The Great Eastern Pingo trail at Stow Bedon 29 January 2023

 Another familiar themed day of weather with full cloud cover giving poor light.  It was clear and visibility was quite good. The day began with a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. 

This morning I walked through very typical Breckland habitat of pine forest, swamp, and arable farmland. Some of these habitats visited have a very real primeval look and feel about them, it can appear bleak and lonely, the way I love it.

A few Red Deer were seen in relatively open landscape at dawn, these beautiful beasts would soon retire to cover for the day.  Red Deer is our largest native land mammal and is in fact the worlds third largest Deer, they have a fantastic profile, are powerful, and are easily separated from other Deer species, not only by their size, but also the way they elegantly trot effortlessly when on the move. 

A good gathering of records of common Bird species seen this morning with a mobile flock of 80+ Redwings in treetops giving their "seeep" and "chuk" calls.  It is later in the year, usually October, when I like to stand outside during the hours of darkness on a clear night and hear the "seeep" contact calls of newly arrived Redwings from Scandinavia, passing overhead.

A couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were 'drumming' and both Nuthatch and Treecreepers were seen.  Nuthatches are tree dwellers, but this morning I saw one in a Bramble patch and Bracken searching for food.

I found a quiet spot in swamp-like habitat to watch a single Marsh Tit quietly moving around in tree roots and branches close to water.  This bird was seen to dip its bill in water and bathe and preen without entering the water.   I have been passionate about birds seen the mid 1960's and this preening behaviour is new to me.  It is wonderful to witness something new in birding, I never tire of it.

Lynford Water 17 December 2022

 The week prior to Christmas 2022 was a particularly cold one with some severe frosts seen.  As the temperatures were low and with the early wintry weather being a dominant feature I decided upon a visit to Lynford Water to check for signs of any Duck species associated with cold weather such as sawbills or Goldeneye.

Upon my arrival at Lynford Water the dawn temperature was -6 degrees celsius and with a severe frost. Following sunrise the day was very bright with very good visibility and light.  Lynford Water was largely frozen with just a small area of open water where wildfowl were gathered.  The surrounding woodland was cloaked in frost and looked incredibly beautiful.

 The small area of unfrozen water held most interest with good numbers of Mallard, Gadwall (33+), Tufted Duck (26+),  a few Shoveler, Egyptian Geese (2), Mute Swan, Little Grebe (4), and Great Crested Grebe (2).  In the peripheral woodland at least 33 Cormorant stood motionless in the trees.

At least 4 Water Rails were present with two together seen on the ice and as is typical with this species, calls only were heard, the familiar pig-like squeal.  Water Rails are usually very secretive as they live within the cover of dense reedbeds, however, the species will venture away from cover in very cold weather and can occasionally be seen running between cover on ice.  This particular visit saw two Water Rails together in light reed cover where calling, however, both were seen running for deeper cover

Water Rail at Lynford Water 17 December 2022

Much of this visit to Lynford Water was spent taking photographs of the incredibly beautiful wintry scenes.  

  

New beginnings

 To those of you who have followed my Breckland Birder site, it has been obvious to you I am sure that my blogging has been absent for some time.  I apologise for my idleness.

Today (Friday 27/1/23), I met with my friends Graham and Lynn Trimmer for a coffee and an overdue catch up.  I had a thoroughly great visit with Graham and Lynn, we chatted about many things including current affairs, but also, we talked about my Breckland Birder site and for the need for me to restart my birding experiences.  Graham inspired me engage with you through my blog and it is my intention to use my birding experiences as an educational tool.  I thank Graham and Lynn for giving me the lift I needed. I am pleased to say that I will be joined by Graham and Lynn soon for a local walk to discover and learn about our wonderful birds and other wildlife.

Birding has been a lifelong passion of mine and despite first showing an interest in birds back in the 1960's, my desire to learn has never faltered.  Bird migration never ceases to amaze me and it is this fascinating area of birding I would especially like to share with you, I will let you know where and when to 'look up' to watch migrant birds on the move.

To begin with I will let you know about a recent observation of Fieldfare interested me.  It was early one morning when a single Fieldfare was perched high in a Poplar and calling its "shack shack" contact call, this bird continued to call this behaviour for several minutes when I then saw its head on one side to look up.  Checking the sky above the bird I saw a small flock of Fieldfare approaching very high overhead and calling, the Fieldfare in the tree on cue flew off and climbed high and away with the passing birds. Amazing!!

 

   

European Bee-eaters, Norfolk, 2nd July 2022

 On a sunny and quite windy morning, I was joined by my good friend, Bill Noble, for a birding trip to the North Norfolk Coast to watch European Bee-eaters.  We arrived at about 0730 to the site which was well managed and organised by the RSPB.

As soon as Bill and I got out of the car I could hear calling Bee-eaters, a hark back to visits to Cyprus and Turkey in previous years.  Good strong light, very good visibility, but noticeably windy conditions from our arrival with some cloud bubbling up as the morning went on.

Three Bee-eaters were showing well upon arrival, either perched on a sun drenched bank, or on overhead wires.  Calling was frequently heard.  Despite windy conditions, the Bee-eaters showed great agility on the wing as they swept and swooped for insect prey.

In the summer of 2021 a flock of Bee-eaters were touring the North Norfolk Coast, these were undoubtedly pioneering birds prospecting for future nesting sites.  Away from the coast, one Bee-eater passed over my garden in Watton, Norfolk.  With Bee-eaters moving north, expanding their range, and the effects of global warning, I think the presence of this stunningly beautiful bird will become more and more assured.   

Other species seen or heard on this visit included several Sand Martins, Swallows, a few Swifts, and in the scrub habitat Blackcap and Whitethroat were heard singing.

Three raptor species were seen, these were a hunting Kestrel, Hobby which was seen on a couple of occasions passing overhead, and a Sparrowhawk which passed through carrying prey in its talons. 

Overhead wires were often chosen by the Bee-eaters to watch and hunt from, at their perch their splendid exotic plumage was breathtaking in the strong sunlight.

In this picture, a Bee-eater is sharing overhead wires with a Linnet and offers a good size comparison between the species.

This was a very special mornings birding and I thank my dear friend Bill Noble for joining me.

Plans to ban Dogs from a Norfolk Beach

I have a lifelong passion for birds and birding, equally, I have had a lifetime passion for dogs. I have read recently about plans to ban dogs from a Norfolk Beach, I have written about this before and feel the need to write further on the subject.

Sadly, as it is often the case, it is the small minority of dog owners who fail to control their dogs and clean up after them.  It is sad to have to write that this is not the case with humans, the so-called most intelligent of species, when we see the damage and litter left behind on a single day trip to the coast, multiply these single days into several days, weeks, and then months, then we must revisit the issue and look who should really be banned from beaches, especially those of sensitive wildlife value.

Visit any beach following a day out by lots of humans and see the waste and rubbish left behind, yes, there is also some evidence of dog waste, but this in no way compares to the lasting damage left by humans.

I started this post by establishing my lifetime passion for birds and birding, and I always emphasise I am NOT a twitcher.  I now turn to the twitcher community where evidence of unruly behaviour and criminal activity occurs.  Burnham Overy Staithe Sept. 2017 evidences this when 50 twitchers illegally entered a field owned by the Holkham Estate in an attempt to see a rare Warbler which undoubtedly wanted to be left in peace.  This particular event saw cattle fencing knocked down and reeds trampled, as well as trespassing on private land.

More recently than this during COVID lockdown, twitchers thought it ok to break national guidelines in an attempt to see a rare bird. Some twitcher types complained about dog walkers potentially disturbing the bird, however, they did not challenge their own behaviour which included trampling over sensitive marshland habitat.  It was sad to see that the Bird Report failed to report on these rule breakers in their account on said bird.

Further evidence of poor human behaviour included those who think it ok to approach Seals too closely, as well as those offshore who ride high speed machines far too close to Seal colonies.

 Who should we be banning from our beaches? Should all dogs be banned because a minority of dog owners cannot control their dogs or clean up after them, or should we be banning humans who leave vast amounts of litter, discard plastic items, discarding of needles causing potentially life threatening concerns, cause disturbance, egg thieves, those who engage in criminal activity in order to pursue their quarry, those who disrespect the countryside and coast, and those who find it so difficult to follow simple rules and guidelines.  It seems quite clear to me that it is the human element that is the real problem here, and it is indeed humans who should be banned from beaches, NOT dogs.

Our beaches and countryside is for all to enjoy, not just a select few who want to pursue their interest without others getting in their way.

Once again, Dogs are easy targets because they don't have a voice, I therefore like to speak for them by saying dogs are not the problem, it is human behaviour.  It is quite obvious that it is humans who should be banned from sensitive beaches.      

The Lion......The Witch.....But no Wardrobe

 

Buckenham Marsh and Strumpshaw Fen 13th April 2022 (with Andy Egan)

I was up at 0230 ready to depart for Strumpshaw Fen to meet up with my very good friend Andy Egan for a mornings birding at this very special habitat for birds and other wildlife.  I arrived at Strumpshaw at 0415 in the early morning darkness and met Andy to the calls of a few Tawny Owls.

Our Route

From Strumpshaw, Andy and myself set off for a walk along the still dark lanes to Buckenham Marsh. The air was beautiful to breathe, it was calm and quite mild.  It was here that we saw the setting moon which appeared to have a stunning orange glow to it which Andy got a lovely shot of.  We walked the track between the marsh, eventually arriving at the beautiful River Yare.

We then walked back along the track to meet up with the road and onto Strumpshaw Fen where we were to spend a few hours watching the delights it had to offer. We visited Tower Hide for spectacular views over the water and marsh.  On our return we also visited Fen and Reception hide.

Birds

The first part of our walk in the early morning darkness took us along the road from Strumpshaw to Buckenham Marsh, along this initial walk a few Tawny Owls, most were males with a female sometimes heard.  

Once on Buckenham Marsh we walked the track to the River Yare.  A hint of dawn light beginning to appear in the eastern sky.  At least 2 Cetti's Warblers sang with one close bird near the river.  Wildfowl calling on the marsh included the sweet whistle of a male Wigeon.   

Walking back along the track towards the station at Buckenham two Sedge Warblers sang from within Bramble cover and Elder.  To our right, a Chinese Water Deer casually strolled over the marsh.  

Upon leaving Buckenham Marsh we heard the song of a Whitethroat coming from a Bramble patch by the rail track.  Close by next to a dyke another Chinese Water Deer and Muntjac were seen.

Andy and I then entered Strumpshaw Fen where Andy predicted a Barn Owl would be seen, and having stopped by a bench to overlook the marsh, sure enough, a beautiful Barn Owl was watched hunting. Also here, a Marsh Tit was singing in woodland, and a Great White Egret was briefly seen in flight.  The walk towards Tower Hide along the River Yare produced several Willow Warblers on territory in willows and reedbed scrub.

We then continued our walk through the marsh and made for Tower Hide, on route, several Cetti's Warblers were in song.

Tower Hide, what a fantastic place to stop and overview the broad and the extensive marshland beyond. The light was very good indeed giving excellent visibility.

Garganey at Strumpshaw Fen 13th April

An initial overview from the hide revealed several wildfowl species including Gadwall, Teal, and Greylag Geese.  The noisiest birds however, was several Black-headed Gulls, one which was seen collecting nesting material.  To our distant right, another Sedge Warbler was heard in song.

On the water was at least 3 Garganey, a stunning migratory dabbling Duck which arrives with us from Africa usually in March.  The male Garganey is a stunning and unmistakable Duck species with its brown head and distinctive cream head stripe.

Marsh Harriers were seen from the hide hunting over the marsh, a distant female was sitting on a bush within the reedbed.

Having left Tower Hide, Andy and I made our way slowly back to the reception area of Strumpshaw Fen, on route we heard more Willow and Cetti's Warblers, and Marsh Harriers continued to feature as the most frequently seen raptor species.   Another Chinese Water Deer was seen on the marsh.

Finally, back at the car park, it had turned out quite warm in sheltered spots, but to be perfectly honest, whatever the conditions it is just so therapeutic to get out doing something I love with a very dear friend who has always been there for me in troubled times.  Andy, thank you so much for a wonderful morning, as always, I thoroughly enjoyed your company and I really look forward to our next meeting.