Travels

Off to the Lake District tomorrow morning until Tuesday night. Always have a big list of places I want to visit birding when I'm up there every January but never make any of them!! Maybe this year............Then off back to Norfolk on the 14th of Feb for a week in the cottage I use at North Creake. Barn Owls and Grey Partidge are common in the fields opposite and we are normally surrounded by flocks of Pink Feet. Can't wait.......

Back from Norfolk

And what a fantastic weekend it was. Despite the very heavy rain on the journey which thankfully cleared by the time we reached Lady Annes Drive, Holkham. Pink Footed and Brent Geese were present together with Grey Partridge, Little Egret and Marsh Harrier. Holkham Gap had plenty of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Linnet. Tiddy, Chris and I were also convinced we had two Snow Bunting within one of the Linnet flocks. Holkham Park was very quiet but we had fabulous views of two Woodcock near the hall entrance. Titchwell was next with a very obliging Barn Owl hunting by day at Burnham Overy Staithe. Highlights at Titchwell included a cracking Short Eared Owl, 23 Snow Bunting and a host of waders. We also heard, and some glimpsed, Bearded Tit plus several Water Rail. Briarfields Hotel was very good despite all of our twin rooms being doubles, although this was quickly put right.

A drunken(ish) evening followed and I can heartily recommnend the pizzas at The Old Coach House in Thornham. What I can't recommend is paying £4.25 for a small glass of dry white wine in the Orange Tree. Scandolous.

The next day saw us at Titchwell again after breakfast with Rob picking up the Black Brant on the Lavender Marsh. Other new birds for the weekend were Spotted Redshank, Eider, Fulmar and Water Pipit. Choseley was the next port of call but it was rather disappointing. We have just missed a single Corn Bunting and Stock Dove was the only new bird added.

Welney was the final stop. A whopping £6.30 to get in but stacks of Whoopers, only a few Bewicks and three Tundra Bean Geese (plus Canada Goose which was the first of the weekend!)

With individual lists in the late 90's we had managed a collective 100+ for the weekend despite not catching up with Common Scoter or Song Thrush!!

A cracking weekend and here's to many more like them.....

Norfolk beckons......

Finally the weekend of Rob Gill's 40th has arrived. Plenty of Geese around plus the usual winter Norfolk specialities. Long time since I've been to Welney so the trip there on Sunday should be good. Andy S and I certainly need to brush up on our Swan ID if recent events at Thornton are anything to go by......In my defence though I didn't have my scope and they were the other side of the reservoir (honest). Also looking forward to numerous beers and a seemingly excellent Briarfields Hotel. Bring it on..............

Chris Manley - New Moth Book

Despite my slight dislike of photographic guides this new one landed with me yesterday. Very sensibly priced and I have to admit it's pretty darn good. I have to admit that there are several species featured that possibly don't need to be there and a few micro's missing that I would like to see featured. However, it's a mainstream book and it needs to appeal to a general readership which I am sure it will. I also have caterpillar blindness so again I would have prefered more micros to the larval stages but there you go......All in all, very good and I suggest you get a copy whilst it's still priced so well on Amazon.

Norfolk

All plans now firmly in place for Rob Gill's 40th next weekend. Holkham, Titchwell and Welney will all feature plus a seemingly excellent hotel, Briarfields. Lots of beer and a Little Chef on the way for good measure. It doesn't get much better. Just hoping for some decent birds too..........

Goosander

A pleasant patch tick this afternoon with two females on the river by work. Marred slightly by the sight of them swimming on a small stretch of water with two upturned shopping trollies for company. Obviously two of the wintering Watermead birds that have moved down river.

Kelham Bridge Part Two

Still no Hen Harrier but it was seen again in the afternoon. A pair of Stonechat were scant consolation but nice to see nevertheless. Will I try again tomorrow? Who knows......

Kelham Bridge

Well no sign of the Hen Harrier or Waxwing this afternoon but Willow Tits on the feeder by the first hide were good. Ages since I've been here, but what a cracking little site.