Waxham and Titchwell Marsh - 16th August 2014

As we were staying in a static caravan in Sea Palling, we thought it would be a good time to get out onto the Norfolk coast, and see what was about. Dad and I headed to Waxham early morning to do a bit of sea-watching. We got a few distant Arctic Skua's, a nice Fulmar north and a possible Sabine's Gull that flew close North but it was very brief.

Later on that day, we headed to Titchwell, hoping for the Spotted Crake. We got out to the Island Hide, and prepared to wait for an hour or so, in hope of the Spotted Crake making an appearance. We were entertained while we waited by Ruff, Golden Plover and Sandwich Terns...

A Wall Brown posed for us outside the hide...

With no sign of the Spotted Crake in the morning, we headed out of Island Hide and to the beach and Parrinder Hide. The sea didn't hold much apart from some Eider close inshore and a Buzzard that came in-off! Parrinder Hide held the usual Spoonbill flock, 19 strong, and a couple of Spotted Redshank which were nice to watch...

We headed back to Island Hide, where hadn't missed the Spotted Crake. Unfortunately, it never showed throughout the day, but we I did spot a Water Rail in the spot where the Spotted Crake had been, which got people excited!

We also got 4 Red-crested Pochards in the Reedbed before the freshmarsh which was a nice Norfolk year tick!

A quick visit to Cley provided us with a distant Little Stint, a Whimbrel, a flock of Spoonbills and the gull flock which held the Franklin's Gull, but we didn't see it...

Happy Birding!!

Isle of Mull - Day 5

Target Bird - Crossbill

On the Wednesday, it was something that we always do when we come up to Mull, and that is have a guided tour with Bryan Rains - Wild About Mull. This is a fantastic day out, were Bryan takes you around the south of the island looking at Mull's birds and wildlife. There fantastic!

Before we even got on the tour, we had an Otter swim past our hotel, which was fantastic. This was our first Otter for Mull this year.

Bryan picked us up, and then the other guests. We got the Sea Eagle on the nest, then we got another Otter.

We then got another White-tailed Eagle, which soared right over us.

We then got to the Golden Eagles nest, and we were treated to both birds sitting on the top of the hill. Here's 1!

At Carsaig, we picked up a Wood Warbler.

We then moved to the stores, to get lunch, picking up a pair of Hen Harrier on the way. We got to the stores, and we picked up at least one Crosssbill to go onto the year list, where it was chipping away in the trees. We'd already seen Razorbill, Cuckoo, G-N Diver, Common Tern, Stonechat and Whinchat and Eider..... the list gets longer and longer! 

We got to Fidden, where we got Whimbrel, Linnet and Mountain Hare. The, I plunged onto a Tree Sparrow in a stony area. Not great photo's, but still Awesome!!

Here's the Whimbrel and Linnet.

Happy Birding!

Isle of Mull - Day 3 and Nightjars

I shall start with some food. I have been very busy the last couple of days, so no time to blog. By the way, Happy Fathers Day to all you Dad's out there! I was busy cooking all day yesterday, making a cracking Cheesecake for today and a Pizza for last nights supper.

Day 3 of Mull - Target Bird - Corncrake

We were heading to Iona today to hopefully connect with the Corncrakes. On the ferry, we saw Common and Arctic Tern, Gannet, Kittiwake, Shag, Razorbill and Guillemot. Someone reported a Mink but we didn't see it. We got over to Iona, and went to the fields at the back of the Fire Station. Straight away, a calling male was wandering below a gate.

He then came out into the open.

We got a couple of Sedge Warblers plus another Corncrake, and the Gannets were fishing out in the bay. We walked back round towards the ferry when we picked up a fourth Corncrake! Not showing very well, but you could see it's head.

We then moved on to Fidden, and we picked up about 25+ Whimbrel.

We then went to Uisken, and on the beach held Rock Pipit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and a couple of summer plumaged Sanderling.

Very Poor Light! Sanderling on far right.

We got a nice Yellowhammer, Mountain Hare, White-tailed Eagle, 4 Great Northern Diver, and Raven on the way back to the hotel.

Raven

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On Friday Night, Dad and I went on the guided Nightjar walk at Minsmere. They took us onto the Bridleway to the heath, not Westleton Heath like last year. We could hear a Nightjar churring as soon as we got to the heath. In about 10 mins, 2 males were flying about through the woods. And then, at about 9:35pm, 3 Nightjars were flying feet above our heads. I was using the White handkerchief trick to attract them, and it actually worked. Best views of Nightjar ever. Unfortunately, I left it too late for the camera. :(

Fantastic well done to Jonny Rankin for finding the Pacific Swift at Trimley. An amazing find. Pity we can't go and see it! 

Happy Birding!