The next morning (10th) and tons of common migrants (especially thrushes) were still on the move during a walk round Warham Greens. Also a sighting of Warwickshire birder John Harris!
As soon as the tide had receeded sufficiently, I was off after the Olive-backed Pipit. Across the marshes to the small patch of gorse where the bird had been showing the previous day. Tensions were running high and one pleasant chap was shouting abuse and threatening other birders. Mind you, the numpties walking right into the gorse were unbelievable. After about an hour and a half all I'd had were brief (and untickable) flight views, however the pipit then began to work its way across the the bottom of the gorse near where I was standing and eventually I was able to see it out in the open from 5ft away. Lifer. Hurrah!
As soon as the tide had receeded sufficiently, I was off after the Olive-backed Pipit. Across the marshes to the small patch of gorse where the bird had been showing the previous day. Tensions were running high and one pleasant chap was shouting abuse and threatening other birders. Mind you, the numpties walking right into the gorse were unbelievable. After about an hour and a half all I'd had were brief (and untickable) flight views, however the pipit then began to work its way across the the bottom of the gorse near where I was standing and eventually I was able to see it out in the open from 5ft away. Lifer. Hurrah!
Argy-bargy at the OBP Twitch!
This patch of gorse was something of a mini migrant trap, with a female Redstart, Chiffchaff, Brambling, Wheatear and several Goldcrest also noted here.
Birdguides reports stated 'wellies recommended'. I had none with me so returned very muddy indeed after falling a few times and traipsing through ditches. Who cares though; as two birders I met later in the Titchwell car park so eloquently put it; 'if you come back from Norfolk looking like that, you know you've seen a good bird'.
It was a day for twitching and Titchwell was soon abandoned as news came of a report of an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Wells Wood. Arrived on scene to find frustrated and disappointed Norfolk birders combing the pines. The finder was now nowhere to be seen and people weren't exactly sure where to look for the bird (a potential first for Norfolk). Very odd.
Again migrants were abundant here, including Brambling. This female was feeding on the path and didn't flush when birders passed or paused to take her picture. Exhausted no doubt.
It was a day for twitching and Titchwell was soon abandoned as news came of a report of an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Wells Wood. Arrived on scene to find frustrated and disappointed Norfolk birders combing the pines. The finder was now nowhere to be seen and people weren't exactly sure where to look for the bird (a potential first for Norfolk). Very odd.
Again migrants were abundant here, including Brambling. This female was feeding on the path and didn't flush when birders passed or paused to take her picture. Exhausted no doubt.
The 11th was a very good morning's birding Another lifer in the form of a stunning Pallas's Warbler at Burnham Overy Staithe. This bird showed well as it flitted around the bushes near the boardwalk. Also here a Short-eared Owl came in high over the dunes, 2 Lapland Bunting over, Brambling, Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Marsh Harrier as well as the now ubiquitous Goldcrests and Redwings. Seawatching produced 2 Great Skuas and a Manx Shearwater.
Pallas's Warbler twitch
Little Egret
A later walk near Kelling produced an unexpected sighting with this Long-eared Owl sitting in a meadow! Not too much else here of note though, apart from 3 Wheatear and a Marsh Harrier.
On the 12th the morning was spent around Cley. The undoubtable highlight here was the 5 Shore Lark on the shingle ridge above Arnold's Marsh. Super little birds, it was fantastic to watch them feeding on the bank at close quarters. Also here a nice Curlew Sandpiper and a group of Ruff feeding on the muddy field.
The final day and a half it did go a bit quiet again, although there were still smaller numbers of thrushes, Goldcrest and Brambling etc passing through. Attempts at trying to find my own rarity at Holme, Stiffkey and Warham never worked out, but was enjoyable birding all the same. The final highlights included Rock Pipit, Garden Warbler, 4 Grey Partridge and a Sparrowhawk catching an unfortunate Goldfinch.
2 comments:
Rolling around in the mud eh? That's where going to Glastonbury gives you that training!
This was a walk in the park compared to the horrors of Glasto '07!
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