World Trip Reports

4 days in Norfolk

The thread title should really have read 5 days in Norfolk but the friend I was going with decided to come down with 'man flu' a few days before we were due to go. Luckily by the time Tuesday morning came he was feeling better so we set off a day late.

As you read this post you will see a pattern emerge, the failure to see any birds that were being reported via pager. A mixture of bad timing, bad luck and laziness being the main reasons.

Day 1

Our first port of call was Titchwell (mainly because it didn't involve much walking as my friend still felt a little ropey). We headed straight for the Meadow Trail for the Yellow-Browed Warbler that had been reported and that was the first of many we failed to find. We found a Tit flock with plenty of Goldcrests but alas no YBW.

We then walked up the main path to look for the Red-Necked Phalarope which we saw although distant. 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little Stints and many more commoner Waders also present. Went down to the beach and had a brief sea watch which only produced 2 distant Skuas (prob Arctic) and 7 Gannets. Popped into Holme and only a few Mipits of note.

Day 2

Holme in the morning was pretty quiet and hopefully the showers that were predicted for the afternoon would liven things up. Titchwell produced the Red-Necked Phalarope and 3 Little Stints, several Common Scoter and Gannets and 3 Sandwich Terns at sea. A Cettis Warbler was singing away near the visitor centre and 2 Blackcaps in the carpark and 2 Skylarks over carpark. Missed out on the Bluethroat and 2 Pied Flys.

Holme PM was much better, no doubt due to the heavy rain we had for about an hour. Had a walk through the Paddocks and the Dunes and had at least 20 Goldcrests, 2 maybe up to 4 Redstarts, a Pied Fly and a few Swallows through. A Barn Owl was hunting over the fields early evening.

Day 3

By the time day 3 came my friend's health wasn't really an issue so we decided to walk Blakeney Point. Started walking about 07.00 and a few birders were already there looking for the Melodious Warbler. Spent a little time looking for that but it was another no show. There were a lot of common migrants including 100's of Meadow Pipits, 20+ Song Thrush with 11 at the plantation, 2 Redstarts, plenty of Goldcrests and Robins, a single Redwing, female Sparrowhawk, 5 Wheatear and 4 Swallows. We also had a Pipit on there which was all too brief and could possibly have been a Rock Pipit.

Got back to the car and got wind of a few things at Wells Woods so spent a few hours there. Again no joy with the Yellow-Browed so we thought we'd try for the Raddes Warbler. Same old story with this one, it was seen not long before we arrived and not long after we had left but not a sniff whilst we were there. Another couple of no shows was the Great Grey Shrike and the Lapland Bunting. We did see some good birds though including c4 Redstarts, 2 Brambling, several Crossbills, Siskins, Blackcap, and Lesser Whitethroat.

As we were leaving I got a text about an unconfirmed Red-Flanked Bluetail at Titchwell. It was about 18.30 when we got there so time wasn't on our side but was surprised to find very few birders about. Did see one birder and asked him about it and coincidentally it was him who found it. By his own admittance he didn't know what it was but he took some notes and then referred to his field guide and was 100% that it was a Red-Flanked Blutail.
He had it around lunchtime perched on a sign at the start of the walk to the beach, it then flew into the undergrowth and wasn't seen again.

Day 4

Early morning and a visit to Holme Dunes again. The mist was making things very difficult but at least it would more than likely ground anything that was there. When the mist finally cleared the paddocks was especially lively with 2 Redstarts, Stonechat, lots of Mipits and Song Thrushes, several Redwings, 3 Blackcaps, Chiff Chaff in full song, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Buntings, a couple of flyovers (poss Rock Pipits, must learn their calls ) , Great Spot Woodpecker, Pied Flycatcher and other common migrants. Again missed out on a Red-Backed Shrike and a Whinchat.

Spent a couple of hours at Titchwell before returning home and had Red-Necked Phalarope, Cettis Warbler, 4 Bearded Tits, Marsh Harrier, c 300 Golden Plover, 2 Little Stints, Water Rail heard, 3 Eider and several Gannets at seas.

So all in all it was a good few days but a shame to miss out on some good birds, but there's always next time.

Hi Dave

Great that you had an opportunity to visit Norfolk - for 4 days despite of your friends illness. The weather does say a lot too.

Your first day seemed to be 'lacking' but to me you did see a lot of birds that some of us would only dream of seeing with the naked eye - myself and my OH included.

Your day 2 livened up, and I would love to see a Red necked Phalarope any day.
This a bird with a complicated love life from what I can remember from bird Lectures in the past life i have lead in the Bird World in Edinburgh.
As for the rest of the waders, well it goes without saying that you have seen a lot of fantastic birds once more.
The Barn Owl what a hit to see. We have been lucky to see these beautiful birds close to our farm we lived at for a while.

Your day 3 more interesting birds, and your friend had come to par again and that helps. Another healthy bird listing and to search for the rarities is such an achievement in itself. Crossbills a sight to behold. I saw a Crossbill in Scotland and it was a great sight to see.
You have a lot on offer to see here, and once more, it is a listing to be proud of.

Your day 4 Another good listing to be proud of, and even if you did not see your planned birds. Just try another time. i always believe to harder you look the more your never find your birds.

I think what you achieved is very good and be proud of it. The rarer species that are good at hiding, and that is why they are what they are - difficult to detect.

Just let us know when you find any specified species that you are looking for, and I am sure that people will assist you here in every way they can.

My OH and I want to B & B sometime to get the best of the birding world in Norfolk and we will in the future

Pictures do help boost up a post any day, but who am I to say that - as I am still in the novice stage myself.

We will get there in the end

Kathy
x

Thanks for the reply, Kathy. We did see some good birds but we just missed out every time on seeing something a little more special. The nature of birding I guess. It would take the fun out of birding if the birds were always there on a plate for you.

It certainly did get more interesting as the week went on because the weather conditions were in our favour so a lot of migrants were about (although common in our case).

I did take my camera but not really for the birds, I haven't got a good enough set up for that to be honest. Did attempt a few of a Little Egret and some of 3 Eiders but they didn't come to much.

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