperature was 1.5 degrees outside, and inside the first tunnel we registered around 6 degrees in the tunnel and it didn't take long until the first Bats were located. 2 Brown Long-eared, 2 Daubenten's, 1 Natt-Daub and 7+ Natterer's were found. Most were found inside purpose built Bat Bricks. Although some years ago I joined the Suffolk Bat Group in Thetford forest for a nestbox check, I have not observed these delightful creatures at such close quarters for some time. What became apparent were the similarities, and differences, between Natterer's and Daubenten's. Natterer's are larger and show a bedraggled, furry appearance. They also exhibit a pink face, compared to a more plain flesh coloured Daub.
The second tunnel was warmer at 6 degrees (the sun now stronger outside and the thaw setting in) and here we had 23 Natterer's and 5 Daubenten's, great stuff and so many were unexpected. This time, we encountered 2 Daubs hanging.
The Bats seemed on the whole unaware of our presence, but one or two began to stir (possibly a natural reflex impossible to say) so we wasted no time in counting and leaving them in peace.

I decided it was worth a quick look for the Slavonian Grebe present on Whitlingham Great Broad, and as luck would have it the bird was showing close to the car-park and I was able to get other birders onto it.
A cracking morning, the Bats proving a fine antidote to cold Winter birding.

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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

Claxton-on-sea!

Although it was not quite the Christmas we wanted here in the valley, the rain has bought its own gift. A grim vision of the future, perhaps. But right now, the patch is peaking and is alive with birds, and for that I am thankful. On Christmas eve, it was a job to navigate away from the village due to standing water that had left abandoned cars and undelivered presents in its wake. The rain had been persistent and unforgiving, the ground, saturated. Over on the marsh, where there had once been a muddy puddle amongst the pasture, a city had sprung from the leak, with a plethora of new occupants noisily laying claim to a patch of sodden marsh. Wigeon and Black-headed Gulls in their thousands now wheeled and whistled over and amongst the newly formed pools, accompanied by smaller numbers of Teal and Shoveler. A flock of two hundred-strong Lapwing enjoyed feeding on the less damp spots where green grass was still exposed, and thrown in for good measure have been a couple of Ruff, the firs

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

Notes from the valley

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