Whinchat and other bits

I nice walk down the middle track (between beach road and iron road) at Salthouse this afternoon proved nice with 6+ Wheatear and a Whinchat. A quick stop at the Dun Cow and I added Whitethroat to the ever growing pub list.

Here a few pics of the day.

Also popped to Gimingham seeing Lesser Whitethroat and a male Bullfinch that was in full song which sadly is something I dont think I have ever head before.

No Sign of Great Snipe

After hearing the news that the Great Snipe was seen again last night I thought I would head down early for a chance of 'daylight' views.

I arrived at Cley at 4.20 and wondered down to the hide, surprisingly 10 other people had beat me to it.

We sat and waited watching Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and a Common Snipe. I also enjoyed watching the Avocets chasing off everything the tried to walk in their area Redshanks, Shoveler, Mallard (with chicks) and other Avocets. The one bird the aggressive Avocets couldn't shift was a Shelduck this just fought back.

I stayed in the hide until 6.15 by which point it was feeling claustrophobic so I left everyone to it. Scanning the marshes from the board walk I was lucky enough to see the Lesser Yellowlegs fly through and land on a pool in the middle of the marsh and a Temminck's Stint also flew in landing nearby.

I walked back listening to the Reed and Sedge Warblers and also heard a few Bearded Tits.

I got to the car as a Hobby flew low down Old Womens Lane and over my head and then looking back out over the reserve a Bittern flew from the reeds being chased by the local Gulls.

Great Snipe re Post

Blogger obviously having a few issues in the last few days it seems my last post is missing but never mind.

It read like this got to hide late and got to see the Great Snipe displaying and it flying off showing the white flanks on its tail.

I will take this oppertunity at this re-write to thank David Norgate for getting me onto the bird.

P.S David I did whisper thank you at the time but you were talking to some else. But arriving late I missed the happenings that you had mentioned in your 'lost post', and you had left the 'maul' of people when you gave me directions to the bird. So once again a big thanks and I am sure other people were also grateful for your help.

Great Snipe

Managed to get to Cley in time to see the Great Snipe next to the nearby ditch from the Avocet Hide.

Got to see the bird preen and display a bit and happened to be watching when it flew off showing its distinctive white tail flashes.

Mr Audouin about that Gull of yours

A lunch meeting gave me the chance to see the Audouin's Gull at Minsmere (dont panic i made the time up).

Having dipped all the previous Audouin's Gull this was a nervous drive down, my pager had missed the Mega alert message so it wasnt until 1pm that I knew about the gull.

A quick drive down and I bagged the bird from the North hide, I then went to the East hide to take these pics and get the video.

What an amazing two days whats for tomorrow Blue-cheeked anyone? or maybe a Rock Thrush?

Also went for a nice walk down the patch this evening, seeing Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Kingfisher. This morning on the patch had a Wood Sandpiper (from a tip off yesterday).

Collared Flycatcher Video

A great evening at Holme, well done to the finder.

Bird Race Day

For a full report on yesterdays bird race please visit my website, but it was a great day seeing 124 species in Norfolk and in all that wind, including the Bluethroat at Welney. We also got to see this Mandarin at Santon Downham.

And got to hear this brilliant Nightingale.