Information about birdwatching at Norfork areas 31st Oct-1st Nov 2009

Anonymous
Anonymous

Hi there

We will get up on Saturday, and leave at 7.30am on the morning. We will be heading towards Essex area.  ..Manningtree (near Mistley) to drop of the car for its MOT and we will have another car to tide us for a couple of weeks or so - (then we will go back to Manningtree for another visit to pick up the car once more) - more bird watching perhaps we will see. o:)o:)o:)

So this weekend OH has got us a B & B at Kings Lynn for Bird watching purposes.  

If we need to get up at the crack of dawn to see anything interesting we will.  OH has suggested visiting Cley but there are other places of interest too ie Titchwell.

Anyone know of any interesting birds around in these areas mentioned at the moment - it is autumn and it is a great opportunity to see all sorts.

Any advice/information would be appreciated.

Regards
Kathy and DAve

  • Here's a couple of Pensthorpe Cranes to start your weekend off:-)

    "Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins

  • As promised, an update on what has been reported today.

    Probable Great Snipe in off the sea at Cley first thing this morning but no further reports or indication that it has landed anywhere, so probably a bit of a needle in a haystack, this is definitely a bird that would attract plenty of interest.

    Titchwell has been pretty well recorded, over 30 Snow Buntings on the beach and Eider on the sea (saw these a few weeks back), also Ruff, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit and 2 Whimbrel reported (these don't tend to hang around too long.)

    The Snow Goose is still about with the Pink-foots, although this flock appears to have moved a few miles along the coast to Burnham Market, and a Barnacle Goose (quite unusual for Norfolk) has joined the flock at Brancaster.

    At least 3 Cranes still at Welney WWT.

    I wish I could promise you good weather, but I'm not in charge of that, the forecast is not very good for the entire weekend, but Saturday afternoon looks about the best bet.

    I would also like to say that I may bump into you somewhere along the coast but Mrs Dipper is working this weekend so I will be in charge of the children (or vice versa) and have will be busy replacing the chickens fence.

    Hope you enjoy your weekend, whatever the weather you should find something good.

    "Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 31/10/2009 05:09 in reply to Norfolk Dipper

    hi ND

    Thank you for your great information here, and it is so appreciated for all the effort placed here

    Dave thanks you too {thumbs up and a smile in one}

    Love your Crane pictures......brillant!!

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 01/11/2009 21:46 in reply to Anonymous

    Hi there

    Hope all is well with everyone {smile}

    I am back home.  We had to call of todays trip due to stormy, wet and windy weather on the Norfolk coast

    We still had a super day yesterday and I will write a little report for the forums here

    We saw some super bird species.

    We will be going back to Norfolk soon, probabily in one or two weeks time for another visit, bird watch, and to pick up our car once more.

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 01/11/2009 22:36 in reply to Anonymous

    TITCHWELL RESERVE

    Some pictures of our trip in the meantime.  A male Pheasant preening himself on the branch where the garden feeders are by the visitors Centre

    Bull Rushes and there where plenty of those in the Reserve

    Reed bunting hiding amongst the reeds.  The first pictures shows the birds at the left hand side of the picture.

    Next picture the same Reed Buting in the middle part of the picture.

    More pictures to come...

  • Looks like you had a very nice day there, Great Photo's. I too have been grounded by the stormy day, shame! 

    I hope to here more on Titchwell, not yet got there!

    John

    For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 01/11/2009 22:46 in reply to Anonymous

    Blacked Tailed Godwit preening itself, and feeding at the same time.  Note the rubbish in the foreground off the picture - so not so good

    Another one of the Black Tailed Godwit.

    Black Headed Gull, having a rest and a preen.

    Another shot of the same bird on the post

    The amount of birds that where on the reserve waters was astounding and when they where disturbed it was a specticle well worth seeing.  Flocks of Golden Plovers, Lapwings, and Starlings flew in all directions.

    You can see the Lapwing in this picture even at a distance.

    The  best pictures we could get, and i will post what we managed to see soon..   {smile}

     

     

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 01/11/2009 22:58 in reply to Anonymous

    Hi John

    Thank you John for your kind comments.  The thing that struck me is that I must have collected 4 - 6 ticks alone on this trip seeing species I have never seen before including a Bearded Tit and a Pintail.

    The place was a soup of all types of birds it was amazing.  Winter is the best time to bird fro species that are interesting.

    When we go to pick up our car we are going to plan the next trip a bit better.  This time we hope that the weather is on our side.  We are really keen to see the birds on the marsh areas, and that is something we do not have near us at home

    Do you have an area full of bird life at this time of the year, John?

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • Nicki C said:

    Hi John

    Thank you John for your kind comments.  The thing that struck me is that I must have collected 4 - 6 ticks alone on this trip seeing species I have never seen before including a Bearded Tit and a Pintail.

    The place was a soup of all types of bird it was amazing.  Winter is the best time to bird.

    When we go to pick up our car we are going to plan the next trip a bit better.  This time we hope that the weather is on our side.  We are really keen to seee the birds on the marshe areas as that is something we do not have near us at home

    Do you have an area full of bird life at this time of the year, John?

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

    Yes many of the sites in this part of the world fill up in winter.

    If you like to see marshes, Cley Marshes down the road from Titchwell (not RSPB) is very good.

     

    John

    For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.

  • Sorry you had to cut your trip short, apologies for the bad weather,.......it's not always like that, honest:-)

    Glad you got to see a few new birds, Pintail are really one of our most elegant duck I think.

    Like the picture of the 'well fed' pheasant, there are often a few moorhens feeding underneath the feeders or perching in the bushes just nearby, always look a bit out of place.

    Any luck with Snow Buntings on the beach? Weather probably didn't help.

    "Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins