I got back last night from a superb couple of days in Norfolk with five lifers in 24 hours - won't manage that in Britain again - many thanks to all for the hints and tips from BF members.
Wednesday 20th June
Hockwold Washes
five and a half hours of hunting and hearing and frustratingly failing to see Golden Oriole finally ended with a two second flight view - still more than anyone else seemed to manage that day - seems they are best looked for soon after arrival - from the flood bank at the far end of the 2nd plantation seems to be the best spot currently. Also female Cuckoo searching out nests and a couple of males in flight, 4+ Hobbies and great views of Marsh Harriers. Common Cranes calling but no chance of seeing them other than in flight now. Scarce Chaser on the floodbank.
Great Ryburgh
2 Hobbies mobbing a Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels and only a 20 minute wait for a Honey Buzzard. Many thanks to BF tick J Moss for picking it up. #1 ID tip now I've seen one - the tail when spread is huge and clearly as long as the wing is broad.
Not-so-secret Location
Female Montagu's Harrier seeing off a male Marsh was a superb sight surpassed by superb close views of a male Monty's cruising past. Downside: Is it safe to repeatedly hoot your horn at birders and steer when you've got webbed hands?
Titchwell
[B]Little Bittern[/B] gave a superb farewell performance, croaking and stretching in plain view for around 20 minutes. A really strange, beautiful and spectacular bird in the evening light with the sunset behind, definitely my best twitch ever. (BF tick for Penny this time if she remembers the big blonde chap who asked for directions to Choseley.) Turtle Dove singing away in a tree over the path.
Choseley Drying Barns
Lots of wandering and triangulating confirmed at least 3 calling Quail, as well as several Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers and Whitethroats singing, and both Grey and Red-Legged Partridges calling from all directions. Beautiful sunset over the sea.
Thursday 21st June
Choseley Drying Barns again.
This year I've spent at least 30 hours wandering lanes pondering the sheer futility of trying to see a tiny bird with a ventriloquial call in the middle of vast fields of tall, dense vegetation. Quail had become the only common or local English bird I'd failed to see in the last 12 months and seemed certain to stay that way as I got up before dawn on the longest day. I confess to literally jumping up and down when a Quail flew across the field I was scanning around 4:30AM. Texted the details to J Moss and he went down and saw one within a minute of arriving!?!
Titchwell
Several forlorn twitchers waiting in vain for a Little Bittern and strangely not wanting to hear how well it showed Wednesday? Bearded Tit and Marsh Harrier showing well and Cetti's Warbler exploding invisibly near the visitor centre. Amazingly bold Turtle Dove on the feeders as well as a juv Siskin. Baby Ringed Plovers looking very cute on the shore, Linnets feeding young, Sandwich Terns displaying and fishing, and Avocets being angrier than those dipping the Little Bittern. Sun, sea and schadenfreude, eh? Loved it.
Holme NWT
Walked to the NOA from Thornham Mill. Even on the longest day c.20 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Grey Plovers joined the Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers on the marsh at high tide, and a Green Sandpiper showed very briefly and unseasonably before skulking back into the vegetation. Most impressive site was over a hundred Little, Common and Sandwich Terns in a fishing frenzy just offshore - at one point twenty or more hit the water in a single second. Glorious sunshine, loads of common butterflies and swarms of insects I should learn more about, sky filled with the song of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits - then the rain came and I went home a very happy man.
Graham
Sounds like a good trip Graham, not just a bag full of ticks but some thoroughly enjoyable birding too! Still need Little Bittern myself, but no chance of getting down for that one, unfortunately. I remember seeing Golden Oriole in that plantation nearly twenty years ago, back when there were so few people going to see them that one could walk down the track through the middle!
James
Glad you had a good time Graham. Hopefully the weather will be a little better next time you visit.
Sue