Latest July Bird sightings at Titchwell Marsh: an action-packed week! by Sue Bryan
Stop Press: Our Spotted Flycatchers have fledged!
It has been an action-packed week this week here at Titchwell Marsh. We have just not known where to look next! Whilst many eyes have been on the Spotted Flycatcher’s nest, watching the chicks grow day by day, it has not been without its drama. A Woodpigeon was seen to land on the nest and poke its head inside. We feared the worst but……………a couple of days later after watching food still being delivered by the attentive parent birds, three young chicks fledged the nest. What a delight they were too! It was so exciting as visitors stood and watched as the parents responded to wide-open gapes from the fledglings, bringing in a variety of insects including some fairly-big dragonflies.
Spotted Flycatcher and fledgling Photo Credit: Graham Horseman
Spotted Flycatcher Fledgling
Meanwhile down on the beach more action was taking place as the sea-watching season was upon us. One of our volunteers took some stunning photos of Arctic Skuas that were harassing Herring Gulls trying to persuade them to disgorge their food from their crop, so that they could swoop down and pick it up from the surface of the sea after it had been dropped. Sandwich Terns, Little Terns and Fulmars are still being seen flying by with Common Scoters still being reported. A more unusual Black Tern was also reported. Ringed Plovers have a hard time on the beach as they try to defend their nests against high tides, dogs off their leads and general disturbance, so it was nice to know that two nests producing five chicks made it to the fledging stage.
Arctic Skua Photo Credit: Cliff Gilbert
Arctic Skua being chasing a Herring Gull Photo Credit: Cliff Gilbert
Fulmar Photo Credit: Cliff Gilbert
However, our Freshmarsh looked stunning as it was covered in birds. Although not quite so action-packed, this is the area of the reserve that the birdwatchers look forward to, as in birding terms, autumn passage is now starting and the wardens have worked really hard to get the water levels right for the season ahead, now that the successful breeding season is all but over for most birds. Waders galore have arrived this week as the autumn passage has begun. These have included: Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Stint, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank and Curlew Sandpiper. All could be seen at some point this week. Other highlights on the Freshmarsh have included: Spoonbill and a Little Gull.
Wood Sandpiper Photo Credit: Cliff Gilbert
Meanwhile, there have been other highlights that could be seen around the reserve, which although not scarce birds are quite unusual for Titchwell, as the trees here, for the most part, are quite young. Therefore, reports of a Green Woodpecker and a Nuthatch were welcomed by those trying to keep a Titchwell year list.
Some birds never land but are still welcomed as they fly over the reserve. These sightings include: Peregrine, Golden Plover and a Raven. However, excitement grew when ten Arctic Skuas were seen flying over the Freshmarsh one day. It must have been an amazing sight!