21st Jan 2023 – Broads Winter Day

A Group Day Tour down in the Broads. It was a cold night and a very frosty start, but with clear skies it was a gloriously crisp and sunny winter’s day. Great weather to be out birding.

As we met in the car park down in the Broads, a Great Tit was singing from across the frozen water opposite and a Chaffinch was singing from the other side of the road, a reminder that spring is on its way, even if it didn’t feel like it at the moment! Our first destination for the morning was the Trinity Broads and as we pulled up in the car park we could see that Ormesby Little Broad looked largely frozen. We crossed the road to the boardwalk overlooking Filby Broad and it was largely frozen too. A Mute Swan was out in the middle, trying to crack the ice ahead of it to get to the near side.

Mute Swan – ice breaker

Thankfully there was a small patch of open water remaining, although it was over towards the far end and chock full of ducks. Not easy to find the more interesting ones in the throng of Coot, Tufted Ducks and Common Pochard. We quickly located three redhead Smew which were dozing on the edge of the open water, along with a few Goldeneye, and the drake Red-crested Pochard which was on a smaller and not so congested patch of water behind. A 1st winter drake (Greater) Scaup was in the middle of the ducks and trickier to see but the Ferruginous Duck was hardest of all to locate, as it was mostly asleep and kept disappearing into the melee.

Ducks – including Smew & Goldeneye

There were lots of Shoveler out on the open water too, plus a few Gadwall. While we were scanning, a couple of Marsh Harriers patrolled the reeds around the edge of the Broad, at one point flying over the ducks in the middle which refused to budge. A Great White Egret flew over the trees at the back. As we walked back to the car park, the ivy covered trees by the road were full of Redwings and Blackbirds, which were so busy feeding they ignored us as we walked past.

Redwing – feeding in the ivy

The ditch under the trees was free of ice and several Mallards were enjoying it. We have seen Kingfisher in here before, so we walked up along the path towards Ormesby Little Broad, but quickly discovered someone else was walking ahead of us and anything on the ditch would have been disturbed. There were fewer birds then normal in the trees here too, although a Green Woodpecker laughed at us as we walked out onto the platform at the end.

The Broad here was also largely frozen, with a very small patch of open water populated by a few Tufted Ducks and a couple of Great Crested Grebes and Teal. It felt like we wouldn’t see much here. Then a Kingfisher flashed low over the ice and glowed electric blue as it turned and landed in the trees over the far side. We had just set up the scope on it when a large bird flew through our view. Bittern! We had a great view as it flew past and away across the Broad, disappearing into the reeds over the far side. What a bonus!

Bittern – flew across in front of us

The Kingfisher flew off into the trees to our left, but then came out again and landed where it had been earlier, perched in full view. With fewer distractions, we could really enjoy it now. A little while later, the Bittern flew up again and dropped in further along. A Marsh Harrier circled over it at one point but didn’t flush it again. There were a couple of Grey Herons sunning themselves in the trees, along with a Common Buzzard and three Cormorants.

It was time to move on, so we walked back to the minibus and drove off to look for Common Cranes next. We pulled up in a layby overlooking some fields which they have been favouring in recent days and quickly spotted a small group feeding in the grass on the edge of some stubble. We got out and trained the scopes on them – eventually counting 13 together here, some smart adults with the red stripe on their crowns catching the sunlight and some family groups with browner juveniles still in tow.

Common Cranes – we saw 32 today

Another five Cranes were just visible on the edge of a maize strip further back. As we stood and watched, some of the birds started bugling – what a wonderful sound! Then the thirteen started to walk out into the middle of the neighbouring field and took to the air in small groups, landing again further over. Great birds to watch here in the wonderful crisp winter sun. A big flock of Meadow Pipits came up out of the field next to us and when we could tear our attention away from the Crane spectacle we turned the scopes on a nearby hedge which was full of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings.

Moving on, after a quick loo stop in Martham, we took the coast road up towards Horsey. We could see lots of Pink-footed Geese in one of the fields along the straight so stopped and got out for a closer look. One of the group noticed a lone Common Snipe on the front of a patch of water in the grass just beyond the reeds in front of us and when we looked we realised there were probably at least fifty of them scattered around the grass in front of the geese. There were a few Marsh Harriers over the reeds behind us, and then we noticed a slimmer harrier flying across too. A ringtail Hen Harrier, we got the scopes on it but it quickly disappeared behind the birch trees.

Golden Plover – by the coast road

Continuing on round, some Fieldfares came up from a field by the road but disappeared back into some trees. The next field on held a huge flock of Golden Plover, which we admired from the minibus before they were all spooked and took to the air. Further still, we could see some shapes in a distant field, but with cars behind us we couldn’t easily stop. We pulled into the next gateway and looking back through the trees we could see they were more Cranes – 10 together here. Our Crane total was growing rapidly!

We cut inland next, for a quick circuit of Ludham Airfield. There had been some Whooper Swans here in the last week, but there was no sign of them today, although we did pass one field with around 60 Egyptian Geese! It was getting on time for lunch, so we carried on further south to Strumpshaw, where we could make use of the picnic tables overlooking the feeders. Two male Great Spotted Woodpeckers were chasing through the trees above the road as we parked. Lots of Blue Tits and Great Tits were coming in to the feeders, a Coal Tit appeared several times and a flock of Long-tailed Tits passed through at one point, but there was no sign of any Marsh Tits today and the trees around the Reception Hide were quieter than they sometimes can be. A Song Thrush was singing behind us.

Long-tailed Tit – under the feeders

After lunch, we had a quick look at Buckenham. There were not many geese out here today – a few Canada Geese and Greylags further over, and a lone goose along the edge by the railway line turned out to be just a single Pink-footed Goose when we it came out of the ditch. There were lots of Wigeon over the far side and a couple of Common Buzzards on the gateposts in the middle. A female Stonechat kept perching obligingly on the rushes in front of us. With time getting on, we decided against walking all the way to the river, and set off back towards Ludham.

Our final destination for the day was St Benet’s. The car park was the fullest we have seen it today, but perhaps not a surprise given the weather. We managed to find somewhere to park, and walked out and up onto the site of the old Abbey. It is a wonderful spot, on slightly raised ground, with a panoramic view of the surrounding marshes. A wonderful place just to be on a crisp winter’s afternoon.

We could see a large herd of swans in the distance and quickly got the scopes on them. As well as several Mute Swans, there were at least ten Bewick’s Swans too. We admired the squared off yellow on their bills. It wasn’t long before the first Barn Owl was out, followed by more, and at least we counted at least four, the minimum number we could see all simultaneously. Fantastic to watch them hunting in the low late sunshine, and a couple of times one landed in the hedge, where we could get a great view of it through the scope. They weren’t having it all to themselves though, as a couple of times we saw one of the local Kestrels go after them – the Kestrels are notorious thieves, and would happily steal a vole if one of the Barn Owls gave them a chance.

Barn Owl – one of several

A stunning grey male Hen Harrier appeared, low over the marshes beyond. It landed on a fence post, where we could get in the scopes for a while, before it resumed quartering the marshes. A little later, we saw a ringtail Hen Harrier and kept seeing what was presumably the same bird repeatedly, although we couldn’t rule out that there weren’t actually two. We picked up a family of four Common Cranes way off on the far side of the marshes – even at that distance, we could hear them bugling at times. That took our total to a massive 32 different Cranes for the day – a significant proportion of the only 200+ total UK population!

The Short-eared Owls were curiously inactive this evening, particularly considering how active the Barn Owls were, but when a Marsh Harrier flew in low over the marshes, suddenly a Short-eared Owl appeared with it. The two of them circled up high above the hedge, before the Marsh Harrier drifted off and the Short-eared Owl dropped back down to the marshes out of view. We walked down to the gate at the far end, but couldn’t find it again. What was presumably the same ringtail Hen Harrier was distantly out over the marshes and one of the Barn Owls was hunting round and round over the grass and reeds in front of us. We had nice views of a Red Fox out on the marshes too.

Short-eared Owl – flushed by a Marsh Harrier

As we walked back up to the top of the rise, by the remains of the old Abbey, several long lines of Cormorants were flying past, heading inland to roost. One of the Barn Owls was still hunting round the margin of the Abbey grounds. The sun was going down away to the west – what a view! It was unfortunately time to head for home.

16th Jan 2023 – Winter in the Broads

A Private Tour today, down in the Broads. It was meant to be brighter with a risk of wintry showers around the middle of the day, but it wasn’t. A front was originally meant to clear through overnight, but we drove into it as we made our way down to the Broads and it ended up spitting with rain on and off for much of the day, with wintry showers arriving later afternoon. Thankfully it wasn’t bad enough to stop us getting out and having a great day.

As we arrived at Ludham, we stopped to talk to one of the locals who was going the other way and he told us that the Taiga Bean Geese at St Benet’s had just been spooked but had landed again further back, where they were harder to see. There were some Whooper Swans around the pool on the left of the track as we drove in and some distant swans behind the reeds the other side, but we couldn’t find the geese at first.

We drove down to the car park at the end, then back to the pull in where we got out to scan. We couldn’t see the other swans from here, so we walked further along the road until we found a gap in the trees and there were the Taiga Bean Geese, visible in the next meadow over, behind a thin line of reeds. We got them in the scope and we could see their mostly orange bills. From here, we could also see that the swans this side were Bewick’s Swans too.

Taiga Bean Geese – the four behind the reeds

There has been a good selection of ducks on the Trinity Broads in recent weeks, so we headed over there next. Our first stop was at Rollesby Broad and the hide at The Waterside. A Kingfisher was perched on the edge of the hide but flew off as we walked in, landing in a bush over the far side. A second Kingfisher flew past. A Marsh Harrier flying over spooked the 4 Smew from where they had been hiding around the corner of the reeds. They landed briefly, then flew again, three continuing up and off over the trees but thankfully the fourth Smew landed again and gave us some great views as it swam around in front of the hide, a young (1st winter) drake, yet to get its distinctive black and white plumage. A large flock of Common Pochard and Tufted Ducks flew over too, flushed from one of the broads.

Smew – a 1st winter drake

We couldn’t see any more ducks from here so we went into The Waterside cafe where we bought hot chocolate – and most delicious it was too! A Little Egret was on the edge of the reeds beside the jetty and one of the Kingfishers flew past again. Next stop was on the causeway between Ormesby and Rollesby Broads. There were few ducks on here now, perhaps having flown off earlier. There was no sign of the Scaup which had been here earlier, just some Tufted Ducks. A Great White Egret stalked through the reeds over the far side and a flock of Long-tailed Tits came through the trees above us.

We decided to try Filby Broad instead, and the cloud finally cleared and it brightened up a little. There had been several different ducks on here earlier, but there was now someone reed cutting along the far edge and a fishing boat out in the middle. Those ducks which hadn’t been spooked had apparently retreated into the far corner, out of view. We scanned from the boardwalk, admiring several Goldeneye while looking through the ducks along the edge to see if anything of interest might emerge. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait too long until the reedcutter took a break and that was enough for the raft of Tufted Ducks and Common Pochard to emerge. We quickly located two Scaup, a 1st winter drake and a female, and the smart drake Red-crested Pochard with them. There was no sign of any Ferruginous Ducks now though.

A drive round some likely spots looking for Common Cranes next quickly located at least nineteen – a group of four in a field on the edge of a maize strip, plus another three and a group of twelve together.

Common Cranes – a group of four

There had been a raft of Velvet Scoter on the sea off Winterton in recent weeks, and we went to look for those next. We thought we might have a long walk through the dunes, as they had been some way off to the south in the last couple of days, but as we pulled into the car park we scanned the sea and realised we could see them from here. We got out and set the scopes on them, at which point they took off. Helpfully, they flew straight towards us, flashing the white in their wings, and landed much closer, almost straight off the car park. Thirteen Velvet Scoter in total – much better views and no need for a walk! It was windy here and there were some wintry showers threatening again now, so we retreated to the minibus for lunch. When we looked back, the Velvet Scoters had flown off again and were now even more distant off to the south. Lucky timing! As we packed up to go, a Sanderling was running around in the car park.

Velvet Scoters – off Winterton

We were quite keen to have another go and see if we could find any Ferruginous Ducks on the Trinity Broads, figuring that if disturbance had abated they might have returned. There were large numbers of Tufted Ducks and Common Pochard on Rollesby Broad now, so we stopped to look through them. One of the first birds we set eyes on was a female Ferruginous Duck. It was hard looking into the low afternoon sun, which had come back out at first, but much better when some clouds drifted over again. The drake Red-crested Pochard was out with the flock here too now. Across the road, the Great White Egret was now in the front corner of Ormesby Broad. As we walked back to the minibus, a Kingfisher flew in across the car park and towered up high above the trees before crossing the road.

The plan was to finish the day at Stubb Mill today, as we really wanted to see Hen Harrier. The weather was deteriorating again and we sat out one heavy shower in the minibus. There were lots of Marsh Harriers in already and it didn’t take us long to see a ringtail Hen Harrier over the reeds towards the old mill. A short while later it was joined by a second ringtail and then a smart grey male Hen Harrier appeared over the marshes in front of the viewpoint. We had great views of it through the scopes as it flew in. Mission accomplished, we decided to head for home.

14th June 2022 – Summer Tour, Day 2

Day 2 of a three day Summer Tour. It was a bit cloudier than yesterday, though it did brighten up a bit more again in the afternoon, and a cool easterly breeze picked up around the middle of the day, which was not in the forecast. We spent the morning in The Broads and worked our way back in the afternoon.

Our destination for the morning was Hickling. As we got out of the minibus, a Willow Warbler was singing behind the car park. As we walked down the track, a male Blackcap flew up into a tree ahead of us. We couldn’t see any sign of the Glossy Ibis on the first section of Brendan’s Marsh from the corner – just an Egyptian Goose, a few Avocets and Little Egrets. So we walked on down the path to Stubb Mill.

There was a lot of insect activity around the brambles along the side of the track, so we stopped several times to see what we could find. There were plenty of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies nectaring on the bramble flowers and a Painted Lady with them further down. There were lots of blue damselflies in the vegetation too – Blue-tailed, Common Blue, Azure and one or two Variable Damselflies. They were very skittish at first but we eventually got better views of a Variable Damselfly settled on a leaf.

Variable Damselfly – eventually one settled

We took it in turns to climb up to the first viewing platform. There were quite a few Black-tailed Godwits, feeding and loafing on the islands. A Greenshank at the back was a more unusual sighting for this time of year – still waiting to head north or on its way back south already? It is always hard to tell with waders in mid-June! A small group of six ‘Tundra’ Ringed Plover should also similarly be northbound. We could also hear a Little Ringed Plover calling, and eventually found one on one of the bigger sandbanks in the flowers.

Over the back, out in the reedbed, we could see eight Spoonbills perched in one of the dead trees. We had a better view from the second platform, where we got them in the scope. One Spoonbill flew in, circled round and dropped down on the marsh where it started feeding, sweeping its bill side to side in the shallow water.

Spoonbill – dropped it

From up on the top of the bank at the far end, we stood and scanned reedbed. There were a good number of Marsh Harriers up now, and a distant Hobby, but no sign of any Bitterns or Cranes today, or the Glossy Ibis from here. A brief Swallowtail butterfly whipped across over the reeds but disappeared out of view before everyone could see it.

As we walked back, we finally located the Glossy Ibis which had now reappeared on the first section of Brendan’s Marsh. We could see it from the start of the Stubb Mill track, but we had a better view from the viewing mound along the Whiteslea track. We got it in the scope, and watched it feeding along the edge of the reeds and then walking out over the sandbank at the back. A smart Grey Heron was stalking the shallows right in front.

Glossy Ibis – reappeared on Brendan’s Marsh

Another Swallowtail flew in over the reeds and looked like it might drop onto the brambles in front of us, but continued on over the gate. It landed on the top of a marsh thistle briefly, but then flew off again. It turned and came back in, and this time it did land in the brambles briefly before flying away over the reeds.

Swallowtail – landed on a marsh thistle

We walked on up towards Bittern Hide, scanning the reeds to see if we could spot one of its namesake but there was surprisingly little Bittern activity this morning. We did stop to admire three Six-spot Burnet moths feeding on the marsh thistles, and there were a few dragonflies around the reeds, including Norfolk Hawkers and our first Black-tailed Skimmers of the trip. We found a few caterpillars too, several Peacock butterfly caterpillars on the nettles and a couple of very hairy Garden Tiger moth caterpillars.

Six-spot Burnet moth – on marsh thistle

The wind had picked up, not the best for Bearded Tits, but we did see a male perched up briefly and, further up, a couple more flew across over the reeds and dropped in. One of the group who had walked on ahead saw a Common Crane fly low over the reeds, and apparently it had dropped down towards the back of the Bittern Hide pool.

We went into the hide to see if we could see anything, but there were just a couple of Little Egrets here. We did see a single Common Crane in the distance, back towards Stubb Mill, flying off over the wood. A male Bearded Tit flew across carrying some food in its bill and a Common Tern flew over.

Tummies were rumbling, so it was time to head back for lunch. On the way, as we cut across on the path through the wood back to the visitor centre, we did add a Large Skipper to the butterfly list and a Ruddy Darter to the dragonfly list, both on the brambles. We had lunch in the picnic area in the sunshine, where a Willow Warbler serenaded us from the trees.

Willow Warbler – singing in the picnic area

With the wind having picked up significantly now, which was not in the forecast, we decided against walking round the other side of the reserve after lunch. So we got back in the minibus and drove round to Trimingham in NE Norfolk. Four Bee-eaters had been found here on a rainy 5th June, and it turned out that they were prospecting a potential nesting site in a nearby quarry. Fast forward a little over a week and the RSPB were setting up a car park and watchpoint so people could come and see them.

There were already several other cars in the field when we arrived and a small group of people over by the edge of the quarry, in the viewing area. There have been up to 7 Bee-eaters here, but just a pair were here now, the others having flown off along the coast to feed. We watched them perched on some nearby wires, flying round occasionally, catching bees. After a while, they dropped down into the quarry – one went into a small hole on the bank, excavating, while the other perched nearby. After a few minutes digging work, they both flew back up to the wires.

Bee-eater – perched in the quarry

Having watched the Bee-eaters for a while, we decided to move on. As we walked back through the field towards the minibus, we stopped to look at the orchids in the parking area, Common Spotted Orchids and a number of hybrids.

Our next stop was up on the Heath. As we walked out, it was rather quiet – it was a bit sunnier now and the mid-afternoon lull. We found a male Stonechat singing, and another pair further over, and several Linnets. A male Yellowhammer perched up on the gorse briefly.

Walking round, we heard a buzzing call and looked across to see a Dartford Warbler flitting around low in the heather. It flew up onto the top of a large gorse bush, where it perched in full view, looking round. A bright male, we had a good view of it here. Then it flew again, across and into the top of another gorse bush further over where it sang briefly. Then it dropped down out of view. We walked round to where it appeared to have dropped but it had gone quiet and there was no further sign.

Dartford Warbler – a male

We did find a July Belle moth in the heather here, and a single male Silver-studded Blue butterfly, our first of the year. It was time to make our way back, but on our way we checked out another area for Silver-studded Blue and here we found several more males and a female.

Silver-studded Blue – showing its silver ‘studs’

We had to get back in good time today, as we would be heading out again later.

Nightjar Evening

We met again in the evening, after a rest and something to eat. It was still a bit early for Nightjars, so we headed down towards the coast first. On our way, we noticed a shape on the roof of an old barn, silhouetted against the sky, a Little Owl thinking about heading out for the evening. We pulled up nearby and had a great view of it using the minibus as a hide.

Little Owl – on the barn roof

This is a regular spot for Little Owls, and a pair has lived here for as long as we can remember. But unfortunately this complex of barns is in the process of being converted into houses (presumably more second homes or holiday lets!), so the Little Owls will be out of a home soon. The barns at the back have already had their roofs stripped.

We had a quick drive round to see if we could find any Barn Owls, but they have been a bit thin on the ground this year. It was rather cool down towards the coast, with a fresh breeze, too. We had seen one yesterday, so we didn’t spend too much time looking. We drove along the coast road to Salthouse, where there had been a Quail singing earlier in the evening, but that had gone quiet too. So, as the sun was already setting, burning orange across the marshes, we decided to head up to one of the heaths.

We were not even in position, when the first Nightjar started churring, early tonight. A second then started up in the trees nearby. We were listening to that when we heard the first Nightjar call and looked over to see two males chasing each other round gorse bushes, flashing the white patches in their wings and tails. A Woodcock flew overhead, roding.

The two male Nightjars chased each other round and round the same repeatedly, calling and wing clapping. One flew up and landed in a lone oak tree above our heads briefly, but didn’t settle and flew off again. The other Nightjar flew a bit further away and landed on the edge of the heath in the trees that side where it started churring. We walked up to see if we could find it, but it was very dark along this edge and we couldn’t pick it out before it flew again.

The Nightjars resumed chasing each other again now, and then came in to investigate, circling round low just above our heads. Great views!

Nightjar – a male

Having enjoyed stunning flight views of the Nightjars, we decided to call it a night before it got too dark. But as we started to walk back, we heard a Nightjar churring ahead of us and picked it up perched on a dead branch in the top of the trees, against the last of the light in the night sky. Now we could get the scope on it and see it churring.

Nightjar – perched, churring

When the Nightjar eventually flew off, we resumed our walk back. But there was one more surprise in store – as we came off the heath, we noticed a small light glowing in the grass at our feet, a Glow-worm. A nice way to round off the night, and we had an early start again tomorrow, so it was time for bed.

Glow-worm – glowing in the grass

14th May 2022 – Spring 4-day Tour, #3

Day 3 of a four day Spring Tour in Norfolk. The wind had dropped today and it was a gloriously bright and sunny day, with just enough high hazy cloud at times and light breeze to stop it getting too hot. We spent the day down in the Broads.

It was a long drive down to Hickling Broad, but as we got out of the minibus in the car park the bushes were alive with birds singing. Walking out from the car park, a Blackcap was singing above our heads and then we stopped to admire a Willow Warbler singing in the top of a tree. We could hear a Cuckoo but way off in the distance.

Willow Warbler – singing in the top of a tree

We turned onto Whiteslea track and walked up towards the viewing mound. As we passed the wood, a couple of Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies were hawking for insects around the trees and one perched nicely on the reeds in the ditch by the path.

Four-spotted Chaser – hawking around the trees

Scanning Brendan’s Marsh from up on the viewing mound, the first bird we saw was a very smart summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit, very rusty underneath with the colour extending from the head right down to underneath the tail. There were really good numbers of Ringed Plover and Dunlin here too, though mostly asleep, and a Greenshank just behind the line of reeds in the next pool.

A Common Crane came up out of the reeds, and circled round in front of the dead trees. It never gained much height though, and quickly dropped down again out of view.

Common Crane – came up out of the reeds

One of the wardens stopped to catch up and told us where the Temminck’s Stints had been earlier, viewed from over the other side of the marsh. So we walked back to the corner and turned down along the track towards Stubb Mill.

From up on the platform we could see the two Temminck’s Stints. They were close in, on the nearest sandy spit, but partly obscured behind the reeds. Still we had a good view of them in the scope. One of the scarcer spring passage waders here, this is the peak time so it was good to catch up with a couple.

Temminck’s Stint – one of two

A Common Sandpiper was nearby too. There is only space for two people on the platform, so we took it in turns. But there were more people waiting to come up now, so we descended and scanned the marsh from the path below. We could see a Greenshank now in front of the reeds at the back and a very smart Spotted Redshank dropped in, looking its absolute best now in its jet black breeding plumage with silvery spotting.

Walking on, we scanned the next field on the other side of the track and quickly located the male Ring Ouzel on top of a straw bale on the corner of the hedge. We had a look at it in the scope and then it dropped down to feed in and out of the long grass around the base of the trees. Most of the Ring Ouzels which pass through in the spring have gone north already but there are often one or two stragglers, so another nice bird to catch up with here.

We carried on to the far end and up onto the bank. The Black-winged Stilts had been here but there was no sign of them now. Scanning around the marsh we did see another Greenshank and a single Common Snipe feeding in the vegetation. The Spotted Redshank flew past us calling and disappeared off east towards the coast.

Eventually a couple of Black-winged Stilts came up out of the reeds, circled round calling and dropped back in out of view again. A good start, but we really wanted to see one on the ground. While we waited to see if they would come out, we walked up a little further to look at a Wood Sandpiper on another smaller pool. We had a nice view in the scope, but we were distracted then.

First a Bittern came up in the distance, back towards the Whiteslea track. It flew up high and towards us, but rather than dropping in quickly it flew high all the way across the reeds and over the dead trees, before turning and heading out towards Horsey Mere. It brought up another Bittern from the reeds below it and the first turned back, back past the dead trees before finally dropping down. An unusually long flight for a Bittern here at this time of year, but speaking to the warden it seems to be a bird which is wandering widely around the Broad (it has a distinctive feather missing in its left wing).

Bittern – on its long flight

While we were watching the Bittern, the first Hobby of the day appeared, and flew low across over the reeds the other way. And the Stilts came up again at the same time and dropped down towards the scrape. We didn’t know which way to look! Unfortunately the Stilts flew straight back into the reeds again.

We stood for a while and watched, hoping the Stilts would come back again. Another Crane came up over the reeds behind us. There were a couple of Hobbys up now up, and one drifted high overhead. Two Common Buzzards circled up over the trees. The second Bittern was booming from the reeds now, presumably stirred into action by the interloper flying over.

By the time we turned our attention back to the Wood Sandpiper, it had disappeared in all the excitement earlier, before everyone had seen it. We walked back to the viewing platform, where there were meant to be a couple of others. A male Marsh Harrier circled over the path ahead of us. The Ring Ouzel was now out in the middle of the field, next to a Stock Dove, but there was more heat haze now.

Marsh Harrier – circled over

Before we got back to the platform, we spotted a Black-winged Stilt now sat down on a sandy spit out on the marsh. We got it in the scope, a female with a mostly white head and browner back. It was spooked by a Dunlin, and stood up, showing off its extremely long pink legs. It stood and preened for a second or two, then flew over and landed much closer, right behind bank. There was no one on the platform now, so we had a great view of it from up there.

A Wood Sandpiper emerged from the dense clump of rushes in the middle of the marsh now and while we were watching it a second Wood Sandpiper appeared nearby. Everyone managed a nice view in the scope this time, without any distractions!

As we made our way back, there were several Azure Damselflies and Blue-tailed Damselflies around the bushes and more Four-spotted Chasers. A Grey-patched Mining Bee landed on the path and several Flavous Nomad Bees buzzed around the gorse.

Blue-tailed Damselfly – on the way back

We had planned to walk back round to the mound on the Whiteslea track, as we had been told there was a Black-winged Stilt there, but we had already had good views of one now. However, one of the group had left a camera there earlier, so we went back round to look for it. We were glad we did!

There was a male Black-winged Stilt now further back, blacker and with a black patch on its head, where the female had been earlier in front of the viewing platform. Then we heard calling and looked over to see the female on a spit much closer. It took off and flew straight towards us, landing down on the edge of the water right in front of us and then proceeded to pick its way even closer. Great views!

Black-winged Stilt – great views eventually

Six Common Cranes came up in the distance and flew round. A couple of Little Grebes swam across behind the line of reeds. Then it was time to head back for lunch. We cut back along the path through the wood. There were more Four-spotted Chasers here and a Small Copper butterfly landed on the path. A Common Whitethroat was singing in the top of a dead tree.

Almost back to the Visitor Centre, something flicked out of the oaks up in the canopy. A Spotted Flycatcher! It flew again and disappeared back deeper into the trees. A scarce bird here and presumably just a migrant stopping off. Unfortunately, not everyone saw it before it disappeared so we waited to see if it would come out again. There was no further sign, but we had nice views of a Treecreeper on the tree trunks.

We had lunch on the picnic tables in the sunshine, listening to Willow Warblers singing and with Cranes bugling in the distance. We had been thinking about going somewhere else this afternoon, but while we were eating someone walking back told us that there were several Swallowtails out by the Broad, showing very well. We decided to try for those next.

As we made our way round, we had a quick look at the Broad. A single Great Crested Grebe was out on the water, as well as lots of Mute Swans. A Hobby raced in over the Broad, and disappeared back the way we had come. Another circled high over the wood behind us. Along the path towards the Observatory, a couple of Green Tiger Beetles flew up from the path ahead of us.

We hadn’t gone too far before we saw a Swallowtail flying out over the reeds. It landed on a reed head, wings open, basking in the sunshine, but we were looking at it from behind and it was hard to get an angle to see it front on. A good start, but we knew they had been showing better than this earlier. We carried on to the Observatory and looked out over the Broad. There were a couple of Common Terns out over the water. We sat down in the cool for a rest and another Swallowtail flew past over the reeds.

We walked back the way we had come, hoping for a Swallowtail on the path and found some people watching one basking high on a sallow on the other side of the track from the reeds. It was a much better view now, with the sun behind us. Having only just emerged, the Swallowtails are absolutely fresh and pristine.

The Swallowtail then fluttered round and landed on a hawthorn bush right in front of us, only a metre or so off the ground, where it nectared on the flowers. Stunning! It kept flying up and round between us, gliding back in to the flowers, or up onto the sallow in the sunshine. It almost landed on someone’s head at one point! We stood and watched in awe.

Swallowtail – stunning views

The Swallowtails are out early this year and there are not many flowers out yet. The hawthorns are about the only things in flower, which is why they are nectaring on the bushes. Lucky for us, as it meant we were treated to such an amazing display. Eventually we had to tear ourselves away and walked back round towards the Visitor Centre. The first Swallowtail was still basking on the reeds as we passed.

We stopped to watch one of the Hobbys again, high over the scrapes, when it suddenly turned, folded its wings back and plummeted vertically, disappearing behind some trees. When it came up again it was eating a dragonfly. From a little further round, we could see the Hobby zooming back and forth repeatedly low over the scrape. It seemed to be doing well, catching a dragonfly on every pass. Great to watch.

Hobby – catching dragonflies

We had another quick look in the wood, but there was still no further sign of the Spotted Flycatcher. We had heard one calling earlier and we did now see a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the dead trees. Then it was back to the Visitor Centre for an ice cream before the long drive home.

Nightjar Evening

We met again in the evening. We hadn’t prearranged a Nightjar Evening for this tour, but the first Nightjars are back so by popular demand we headed out to see whether we might be able to find one.

As we drove out of the village, we noticed a shape on the roof of an old barn. Little Owl! We stopped and manoeuvred the minibus so everyone could get a look without disturbing it. It stared down at us disapprovingly, the went back to staring out at the fields across the road. These barns are in the process of being developed into houses – some of them are already being converted now – so it may only be a few more months before this Little Owl loses its home.

Little Owl – stared at us

We drove over to one of the local heaths with a beautiful sunset in the sky to the west. As we walked out onto the heath, a couple of Roe Deer were feeding in the field next door and we flushed a Muntjac from the path which ran out past them.

We stopped to look at a female Stonechat, perched on the gorse alarm calling in the gathering gloom. We caught the back end of a Woodcock, unusually silent, disappearing off away from us.

We had only just got ourselves into position when the first Nightjar churred from the trees right behind us. It was obviously churring from where it was roosting, and there was no sign of it. It churred again and then called and we saw it fly up over the treetops hawking for insects. It came past us again, a male with white flashes in the wingtips, and then disappeared out over the heath.

Another Nightjar started churring further away, with possibly a third further off still. The first Nightjar then started up again, this time out in the middle of the heath. We were hoping it might come back in towards us but it stayed out in the middle of the heath for some time before it eventually did so – it came in low over the gorse, flashing its white wing flashes and up into the trees behind us. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see where it landed and it didn’t stay too long before it was off again.

It was lovely standing here on the heath listening to the Nightjars. The Woodcock reappeared a couple of times, flying over roding. A Tawny Owl hooted from the trees. It was getting dark now and we decided to call it a night. We had another day’s birding to look forward to tomorrow.

10th Feb 2022 – Private Winter, Broads & Brecks, Day 2

Day 2 of a three day Private Winter Tour today. The weather was much nicer, cloudy to start but getting progressively brighter through the day, if a little chilly, particularly out in the fresh W wind. We spent the day down in the Norfolk Broads.

After the long drive down to the Broads, we started with a quick circuit of Ludham Airfield. We looked in the field where the swans had been a few days ago, but there was just one lone Whooper Swan out on the winter wheat today, looking rather lonely. The Bewick’s Swans which we had seen here had obviously gone elsewhere.

Whooper Swan – just the one here

We continued on round the airfield, and came across a melee of gulls following a huge harvester in the process of harvesting a sugar beet field. There were lots of gulls loafing around close to the road and then we noticed an egret just beyond them, standing on the cultivated ground in the field, not far from the edge. It was a Cattle Egret!

There have been a handful of Cattle Egrets in the Broads this winter but this was a bizarre place to see one. It walked over to where the harvester had just been through and picked at the ground. Then when all the gulls flew over to follow the harvester on the other side of field, the Cattle Egret flew over there with them. Perhaps it should be called Sugar Beet Egret instead!

Cattle Egret – following the sugar beet harvester

We circled back round to Ludham village and down to St Benet’s Levels to see if there were any more swans there this morning. A Cetti’s Warbler was singing from the reeds by the river as we pulled up. There were indeed lots of swans out on the grazing marshes, but as we scanned through with the scopes we could see they were all Whooper Swans with the Mute Swans. There was no sign of any Bewick’s Swans here either.

Whooper Swans – with the Mute Swans

It has been a poor year for Bewick’s Swans here in the UK, continuing a trend of declining numbers coming here for the winter. With milder weather on the Continent in recent winters, they are ‘short-stopping’, staying to feed around the Baltic rather than continuing west. It was also feeling like the few that had come here this winter might have left early – there were several groups seen flying over places other than their regular wintering spots over the last few days.

We scanned the grazing marshes to see if there was anything else out there. We found a few Chinese Water Deer but no sign of any Cranes today and otherwise it was rather quiet here. We decided to move on.

There have been some Cranes at Clippesby in recent days so we drove round to look for those next. One of the locals was already there when we arrived and broke the news to us – there was no sign of any Cranes now, despite eight reported here earlier this morning. We swung round via some of the other fields where we had seen them in recent weeks but they were not there either. It was not going to plan!

Moving on, we headed for Rollesby Broad next. As we got out of the minibus, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were swimming on the water just off the bank, looking very smart now. A raft of Common Pochard and Tufted Duck was over by the reeds at the back and several Goldeneye were out in the middle of the Broad. A Grey Wagtail flew off calling and a Lesser Black-backed Gull was loafing on the sailing club jetty.

We quickly found what we had come for too – the Red-necked Grebe was over the back, with the Pochard. We had good views of it through the scope, if a little distant. It even appears to be getting a little bit of summer red on its neck already, which was apparent when it turned and caught the light.

Red-necked Grebe – still here

An odd-looking duck in with the Pochard caught our eye too. It was tricky to get a good look at first, given the distance and the fact that it was diving continually. It was a female, noticeably darker than the female Pochards and rather rich reddish brown on the head and breast. It appeared to have some white under the tail too.

The shape looked like a female Ferruginous Duck but it was not quite right for that species. The flanks were scalloped with pale, contrasting slightly with the darker breast, the undertail was not clean and square and the belly was dirty. These ducks hybridise very regularly, particularly escaped captive stock, and this was most like a hybrid Ferruginous Duck x Common Pochard. Interesting to see though.

Ferruginous Duck x Pochard hybrid – on the left

Round via Martham for a quick loo stop, we headed north along the coast road. We pulled in at a concrete pad to scan the fields, where a large flock of Pink-footed Geese was feeding on the grass. Three Egyptian Geese were in the field the other side of the road. A large flock of Golden Plover was out on the grass too with the Lapwing.

Scanning round, we picked up three distant Common Cranes on the bank at the back. It was a family party, two adults and last year’s juvenile still with them. The female and juvenile walked down into the reeds to feed, but what was presumably the male stayed on the bank for a bit longer, keeping watch. It then walked a little closer towards us, before dropping down behind the bank. A good start, to find some Cranes, but we would still like to see some closer.

Common Crane – one of a family of three

We carried on north and found another huge flock of Pink-footed Geese, feeding in a recently harvested sugar beet field this time. We had a quick look through from the shelter of the minibus – we couldn’t see anything obviously different with them, but lots of the geese were out of view.

We were still trying to find a Bewick’s Swan, but it is mostly Mute Swans along here these days. We had better luck further up at Ingham. We could see several swans still out on the wet fields as we drove up and a quick look revealed two Bewick’s Swans on the edge of a small pool. Success at last! We parked carefully and got out to get them in the scopes.

Bewick’s Swan – just one pair today

There were plenty of swans but mostly Mute Swans in the fields here too now. We found two Whooper Swans a little further up with them, but unless they were just feeding elsewhere today, it did feel rather like a lot of the swans have already departed.

Knowing that the Common Cranes can come and go during the day, we swung back round via Clippesby again. Sure enough, there were Cranes in the fields here now. We pulled up and waited for the pigeons to flush from the maize strip near the road and the Cranes to settle, then got out very carefully.

Common Cranes – part of the flock of 30

Some were out of view, but as they walked around we counted at least 30 Cranes here now. One bird had in with then was sporting a set of colour rings, the Finnish bird ringed as juvenile in July 2020, and resident here since April 2021. All the Norfolk Cranes are genuine wild birds, not part of the reintroduction scheme on the Somerset Levels, having first reintroduced themselves back in 1979 and numbers have steadily expanded here since. The presence of the colour-ringed Finnish Crane here now shows just how birds can drift over the North Sea by mistake on their way north from their wintering grounds in Spain.

There were lots of Red-legged Partridges in the ploughed field nearest the road. Lots of small birds were coming and going from the cut maize strip along the far edge and training the scope on the hedge we could see lots of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings there.

From here, we made our way down to Strumpshaw Fen for lunch. A small group of Siskins flew in and landed in the alders by the car park as we arrived. A steady stream of tits was coming and going from the feeders by the picnic tables including both Marsh Tits and Coal Tits, which gave good views as we ate.

Marsh Tit – on the feeders

After lunch, we had a quick look on the Reception pool. There were several Shoveler, lots of Gadwall and Coot out there today, but we couldn’t see anything different despite scanning the reeds carefully.

We had some time to play with, but not enough to go for a long walk now, so we swung round to Buckenham for a quick look out on the grazing marshes. There were lots of Pink-footed Geese there, plus the resident Canadas and Greylags, but no sign of any other geese today. The Wigeon close by the track offered their usual good photographic opportunites and there was a good number of Shelduck on the pools by the fishermen’s car park. A small flock of Golden Plover flew over and something spooked all the Lapwing up from the back but we couldn’t see what.

On our way out, we had seen just two Mistle Thrushes in the paddocks, but on the way back, they were now full of Redwings and Fieldfares. We had a quick look from the minibus as we passed. Several Goldfinches dropped down in the middle too.

Redwing – in the paddocks

We planned to finish up at Hickling Broad, so we parked in the car park and checked in at Visitor Centre. The cloud which had been with us all day had cleared through as we drove here and it was bright and sunny now. We set off along the path to Stubb Mill. Two Egyptian Geese were loafing in the winter wheat behind the hedge and a Muntjac was out in the middle of the field. A Stock Dove flew off. A female Kestrel dropped down out of the hedge to the ground.

There were lots of ducks on Brendan’s Marsh – Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, and one or two Wigeon. Several Common Snipe flushed from the bank as we walked past and flew out to the middle, where a single Redshank was picking around. A Great White Egret flew across over the reeds at the back, turned and dropped down out of view.

We continued on down to the corner and climbed up onto the bank. Several Marsh Harriers were still quartering out over the reeds and we were just scanning when a bird flying low across caught the light. Bittern! Unfortunately, despite shouting immediately, it dropped back down into the reeds before everyone could get onto it.

Looking out from the Stubb Mill viewpoint, we could already see quite a few Marsh Harriers in, flying back and forth over the reeds or perched in the bushes. Others were drifting in slowly all the time we were there. We had a peak count of 24 all in the air together at one point, but there were still a few more which came in after that.

Several huge flocks of Pink-footed Geese came up from the fields way off towards the coast, presumably the birds we had seen earlier in the sugar beet over at Waxham given the direction, heading off to roost. Another Great White Egret flew across over the reeds at the back. A flock of Linnets whirled around and landed in the oak trees a couple of times and there was a good selection of mammals to look at Chinese Water Deer, Muntjac, Brown Hare and a Rabbit out on the grass.

Pink-footed Geese – heading off to roost

Things were slow coming in tonight, probably out enjoying the late sunshine, making the most of it and hunting to the last. Finally a Hen Harrier appeared, a smart grey male, across over the reeds at back. It spend a few minutes flying round in and out of the bushes in reedbed where the Marsh Harriers were gathering.

With the nights drawing out, it would be late to stay right until dark tonight and people were starting to get cold now. With a long drive back, we decided it was time to call it a day. We had another busy day to look forward to tomorrow.

6th Feb 2022 – Winter, Broads & Brecks, Day 3

Day 3 of a three day Winter Tour today, our last day. It was rather wild and windy, but helpfully the rain cleared through earlier than forecast and most of the morning was dry. The afternoon was meant to be bright with one or two showers but turned out to be the other way round – at least there were some dry periods just when we needed them. We spent the day exploring the Broads.

It was raining as we drove down, so we started with a drive round to look for swans. Thanks to a tip off from one of the locals who was with us for the tour, we knew exactly where to look this morning, which made matters a lot easier. As we drove up a rather narrow minor road, we could already see a small herd of swans in one of the fields. We parked alongside and got out, and discovered it had already stopped raining.

Bewick’s Swans – some of the mixed herd

Even better, it turned out to be a mixed herd – 22 Bewick’s Swans and 5 Whooper Swans. It is always great to see the two species side by side. As well as being able to appreciate the big size difference, we could see the longer neck of the Whoopers and the different patterns of yellow on their bills, blunt on the Bewick’s Swans.

Whooper & two Bewick’s Swans

That was a great start to the day. After studying the swans for a while, we decided to move on and try our luck looking for Cranes. We drove round to an area where they have been feeding and as we pulled up at our first stop by a recently cut strip of maize a huge flock of Woodpigeons erupted from the ground. As they dispersed, we realised there were three Common Cranes in the ploughed field right in front of us!

We scanned from the minibus at first, so as not to flush them. There were another six Cranes in the next field back too. Eventually the original three took off, one landed with the others but a pair kept going, over the wood beyond and dropped down behind.

Common Crane – one of three very close

Now the Cranes were further back, we could get out. Setting up the scopes, we had a good view of the remaining seven in scopes. We could see the red patch on the top of the head of the adults. Three together were a family party, accompanied by their browner juvenile from summer 2021.

Now we noticed another 15 Cranes flying in from the north. As they got closer, we could hear them bugling. Most dropped down behind the wood, but two came in and landed with the birds still on the ground – amazing to watch as they stalled and put their legs down as they came in.

Having enjoyed great views of the Cranes here, we drove round to see where the others had landed. At first they were in a stubble field on high ground, and difficult to see, but we drove round behind them and they had walked out into a ploughed field, 17 together now. We watched them from the minibus, strutting around, picking at the ground. One found a piece of maize, and was chased by several others keen to steal the morsel.

Common Cranes – part of a flock of 17

There had been a report of the Red-necked Grebe again at Ormesby Little Broad earlier in the week, where we had seen it last month. We decided to have a look, as we would be sheltered from the wind there.

As we walked in along the path, we heard two Kingfishers calling. One flew off ahead of us along the ditch by the path, a flash of electric blue, and as we got round the corner, we had a brief view of one perched on an overhanging branch before it disappeared back through the trees.

From the platform at the end, we could see several Great Crested Grebes but no sign of the Red-necked Grebe. There were a few Goldeneye too, some smart drakes with white cheek patches. A Sparrowhawk shot across low over the water into the trees the other side. Shortly afterwards it came back out again and disappeared into the trees in the corner. A spot of blue in the trees at the back caught our eye – a Kingfisher was perched low in the trees, back onto us, showing of its bright back streak.

Someone else came out to the platform and told us he had seen a Goosander looking through the trees from the path on his way out. We looked as we made our way back, but couldn’t see anything. It was hard to see all the water through the trees, so we continued out onto the bridge by the road and scanned from there. Now we could see the Goosander, a redhead female, preening on the water along the edge of the trees. We had a good view in the scopes. A Water Rail squealed from reeds.

Goosander – a redhead

From the bridge, we could see across to Filby Broad on the other side of the road. It was very choppy, exposed to the wind that side. We could see a large raft of Common Pochard, all males, and lots more Goldeneye over towards the back.

The Red-necked Grebe was commuting between here and Rollesby Broad last month, so we decided to swing round via there to see if it might have moved again. But there was a boat race under way on Rollesby Broad, so it was just too disturbed.

A brief diversion into Martham was equally unproductive. We couldn’t see any Cattle Egrets from the road, and it was blowing hard now and very exposed here so we decided against a walk to try to see round to the cattle sheds. A Great White Egret was in the reeds on the other side of river and three Egyptian Geese were in the car park.

We needed to find somewhere out of the wind, so we drove over to Strumpshaw Fen for lunch. A Treecreeper was singing in the trees by the car park as we got out but we couldn’t see it. We ate in the picnic area overlooking the feeders – there were rather few tits coming in today, possibly due to the wind, and we just heard the Marsh Tits calling behind us.

After lunch, we drove over to Winterton. The forecast was for a sunny afternoon with occasional showers and it was bright with lots of blue sky and small clouds as we made our way there. But when we got to the car park and got out, we could see very dark clouds approaching from the west. We wanted to walk up through the dunes to look for the Short-eared Owls, but it didn’t look promising.

We stopped for a quick look at the sea from the shelter behind the fishermen’s sheds. Several Gannets were moving south offshore and a couple of Grey Seals surfaced close in. We thought we might be lucky and the rain might miss us, so we walked a short distance up the dunes and down onto the beach, hoping to have a look for Snow Buntings. But the cloud seemed to change direction and we were just through the dunes when it started to rain. We sheltered in the lee of the dunes as driving hail lashed in for a few minutes, and when it eased we headed straight back.

Time for plan B! We drove up along the coast towards Horsey and stopped to scan from the minibus. There were lots of Golden Plover on the fields and then one of the group picked up a ringtail Hen Harrier at the back, circling with two Marsh Harriers. It had stopped raining now so we got out and had a good look at the Hen Harrier through the scopes – we could see the white square at the base of its tail. A Range Rover drove up and wanted to turn into the track just where we had pulled up, so we had to quickly move the minibus. Typical!

There were no other surprises along the coast road, but as we turned inland we could see a large flock of Fieldfares in the field by the road.

The weather had deteriorated again, back to driving rain and howling wind – so much for the forecast of showers! We had wanted to try another site for Short-eared Owls, but it looked very unlikely they would be flying now. As we drove down the access road, we could just see a small patch of bright sky to the west, which would be our only chance.

We were in luck! Just as we pulled into the car park, the rain stopped. We scanned from the minibus, and within a couple of minutes a Short-eared Owl appeared, hunting over the grass in front. We got out and set the scopes up, watching the Short-eared Owl working its way along a line of reeds, turning and letting itself be whipped downwind, and then working its way back up again.

Short-eared Owl – one of three

A second Short-eared Owl appeared nearby and, as one flew further over a third appeared and chased after it briefly. It was all happening now, and we watched all the action from where we were standing. There were several Chinese Water Deer out on the grass now too.

Chinese Water Deer – one of several

It was only a short window of better weather and after 15 minutes or so the sky started to darken. We decided it was a good way to end our three days. As we got back into the minibus, it started to rain again – perfect timing! We drove back through rain most of the way. Showers?! But as we looked back on the day, and indeed the three days, the weather had not stopped us from having a great time and seeing lots of birds (and mammals!).

21st Jan 2022 – Winter & Owls, Day 1

Day 1 of a three day tour combining the best of winter birding with some owls. It was a glorious day – after an early frost it was bright and sunny with light winds. We spent the day down in the Broads.

We met one of the group in Ludham. A little further down the road, we stopped to look at lots of thrushes in the fields either side of us, mainly Fieldfares and a few Redwings. Great views using the minibus as a mobile hide. There were a few Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Linnets along the weedy edge too and a Pied Wagtail.

Continuing on to the end we parked in the small car park and got out to scan the grazing marshes. We could see several swans already from here, mostly Mute Swans but a single Bewick’s Swan was with them. We could see the squared-off yellow on the bill.

Three Common Cranes walked out from out of view behind the reeds. Unfortunately they saw us too and took off, flying back across the marshes and we lost them to view behind the farm buildings. Still, it was a good start to get some Cranes on the list so early.

Common Cranes – three to start the day

A Common Buzzard was perched in one of the trees and a Marsh Harrier was hunting back and forth over the reeds. The Marsh Harrier was a particularly dark juvenile and when it landed we could just see a small patch of white on the back of its head. A Stock Dove was perched in the bushes too, back onto us we could see its dark terminal tail band.

Up onto the river bank, we could see more swans out on the grazing marshes now. Scanning through, we could see a mixture of Whooper Swans, larger with more yellow extending down the bill to a point, and several more smaller Bewick’s Swans. A good opportunity to see the two species together. The Whooper Swans were quite vocal and there was a bit of pushing and shoving between them.

Whooper Swans – on the grazing marshes

There were several Chinese Water Deer out on the marshes too, a species which seems to be doing very well. We would see a lot today. A Fox was a much less common sight – it looked to have found something in the grass and was staring intently down at the ground. A good start to the tour mammal list!

Three geese flew away from us and dropped down over by St Benet’s Abbey, so we drove round to see if we could refind them. When we got out in the Abbey car park there appeared to be no sign now. Several Common Snipe came up from the field by the car park and Song Thrush flew out of the bushes. We were just getting back into the minibus when the geese flew up from behind the farm building. We were looking straight into the sun, but they were calling now and sounded like Pink-footed Geese as they disappeared off. Worth a look anyway.

Driving on into the Broads, we took a detour round via where some Common Cranes have been feeding in the fields recently. There was no sign in the area they have been favouring, just a large covey of Red-legged Partridges in the stubble. We tried down another side road, but drew a blank there too. Then, as we were making our way back, still scanning the fields just in case, we spotted the Cranes way off in the distance.

We managed to get closer to the Cranes by driving down another side road and found somewhere to park where we were still far enough away so as not to disturb them. We got out and got the scopes on them. We counted 24, and could see one bird with brightly coloured plastic rings on its legs. This bird has been hanging around here for a while now with this group of Broadland Cranes. It was actually ringed as a juvenile in Finland in 2020 and, after spending the winter in Spain, was first seen here in April 2021, having presumably drifted over the channel on its northbound migration. It has stayed here ever since. Amazing!

Common Cranes – part of a flock of 24

We were watching the Common Cranes when we could see they started to look agitated, walking out of the edge of the maize where they were feeding. Then they all took off, probably spooked by a detectorist in a nearby field, and 22 of them flew over towards us. Always an amazing sight, to see a large flock like this in the Broadland skies, having re-established themselves here after hundreds of years absence.

Some of the Cranes dropped down out of view, but most of the flock landed again much closer to us, a couple of fields over. Although we were slightly looking into the sun now, it was a great view through the scopes as they strutted around in the stubble.

Common Cranes – spooked by a detectorist

It was definitely a lucky morning for Cranes for us today, and always a real privilege to watch them here. But we had to tear ourselves away and moved on, down to Buckenham next. As we drove down, we stopped briefly to admire two pairs of Mistle Thrushes in the paddocks by the road.

We climbed up onto the riverbank by the fishermen’s car park to scan the grazing marshes. The Taiga Bean Geese seem to have departed a few days ago, but there was a Tundra Bean Goose reported here yesterday. We could see lots of Pink-footed Geese now, but couldn’t see anything obvious in with them, although large numbers were hidden from view behind the rushes. There were several groups of Canada Geese too and eight Barnacle Geese, but no sign of any White-fronted Geese this morning.

There were lots of Wigeon out on the grass, looking stunning in the sunshine, and more around the pools the other side, along with some Shoveler and Teal. We could see several Shelduck right out in the middle of the grazing marshes too.

Wigeon – stunning in the sunshine

A Common Buzzard was perched on a post in the sunshine, with a Grey Heron doing the same nearby and another across the river. A huge flock of Lapwings came up from Cantley in the distance, and the still sizeable flocks erupted here from time to time as well.

After a very successful morning, we headed round to Strumpshaw next for an early lunch. As usual, lots of tits were coming and going from the feeders, and we had great views of several Marsh Tits, as well as a single Coal Tit, while we were eating. A Song Thrush and a couple of Blackbirds were feasting on ivy berries nearby. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. After a hard frost overnight, Reception pool was still largely frozen and there were just a few Coot on there today.

Song Thrush – feasting on ivy berries

We had no time to explore the reserve here today, as we had an appointment with some owls this afternoon. Back to the minibus and we drove over to Winterton. Parking in the car park, it was amazing to see how much has been lost over the winter. a huge area of the sandy cliffs has been washed away in the storms. We stopped to look – there were several Sanderlings running around on the beach beyond and a hybrid Hooded Crow, with ghosting of a grey nape, accompanying a Carrion Crow below the cliff. A distant Guillemot flew past offshore.

Time was pressing, so we set off north through the dunes. The Short-eared Owls were already out, and we quickly spotted one hunting in the distance ahead of us. We walked up, and watched it flying round. It hovered and dropped down sharply and when it came back up we could see it had a vole in its talons.

It was difficult to know just how many Short-eared Owls there were out today. One came back round past us, and we saw it land on a post further up. While we were trying to get it in the scopes, it seemed to drop down and disappear. We walked over, but there was no sign until one came in high right above us, and looped round over where the other one had disappeared. We followed that one over the next dune and when we got to the top, we could see two Short-eared Owls out now.

Short-eared Owl – amazing close views

Just as they disappeared behind the dunes, the original Short-eared Owl suddenly came up from behind us, where we had seen it drop. We had forgotten all about it in all the excitement! So there were definitely at least three.

Over the next hour or so, we were treated to some amazing views of the Short-eared Owls out hunting – at least one was in view pretty much constantly. When one landed in the trees on the inland side of the dunes, we got it in the scopes. When it took off again, we walked over and one came up right past us, hunting the grass just the other side of the fence. We watched it for some time, patrolling up and down. A second then appeared on a fence post further up. We were really being spoilt.

Short-eared Owl – we were really spoilt

Again, we had to tear ourselves away. We wanted to have a look at the beach, and we had to be back before the car park closed. Walking up through the dunes, we ran into another Short-eared Owl, and watched it hunting right in front of us. Wow! They really were the gift that keeps on giving this afternoon.

Short-eared Owl – Wow!

When the Short-eared Owl drifted off away from us, we walked down to the fence above the beach. We could see the flock of Snow Buntings some way off to the south, but they looked to be very mobile. They kept flying up and round. We decided to walk back along the beach and try to get a closer look.

There were several Grey Seals hauled out on the sand, and still a couple of mothers with pups. There would have been several thousand here back in December, but the season is almost over and most have now left. Some seal wardens were still on site though to guide everyone round them without disturbing them.

Grey Seals – mother and pup

Half way back, we found the Snow Buntings again on the beach. They were still very flighty, but we eventually got some nice views of them in the edge of the dunes. A nice way to round off a great day.

Snow Buntings – on the beach

Then we had to hurry back before the car park closed, and after a quick pit stop we piled into the minibus for the long drive home. What a great start to our three days.

13th & 14th Jan 2022 – Two Winter Days

A two-day Private Tour, in the Broads and North Norfolk. We had great weather – frosty overnight, but then bright & sunny days with light winds. Perfect for winter birding.

Day 1

We headed out east, down to the Broads today, driving into a glorious sunrise on our way. When we arrived at Buckenham, there was still a bit of low mist out across the grazing marshes and it didn’t help we were looking into the sun from the track. We couldn’t immediately see the Taiga Bean Geese from here, but we could see lots of Chinese Water Deer.

We continued on to the fishermen’s car park down by the river and took the track out towards the old windpump. There were lots of Wigeon out on the marshes, which flew round in the early sunshine from time to time, whistling, flushed by the local Marsh Harriers. A Common Buzzard perched in the top of one of the trees at the back.

Wigeon – whirling in the sunshine

Half way along, we stopped to scan again. This time we quickly found the Taiga Bean Geese, right over on the far side, in their favoured spot. They were asleep, but one did lift its head from time to time.

There were a few other geese here too, a large gaggle of Canada Geese out on the grass closer to us, and several Barnacle Geese with them. A small group of Pink-footed Geese flew in, and started to drop down onto the marshes. Two White-fronted Geese appeared and circled with them, so we could see their white fronts and black belly bars, before they flew off west on their own.

Barnacle Geese – feeding in with the Canadas

Continuing on, we climbed up onto the top of the riverbank beyond the windpump. The Taiga Bean Geese were awake now but had walked back into the rushes. They were harder to see now, particularly with their heads down feeding, but they lifted their heads up occasionally, and then we could see their extensively orange bills catching the light in the sunshine.

Mission accomplished, we walked back to the car park for a coffee break. There were more ducks on the pools here, lots more Wigeon, plus Teal and Shoveler. Afterwards, as we drove back round to Strumpshaw, we stopped to admire three Mistle Thrushes and several Fieldfares feeding in the paddocks

At Strumpshaw, we stopped to watch the tits coming and going from the feeders. A Marsh Tit called from the trees. Reception pool was still largely frozen and most of the ducks were hidden round behind the reeds. Gadwall and Coot were additions to the trip list. Something flushed them all out, but we couldn’t see what – the ducks whirled round, and several crashed back down into the ice. It looked a painful way to land on the water!

Chinese Water Deer – from Fen Hide

Down through the trees towards Sandy Wall, there were lots of Siskins in the tops of the alders. A Long-tailed Tit was feeding in the trees by the path and a pale Common Buzzard was perched in the sunshine out on the Fen. We had a quick look from Fen Hide, but it was quite icy and rather quiet. A couple of Chinese Water Deer were feeding on the edge of the reeds and we heard Bearded Tits calling.

On our way back to Reception, we stopped to listen to a Robin just above the path which looked stunning in the low sunshine. We stopped for an early lunch at the picnic tables and a couple of Marsh Tits now came in and out from the feeders.

Marsh Tit – coming to the feeders

After lunch, we drove round to Ormesby Little Broad and took the path out to the viewing platform. A Cetti’s Warbler sang from the edge of the ditch by the path, and we even had a quick glimpse of it as it flew across. Out at the platform, the Red-necked Grebe was showing well on the Broad. There was a Great Crested Grebe nearby too, and we had a good comparison of the two species side by side at one point. A couple of skeins of Pink-footed Geese came over high calling.

Red-necked Grebe – out on the Broad

On our way north, we had a quick look for Common Cranes in the fields. They had been reported here earlier, but there was no sign at the first place we tried. Further along, we came round the corner to find two lorries had collided trying to pass each other on the narrow road. No one hurt, they were just leaning into each other, but they seemed to be stuck and it didn’t look like they would be going anywhere soon, so we turned round. We were heading to Stubb Mill later, so would hopefully catch up with Cranes there.

Our next stop was at Ludham Airfield. We quickly located a small herd of swans on the far side, in a field of winter wheat. They were mostly Whooper Swans, we counted 24 of them, but they were accompanied by one family of Bewick’s Swans, a pair with their two juveniles. It was a good opportunity to get a comparison of the two species side by side.

Whooper Swans – part of a mixed herd

After Ludham, we drove on to Hickling Broad and made our way out to the Stubb Mill watchpoint. As we scanned over the marshes in front, the first bird we saw was a Merlin perched on a bush. They can come in very late and be rather distant here, but this Merlin stayed perched in the sunshine not too far out from the veiwpoint all the time we were there. Very obliging!

Merlin – perched in front of the watchpoint

A pair of Common Cranes was feeding out on the marshes further back. They were hard to see at first, behind the reeds and brambles, we could either see a bustle or an occasional head up. When they took off and flew across we had a much better view. They landed again out of view in the middle, then flew again, and disappeared off left. We could hear more Cranes calling behind Stubb Mill, out on the reserve.

Common Crane – flew across in front

There were a few other birds here too this afternoon. A small flock of Lesser Redpolls flew over and landed in the trees by the mill, before flying back to feed in the trees just behind the watchpoint. A Kingfisher shot across low in front of us, but it disappeared quickly behind the bushes.

A Barn Owl appeared from behind Stubb Mill, hunting out in front of the viewpoint. It wasn’t in view for long, before it turned sharply and plunged into the long grass. It had obviously been successful, as it stayed down for some time. When it eventually flew up again, it disappeared back round behind the mill.

Barn Owl – hunting in front of the watchpoint

The harriers were rather slow to come in today, making the most of the late afternoon sunshine to hunt late. There were a few Marsh Harriers already in when we arrived, and a trickle drifting in afterwards, but as the sun went down it accelerated. Somebody picked up a ringtail Hen Harrier, over the reeds at the back, but it was hard to see, and disappeared back into the trees. Then a ghostly grey male Hen Harrier appeared out by the old mill, and we watched it for a while as it flew in and out of the trees.

That was our last target for the day, so we decided it was time to call it a day and head back. We drove back west into a beautiful sunset.

Day 2

There was some patchy fog inland this morning, as we set off, but it cleared nicely as we dropped down to the coast. As we drove along Cley Beach Road, a Rock Pipit was perched on the wires. As we climbed up onto the shingle to look at the sea, a large flock of Pink-footed Geese circled over Eye Field calling, and dropped down to feed. They looked and sounded stunning, against the lingering mist and the early light.

Pink-footed Geese – in the morning mist

Looking up the back of the beach towards Blakeney Harbour, a Barn Owl was flushed from the grass by a Common Buzzard on Blakeney Chapel. Unfortunately it disappeared round the back and didn’t reappear.

There were not many gulls on the beach this morning. A 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull was feeding on the remains of the dead seal pup by the pill box, and there was no sign of the Iceland Gull commuting up and down this morning. A distant Red-throated Diver was just about the only thing on the sea.

We decided to try round at Weybourne, as the Iceland Gull has wandered this section of the coast too on previous mornings before settling down at Cley. From up on the top of the shingle, we could see several gulls further up on the beach but no sign of the Iceland Gull. It was interesting to see two races of Herring Gull together, a paler argenteus together with a darker-backed northern argentatus.

We were just talking about the Herring Gulls when we turned round to see the Iceland Gull flying along the beach behind us. It flew straight past, giving us a great view – a juvenile, pale biscuit-coloured, peppered with darker markings. The Iceland Gull tried to land with the gulls further up but it was chased off and disappeared away towards Cley.

Iceland Gull – the regular juvenile

Scanning out across the sea, there were a couple more Red-throated Divers offshore, a little closer in than the earlier one. A single Guillemot and a sleeping Great Crested Grebe were a little further out.

Mission accomplished, we didn’t need to try for the Iceland Gull along the beach at Cley now. We did still call in briefly at the Visitor Centre to see what was around. As we arrived, everything came up off Pat’s Pool – Lapwings, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, and a couple of Ruff. Once they had settled down again, we had a quick scan from the picnic area with the scope, and picked up several Dunlin with them too.

We had lots we wanted to try to fit in today, so we continued on west. There had been a Scaup reported in Holkham Park for the last few days, so we parked in the village car park and walked in through the trees. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the feeders and a Jay flew over and landed in the long grass by the path. As we approached the Monument, we came across a tit flock in the trees – several Treecreepers and one or two Nuthatches were with them.

Treecreeper – several were in the Park

There were lots of Fallow Deer feeding under the trees as we walked through. Three smart bucks were feeding at some buckets behind the Monument and looked stunning in the sun and mist looking towards the Hall.

Continuing down to the Lake, some people ahead of us had set up their scope under the trees. A Great White Egret was perched in the top of a dead tree over on the other side of the Lake.

Great White Egret – in the top of a tree

There were lots of ducks on the Lake and we could see a big raft of Tufted Ducks and Common Pochard further along, so we walked down towards the Hall. Despite a thorough scan through, we couldn’t find any sign of the Scaup today though – it was probably asleep in the vegetation somewhere, out of view.

It was lovely walking in the Park today. We made our way back through the trees to the car park for lunch in the sunshine. After lunch, we drove across to Lady Anne’s Drive. There were lots of Wigeon on the grazing marshes, close to the road, which looked very smart in the sunshine.

Wigeon – stunning in the sunshine

We stopped to scan the grass and pools, finding a nice selection of waders out here too now – several Black-tailed Godwits, a few Ruff and Redshank with them.

Further up, we stopped to admire four Grey Partridges feeding right next to the path, unconcerned by all the people walking past.

Grey Partridge – feeding by the path

Out through the pines to the dunes, we walked west today. The ground on the north side of the pines was still frozen. A Kestrel flew in from the saltmarsh past us and up over the trees. We could see several small flocks of Sanderling out along the shore.

The beach was stunning, and almost empty this side until we got beyond the dunes where the Little Terns nest in summer. We could see a few birders in the dunes now further up, scanning with scopes. There was no sign of the Shorelarks at first, but then we picked them up still a long way west, out in the middle of the beach among the piles of dead vegetation washed in by the tide.

We walked a little further up, and got slightly closer to the Shorelarks, but that was about as far as we could walk today. It was an OK view through the scopes – we could see their canary yellow faces as they caught the sun.

Shorelarks – right out on the beach

We had a quick look out to sea. There were several Eider out on the water, and a small raft of Common Scoter. We picked up two distant Red-breasted Mergansers, then a closer male flew past. A Red-throated Diver flew in and dropped down onto the sea.

We cut back through the pines to Joe Jordan Hide, where we took advantage of the opportunity to have a sit down. There were lots of geese out on the grass, mostly Pink-footed Geese. Six White-fronted Geese were feeding around a small pool quite close to hide, and we could see more further back, on the old fort.

White-fronted Geese – feeding in front of the hide

There were lots of Curlew feeding out on the grass too. A Great White Egret was lurking in the rushes on the near edge of the big pool.

We walked back along the track on the inside of the pines. When we got almost to Meals House we stopped to watch a Goldcrest in the holm oaks ahead of us. Then we realised there was a tit flock in the trees the other side, opposite the house, with several more Goldcrests. A Chiffchaff was flitting around in the sunshine too.

Almost back to Lady Anne’s Drive, we heard Bramblings calling. We looked up to see a small flock perched high in the tops of poplars. Another small group flew in, presumably coming in to roost.

Bramblings – coming in to roost

As we got to Lady Anne’s Drive, small flocks of Pinkfeet were coming up from the fields towards Wells, flying off south over the Park, calling. The Grey Partridge were still out on the grazing marsh and a Common Snipe was on the edge of the water further back.

A couple of Mistle Thrushes flew up from the grass the other side of the Drive from where we were parked, and landed with a Song Thrush in one of the poplars. The Song Thrush dropped back down, and we walked over to look at the grass, to find several Fieldfares out there too.

There was a lovely sunset this evening, dropping down over the Park and behind the church. We stood and watched from beside the minibus, a nice end to a couple of classic winter birding days here in Norfolk. Then, with the temperature dropping again, we retired to the minibus and headed for home.

10th Sept 2021 – Autumn Tour, Day 1

Day 1 of a three day Autumn Tour today, and we headed across to the Broads. It was bright with sunny intervals and warm, although we drove into heavy showers on our way back in the afternoon.

Our first destination was Potter Heigham. As we walked down the track from the car park several House Martins were hawking around the trees opposite and we could hear Greenfinches calling.

Across the main road, we scanned the grazing marshes as we walked along. A Kestrel was hovering at the back and a Common Buzzard flew in and landed on post briefly. A Grey Heron flew across and landed in one of the ditches. A big flock of Egyptian Geese were sleeping in the cattle field between the track and the river. We could see a couple of Lapwings on the grazing marsh and our first Marsh Harrier flew across the track ahead of us.

There were lots of dragonflies out in the sunshine around the reedy ditches – Common Darters, Migrants Hawkers and a couple of Brown Hawkers – and a good number of Red Admiral butterflies.

Red Admiral – lots out today in the sunshine

When we got to the first pool, we found a couple of gaps in the reeds to look through. There were lots of geese on the mud beyond the water – mostly Greylags, plus a gaggle of Canada Geese and few more Egyptian Geese. A group of Wigeon were gathered on the near end of geese, with a few Shoveler and a single Tufted Duck out on the water.

A couple of Ruff were in among the geese and we found some more waders tucked down in the near corner on the mud – several Black-tailed Godwits and a single Common Snipe. A small group of Little Egrets were on the bank a bit further back.

We continued on down the track to the corner and took the path up onto the bank. Looking across to the pool opposite, we could see three Greenshanks running around after each other, calling, before they flew off. There were a couple more Common Snipe here and we picked up a single Green Sandpiper over on the far side. We could see a few Black-tailed Godwits on the island, but they were mostly out of view through the reeds from where we were standing.

At this point, we received a message via the news services that the Long-billed Dowitcher which has been here for several days was still present. A few people had gone on ahead of us, so we presumed they had found it and walked on to find them. They were looking out over the next pool, but knew nothing about it! We stopped to look here too, adding another seven Common Snipe to the tally.

We picked up the three Spoonbills which had also been reported as present, distantly out in the middle. We decided to have a look on the pools round on the other side, where we could get a better view of the Spoonbills and see if the dowitcher was over there. On the way round, a Ruddy Darter was in the grass by the path.

Scanning the pools from the river bank, there were lots more Greylags on here. There were more waders too – lots of Ruff and several Common Snipe in the muddy channel in the far corner. We kept adjusting our position to get a different angle over the reeds and see different parts of the pools. We picked up a single Dunlin on the far bank.

Spoonbills – 2 of the 3, asleep

We eventually found an angle from where we could get a better view of the three Spoonbills. They were mostly asleep, but woke up occasionally to flash their yellow-tipped black spoon-shaped bills.

A smart male Marsh Harrier flew in over the pools past us and across the river behind.

Marsh Harrier – flew past us

We received a message from two of the people we had spoken to earlier that they could see a Garganey on the pool with a couple of Teal. We couldn’t find it initially from where we were standing, but eventually located it from a little further up. There were two Garganey now, with the two Teal. We could see the distinctive pale spot at the base of their bills through the scope. A closer Greenshank on the next pool flew off just as we got the scopes on it.

We had intended to walk back round the way we had come, to have another go at finding the dowitcher, but the group was tired after the walk round here now and wanting to head back for lunch. It was a shorter walk back along the river bank, but quieter bird-wise. We had just got back to the car park when we received a message from the others to say they had just relocated the dowitcher asleep on their way back. Too late!

We drove round to Winterton and found a spot to eat lunch in the back of the car park, overlooking the sea. There were several gulls out on the water. An adult Mediterranean Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew past. Three Sandwich Terns were fishing just off the sandbar, until they were chased past us by a juvenile Herring Gull. There were several Cormorants and Grey Seals offshore too, but when we spotted a small shape bobbing on the water just off the concrete blocks it turned out to be a Guillemot, which swam slowly past us just off the beach. We picked up a distant Gannet flying past too.

Guillemot – swam past

After lunch, we headed off for a walk into the dunes. There weren’t many birds at first. We could see one or two Marsh Harriers over the bushes inland and a couple of Kestrels. But we did see a good selection of butterflies – lots of Red Admirals, but it was particularly nice to see several Graylings here, and a late tatty Common Blue was an addition to the list.

Grayling – we saw several in the dunes

We were already armed with some up to date information from one of the regulars, and we bumped into someone else who confirmed we were heading in the right direction. A little further up, along the fence line, we found a small group of Stonechats. Scanning across, we spotted a Whinchat with them, paler peachy orange on the breast with a bright pale supercilium. The chats were constantly on the move, and so hard to count, but eventually we managed to see all three Whinchats together that we had been told were present. A lot of migrants move through quickly in this clear, sunny weather, so it was nice to catch up with some while we could.

Whinchat – there were 3 in the dunes

There were a few warblers in the bushes here too, and we had some nice views of a Common Whitethroat which seemed to be following the chats around.

Beyond the chats, we spotted a Wheatear in the dunes so we walked across for a closer look. It was joined by a second and they flicked off ahead of us, flashing their white rumps.

Wheatear – there were two in the dunes

It was nice standing in the dunes watching the Whinchats and Wheatears. We figured that was as much walking as we would be able to manage today, so we decided to head back slowly to the car park. When we got back, we had another look at the sea. The tide had gone out and there was much more sand now. More Sandwich Terns had gathered on the beach with the gulls, several Mediterranean Gulls and Common Gulls as well as the Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

It was a long drive back, so we decided it was time to call it a day and head off now. We would have an early start tomorrow too.

9th July 2021 – Summer Tour, Day 1

Day 1 of a three day Summer Tour. It was a lovely sunny morning, clouding over in the afternoon, but thankfully the rain held off until after we had finished. We spent the day down in the Broads.

Shortly after we set off on the long drive down, we passed a set of barns by the side of the road. As we approached we could see a shape right on the ridge, above the far gable. One of the resident Little Owls still out, enjoying the early sunshine. We stopped for a quick look from the minibus, where we wouldn’t disturb it.

Little Owl – unfortunately soon to be homeless

Unfortunately these barns have been granted planning permission for conversion into housing and have just been sold. The developers are moving in and the Little Owls will soon lose their home. It has been a recurring theme for some time, but has accelerated in the last year or two, with the mad rush to build houses at any cost and the resulting relaxation of planning constraints – many of these barns were deemed unsuitable for development in the last planning review!

Continuing on our way, a Red Kite drifted over. With the windows open, we could hear lots of birds singing. A Yellowhammer was giving its ‘little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheeeese’, perched on the wires over the road.

When we finally arrived at Hickling Broad, we set off along the track towards Stubb Mill. A Common Whitethroat was singing in the top of one of the bushes ahead of us. There were several Chiffchaffs in the trees and Reed Warblers flitting in and out of the reedy ditch by the path.

Looking over the bank at Brendan’s Marsh, we could see the Black-winged Stilts on the first pool, so we walked back to the junction and up the Whiteslea track instead, up to the viewpoint where we would have a better view from up on the bank. The Black-winged Stilts were feeding behind a low line of reeds but were often visible through a small gap and kept coming out into view beyond the end of the reeds too. We could see their long, bubble-gum pink legs.

Black-winged Stilt – the pair were still on Brendan’s Marsh

There were lots of other waders on the pool too. Several Ruff, in various colours and bewildering different stages of moult, a couple of Little Ringed Plovers, two Common Snipe, a Green Sandpiper briefly before everything was flushed by a passing Marsh Harrier, and a few Avocets. A pair of Egyptian Geese were loafing on one of the islands and two Little Grebes swam across in front.

It is a good vantage point here, from which to scan the surrounding pools and reedbeds. A Bittern came up out of the reeds behind us, flying across low over the tops before dropping back in again. It was a good morning for Bitterns, with the birds very active, probably flying in and out feeding young. We saw at least 4 flights, probably three different birds.

Bittern – flying over the reeds behind us

Two Common Cranes circled up in the distance, beyond the trees, trying to make use of the increasing heat to find a thermal. We watched them in the scopes as they drifted across and dropped back down out of view. A Spoonbill was just visible in the heat haze in the dead trees in the middle of the reedbed, and two flew out, dropping down behind the reeds to the pools further along. A Grey Heron perched up preening in the sunshine.

A Yellow Wagtail flew over behind us calling. A Hooded Crow hybrid flew in to the pools the other side of the track, landing with a Carrion Crow briefly. Three Little Egrets flew in too. A male Marsh Harrier drifted in and hovered over the pools just the other side of the track from us, before flying off.

Marsh Harrier – hovered over the pools in the reeds

There was a good selection of insects here too. One or two Norfolk Hawker dragonflies were hawking over the bank. A selection of butterflies were nectaring on the creeping thistle – Meadow Browns, Small Skippers and some very smart fresh second generation Small Tortoiseshells.

Meadow Brown – nectaring on creeping thistle

Eventually we managed to tear ourselves away and walked back to the Stubb Mill track again to explore further along. There were lots of tits in the trees now, including several Long-tailed Tits flitting around in the branches ahead of us.

Scanning with the scope, we picked up a few more waders from the new viewing platform, taking it in turns to come up for a look. There were several Greenshank and Dunlin on here to add to the list, as well as lots more Ruff, but no sign of the Wood Sandpiper or Spotted Redshank we had hoped to find here.

We continued on to the far end of the track, and scanned the pools this end from up on the bank. There were several Lapwings around the pools, a single Teal and Tufted Duck asleep at the back and a couple of Canada Geese with the Greylags. A Spoonbill appeared from behind the reeds at the back, bathing in the water and flashing its long spoon-shaped bill. We just make out a couple more still in the trees beyond, through the hear haze.

It was time to start heading back for lunch, but just as we had turned to leave one of the group spotted another pair of Cranes in the distance over Horsey Mere. We watched as they flew across, continuing over Heigham Holmes before disappearing over the south side of the broad.

Ruddy Darter – one of several basking by the path

There were several Ruddy Darter dragonflies by the path on the way back, as well as Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies. We stopped again at the viewing platform, where a Green Sandpiper was now on the front edge of the pools, for those who had missed it earlier. A Willow Warbler was calling from the bushes by the overflow car park, much more disyllabic than the call of Chiffchaff, and flitted out ahead of us.

We had lunch in the sunshine in the picnic area. A couple of the group even succumbed to the temptation of the gooseberry ice cream! The clouds had started to bubble up over lunch, and it clouded over as we set out again, although it was still very warm. It is the end of the flight season now but there were meant to be still one or two Swallowtails out, so we walked round towards the broad to see if we could find one. We didn’t manage to, but we did see a fresh White Admiral which fluttered around the bushes just beyond the picnic area. Another Norfolk Hawker was flying around here too.

A Green Woodpecker was yaffling in the trees and a Water Rail squealed from deep in the reeds by the path as we passed. We had a quick stop at the viewpoint to look out at the Broad, where there were lots of Mute Swans and a couple of distant Common Terns. A Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly kept landing on the information board just beyond the boat mooring.

Continuing on along the path towards the observatory, it was quiet now in the early afternoon. We did hear a couple of Bearded Tits pinging, and turned to see them fly across the path just behind us. They flew out over the reeds the other side, but dropped straight in out of view. A Reed Warbler flitting around in the tops of the reeds was more obliging.

Reed Warbler – flitting around in the tops of the reeds

Past Whiteslea Lodge, we turned onto the bank back towards the viewpoint. A couple of Common Terns flew over and a Bittern appeared briefly out of the reeds behind us. With the cloud now, the Common Swifts were hawking lower out over the reedbed. As we arrived back at the viewpoint again, we could hear Cranes calling, and just glimpsed two disappearing behind the trees towards Stubb Mill.

The Black-winged Stilts were much closer now, and we had a great view of them through the scope. They were more active, jumping and flapping their wings, then suddenly they took off. They gained height quickly and looked as if they were flying off, but then turned back and dropped steeply back down out of sight onto the last pool. They were only gone a couple of minutes, and as we were looking through the other waders they suddenly flew back in.

Black-winged Stilt – closer views this afternoon

Turning back to the Stilts, we noticed that the Spotted Redshank had appeared between them. We had a good view through the scope, a moulting adult its black breeding plumage mottled with winter white now, but we could see its long needle find bill. There was a single Black-tailed Godwit out here too now. The Wood Sandpiper was not so obliging – we could hear it calling, but couldn’t find it anywhere, so presumably it was hidden behind the reeds.

It continued to taunt us as we made our way back to the Visitor Centre, cutting back along the path through the trees. A male Blackcap flew out of the brambles and across the path in front of us. A Variable Damselfly settled on the vegetation nearby, allowing us to see its broken ante-humeral stripe.

Variable Damselfly – settled on the vegetation

We still had a bit of time left, so we drove round to Potter Heigham thinking we would have a quick look at the marshes there. As we got out of the minibus, we could see threatening dark clouds away to the west, but it wasn’t clear at first whether they were coming our way. We stopped to have a look at the first pool where a Common Sandpiper was on one of the islands, dwarfed by a nearby Little Egret. There were lots of Lapwings on here too.

Carrying on down the track, the reeds were now too tall to see into most of the other pools, although we could occasionally find a gap where we could get a narrow view. We continued on down to the end and up onto the bank, where we could benefit from a bit of height to see over. A Water Rail squealed from deep in the reeds. There was a single rusty eclipse drake Wigeon on the first pool here, and a Great Crested Grebe.

It was clear now that the dark clouds were heading our way, and we could hear thunder in the distance. Discretion is the better part of valour, so we decided to call it a day now and head back rather than risk getting a soaking!