Friday 31.08.07 and I was off to Norfolk for a day's birding. Not chasing anything in particular, and using public transport meant I targetted Titchwell and Cley as my 2 main venues, with the possibility of others if time permitted. A 5.55am train from Stortford, changing at Cambridge had me waiting for the coast hopper to Titchwell at 8.35 at Kings Lynn bus station. Cost of train ticket; £16.80 single/£17.00 return and then a rover day pass for the bus at £5.00. Both seemed good value for money.
I began listing from the train and picked up an unexpected 28 species by the time I left the bus at the entrance to Titchwell RSPB reserve. Many of these were to be expected. However, a sparrow hawk low over the platform at Newport, 2 pied wagtails on the platform at Cambridge, a grey heron in fields near Ely and a yellowhammer atop a hawthorn bush outside Downham Market station were pleasing finds. Common gull, lapwing and great tit were added from the bus.
The visitor's centre at Titchwell was still locked as I strolled in, being greeted by a robin in the car park, but no warblers were evident, either aurally or visually. On to the path where many waders were immediately apparent. From the first hide the pick was a curlew sandpiper mingling, as they do,with numerous dunlin. Ruff were too numerous to count, as were spotted redshank and black tailed godwit. A rough count gave up 35 bar tailed godwits. Avocet numbers were greatly decreased since my last visit in the first week of August. Redshank piped and sandwich terns karoaked overhead as ringed plover circled low over the mud. A hooby put everything up on two occasions. The latter proved perfect timing as I was guiding a couple to the curlew sandpiper. Upon the birds alighting again another 10 minute search eventually found it for their first view of this species. A study of the black headed gulls present gave up one med gull. 3 knot consorted with the lapwings and over 150 golden plover. These were in all states of moult,as were the godwits. Two ruff were outstanding with their white heads and neck.
A single grey plover was as unsociable as they usually are as a shelduck brought up the 50th sp for the day. An egyptian goose was the 60th before I wandered on to the beach platform. A quick sea watch produced several eider and 1 great crested grebe, with distant views of gannet (juv and adult) and an arctic skua. Sanderling sprinted as a whimbrel remained impassive amongst more knot and ruff. Turnstones did their usual thing before all waders and terns present went up in a swarm. A scan of the sky produced nothing visible but a swift view back to the tide mark gave great scope views of 2 more arctic skuas. Best close up views I have had here, with both birds being over the sand, with an exceptionally high tide this meant viewing from only 25 meters or so. Before leaving, a lone juvenile kittiwake passed in a westerly amble. Back along the sea wall added several more sp, meaning a running total of 75 for the day so far. The 13.09 bus had me on the way to Cley. Enroute I added stock dove and kestrel before walking along the East bank at Cley. A reed warbler made it 80 as great views of marsh harrier and a little stint from Daukes made the journey worthwhile. A green sandpiper was the last tick before I availed myself of 2 pints of Yetman's in The George at Cley before catching the bus to Stiffkey for a quick wander on Warham Greens. Here, a buzzard mewed opposite the Red Lion and whitethroats and lesser whitethroats were observed along the path west to Wells. Here the tide was the highest I had ever witnessed, beginning to flood the carpark and completely submerging the salt marsh. Tide was even higher the following day. Unbelieveably a blackbird made the day's total 90. I hadn't even realised I had yet to record one.
Into the Red Lion to say hello to Andy the landlord and a couple of very fine wherries (no, I am not paid to write that but last time I did I qualified for a free pint!!) Here I met up with my partner. She had driven up after work and so on to Stiffkey campsite to have the perennial falling out on erecting the tent. All done and into Wells for a curry before completing a wonderful day with some Nelson's Revenge back at Stiffkey. A tawny owl called from the trees making the day's total 91.
Following morning up early for a quick visit to Cley before breakfast. Here, I managed to add common scoter west and a cetti's warbler at the end of the east bank.
Great time was then spent in and around Cley buying provisions and sampling the ale on board the Albatros, moored at Wells Quay. Here, the tide threated to flow into the carpark, before a walk back to the tent and an evening of cooking.
Most peaceful and relaxing weekend, preparing me for the return of a class of excited year 3's on Wednesday.
List in full: Birds in purple constitute new 2007 record for me.
Train to Kings Lynn:
robin, wren, wood pigeon, carrion crow, rook, jackdaw, sparrow hawk, canada goose, mallard, grey heron, pheasant, collared dove, black headed gull, pied wagtail, great black backed gull, starling, mute swan, great spotted woodpecker, mistle thrush, yellowhammer, house martin, herring gull, lesser balck backed gull.
Bus from Kings Lynn to Titchwell:
lapwing, great tit, common gull, swallow
Titchwell reserve:
coot, little grebe, grey lag goose, redshank, ruff, cormorant, dunlin, ringed plover, little ringed plover, avocet, wigeon, kingfisher ,shoveler, spotted redshank, moorhen, golden plover, sandwich tern, black tailed godwit, greenshank, teal, knot, shelduck, gadwall, bar tailed godwit, little egret, hobby, curlew sandpiper, grey plover, snipe, linnet, med gull, egyptian goose, oystercatcher, reed bunting, sanderling, turnstone, eider, great crested grebe, gannet, whimbrel, arctic skua, water rail, tufted duck, long tailed tit, blue tit, curlew, kittiwake
Bus to Cley:
stock dove, kestrel
Cley Reserve:
magpie, goldfich, reed warbler, greenfinch, marsh harrier, wheatear, little stint, green sandpiper.
Warham Green/Stiffkey:
common buzzard, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, goldcrest, blackbird, tawny owl
Cley Reserve 2nd
[COLOR="Black"]cetti's warbler[/COLOR], common scoter
regards,
Jono
Looks like you had a good time,and enjoyed a few drinks
We have fine birds and fine beers here in Norfolk :))