Norfolk Trip - February 2010

Thursday 18^th February:

The locations of the Society’s winter trips are never difficult to decide, the problem being to arrange suitable accommodation at a reasonable cost to all.  This year our trip took us to Norfolk where we have been many times in the past 30 years, usually staying near Wells-next-the-sea; this time we ventured further along the coast to Cromer.  This enabled us to include in our itinery bird sites further south, including Hickling and Burton Broads.

After a reasonable journey, although misty for much of the way, our first meeting point was Hunstanton to view the coastal birds.  Fulmars are present here all year as they nest on the cliffs below the viewing points, gulls, auks and divers are often present either at sea or passing by. Some of the group had called in at The Wolferton Triangle before-hand and saw Golden Pheasant; this is England’s premier site for seeing these birds.

Next stop was Tichwell RSPB reserve, not to be missed by any discerning birder who makes the journey to Norfolk; from the car park to the sea is a revelation on every visit whatever the season.  Although a major reconstruction of the sea defences for the reserve are in operation at this time, we still noted over 50 species of ducks, waders, raptors, and passerines while we were there.  Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, Avocet, and Spotted Redshank are virtually guaranteed.  On the sea and shore at the end of the reserve we had good views of Oystercatcher, Grey and Ringed Plovers, Turnstone, and Sanderling, then the added bonus of what at first glance appeared to be an oil slick out at sea - it was in fact a flock of at least 5000 Common Scoter.

Arriving at the Hotel by 5pm, settling in, a drink at the bar, the daily call-over of birds seen, followed by a most enjoyable evening meal made a great beginning to what developed into a wonderful long weekend away.  

Species for the day 87

Friday 19^th February:

First of all the full English / Norfolk to set us up for the day, then a briefing from Phil on the suggested places to visit.  All agreed, having seen a report of Snow Buntings at Salthouse, that site was to be the priority.  Delight on arrival - over a hundred were feeding around the car park.  Turnstones mixed in with the feeding frenzy and didn’t seem to notice about 20 excited birders, photographing and watching at very close quarters.  Onward to Cley nature reserve which, on arrival, looked disappointing from the species board so we went on to Stiffkey to look for sea birds.  The sea itself was very rough so we didn’t stay long there either, but long enough to watch a Purple Sandpiper picking up a worm from the path.

The wind was lazy and it cut through us so having seen the forecast for brighter weather after 11am we went inland to Holkham Park and its sheltered woodland.  This is a deer park, with woods covering about twenty acres.  It supports the usual common birds and all three woodpecker species, but only Green and Great Spotted were encountered, along with Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Jay, and most of the titmice.  Flocks of Fieldfare & Redwing were about, and down on the lake we saw Great Crested Grebe, Dabchick, Egyptian, and Greylag geese, Pochard and Tufted Ducks.  A Tawny Owl was heard calling but not seen.

As predicted the day became brighter with a lighter wind for our visit to Holkam Gap.  Lady Anne’s Walk is usually an excellent area to see large flocks of geese but, strangely, not today.  The pine wood at the end of the walk is right on the edge of the beach which attracts birds for shelter.  Goldcrest and Coal Tit were seen in passing but the quarry here was Shorelark; daily sightings had been reported over the last few weeks so the chance of spotting them was good.  After some time and effort not one showed, but a lesson was learned - regardless of the weather get out there and look before the locals with their dogs have chance to flush every thing.  However rewards from here were flocks of Redshank, some Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, and a distant Marsh Harrier.  Returning through the pine wood two Woodcock were flushed and on the edge a Barn Owl quartered the fields.

Species for the day 85 combined total 105

Saturday 20^th February:

Today was our trip to the Broads and the reason for staying as far east as Cromer.  The broads are large bodies of open water surrounded by deep fringes of dense reeds.First stop was Burton Broad, the associated car park with facilities, then a half mile walk to the well-constructed boardwalk that takes you through the reed bed and willow scrub and out in the open to a viewing platform. 

Greylags were close by, rafts of Tufted and Pochard were here, male and female Golden Eye were already pairing up, a Cetti’s warbler attracted everyone’s attention with its typical but surprising shout, then a distant Bittern flew low over the water only to disappear into the reed cover.  Marsh Harrier again was noted and Marsh Tits were calling as we returned to our cars for the next venue, Hickling Broad and Stubb Mill.

Again, a car park and facilities but a little further to walk this time (about a mile), but it is a rewarding walk with lots to take in as you travel the country lane to the specially set up viewing point for the Harrier and Crane roost.  Patience is the virtue here but there is always interest around; Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin, and Barn Owl put in an appearance before the star guests arrived.

As dusk approaches Marsh Harriers come in every few minutes and Cranes, usually parties of four to six, fly in to lesser degrees.  Before you know it darkness falls and fifty or so satisfied birders trudge homeward.

Species for the day 77 combined total (Norfolk) 117

Sunday 21^st February:

After another super breakfast, it was planned to visit the N.W.T reserve at Holme and RSPB Snettisham but unfortunately snow began to fall, and most people decided that it would be best to head home in case it got worse.  A wise decision as it did, and progress was slow from Cromer to King’s Lynn as the snow came thick and fast.  The remainder of the journey was clear and fortunately all arrived home safely.

Still birding on the way home, four of the group saw c100 Golden Plover fly over, two intrepid members ventured to Rutland Water and added Smew and Tree Sparrow to the list, while another pair saw Red Kite.  We felt a grand total of 120 species wasn’t bad for a long weekend away, admittedly 3 species were out of the county of Norfolk, but well worth a mention don’t you think?

High on our list of enjoyment was the excellent menu, the quality and presentation of food, and cheerful service we received from the hotel staff; the group can highly recommend The Virginia Court Hotel, Cliff Avenue, Cromer.

On behalf of the group, Anne and myself we send our thanks to Phil and Jacquie Tosh for the work that went into organising yet another memorable trip.

David Shallcross

Photos

Bempton Cliffs RSPB Trip - May 2012

The much awaited LOS trip to Bempton Cliffs took place today. We didn’t see much sunshine and there was a cold wind blowing from the sea and together with the updraft from the cliffs, these factors made it difficult to hold your binoculars or cameras steady for long. But at least it didn't rain for us.

However, if you could keep your mind off being so cold, what a place! For anyone that hasn't been to this seabird reserve, there are spectacular sheer drop chalk sea cliffs over 400 feet high. In one small part lower down, a natural arch has been formed sticking out into the sea where the rock has fallen away underneath.

On top of this area were dozens of evenly spaced Gannet nests and as the breeding colony has grown there are now also lots of Gannets nesting on the side of the taller cliffs in places you wouldn’t think possible.

Add to this the constant sound from the Gannets and Kittiwakes plus the smells, and it certainly makes it a special place.

For most of our time here there was a constant fly past of mainly adult Gannets, one of the most numerous birds to be seen, but occasionally a younger bird flew past which showed various amounts of darker feathers.

Sometimes a bird would be carrying seaweed for nesting material and it was surprising how many nests contained pieces of brighter coloured rope that I can only think has been left in the sea by the fishing industry.



The other two most numerous birds were the chocolate brown Guillemots and Kittiwakes which together with the darker Razorbills made up most of the remainder of the constant movement of birds between the sea and the cliffs.

Along the cliff face, the horizontal ledges were full of long lines of Guillemots, with smaller groups of the darker looking Razorbills with Kittiwakes sitting on their precariously placed nests.

It's amazing how many birds can be packed for breeding along these narrow-ledged cliffs with the wind blowing relentlessly against the sheer cliff faces - but breed they do and usually very successfully.

In the mix of all these moving birds the straighter winged flight of a tube-nosed Fulmar could occasionally be picked out, although there weren’t as many of these to see as there have been in other years.

A single Fulmar was also seen nesting in a crack above a ledge on the cliffs.

In a few places Herring Gulls were sitting on their nests and we managed to see most people’s favourite the Puffin although only in single numbers with the odd bird seen perched on a cliff ledge.

The cliff tops were covered with Red Campion in flower making swathes of bright deep pink colour wherever you looked, and when we were near the nesting arch of the Gannets, Joan Spotted a Grey Seal in the sea way down below us.

Away from the cliff tops various other smaller birds were seen in the fields and hedges. The area around the visitors centre was good for Tree Sparrows and we also saw House Sparrow.

Cheeky Jackdaws were coming to the picnic benches possibly for a free meal and we had Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting whilst a Skylark or two were heard singing overhead.

Flying around over the fields were House Martins and Swallows and all to soon it was time to leave for the long journey back home.

For a few of us, however, our day hadn’t quite finished with the wonderful things in nature there are to see when not long into our journey home a Roe Deer ran out from some hedges by the side of the road, ran in front of the traffic and across the road. Fortunately none of the cars hit it and the deer jumped through a gap in the opposite hedge and went safely away into the fields.

What a way to finish another good LOS trip.
Thanks to Al for the trip and to Eric for a safe journey there and back.

Jeff Hurst

TWITCHERS: A Very British Obsession

If you missed this on TV here's a version to catch up on it:

LOS Slideshow

Use the controls to pause a photo or go backward and forward thorugh the slidewhow. You can click any photo to make it larger or click here if you want to view the photos almost fullscreen.