Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham end of July bird sightings. Wow! Wow! and Wow! It’s all action here! Thousands of birds to count and rarities galore! by Sue Bryan
Last week’s exciting action-packed week continued with even more excitement happening with the list of unusual sightings at Snettisham and Titchwell Marsh. It was difficult to know where to look last week at Titchwell Marsh but at Snettisham all eyes were focused on sifting through all the waders out on The Wash, ahead of the in-coming tide and then rushing into the hides, to get a space to search through the waders on the islands and roost banks, as the water covered the mud in The Wash at high tide. Besides the stunning wader movements that take place, there were rarities to be found for those birdwatchers patient enough to sift through the thousands of Knot, Dunlin and Sanderling present.
Titchwell Marsh bird sightings
At Titchwell the Spotted Flycatchers were still around the Visitor Centre and Picnic area all week, still delighting our visitors. Our Bearded Tits are loving the good weather and have been showing well along the West Bank Path. Marsh Harriers are still visible as the dark young birds join their parents around the reserve and over the marshes. Up to six Spoonbills frequent the reserve on and off. However, it is the more unusual waders that have been the real story of the Freshmarsh this week as we have recorded: Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, up to two Little Stints, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Ruff, Knot, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper and Temminck’s Stint.
Ruff Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
The scarcer waders have joined our more usual waders of: Common Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit and 28 Golden Plover. Our Little Ringed Plovers have hatched two chicks, which we are hoping will fledge to maturity. A returning Yellow Wagtail added some colour during the week. A Little Gull also put in an appearance on the Freshmarsh.
Black-tailed Godwit Photo Credit: Sue Bryan
Down on the beach six Ringed Plover chicks have fledged and we are still hopeful that another two will join them.
Ringed Plover Chick Photo credit: Cliff Gilbert
Turtle Doves are still being seen around the reserve and a Willow Warbler was a surprise along the Meadow Trail. Down at the beach one of our frequent photographers captured some more stunning images of two Arctic Skuas chasing terns.
Raptors seen flying over the reserve included a juvenile Merlin, Hobby and a Peregrine.
Snettisham bird sightings
What an amazing week it was at Snettisham RSPB last week! The highest, high tides have always excited the bird watchers, as the water covers all the mud out in The Wash, meaning the wading birds eventually have to leave The Wash, fly around in spectacular patterns and often land in the pits in front of the hides where they can be seen at closer quarters, as they shuffle around for some space. Whilst the tide is rushing in, it is possible to arrive at Snettisham a couple of hours before the due high tide time and watch the waders running ahead of the in-coming water where the birds can be examined in detail. It was during one of these events that a Semipalmated Sandpiper was found, which was seen intermittently on the following few days. Three White-rumped Sandpipers were also discovered which were seen more often in front of the hides in the pits. A Pectoral Sandpiper was also out on the mud initially but was also seen in the pits on a few of the days, before being seen out on the mud again, just off the old jetty. It brought out many birdwatchers and visitors alike as they joined in the air of excitement that abounded.
White-rumped Sandpiper Photo Credit: John Geeson
Whilst these birds were being searched for, other scarcer birds were found as every bird has to be looked at very carefully to try and find the scarce or rare birds amongst a huge number of commoner birds. It was wonderful to see: seven Curlew Sandpiper, 11 Spotted Redshank and a Common Sandpiper. One day, two Arctic Skuas caused mayhem amongst the waders as they flew overhead.
On the reserve monthly Wetland bird surveys (WeBS) are conducted by our wardens and volunteers, where the various species are counted. It takes a great deal of experience and patience to ensure counts are as accurate as possible. Figures this month included:
Knot: 30,800
Dunlin:14,377
Sanderling,4896
Bar-tailed Godwit:1,500
Black-tailed Godwit:195
Redshank: 1,542
Curlew:1,970
Avocet:260
Oystercatcher:3,228
Ringed Plover:119
Turnstone:187
Grey Plover:80
Little Tern:300
Common Tern:322
Knot Photo Credit: Sue Bryan