July Bird Sightings at Titchwell by Sue Bryan
Stop Press: Our Spotted Flycatchers have hatched!
There was great excitement at Titchwell when it was noted that both parent Spotted Flycatchers, that have nested in our woods, were taking food into the nest. An observation point has been set up where they can be watched from a safe distance without disturbance. Come and see them!
Spotted Flycatcher Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
Early July highlights
The opening weeks of July seemed to be summed up by the opening two lines of William C. Bryant’s poem ‘The Strange Lady’ when he wrote:
"The summer morn is bright and fresh, the birds are darting by As if they loved to breast the breeze that sweeps the cool clear sky."
as we know at this time of year, the early morning light means that the birds are twittering and on the wing, well before many of us are out of bed, but the poor summer weather this year meant that the air was often cool (if not clear) early in the morning.
Here at Titchwell our birds battled on through, trying to raise their young through many rainstorms and cool summer weather, interspersed with an occasional day of sunny weather. Our little balls of fluff started to look more like their parents as they grew and started to flex their wing muscles in readiness for their first flights. Our Bearded Tits enthralled our visitors as the fledglings took flight and accompanied their parents showing well alongside the West Bank path and many Avocet chicks took to the water to feed alongside their protective parents who were kept busy trying to defend them against marauding Marsh Harriers intent on predating them for their own chicks. However, all of this meant it was a fantastic time of year to visit Titchwell to witness the drama that takes place every day here on the reserve.
Our highlights for the first two weeks of July included:
Six Marsh Harriers fledging from four nests that were located either on the reserve or from Thornham Marsh, but we know there are more nests and are hopeful that more fledglings will appear.
Avocets have also done exceptionally well as a result of the funding that we have received from the Life on the Edge project, that has given us better control of water levels meaning that 43 chicks have fledged; the 3rd highest count of breeding success that we have ever had.
The reserve continued to produce some interesting sightings with some waders passing through. A Wood Sandpiper was present at the beginning of the month, followed by a Spotted Redshank which remained for a few days. Greenshank were also noted at the beginning of the month with several others seen flying over in subsequent days. An unusual sighting came in the form of a leucistic Knot, seen on the Tidal Pool which is still with us. Whimbrel and Little Ringed Plovers have also been present intermittently.
The exposed mud and shallow water around the reserve attracts herons, egrets and ibises. We were lucky to have had visits from Spoonbills in small numbers on most days. They have been seen in either in flight or on the Freshmarsh.
Spoonbill Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
Cattle Egrets have been seen flying over on a regular basis with a count of four, one day. A Great White Egret was seen at Patsy’s Pool, which has been on site on intermittently. A Glossy Ibis was noted in flight which is a good record for the reserve on two dates. There has been a bird in the area for several months which has also been noted on other reserves.
Great White Egret Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
Other birds of note on the reserve included two Cuckoos which were still present at the beginning of the month and a Turtle Dove which delighted a visitor one day. A pair of Red-crested Pochards were around at the beginning of the month but only the male remained by the end of the first week of July. An out of season Wigeon was noted on the reserve which is unusual for the time of year. Another out of season bird was a Pintail which was seen on one day. Two Little Gulls were hawking over the Freshmarsh for a while, which is a species that can often appear in the summer. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling most days at the beginning of the month. Two Short-eared Owls were seen by a member of staff at Thornham Point.
Cuckoo Photo Credit: Cliff Gilbert
A Barn Owl was seen in the wildlife garden by a member of staff who was strimming vegetation back. It was seen the following day running along the board walk. Unfortunately, a few days later, it was picked up by a visitor in a poor condition and taken to the local RSPCA wildlife hospital.
Barn Owl Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
Sea-watching included two early Arctic Skuas that were seen chasing terns on several dates, as they tried to get them to disgorge their hard-won food for their own use.
Other Wildlife
A Water Shrew was seen along the West Bank path at the beginning of the month. Insects seen included a Black-tailed Skimmer and a very exciting record of a Purple Emperor. The latter species has been extending their range in Norfolk in recent years. The first Gate Keeper of the season was seen by a volunteer at the end of the first week.