A birding friend and i spent a few hours in Norfolk yesterday birding,and what a great day out we had.
We stopped off at Hunstanton cliffs to see the Fulmars,then onto Titchwell,where beside the footpath from the car park we saw a Woodcock,on the feeders were the usual culprits ,Finches ,Tits etc.
A quick scan from the footpath leading to the Island hide we saw Brent,Greylag,and canada geese,Tufted,Mallard and Gadwall ducks,Coot,and Moorhen.A marsh harrier was swooping low over the salt marsh,along with a Kestrel.
From the comfort of the Island hide we saw,
Shelduck,lapwing,Curlew,Redshank,avocets,Pintail,Black tailed Godwit and Egyptian goose and Oyster catcher.
Onto the beach which was very quiet( birding wise) were a few sanderlings,a quick scan out to sea and we picked up common scoter,Golden eye,and mergangser.
After some refreshments at the visitor centre we headed up to Holkham.
as soon as we parked up, their were two Barn owls in the field one quatering and the other sitiing on a post.
out onto the beach we saw meadow and rock pipit,A few linnets in a group of goldfinches,Skylarks,Knot and spotted Redshanks, but no Shore larks which were the birds we were going for,although they had been reported in this area earlier on in the day.
All in all a good few hours away from the TV,but next time i must remember my camera!!
Hi,
Shorelarks - they seem to like the area North East of the gap, often the best way to find them is look for clumps of people with scopes staring at the salt marsh in front of the big sand dunes :)
S
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Scrat, Sounds like you enjoyed a lovely birding day. Thanks for sharing it but sorry you didn't see the shorelarks.
Sounds like you had a good day, Scrat. Pity about the camera though!
Cheers, Linda.
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seymouraves said: Hi, Shorelarks - they seem to like the area North East of the gap, often the best way to find them is look for clumps of people with scopes staring at the salt marsh in front of the big sand dunes :) S
We did spot lots of people looking through scopes,but even they had no luck in finding them.
Hi scrat,
Sounds like a wonderful day out and what a lot of birds you saw. I would love to see an avocet. Shame you didn't see a shore lark but it just means that you will have to go again ;-)
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
Hi guys,
Avocets are regular at Titchfield Haven NR Hampshire- (not that far from Keyhaven). They bred there last year and are regular in small numbers in winter at Farlington Marshes as far as I know.
Farlington is a great place for a days birding especially autumn and winter.
:)
Ooh! Thanks for that seymouraves. I was thinking of visiting Farlington soon so I will make it sooner rather than later in that case :-)
Regards
Unknown said:but no Shore larks which were the birds we were going for,although they had been reported in this area earlier on in the day.
They are occasionally on the beach at Titchwell with the Snow Buntings but they do move about alot, you could also try further along the cloast, especially between Cley and the car park at Salthouse where people (birders and photographers) often put food out to attract them.
ND
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins