NORFOLK- March 21st to 25th 2011
by Keith Mills
Common Cranes at Horsey by Cheryl Delaney
Six regulars from Bolton RSPB set off from Birch Services at 6.30am on Monday 21st March. Our Group, comprising of John, Ian, Cheryl, Terry, Barry and myself, was almost the same as last years trip to the same area, staying at the Pheasant Hotel at Kelling. We hoped for the same good weather as last year but it turned out even better this time. Clear blue skies everyday with warm sunshine and little breeze.
The first of two visits to Titchwell RSPB was our first stop. Over the two visits here we got plenty species and some great birds. On both seawatches we saw rafts of thousands of Common Scoter, plenty Great Crested Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers with a few Goldeneye, Greater Black -backed Gulls and Cormorants. On our second visit on Friday we added Velvet Scoter giving excellent views, a single Red-necked Grebe fairly close and some Eider (but only males in full plumage). On the shoreline were Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Curlew, Ringed and Grey Plover and Sanderling. On the reserve were many Avocets, Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwits and two Spotted Redshank. We also managed the amazing view from Fen Hide of a feeding and bobbing Jack Snipe with Common Snipe in the scope at the same time! A pair of Bearded Tits showed well as did a Water Rail from the reeds on the Brackish Marsh. A Water Pipit which was beginning to gain some colour on the chest was seen on the edge of the Fresh Marsh and a Sand Martin flew across. Some geese were common to most sites. Greylags were everywhere with only a few Canada’s but Brents were in good numbers often seen flying in skeins of 200 plus.
On Monday afternoon we went up the hill to Choseley Barns adding the expected Corn Bunting, Yellowhammers and Grey Partridge.
On Tuesday at 6am we walked to Kelling Quags and came back over Muckleburgh Hill seeing Egyptian Geese and Chiffchaff and after breakfast we visited Cley NWT reserve. On the shingle at the end of East Bank we met six Shorelarks, a Spoonbill and a Snipe were seen on the reserve. A large landing of Dark-bellied Brent Geese also contained a few Pale-bellied individuals. The reported Ross’s Goose was seen flying with 9 Barnacle Geese eventually landing on the reserve. An NWT worker told me that both species had come in the bad weather with the Pink-footed Geese and may well be genuine. There are no breeding Barnacles in Norfolk but some in Suffolk. At Cley, we also saw Bearded Tit and Marsh Harrier.
After Cley we proceeded to West Runton cliffs where, on a newly seeded field, we got close views of two Lapland Bunting.
Six am on Wednesday and we set off for the first of two pre-breakfast mooches on Kelling Heath. Both visits were just magical! On top of the bushes and low trees were Brambling, Siskin, Stonechat, Linnets, and Lesser Redpoll. A Goldcrest was spotted and a Red Kite flew over plus a Green Woodpecker was seen flying across. At the campsite Redwing were on the ground too.
On Wednesday we set off for pastures new, first stopping at Felbrigg Park to see Mandarin Duck and Stock Dove. Then there was the long drive to Horsey Mill where we got good views of two Common Cranes feeding, ditch hopping and then flying. At Winterton Dunes a very white headed Cormorant came off the sea. Then for the evening roost at Stubb Mill. Good repeat views of two Cranes on the ground and eventually flying across with about twelve Marsh Harriers coming in to roost.
Thursday produced a Treecreeper in the hotel grounds and then we were off to Holkham Pines and Gap and Burnham Overy Marsh. On the marsh we caught up with the last of the Pink-footed Geese, about a hundred in all. We also observed a female Peregrine on the kill with a pair of Ruddy Duck and Turnstone seen.
On our last day we had a second look at the new Parrinder Hide at Titchwell RSPB, although I was the only one of our party to venture in. Few comments were made by us other than ‘it looks modern’ and that ‘you need to give it time to weather in’. Richard, one of the RSPB wardens there told me that the exterior cladding and roof is of Larch wood and should weather down quickly. The generous use of concrete between the twin hides is a link with the sites history of military structures. Both hides are set into the new bank which as yet is totally bare. The lower hide rises only three feet above the bank and the upper hide is set into the bank several feet. The hides have good points for people with disabilities and the spacious design should help everyone when visitor numbers peak. I found the way to open the windows after three attempts and they were then easy and quiet. A canopy covers an ‘open’ viewing area as well. Visiting Thornham on the way home we spotted a Mediterranean Gull on the sandy estuary. whilst on Hunstanton cliffs we ticked Fulmars, though not many were flying and at Snettisham Beach we observed distant clouds of Knot.
All agreed that the trip had gone well, with the weather and the Hotel excellent. We managed a group total of 120 species and some of the images were unforgettable.
Keith Mills, April 2011
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