Thursday 12th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
Our first area today was Burnham Overy & we needed to dodge the showers for the first couple of hours, before clearer colder weather set in. We did really well, a beautiful rise en-masse of c40,000 Pink-footed Geese were a true spectacle, plus overhead good skeins of Brent Geese then dropped in on to some nearby pools. A PEREGRINE, kept a couple of thousand Golden Plover active, along with plenty of Lapwing also taking to the air.
Not long after the rain ceased, we were treated to good views of one of the ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, it almost did a full circuit around us passing from west to east. The tide was now dropping & we were also able to look through a good number of shorebirds on the walk back
Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Dunlin, and a few Turnstone.
Lunch from the minibus, produced more close ups of shorebirds, plus a beautiful close up of a pair of Red-breasted Merganser
After lunch, we headed to Holme, a nice selection of wildfowl, plus 4 White-fronted Goose, a TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, later in the afternoon we were treated to Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, PEREGRINE, 4 BARN OWL & 3 SHORT-EARED OWL
Friday 13th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
We first headed for Buckenham, in the Yare Valley where c5000 Wigeon were on full display. Mixed in with these were Shoveler and Teal, all in brilliant light. It wasn't long before a PEREGRINE appeared, a very smart male causing panic amongst the wildlfowl. Soon after another PEREGRINE, then Sparrowhawk & Marsh Harrier!
A good number of Lapwing & Golden Plover peppered the scene and we were also treated to close views of Brown Hare.
Greylags were to be be expected but 24 Barnacle Geese were a nice surprise.
We then headed over to Cantley where we found a nice flock of c50 White-fronted Geese with c c40 Taiga Bean Geese tagging along. Pink- footed Geese were also present in numbers in a separate gaggle. But we couldn't locate the Lesser White-fronted Goose.
We finished the day at Stubb Mill, Hickling with C60 Marsh Harrier, 1 r/t Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, 7 COMMON CRANE & very close views of Chinese Water Deer at 10m!
On the way back we saw another Barn Owl hovering in our headlights!
Our first area today was Burnham Overy & we needed to dodge the showers for the first couple of hours, before clearer colder weather set in. We did really well, a beautiful rise en-masse of c40,000 Pink-footed Geese were a true spectacle, plus overhead good skeins of Brent Geese then dropped in on to some nearby pools. A PEREGRINE, kept a couple of thousand Golden Plover active, along with plenty of Lapwing also taking to the air.
Not long after the rain ceased, we were treated to good views of one of the ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, it almost did a full circuit around us passing from west to east. The tide was now dropping & we were also able to look through a good number of shorebirds on the walk back
Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Dunlin, and a few Turnstone.
Lunch from the minibus, produced more close ups of shorebirds, plus a beautiful close up of a pair of Red-breasted Merganser
After lunch, we headed to Holme, a nice selection of wildfowl, plus 4 White-fronted Goose, a TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, later in the afternoon we were treated to Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, PEREGRINE, 4 BARN OWL & 3 SHORT-EARED OWL
Friday 13th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
We first headed for Buckenham, in the Yare Valley where c5000 Wigeon were on full display. Mixed in with these were Shoveler and Teal, all in brilliant light. It wasn't long before a PEREGRINE appeared, a very smart male causing panic amongst the wildlfowl. Soon after another PEREGRINE, then Sparrowhawk & Marsh Harrier!
A good number of Lapwing & Golden Plover peppered the scene and we were also treated to close views of Brown Hare.
Greylags were to be be expected but 24 Barnacle Geese were a nice surprise.
We then headed over to Cantley where we found a nice flock of c50 White-fronted Geese with c c40 Taiga Bean Geese tagging along. Pink- footed Geese were also present in numbers in a separate gaggle. But we couldn't locate the Lesser White-fronted Goose.
We finished the day at Stubb Mill, Hickling with C60 Marsh Harrier, 1 r/t Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, 7 COMMON CRANE & very close views of Chinese Water Deer at 10m!
On the way back we saw another Barn Owl hovering in our headlights!
J a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
A Two Day Birdwatchng Tour
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Click here for November 2011
________________________________
Contact: Chris Mills
Tel: 01362 683520 or 07876 357677
Email: chrismills@norfolkbirding.com
Lilac Cottage, Foxley Road, Themelthorpe,
Norfolk NR20 5PU
________________________________
Contact: Chris Mills
Tel: 01362 683520 or 07876 357677
Email: chrismills@norfolkbirding.com
Lilac Cottage, Foxley Road, Themelthorpe,
Norfolk NR20 5PU
Saturday 14th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
We first visited the Holkham area, where we had fantastic views of c40,000 Pink-footed Geese & feeding nearby were c200 White-fronted Geese. It was a great scene with a mass of birds, all the geese, c1000 Golden Plover, c500 Lapwing & to add to the excitement, we added good views of a ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD , plus Common Buzzard for comparison.
At Burnham Overy & Pale bellied Brent was amongst the Dark-bellied Brent Geese plus a nice mix of shorebirds - Sanderling, Bar-tailed & Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, c70 Dunlin, and a few Turnstone.
We lunched at Brancaster harbour & Goldeneye & a beautiful pair of Red-breasted Merganser were present
After lunch, we headed to Holme, a nice selection of wildfowl, plus 2 female SCAUP & a Water Rail calling
Later in the afternoon we were treated to Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 2 BARN OWL & 3 SHORT-EARED OWL.
Then just as the light was fading I locked on to a "pale" buzzard, heading in from the east, high over the dunes, I was fairly confident as soon as I saw the bird, but once it started soaring the white tail & black terminal band were revealed - another ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, a great end to the day!
Sunday 15th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
The first of the winter visits to the Brecks proved fruitful, with a nice Barn Owl en-route. After arriving in the Brecks 20 minutes of thorough scanning eventually located a single Hawfinch, luckily a few minutes later I was able to locate a 2nd Hawfinch that scoped showed off all the beauty of this chunky & increasingly scarce finch. Nearby it didn't take too long to locate a nice male FIRCREST, plus a nice supporting cast of several Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, c80 Siskin & 3 CROSSBILL albeit the latter species were brief flyovers.
Next stop produced stunning views of c250 Brambling showing very well feeding on the floor amongst the beech mast. Nearby a perched Kingfisher added further colour
A quick stop at the end of the day in the Wensum valley produced Woodcock, Grey Wagtail & Little Egret.
Monday 16th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
We first headed for Buckenham, in the Yare Valley where c5000 Wigeon were on full display. Mixed in with these were Shoveler and Teal, all in brilliant light. It wasn't long before we located a perched PEREGRINE, also Sparrowhawk & Marsh Harrier!
A good number of Lapwing & Golden Plover peppered the scene and we were also treated to close views of Brown Hare.
We decided to walk around 2.5 miles along the river bank towards Cantley. The walk produced no less then c10 singing Cetti's Warbler, plus great views of 9 Bearded Tit.
We were soon getting great views of the flock of c60 TAIGA BEAN GOOSE & it didn't take long to locate the star bird - LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE feeding amongst the flock. There was also an exceptional c700 Pink-footed Goose, c100 White-fronts, 27 Barnacle Goose, Greylag, Egyptian & Canada. We left the site with no less than 9 species of goose! The walk back also produced good views of a hunting ringtail Hen harrier.
We then headed into the Broads area where we located c40 Bewick's Swan & c30 WHOOPER SWAN plus 2 CRANE & 1 SHORT-EARED OWL
We finished the day at Stubb Mill, Hickling with C60 Marsh Harrier, 2 r/t Hen Harrier, 1 MERLIN & 16 COMMON CRANE
Tuesday 17th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
We first visited the Holkham area, where we had fantastic views of good numbers of Pink-footed Geese feeding close, we also located a TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE amongst a group of 12 birds close to the drive.
Also nearby c200 White-fronted Geese, c500 Brents & 1 BLACK BRANT adult. We then had good views of 2 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD just to the east of Holkham, soaring around together.
Out on the beach we had great views of 4 SHORELARK, & offshore we had 10 Red-throated Diver, Eider, c20 Common Scoter & Goldeneye.
An afternoon visit to Salthouse produced c20 SNOW BUNTING & 40 Turnstone showed down to a few inches!
At Cley we located the main target, the WESTERN SANDPIPER still present albeit with a slight limp, now. Also present 1 Spotted redshank, 20 Ruff, 160 Black-tailed Godwit, c1200 Brent goose & 4 Marsh Harriers roosted. On the sea c20 Red-throated Diver & small numbers of Guillemot.
Wednesday 25th January Guided Bird Photography
A day spent with a client working on basic principles before heading out to photograph some easy subjects, enabling the client to practice technique from the mornings classroom session.
Thursday 26th January One to One Birding Tour
A One to One day of birdwatching in North Norfolk. We started the day with great views of c20 SNOW BUNTING, we then visited the Holkham area, where we had good numbers of Pink-footed Geese feeding close, we also located a TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE
Also nearby c200 White-fronted Geese, c500 Brents & 1 BLACK BRANT adult. We then had good views of 2 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD just to the east of Holkham, soaring around together. Plus overhead good skeins of Brent Geese then dropped in on to some nearby pools. A PEREGRINE, c2000 Golden Plover along with plenty of Lapwing.
Great views of Greenshank & Spotted Redshank in one of the harbour areas & we finished the day with an hour of watching 3 Barn Owls hunting back & forth.
We first visited the Holkham area, where we had fantastic views of c40,000 Pink-footed Geese & feeding nearby were c200 White-fronted Geese. It was a great scene with a mass of birds, all the geese, c1000 Golden Plover, c500 Lapwing & to add to the excitement, we added good views of a ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD , plus Common Buzzard for comparison.
At Burnham Overy & Pale bellied Brent was amongst the Dark-bellied Brent Geese plus a nice mix of shorebirds - Sanderling, Bar-tailed & Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, c70 Dunlin, and a few Turnstone.
We lunched at Brancaster harbour & Goldeneye & a beautiful pair of Red-breasted Merganser were present
After lunch, we headed to Holme, a nice selection of wildfowl, plus 2 female SCAUP & a Water Rail calling
Later in the afternoon we were treated to Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 2 BARN OWL & 3 SHORT-EARED OWL.
Then just as the light was fading I locked on to a "pale" buzzard, heading in from the east, high over the dunes, I was fairly confident as soon as I saw the bird, but once it started soaring the white tail & black terminal band were revealed - another ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, a great end to the day!
Sunday 15th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
The first of the winter visits to the Brecks proved fruitful, with a nice Barn Owl en-route. After arriving in the Brecks 20 minutes of thorough scanning eventually located a single Hawfinch, luckily a few minutes later I was able to locate a 2nd Hawfinch that scoped showed off all the beauty of this chunky & increasingly scarce finch. Nearby it didn't take too long to locate a nice male FIRCREST, plus a nice supporting cast of several Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, c80 Siskin & 3 CROSSBILL albeit the latter species were brief flyovers.
Next stop produced stunning views of c250 Brambling showing very well feeding on the floor amongst the beech mast. Nearby a perched Kingfisher added further colour
A quick stop at the end of the day in the Wensum valley produced Woodcock, Grey Wagtail & Little Egret.
Monday 16th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
We first headed for Buckenham, in the Yare Valley where c5000 Wigeon were on full display. Mixed in with these were Shoveler and Teal, all in brilliant light. It wasn't long before we located a perched PEREGRINE, also Sparrowhawk & Marsh Harrier!
A good number of Lapwing & Golden Plover peppered the scene and we were also treated to close views of Brown Hare.
We decided to walk around 2.5 miles along the river bank towards Cantley. The walk produced no less then c10 singing Cetti's Warbler, plus great views of 9 Bearded Tit.
We were soon getting great views of the flock of c60 TAIGA BEAN GOOSE & it didn't take long to locate the star bird - LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE feeding amongst the flock. There was also an exceptional c700 Pink-footed Goose, c100 White-fronts, 27 Barnacle Goose, Greylag, Egyptian & Canada. We left the site with no less than 9 species of goose! The walk back also produced good views of a hunting ringtail Hen harrier.
We then headed into the Broads area where we located c40 Bewick's Swan & c30 WHOOPER SWAN plus 2 CRANE & 1 SHORT-EARED OWL
We finished the day at Stubb Mill, Hickling with C60 Marsh Harrier, 2 r/t Hen Harrier, 1 MERLIN & 16 COMMON CRANE
Tuesday 17th January Two Day Norfolk Winter Bird Tour.
We first visited the Holkham area, where we had fantastic views of good numbers of Pink-footed Geese feeding close, we also located a TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE amongst a group of 12 birds close to the drive.
Also nearby c200 White-fronted Geese, c500 Brents & 1 BLACK BRANT adult. We then had good views of 2 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD just to the east of Holkham, soaring around together.
Out on the beach we had great views of 4 SHORELARK, & offshore we had 10 Red-throated Diver, Eider, c20 Common Scoter & Goldeneye.
An afternoon visit to Salthouse produced c20 SNOW BUNTING & 40 Turnstone showed down to a few inches!
At Cley we located the main target, the WESTERN SANDPIPER still present albeit with a slight limp, now. Also present 1 Spotted redshank, 20 Ruff, 160 Black-tailed Godwit, c1200 Brent goose & 4 Marsh Harriers roosted. On the sea c20 Red-throated Diver & small numbers of Guillemot.
Wednesday 25th January Guided Bird Photography
A day spent with a client working on basic principles before heading out to photograph some easy subjects, enabling the client to practice technique from the mornings classroom session.
Thursday 26th January One to One Birding Tour
A One to One day of birdwatching in North Norfolk. We started the day with great views of c20 SNOW BUNTING, we then visited the Holkham area, where we had good numbers of Pink-footed Geese feeding close, we also located a TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE
Also nearby c200 White-fronted Geese, c500 Brents & 1 BLACK BRANT adult. We then had good views of 2 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD just to the east of Holkham, soaring around together. Plus overhead good skeins of Brent Geese then dropped in on to some nearby pools. A PEREGRINE, c2000 Golden Plover along with plenty of Lapwing.
Great views of Greenshank & Spotted Redshank in one of the harbour areas & we finished the day with an hour of watching 3 Barn Owls hunting back & forth.
Sunday 29th January Coastal Bird Photography Workshop
We spent the morning with a 3 hour classroom session with a short presentation, with a question & answers period before heading out to take images. Working through equipment, technique, exposure, shutter speeds & apertures. Clients take a home a Cd-rom with all of this information
We then spent the afternoon putting theory into practice in sadly very poor light conditions, but everyone bagged a few images & learnt a lot. A couple of images from the workshop below.
We spent the morning with a 3 hour classroom session with a short presentation, with a question & answers period before heading out to take images. Working through equipment, technique, exposure, shutter speeds & apertures. Clients take a home a Cd-rom with all of this information
We then spent the afternoon putting theory into practice in sadly very poor light conditions, but everyone bagged a few images & learnt a lot. A couple of images from the workshop below.
David Dales - Snow Bunting
Les Samuels - Turnstone