Wardens wanderings

What a week it has been.

Following the latest government advice, the RSPB made the difficult decision to close all our visitor centres, cafes and shops to visitors. This is to prioritise the health and welfare of our staff, volunteers, supporters and members of the public. For the time being the Titchwell toilets will remain open though this may change. 

Therefore, much of the later part of the week…

The North Norfolk Coast has some of the largest areas of undeveloped coastal habitat in Europe making it incredibly rich in wildlife throughout the year. As a result, our landscape is protected at the national and international level.  During the spring and summer many of Norfolk’s beaches are home to breeding ringed plovers, oystercatchers and little terns in important numbers. Yet, they are suffering…

Following the latest government advice we have made the difficult decision to close our visitor centre, café and shop to visitors. This is to prioritise the health and welfare of our staff, volunteers and visitors.

These are difficult and unsettling times for all of us, but we hope that nature can provide a welcome respite in whichever form and wherever you may encounter it. We want to do everything we can to help…

Firstly, let me introduce myself, my name is Simon and I am the new Conservation Intern at Titchwell and I look forward to getting to know the ins and outs of this wonderful reserve and sharing the goings-on with you 

Recent sightings 

It has been another packed week of wildlife sightings on the reserve this week. As Spring continues to arrive we are starting to see a change on the reserve. A max count of 87 Mediterranean…

The incessant wind and rain made this month very difficult so my wildlife total has limped its way up to 238.  Only five new birds were added to the list of which the Short-eared Owl hunting over Thornham marsh was easily the best.   I spent most of the time in the wooded section trying to keep out of the elements.   One afternoon I was in the company of Tony Leach, the county fungi recorder.  Last month I identified two species…

Here's residential volunteer Ryan with an update of what's been happening on the reserve over the last couple of months:  

What a whirlwind few months it has been since our last reserve update – how time flies when you’re having fun! During January and February, myself and the rest of the reserve team have been carrying out a real mix of jobs, from finishing up our winter work to starting to prepare for the ever…

The challenge I set myself was to see 1000 species of wildlife on or from Titchwell Marsh during 2020.   The year has got off to a really good start; my total for January is 216.  The main interest has been in trying to see as many birds as possible , these have ranged from scarce over-wintering Chiff Chaffs, Greenshanks and Spotted Redshanks to finding easily missed species such as Woodcock, Bittern, Black-necked Grebe…

Titchwell Birds 2019

Now we are in 2020 it is time to reflect on the birdlife of Titchwell in 2019. Overall, we recorded 218 species, up on the 214 recorded in 2018, though a number are subject to being accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) and the Norfolk Records Committee. If you have found any of the birds marked with a * please can you submit the record to the relevant record committee. 

New Year…

Hello everyone,

Back in 2010 our wonderful friend Ray Kimber started a project called Ray's Rambles in which he had to record as many species of wildlife as possible on or from the reserve. 

Ray's Rambles went on for four years, and well over 1,300 species were noted. Most of these were found while Ray was volunteering at the reserve.

Ray has challenged himself once again and the challenge this time is to try and…

Latest update from Residential Volunteer Conservation Intern Matt O'Connell

The week began with an impressive count of Marsh Harriers, as part of a coordinated harrier count organised by the BTO: a conservative 90 marsh harriers were counted rising from their roost here at Titchwell, plus one hen harrier. The reserves team and volunteers took part in this survey, which involved being on the reserve at first light and…

Our Conservation Intern Matt, updates us on what the reserve team have been up to this week

Its been another eventful week at Titchwell and the reserve team has been working hard throughout the short days to keep up with the winter work plan. But hey, working outdoors when fifty plus marsh harriers circle the reedbed to roost, lit by a glowing sunset is not too bad as an office!

This was what we kept telling ourselves…

In today's blog our dedicated volunteer, Les, gives us an insight in to what it is like volunteering at the North West Norfolk reserves.

I thought you would all be interested in hearing what I get up to as a volunteer at Titchwell and Snettisham. My official title is "Volunteer Hide Helper" but recently that has covered a multitude of other duties!

First up, I was asked if I could help the retail team with…

Applications are now open for our 12-month Residential Conservation Internship. You will be based on two of our amazing nature reserves developing the skills and knowledge to help you develop a practical conservation career

For more information follow the link https://bit.ly/2sfsdL1 

Meet Ryan, our returning residential volunteer to update you on what has been happening on the reserve. 

Hey all,

My name is Ryan and I’m back as a residential volunteer with the reserve team for another winter (my third… Where does the time go?!) after another busy season working as a Ranger on the nearby Blakeney Point. It is so good to be back in my favourite “over-wintering” spot of Titchwell and to get caught up with…

This week we have the Truxor on site, we use this machine as part of our habitat management to clear reed along some of our ditches, open up the area infront of fen hide and this year we will use it push back the reed on the Freshmarsh. 

There will be some disturbance but come the weekend expect some enhanced viewing opportunities. 

Volunteer, Les, provides our reserve update this week: 

Well, after the excitement of having a long-eared owl on site last week, I wondered what could better it. I didn't have long to wait as on Saturday the little bittern put in another appearance, albeit briefly. I am indebted to regular visitor, Cliff Gilbert, for the use of his photo which is the only one I've seen so far. The little bittern created a lot of…

Matt, our winter conservation intern, provides an insight into what the reserve team have been up to. 

It has been a while but here comes the second reserve roundup!

Its been a busy couple of weeks here at Titchwell and Snettisham, with some mild weather but plenty of rain. We’ve been making steady progress with winter work on the reserves and after receiving our delivery of fully RSPB branded woolly hats, we have no excuses…

Matt, our winter conservation intern, provides an insight into what the reserve team have been up to. 

Introduction

It’s been a busy last couple of weeks as the reserve team carries on with the winter work plan and deals with other issues that arise as and when. When not hampered by the rain we have been able to crack on with work and make progress that you can hopefully see for yourselves as your out and about on the…

Hello again,

Volunteer Les Bunyan is back with an update on sightings from the last couple of weeks at RSPB Titchwell Marsh. Take it away Les...

As a volunteer at Titchwell the most common question I am asked is "Where can I see bearded tits?". Well, for me, it's a pretty easy one to answer: just off the West Bank path or from Island Hide. In the last couple of weeks I have been able to guarantee views of…

Hello there,

We've been a little quiet on the blog front lately but this week Volunteer Les Bunyan gives us an insight into what's made RSPB Snettisham so special this month. Take it away Les...

"Awesome", "Spectacular", "Wow", "Amazing". These are just some of the comments I hear on a regular basis when I'm volunteering at Snettisham on a high tide wader spectacle morning. …

Welcome to the weekly (or near weekly) round up blog of the wildlife at Titchwell and Snettisham

Last weekend we experienced big high tides at Snettisham covering the saltmarsh pushing thousands of waders to roost on the pits. This Snettisham spectacular is incredible to watch and must be on everyone’s bucket list. Numbers included 22,110 knot, 9473 dunlin, 6130 oystercatchers, 1270 curlew and 1470 redshank. Also…

Click the image to enlarge

Click the image to enlarge

Click the image to enlarge

Recent sightings. Click the image to enlarge