North Norfolk Coast - 21st September 2014

On Sunday 21st September Dad took me up to North Norfolk as I was eager to connect with the Olive-backed Pipit at Wells Woods and the several Red-breasted Flycatchers at Burnham Overy Dunes. We arrived at Wells Woods, and as I was getting my ticket, I noticed that Penny Clarke (see her fantastic blog here) was standing right behind me. We had a chat about her twitch to see the Masked Shrike in Spurn, and then made our way up to the Dell

We found the birders standing on the bank, and had great views of the cracking Olive-backed Pipit. The light was pretty poor however, so we done well to get the pictures we did. There is a video too, but the bird was on the move, so try and keep with it!

It then flew off so we left. We then went to Garden Drove, Warham with Penny and Eddie M. Found absolutely nothing apart from a few Robins. The strong wind had blown nearly all the migrants away, so all the Red-breasted Flys were gone which I was gutted about.

We then went to Salthouse, to see the Barred and Yellow-browed Warbler. Several people we watching the Barred Warbler at close range. We managed to get some pretty good shots of this and another video.

We then went to see if the Yellow-browed Warbler was showing. It hadn't been seen for an hour, so our hopes weren't up. We got there and no other birders in this area of bushes and it was feeding on the bushes! Incredible! It was only there briefly so I could only get a record shot on the little camera...

We then went to do a bit of sea-watching for the last part of the day at Cley Coastguards. Quite a few people were in there, so eyes were always on the lookout. I managed to see my first ever Sooty Shearwater (2), with several Manx Shearwaters and Gannets, 2 Arctic Skuas and 1 Bonxie. The chap next to me (Pete Snook I think his name was) spotted a "large Shearwater"flying east. We never really got good views of it, but we think it was a Cory's, but we weren't definite so I couldn't tick it as a lifer.

Still though another great days birding!

Happy Birding!

2 Days of Cracking Migrants!

On Wednesday, Dad took me up to Winterton Dunes, to see if we could connect with some Autumn migrants. We parked in the car park, and headed North. We were hoping to get the Wryneck which was up by the Totem Pole. We joined the throng of birders who were waiting for the Wryneck, but having no luck.

I had a walk around the scrub the Wryneck was favouring, and found a lovely little Redstart, which was a welcome year tick, but the sun was in the wrong place for a decent photo...

Things were looking promising early on, so we decided to head north to see the cracking male Red-backed Shrike. On the way, I was walking through some dunes on the western side, and came across a small row of low trees. I saw a bird fly out of the right hand side of the trees, and then back up again. The bird had something about it that made it feel different. I walked to the bushes, and found myself looking at my first ever PIED FLYCATCHER! I called over Dad, and we got decent views of a superb bird!

We carried on North with a LIFER and a year tick, and got to the Red-backed Shrike, where it showed fantastically in the scrub about 20 yards from the path....

We also got several Stonechat and Whinchat at this site with a few Whitethroat and Garden Warbler. We moved back South towards the beach car park, and went via where we saw the Pied Flycatcher. We reached the group of trees, and the bird was still in the trees. Great stuff!

We got back to the scrub near the Totem Pole, and a very kind man showed me the Wryneck through his scope. It was in a dark spot in some trees. How someone spotted in there was incredible. Well done to them!

We then went to see the Barred Warbler at Eccles, which was another LIFER for me. It was a tough place to find, but the chap that showed me the Wryneck in his scope led us to the venue. What a man! We then had to scan the brambles, and walked a bit further south and found the juv. Barred Warbler in the brambles, though it was elusive...

Thursday - Minsmere

I was volunteering at Minsmere on Thursday, and I was with the Waveney Bird Club doing the Ringing demonstration. We caught several birds, including Garden Warbler, but the highlight had to be a cracking Kingfisher...

I then wanted to go and see the Wryneck in North Bushes, as I had missed it being ringed in the morning, I was determined to see it, and I wasn't disappointed. It showed well from North Wall looking back towards the visitor centre. We also saw a Whinchat and a Wheatear.

 Spot the Wryneck???

Happy Birding!!