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| Black tailed godwit, Cley |
Paul and Fiona made a most generous donation to Isabel Hospice and MindGarden, Sri Lanka at the Mayor's Charity Evening last October. The auction was for a day's birding in North Norfolk with me guiding and driving and covering costs. Paul kindly paid for lunch at The Kings Head, Blakeney which was not on the agenda.
We left Stortford at 5.30am, coffee in Wells Next The Sea and then headed to North Point Pools, just East of the town. Few early day listers here, very few photos as was too misty, so off to Kelling Heath. Here, Chiffchaff and Stonechat but no Dartford warblers or early Willow warblers so on to Kelling Quags and Water Meadows. A distant Black Redstart, more Stonechat and Reed bunting along with Egyptian goose and Little egrets. Plenty of Linnets.
We then headed to Cley for a much required coffee as the mist cleared and the temperature rose. On to the reserve and a Garganey from Daukes Hide as well as a close up Black tailed godwit along with a selection of wildfowl and regular waders before a wander down East Bank to the Richie Richardson Hide. Marsh Harrier, large flock of Golden plover, many redshank all recorded with a brief flight of Bearded reedling and a very quick glimpse of a Cetti's warbler. A quick check on the sea realised Common gull and Red throated diver.
We continued westwards, stopping for lunch in Blakeney where we recorded a Greenfinch on a TV aerial. A quick check at Brancaster Staithe where Turnstone got on to the day list before popping up to Choseley drying barns, but nothing noteworthy so off to Titchwell RSPB Reserve.
A Brambling by the Visitors' Centre before a wander all the way to the beach. Sanderling here whilst back on the Freshmarsh, Mediterranean Gulls, Avocets, godwits, Little ringed plover, Grey plover, Dunlin and Ringed plover were recorded. A flyby Hobby was a good sight as well.
In all, 82 species for the day, so none too tardy. 5 year listers for me and several lifers for Paul and Fiona.
Great day out, good company, wonderful scenery, pleasing weather and a plethora of birds. Perfect.
Species:
- Red throated diver
- Little grebe
- Cormorant
- Little egret
- Grey heron
- Spoonbill (year lister)
- Mute swan
- Greylag goose
- Canada goose
- Brent goose
- Shelduck
- Egyptian goose
- Mallard
- Gadwall
- Shoveler
- Wigeon
- Teal
- Garganey (year lister)
- Pochard
- Tufted duck
- Red kite
- Marsh harrier
- Common buzzard
- Kestrel
- Hobby (Year lister)
- Red legged partridge
- Grey partridge
- Pheasant
- Moorhen
- Coot
- Oystercatcher
- Avocet
- Little ringed plover (year lister)
- Ringed plover
- Grey plover
- Golden plover
- Lapwing
- Knot
- Sanderling
- Turnstone
- Dunlin
- Redshank
- Black tailed godwit
- Curlew
- Snipe
- Ruff
- Black headed gull
- Common gull
- Mediterranean gull
- Herring gull
- Lesser black backed gull
- Wood pigeon
- Stock dove
- Skylark
- Meadow pipit
- Pied wagtail
- Wren
- Dunnock
- Robin
- Stonechat
- Song thrush
- Blackbird
- Cetti's warbler
- Chiffchaff
- Goldcrest
- Great tit
- Blue tit
- Coal tit (heard)
- Bearded reedling
- Magpie
- Jackdaw
- Carrion crow
- Rook
- Starling
- House sparrow
- Chaffinch
- Brambling (year lister)
- Linnet
- Goldfinch
- Greenfinch
- Reed bunting
- Yellowhammer.
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| Hare in the mist, Kelling Water Meadows |
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| Early morning Wren |
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| Meadow pipit, Kelling Quags |
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| Little egret, Kelling Water Meadows |
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| Wren, Kelling Water Meadows |
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| Avocet, Cley |
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| Dozing drake Garganey, Cley |
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| Distant Black tailed godwit coming into breeding plumage, Cley |
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| Drake wigeon, Cley |
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| Ruff, Arnold's Marsh, Cley |
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| Garganey, Daukes Hide, Cley Reserve |
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| Ruff, The Serpentine, Cley Reserve |
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| Golden Plover, Arnold's Marsh, Cley |
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| Brambling, Titchwell |
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| Drake Teal, Titchwell Freshmarsh |
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| Mediterranean Gulls, Titchwell Freshmarsh |
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| Pochard drake with Gadwall, Titchwell |
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| Curlew, Tidal Marsh, Titchwell |
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| Oystercatcher, Tidal Marsh, Titchwell |
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| Ministry of Meadow Pipit Silly Walks, Titchwell |
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| Meadow pipit not wanting a photo opportunity, Titchwell |
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| Redshank, Titchwell |
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| Pied wagtail on the roof of the Parrinder Hide, Titchwell |
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| Distant Golden plover, Titchwell Freshmarsh |
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| Mediterranean gulls |
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| Dunlin form the Parrinder Hide |
2 comments:
It was a great privilege to spend a day birdwatching with Jono. His expertise is amazing, not just in relation to bird life, but plants and insects / butterflies as well. My wife and I know north and west Norfolk fairly well but Jono introduced us to some great locations that we would never have found. Thank you Jono! Paul and Fiona Bennett
Thank you, Paul and Fiona. A very good day in super conditions.
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