Sunday 24 February 2013

Norfolk - 19th-22nd Feb



 Iv'e just spent a few days birding Norfolk over this period and enjoyed some pleasent birding despite the cold and dull weather conditions. There were good number of waterfowl a variouse sites along the north coast including Pink-footed Geese a Long-tailed Duck and Red-throated Divers and lots of Scoter on the sea.


Marsh harriers were the commonest raptor by far and i saw four Cranes at Stubbs Mill early on the 20th. The 30-40 Snow Bunting at Salthouse were also good value.



Video of the Black-bellied Dipper, towards the end the bird is subtly singing!



However the highlight was certainly the Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford that was tricky to photograph only because of the low light levels. Otherwise its a perfect bird to photograph and video since its full of chaticter and very approchable.





Mid February


I’ve not been out a much over the last month but the patchlist is ticking over nicely and  I’m back where I should be covering Woolmer forest and ponds. The square also takes in Passfield Pond and some fields and farmland. I have most of the expected species ticked off so far and the best bird so far is probably Great-crested Grebe which is probably annual at Woolmer but not guaranteed. This years Patchlist table is here.
Many of the inland sites are hardly comparable, clearly Blashford will get tens more species than Woolmer but what makes it more interesting this year for me is that 1-2 other local birders are doing the same patch which make things a little more interesting and competitive!!