<MMString:LoadString id="insertbar/flashButton" />

Trip Reports

Ninth Club trip of 2009 – Saturday 3rd October 2009 – Abberton and Minsmere

Two cars and five pairs of eyes were on this trip and we had the constant companion of something like a Force 5 Gale and more on the causeways. We failed on a few things at both sites. We had chosen a familiar route as very little was happening locally elsewhere although it had been a busy week with storm driven Gannet and Leach’s Storm Petrel making short inland guest appearances. The sun came out in the last few minutes as we left Minsmere at 1800 hours with the reserve open for another 3 hours.

At Abberton at the Layer Breton small causeway those quick off the mark picked out the White-rumped Sandpiper. The water towards the visitor centre had been largely drained away and there was feeding for all. The other side had plenty of water and even a young family of six young Black Swans. Red-breasted Goose and Red-crested Pochard lifted our plastic count together with other local stalwarts such as Egyptian Goose.

Wigborough Bay at Abberton holds birds that are less easy to see than those using most of the rest of the reserve and although Grey Phalarope and Spoonbill were there to be seen for those who had the whole day we had not expected the Sandpiper to fly round there virtually as soon as we arrived.

Plenty of birds were seen from the larger causeway and from the Scott Hide in particular. Green Sandpiper and Ruff and five Bar-tailed Godwits stay in the memory.

Over to Minsmere and although not many birds had made the national alert boards we had hoped for Great White Heron and the resident Bitterns. The heron only visited occasionally and declined to do so while we and the rest of the watchers were at Island Mere. A Bittern walked into the reeds a second or so before we arrived. Our bad timing had struck again.

So. We were left with admiring things that we do not see and hear too often. Kingfishers flying at both sites. Cetti’s Warbler answering to phishing at Minsmere. Size disparity between male and female Ruff at Abberton. Bearded Tit and Cetti’s Warbler at the extra reed-bed walk at Minsmere – thanks to the management. Can those small grebes at three miles at Abberton be anything other than Little Grebe? Size differences of Greater and Lesser Black-backed Gulls at the pre-roost gathering at Abberton.

Probably the best entertainment was trying to get the rest of the hide at Island Mere onto a Water Rail that in the blowing reeds of the wind had stayed put behind a vertical reed bunch that looked like a celery plant. Not every one expected that there really was a bird there. But, as it had been seen arriving it fortunately did, in the end, come out the same way rather than retreat into the inner reeds – as the Bittern had done on the far bank. The first Rail ever for one lady.

We saw 71 species and added 3 to our year’s list – now a full house at 180 with more to come.

3 new water birds A pair of Black Swans with six small young at Abberton, White-rumped Sandpiper for the first on the scene at Abberton, Feral Mallard – because it looked out of place in rafts of duck.

39 water birds seen again. Mute Swan. 4 Geese – Canada, Grey Lag, Red-breasted and Egyptian. Little Grebe and Great-crested Grebe. Cormorant; Grey Heron; Little Egret. 10 ducks: Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted, Pochard and Red-crested Pochard; Shelduck, Pintail and Wigeon. Moorhen and Coot. Water Rail. 10 waders: Spotted Redshank, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Lapwing and Ruff and Common Snipe. Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper. 5 Gulls. Black-headed, Common and Herring and Lesser and Greater Black-backed Gulls. Common Tern.

29 land birds seen again: Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Pheasant. Pigeons: Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Stock Dove. Pipits and Wagtails: Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail. Common garden birds: Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Starling, Great Tit and Blue Tit. Thrushes: Blackbird. Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker. Swallow. Cetti’s Warbler. Four crows: Magpie, Jay, Rook, Carrion Crow. 4 Finches and Buntings: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Linnet. Bearded Tit

Eighth Club trip of 2009 – Saturday 12th September – Warham Greens, Cley, Arnold’s Marsh, Stiffkey Marsh and ending at Sutton Gault for Glossy Ibis

We had five pairs of eyes on this trip and the main event up until the finale at Sutton Gault was the sea-watching at Cley. Not a bird but a fish. Let Stephen Patmore’s blog tell the story: Highlight of the day was … something moving slowly close inshore. Further inspection and we were all somewhat shocked to see the flapping fin of an awesome OCEAN SUNFISH (Mola mola) attended by a couple of large gulls. This was a first for all of us and a crazy thing to be seen in the North Sea. The event was marred by a fishing speedboat that “plucked” it from the surface and took away the prize – what can you say!!!

The general direction for the day’s spectacular had been uncertain as usual up until the last moment. Norfolk and Kent with maybe Suffolk all, as usual for September, had something to commend them. In Kent the return of Glossy Ibis to Stodmarsh, even if briefly this time, allowed the prospect of reliving some “ancient” history from last century. Norfolk won because so many autumn visitors had been arriving on the coast with the aid of suitable weather patterns and winds.

As it happened the predicted discovery of a warbler or flycatcher in every bush was far from our experience. We turned for home by about three o’clock. There was talk of Glossy Ibis at Sutton Gault in the Fens which would conveniently leave us only one hour of motoring time from home. As we approached the last miles of the A10 the message systems were telling us where the seven birds had been moving. Coming near to eight o’clock we were a couple of hours into our wait for the Ibis to approach their likely roost. Barn Owl, Little Owl, Snipe, Kingfisher and Yellow Wagtail had eased the time away plus an elevated position for the flooded field and a hilltop mast and a 360 degree view of the fens and also a fine sunset. Surely nothing would mar this set piece. Then what could only be heard as starting guns for the action were fired. The Ibis came over the hill and aimed for the guns. The guns carried on with their blessedly separate business and after ten minutes of aerial display the Ibis adopted what was likely the same tree as home for their second night. Phew! Could this be England?

At Warham Green the birds were just not obliging and except a high flying Hobby we had all seen only some of the birds on offer. Then a juvenile Hen Harrier came by and hunted a Meadow Pipit. Clear light, clear sky and shirt sleeve weather.

At Cley we took elevated views of the reserve and then walked down to the sea. We did have a remarkable sea watching session and the new sea birds have pride of place in the listings below. At Stiffkey the Phalarope that we had messages about was in good form for one so young. Maybe hatched only four months ago and already on its lonesome travels?!

11 new water birds in viewing order: (Cley) Yellow-legged Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, Greater Scaup, (sea) Guillemot, Manx Shearwater, Red-throated Diver, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Kittiwake, (Stiffkey) Red-necked Phalarope and (Sutton Gault) Glossy Ibis – where we had seen one fairly recently.
40 water birds seen again. Mute Swan. 4 Geese – Canada, Grey Lag, Barnacle and Egyptian. Little Grebe and Great-crested Grebe. Cormorant and Grey Heron and more than 100 Little Egret at Abberton. 9 ducks: Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted, Pochard and Red-crested Pochard. Shelduck and Wigeon and Ruddy Duck. Moorhen and Coot. Water Rail. 13 waders: Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Ruff and Common Snipe. Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Common Sandpiper. 4 Gulls and 2 Terns. Black-headed, Common and Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Common Tern and Sandwich Tern.

Four new land birds: Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Hen Harrier and Bearded Tit
41 land birds seen again: Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Hobby. Barn Owl and Little Owl. Red legged and Grey Partridge and Pheasant. Pigeons: Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Stock Dove. Pipits and Wagtails: Meadow Pipit, Pied, Yellow and Grey. Common garden birds: Wren, Dunnock, Starling, Long-tailed and Blue Tit. Thrushes: Blackbird and Mistle Thrush. Green Woodpecker. House Martin, Swallow, Warblers: Cetti’s, Sedge, Reed, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat. Four crows: Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow. 6 Finches and Buntings: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting.

Seventh Club trip of 2009 – Saturday 15th August – EWT Abberton, Orwell CP and RSPB Minsmere

This trip was enjoyed by four people in one car – many thanks to the driver. We saw or heard seventy six species at three locations plus roadsides glimpses from the car. Two species were seen for the first time in 2009 and so our list for the year so far moves to 162. Good weather. Much enjoyed by all.

We missed out the railway station as only four people had booked. We left the town just after 07:30 and motored down the new A120 to Colchester. Dear Reader, we soon realised, as you will have, that we had been this way before. Scroll back to our March outing and see what a difference a season or two can make. Plus, the sharpest eyes will have noted in the headline that a new site was to be visited.

We know that the pair of Red-breasted Geese at Abberton are not the wildest birds in the firmament but we are going to count them anyway. Add one. We count Egyptians and Canadians without blinking after all. And the resident Barnacles at Minsmere seem not to raise an eyebrow these days. Red-crested Pochard have been part of local duck ponds for at least 50 years and a splash of colour they offer too.

The Scott hide at Abberton held some good watching for us. Greenshank. Common Sandpiper. And a late young Common Tern. But there was nothing really out of the ordinary to be seen.

And so on to a new site – Orwell Country Park. You never know, a site tick might generate some great revelations. Well, we now know that at a good place a worm digger can collect 100 lugworms an hour. And that they make good bait for sea bass.

And so on to Minsmere where breeding had most certainly been wrapped up and the hides nearest Sizewell were offering dry or birdless vistas or both. Fortunately there were a trio of Green Sandpipers that let us add a second new species to our annual list.

So, it was to butterflies that we were able to turn for some interest. Graylings. Small Tortoiseshells and others being hunted by hornets. Newly hatched Painted Ladies. Small Skipper and Small Copper. Brown Argus and Common Blue.

Somehow we managed to reach 76 Species while missing some old faithfuls – House Sparrow and Blackbird to name but two. Even the journey home added a surprise threesome of Mistle Thrush.

41 water birds seen again.
Mute Swan. 4 Geese – Canada, Grey Lag, Barnacle and Egyptian. Little Grebe and Great-crested Grebe. Cormorant and Grey Heron and more than 100 Little Egret at Abberton. 9 ducks: Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted, Pochard and Red-crested Pochard. Shelduck and Wigeon and Ruddy Duck. Moorhen and Coot. Water Rail. 13 waders: Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Ruff and Common Snipe. Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Common Sandpiper. 4 Gulls and 2 Terns. Black-headed, Common and Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Common Tern and Sandwich Tern.

33 land birds seen again.
4 Raptors: Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier. Game Birds: Common Pheasant. Pigeons: Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Stock Dove. Pied Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail. Common garden birds: Wren, Starling, Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tit. Thrushes: Mistle Thrush. Woodpeckers: Great Spotted. 5 crows: Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow. 5 Finches and Buntings: Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting. Summer birds: Cetti’s Warbler, Swallow, House and Sand Martin. Wheatear.

Sixth Club trip of 2009 – Saturday 18th July – Cley, Titchwell and Weeting Heath

Four watchers went in one car to three well known bird reserves. We saw or heard eighty three species. Nine species were seen or heard for the first time in 2009 and so our list for the year so far moves to 160. Many thanks to the driver. Better weather than forecasted. Plenty of birds still around.

At Cley we started before the visitor centre opened and saw a food pass between Marsh Harriers and a first distant look at a group of 13 Spoonbills. Quite a windy morning and the only significant rainfall – we had been warned to expect more – came when we were tucked up in a bird hide. While there we had a Red Knot – not knowing that there would be 10,000 at Titchwell. We also had Redshank, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank on the same water. We started a sequence of five “Little” birds starting with Egret and going on to spot Tern, Grebe, Stint and Ringed Plover during the day.

At Titchwell we had blue skies and sunshine all the afternoon – the opposite of the general forecast. We started off by being joined on the path by a black Water Shrew that seemed intent on sharing the edge of the path where we walked. Common Terns were around and we had the usual confusion about why when black tips were missing the birds were still Common. We added Sandwich Tern and Little Tern for the year as well as Whimbrel and Wood Sandpiper from the second hide – the first was closed for replacement and this one too was about to be closed and improved as part of the realignment of the bunds to prolong the life of the reserve in the face of storm after storm. At Titchwell there was a protected area on the beach for Ringed Plover to breed. On the water line was a group of Eider Duck.

At Weeting Heath we were able to find two and maybe three of the Stone Curlew for Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the destination of choice for the species. It helps to stand in the hide and the writer is not saying that the birds are often so far away that it is the curvature of the earth that is the problem but rather that the land is sloping away and the birds know when they are out of sight. A bit like the passerines that unfailingly land on the very twig that makes them invisible behind a branch. But, with patience and a little bit of time all birds will give up a delightful amount of their secrets.

We had the usual sightings from the car. The highlight was on the way home when we saw three Little Owl at a field gate just south of King’s Lynn on the A10.

Eight new water birds: Gannet, Spoonbill, Stone Curlew, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern.
One new land bird: Little Owl and three birds at the same field entrance by the roadside.

41 water birds seen again.
Mute Swan. 3 Geese - Canada Grey Lag and Egyptian. Little Grebe and Great-crested Grebe. Cormorant and Grey Heron and Little Egret. 7 ducks: Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Eider. Moorhen and Coot. 21 wader species in total with 17 waders seen again: Avocet, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Knot, Ruff, Dunlin, Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Curlew, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Common Sandpiper and Turnstone. Five Gulls: Black-headed, Common, Herring and Greater and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Common Tern.

35 land birds seen again.
Marsh Harrier and Kestrel. Barn Owl. Game Birds: Common Pheasant. Pigeons: Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon and Stock Dove. Green Woodpecker. Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail. Common garden birds: Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Starling, House Sparrow, Great Tit and Blackbird. 2 more thrushes: Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. 4 crows: Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow. 5 Finches and Buntings: Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting and Linnet. 5 Summer Visitors: Swift, Sand Martin, Swallow, Sedge and Reed Warblers.

Dear Reader, sometimes we just cannot get out together in the field.
No June trip but a few notes about a dozen of the rivers that we keep visiting.
Even when we can get passes for a day out we often pay scant attention to the rivers that contribute so much to what we can see and hear on our regular trips. These notes put into a little bit of context some of these river names that are mentioned and sometimes ignored. The virtual tour will start in the north.

The River Deben. We have taken a turn down to Bawdsey from the A12 a few times. Especially fresh in the memory is the time there was Spotted Sandpiper (USA) standing with two Common Sandpipers (GB & NI). They kept changing places across one of the ponds. Which is the Yank now? We nearly all had a struggle to decide. Sailing at Woodbridge is reliant on this river and good views can be had from the National Trust site at Sutton Hoo which is located on the northern bank of the river.

The River Orwell. The bridge builders here managed to get enough concrete to stay upright at the outer kerbs to stop car-borne motorists from looking at the scenery. Keep your eyes on the A14. Except that going east and north the cranes at the docks at Felixstowe can be seen on a clear day. We have rather wanted to escape from this river to get to the Suffolk coast but there is an option to bide awhile. At the first turn north there is a retail park and at the first left turn an invitation to drive in and park up at Orwell Country Park. Not the busiest but well worth a visit. Trimley Marshes and the once famous Fagbury Cliffs also depend on this river.

The River Stour. Cattawade bridge offered us an easy to find American Wigeon at one time. More recently we have tried the delights of Mistley and Manningtree. Shag and Long-tailed Duck and all manner of geese and swans spring to mind as some of the delights that can be available there.

The River Colne. When we look over the mud from the hides at EWT (Essex Wildlife Trust) Fingringhoe it is the River Colne that rolls on by.

Moving farther south the Blackwater is next for a mention. Dear Reader, have you got your Atlas open to follow all of these twists and turns? A river well known by its sailing aficionados. And by birdwatchers who have a variety of short and long walks as options for enjoying Tollesbury Wick - and the backdrop of Bradwell power station on the south bank.

Your Atlas will lead you to think correctly that the River Crouch will be mentioned next. EWT Blue House Farm is accessible from North Fambridge station, as Derwent May delights in telling his Nature Notes readers in The Times of London. Hanningfield Reservoir is close at hand.

A quick mention for the River Roach. Yet to be visited as far as the writer can recall. Why include it here? Only because it flows through Rochford and one or the other probably gave its name to the other.

Now. Old Father Thames. Tilbury Fort, RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Rainham Marshes, Southend, Shoeburyness. Gravesend.

Did you know that the River Lee rises in Luton – check how those names look to have the same root.
Forget not our own River Stort.

South of the River Thames we have travelled many times on our trips, mainly now by the Dartford Crossings, but very occasionally by the Blackwall Tunnel and even more rarely if ever by the Woolwich ferries, to the final two rivers to be mentioned in this quick splash around the east coast.

First of all on the A2/M2 we cross the River Medway and have the chance to visit the Medway Towns, including Chatham and Gillingham and Rochester (alphabetical – one can’t be too careful). There are a number of reserves and country parks there to explore. Remember the campaigns to save the Cliffe Marshes from becoming another one of the many London airports?

Before our next river a passing mention for the Isle of Sheppey. Many birding meccas here, but that is another story. The River Swale. Not to be confused with the River Swale of North Yorkshire, mind. That too is another story altogether. The highlights here for birdwatchers are the Oare Marshes – have you studied the work put in by local enthusiasts on the internet site of the Kent Ornithological Society?

This trip was enjoyed by five people from two cars. We saw or heard seventy seven species at two locations. Seven species were seen or heard for the first time in 2009 and so our list for the year so far moves to 151. Many thanks to the drivers. Good weather. Thumbs up all round.
Quite a bit saved for next time.

We started from the railway station at 06:30 and before 0800 hrs we were at the Visitor Centre at the RSPB reserve at Lakenheath Fen. Thirty cars were already there and apparently Bittern display flights had been excellent that early morning. Although we had to be satisfied with one bird booming on two occasions we did have excellent views of two male and one female Golden Orioles on the reserve. We spent eight hours of our day there and only left at 1600 hrs.

Our targets: in no particular order Bitterns, Cranes, Orioles, Garganey, Hobby and Turtle Dove.
Our results: Three Garganey – reported to and displayed by bird guides
Three Orioles at 11.47 – reported to and displayed by bird guides
Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler to compare calls and cadence.
Blackcap and a search for Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler.
Then we might have had comparison for Common Whitethroats and the Savi’s at Seventy Acre Lake.
Only what seemed to us at the time like calling Common Crane. No Purple Heron.

So, what kept us there for so long. The Crane view point. They say fishing can be like this.
Groups of people staking out trees for the great Oriole hunt.
Three Garganey and picnic table for lunch – now there is a sign of the times.
We did have lengthy views of a sky full of Swifts.
A dozen Hobby – and were they all Hobby in various plumage rather than any other falcon?
Lots of Marsh Harriers – and was there only one Common Buzzard? Water Rail calling but no Bearded Tit! And Hairy Dragonfly and big caterpillars and large spiders and that sort of thing ….
Plus – do not say it too loudly – in May there were no birds close by to rival what was in front of us.

At Lackford we wanted to see the so far missing Turtle Dove - the only main target from the day thus far that had eluded us in all forms. Second target was to listen to a Garden Warbler with textbook song – long, mellow and clearly not Blackcap! A good place to choose for both.

The reserve offered just one invisible purring (TD) bird. As we left to come home there was a likely bird on the wires on the main road and, as you, dear reader, will have guessed, there was no place to stop or to turn round. We did have lots of Garden Warbler to choose from - only one seemed to fit strict criteria and no immediate Blackcap to set up a talent competition. And thanks for the Nightingale.

Two new water birds: Bittern and Crane.
Five new land birds: Grey Partridge, Golden Oriole, Wheatear, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler.

28 water birds seen again.
Mute Swan. 3 Geese - Canada Grey lag and Egyptian. Great-crested Grebe. Cormorant and Grey Heron. 9 ducks: Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Garganey, Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted Duck. Moorhen and Coot. Water Rail. 4 waders: Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Common Tern. Kingfisher.

42 land birds seen again.
4 Raptors: Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Hobby and Marsh Harrier. Game Birds: Common Pheasant and Grey Partridge. Pigeons: Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove and Stock Dove. Pied Wagtail. Common garden birds: Wren, Robin, Starling, Dunnock, Long-tailed, Blue and Great. 3 thrushes: Blackbird, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. 2 Woodpeckers: Great Spotted and Green. 5 crows: Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow. Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting. 11 Summer Visitors: Cuckoo. Swift, Swallow, House and Sand Martin. Common Whitethroat, Nightingale, Sedge Warbler. Blackcap. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler.

This trip attracted six people. We found ninety one species at four locations and en route. Seventeen species had not been seen on the first two trips and so our list for the year so far after one quarter progresses to 144. Many thanks to the drivers. Two cars. Good weather.

We started from the railway station at 06:30 and before 0800 hrs we were at the Visitor Centre at Paxton Pits. Now Paxton Pits has three parts. One is the southern loop that we still have not walked. Then there is the loop to the north of the visitor centre that we walked right round on this trip for the first time as a club. And then there is what now seems to be regarded as the north end that a few months ago was being described as not part of Paxton Pits. It has to be approached with caution from a completely different starting point reached from another exit off the A1. As it happened some of the birds we wanted were there and not on our chosen northern loop. Anyway, the black tern passage was not being recorded during our visit and the other birds missed were not crucial to the success of the day. The loop gave us good sightings of Nightingale and Swift, and a good listen to Lesser Whitethroat and Turtle Dove and Grasshopper Warbler.

At Fen Drayton we noted that the major transport project had not yet been completed and that the number of visitors was less than on some previous occasions. However, we did see Hobby and Garganey as well as distant Buzzard and quite a few of the summer migrants.

We missed our main target bird at the Ouse Washes when we could not find the 57 Ruff that had been reported in the week. But our visit did involve us in what was probably a record number of hide visits on any of our previous trips. New waders were Greenshank and Common Sandpiper. There seemed only small numbers of Tree Sparrow for a colony that had quite busy nest building earlier in the year.

One car took a return route that involved driving through Welney and to Pymoor and Coveney. This helped us add some good bird watching to the day. First addition was Mistle Thrush that were in the cemetery at Manea and in many of the ploughed fields. Then came Corn Bunting on the wires. First one and then a group of 22 and probably some other groups too. What a healthy population. Red-legged Partridge were seen in these areas often with Pheasant. On the east side of the Washes we found first one and then a second Barn Owl at 1915 and about 1945hrs. At the first Owl site we had a drumming Common Snipe. Not a great deal at the Great White Egret site at Pymoor. We stopped at the rough-legged buzzard sites at Coveney but it did not seem to be around. At a Little Owl site close by we failed to find owl but as second prize we listened to a pair of Lapwing calling to each other.

91 Species recorded for 25th March 2009. 35 water and 56 land.

Six new water birds: Garganey, Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern.
Seventeen new land birds: Common Buzzard, Hobby, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, Swift, House Martin, Nightingale, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch and Corn Bunting.

29 water birds seen again.
Mute Swan. Canada Goose, Grey lag Goose, Great-crested Grebe. Cormorant, Grey Heron and Little Egret. 9 ducks: Wigeon, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Moorhen and Coot. 6 waders: Redshank, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Common Snipe. Black-headed, Herring, Greater and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Kingfisher.

39 land birds seen again.
3 Raptors: Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Marsh Harrier. Barn Owl. Game Birds: Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge. Pigeons: Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Stock Dove. Larks and Wagtails: Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail. Common garden birds: Wren, Robin, Starling, House Sparrow and Dunnock. 3 tits: Long-tailed, Blue and Great. 3 thrushes: Blackbird, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. 2 Woodpeckers: Great Spotted and Green. 5 crows: Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow. Six other Passerines: Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Linnet and Reed Bunting. 3 Earlier Summer Visitors: Chiffchaff, Swallow, Sand Martin.

This trip attracted six people. We found eighty three species at two locations. Sixteen species had not been seen on the first two trips and so our list for the year so far after one quarter progresses to 121. Many thanks to the drivers. Three cars. Our weather was intermittently wet but with some sun and some high winds and a temperature that climbed from 3 degrees at home to six degrees later. It might be warmer on Saturday 25th April.

We started at 06:30 with a rendezvous at Abberton at 07:30 hrs. We had successful targets of Slavonian Grebe (2) and Black-necked Grebe (7) and this started the day more than well. These were all birds moving into breeding plumage and some of them showed some aspects of their displays. For ducks we also added Red-crested Pochard (female) and two female Ruddy Duck that had so far avoided the cull and not been wiped out. Sand Martin and Swallow might have felt that they could get wiped out by the weather but seemed to be finding enough flies over the water. Kingfisher was a welcome addition by one of the party. We left this Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) reserve before it opened at 0900 hrs and drove north to Minsmere. A morning Barn Owl surprised. The latest sightings board was blank on our arrival and listed only Swallow by the time we moved on to the adjacent Westleton Heath for our final location at 1640 hrs just before closing time.

Minsmere was the main site for the day. Good birds guaranteed we thought and some good shelter for any inclement weather. Not many people had got out into the field. We did not do too badly and were pleased with our sightings. We followed our plan of moving between hides in dry periods to prevent getting drenched. We ignored the sea and the beach. Even then we did get caught outside two or three times and had to dry out. No big deal. Mediterranean Gulls were giving a good show and Black-tailed Godwits were moving into their summer plumage.

Just up the road the heathland of the National Nature Reserve of Westleton Heath summed up our day. Wet through twice. Target birds found. We saw flashes of Dartford Warbler in one place and slightly longer flashes of Coal Tit and Goldcrest. Then just around another and this time final corner, having partly packed up, we had female Stonechat (in the gorse) and two Dartford Warblers together below. A single flyover of a Golden Plover and two Yellowhammers completed our day.

Eight new water birds: Barnacle Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Ruddy Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Ruff, Mediterranean Gull and Kingfisher.
Eight new land birds: Stonechat, Dartford Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Sand Martin, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Jay, Linnet.

34 water birds seen again.
Mute Swan. 3 geese: Canada Goose, Grey lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Great-crested Grebe and Little Grebe. Cormorant, Grey Heron and Little Egret. 10 ducks: Wigeon, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Moorhen and Coot. 10 waders: Redshank, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Oystercatcher and Common Snipe. 3 Gulls: Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed.

33 land birds seen again.
3 Raptors: Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Marsh Harrier. Barn Owl. Game Birds: Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge. Pigeons: Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Stock Dove. Larks and Wagtails: Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail. Common garden birds: Wren, Robin, Starling and Dunnock. 3 tits: Coal, Blue and Great. 2 thrushes: Blackbird, Song Thrush. 2 Woodpeckers: Great Spotted and Green. 4 crows: Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow. Six other Passerines: Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.

This trip attracted five people. We found seventy species at four locations. Seventeen species had not been seen in January and our list progresses to 105. Many thanks to the drivers. Two cars. Our weather had the benefit of the prevailing high pressure system and it was fairly mild with occasional sunshine.

We started at 06:30 with a rendezvous at Barton Mills at 07:15. On to Santon Downham where we spent a couple of hours exploring the areas between the railway and the river and in the end finding enough views of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker to satisfy us all. Surprisingly mobile the bird(s) put up a good show of drum and fly, coming round sufficiently often to keep us on our toes.

We also added Grey Wagtail and Song Thrush with Treecreeper, and Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker. Good habitat for these birds. No sign of Shrike.

Second stop was at the Brecks site of Olley’s Farm to the west side of the A11. This has taken over from May Day Farm as the place with the best potential for Goshawk. No bike racers lapping round the woods on organised competitions. Woodlark and Skylark and Sparrowhawk all appeared before two Goshawks gave a prolonged aerial display at what was a prompt appearance at 11:30 – the same time as a similar display had been reported on Friday, the day before.

Third stop was Lynford Lakes close to the Arboretum. For the first time our club trip there had the benefit of not just one gravel pit but a second large area of water and also a landscaped green space that transformed the location. Ferruginous Duck was expected and duly appeared alongside Pochard. This species was followed by at least a dozen Crossbills that impressed us by remaining in view for some minutes. We had seen three at Olley’s Farm but this party was a new biggest number for most and also scored well by staying around for study and photography. In the Arboretum we found three and possibly four Hawfinch but had no sign of Firecrest. The lake there gave us Little Grebe.

One car went out of the Brecks to a final site at Brancaster on the North Norfolk coast for Black-necked Grebe. The second car finished its trip with a stop at Lackford Lakes where Common Snipe and Goldeneye shared the limelight with just a few gulls of three species: Black-headed, Lesser and Greater Black-backed. No gull roost to speak of compared to other visits. Cormorants were in a greater abundance and they all flew round at one point to show us just how many of them were there.

Four new water birds: Three Geese: Greylag, Egyptian and Bar-Headed and one duck: Ferruginous.
Thirteen new land birds: Northern Goshawk, Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Woodlark, Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Crossbill and Hawfinch and Yellowhammer.

23 water birds seen again.
Mute Swan. Canada Goose, Great-crested Grebe and Little Grebe. Cormorant, Grey Heron and Little Egret. 9 ducks: Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Moorhen and Coot. Lapwing and Common Snipe. 3 Gulls: Black-headed, GBBG and LBBG.

30 land birds seen again.
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Pheasant (including two less common white ones), Red-legged Partridge, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Nuthatch, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Starling and Dunnock. 5 tits: Long tailed, Marsh, Coal, Blue and Great. 3 thrushes: Blackbird, Redwing and Mistle. 4 crows: Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow. Four Passerines: Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin and Reed Bunting.

This traditional New Year trip attracted eight people. Two others travelled but never quite met us. A total of eighty nine species were seen at four locations with a few birds also seen while travelling. Many thanks to the drivers. Two cars each with three passengers made our day as green as possible. Our weather report was minus 5 degrees to start a day in the middle of a really cold snap. But there had been no white Christmas.

We met this year at the lighthouse at Hunstanton Cliffs. After our delight at the large numbers of Fulmar lots of Common Scoter and Eider Duck were present. Most of the day’s gulls were seen first here either on the grass or following a trawler off shore. A few birds were only seen by some including Red-throated Diver, Red-necked and Great-crested Grebe.

We missed Woodcock at three places: Wolferton (drive-by), Titchwell (entrance path) and Thornham (shoot). On the other hand we had a good day with three separate Barn Owls and also three Water Rails.

Titchwell was the main focus of the morning. The reserve seemed quite quiet but the light was good. We tried to find Spotted Redshank but the closest we got was at Thornham where a tiny Bar-tailed Godwit had us thinking until black legs, upturned bill and brown not white plumage brought us back.

On the beach we had some company to try to find birds on and over the sea. At our feet there were two Sanderlings. We came to realise they were a pair, giving full “entertainment” and the chance for photography and videos.

We then popped back to Thornham and saw the nearly resident winter flock of Twite. This visit also brought Golden Plover and a second Marsh Harrier but we missed the Woodcock flushed by beaters for the guns on a local shoot. Choseley Barns was quieter than we had ever seen. But the second car had a Sparrowhawk in flight and then resting by on the road side of the hedge. And later there were four Red-legged Partridge.

Sculthorpe Moor was the second main focus of the day. We had hoped to see their Golden Pheasant as a more certain sighting than trying to locate one in Her Majesty’s rhododendrons at Wolferton. Alas, we failed on this occasion but there was one Willow Tit for one person on the feeders in the other main hide and amongst other birds an obliging Water Rail and a number of fine Brambling.

Birds seen between locations. As ever, with eight pairs of eyes we could not all see all of the birds and the cars too had different drive-bys. But as a group we get more on the list. One car had Mute Swan, Canada Goose and Rook and also popped into Snettisham first thing to add Snow Bunting, Knot plus their first Pink-footed Geese.

48 water birds.
Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Red-throated Diver, Great-crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Eider Duck, Common Scoter, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Knot, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Common Snipe, 5 Gulls: Black-headed, GBBG, LBBG, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Fulmar.

41 land birds.
Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Barn Owl, Common Pheasant. Red-legged Partridge, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Nuthatch, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Skylark, Wren, Robin, Starling, Dunnock, Long tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Twite and House Sparrow, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting and Snow Bunting.
Da. 06.01.09.

Noel, Noel (as sung at this season), second line with same tune – No owls no owls

Five regular people chose to delay from Saturday’s wet, windy and cold conditions to Sunday’s cold conditions. And well worth it too. Mistley Quay, adjacent to Cattawade Bridge on the Essex/Suffolk border was a new location for us. We were following up some interesting listings on the websites in the past couple of weeks. Apparently when this quay held maltings (now residential accommodation) this used to be the country’s second biggest swannery. There were still many, many Mute Swans there plus two Whoopers and including up to nine Black Swans. Frankly, there were so many waders and ducks at low tide and then swept by on the currents of the rising tide that we were amazed how the location had remained unknown to us for so many years. At high tide at lunch time the numbers in view had dropped a bit. Well, to more normal numbers.

One Shag, almost touchable through the fence on the quayside, gave us every chance to get the ID right and any number of photographs of the bill, the dive, the tail. Long-tailed Duck stayed at their distance but were also well seen. We thought there were remarkable numbers of Mergansers. Virtually as many Knots as at the Wash – maybe a little exaggeration there. Many Pintail and Goldeneye and Lapwing and Golden Plover As our visit coincided with the local experts counting for the month’s Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count we were able to check our facts with them.

As a breather before lunch we motored on towards Wrabness and made our way on foot to the coast path. Plenty more of the same birds were seen there too plus a fair number of birds in the fields and in the trees to increase the numbers of land birds on our lists.

High tide back at Mistley was slightly an anti-climax and after lunch we decided to see if we could find twite and owls (any owls) at Tollesbury Wick. It was on the way home, just a small diversion, and we should have known that with the end of light coming quickly such a sensible decision was bound to not be as successful as the early morning had been. Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier yes. Goldfinch and other finches yes. But no sign of our targets.

So we failed to add any new species to our cumulative figure for the year.
Honourable none the less and leaving 200 to play for again in 2009.
Details of the plan for Saturday 3rd January can be found on the trips page of this website.
Many thanks to the drivers today and through the year.
Many thanks to the contributions of the passengers.
Many thanks to those who grant us our passes so that we can keep escaping on these trips.
A Happy Christmas and a successful new year to our reader.

71 Species recorded for 14th December 2008. 39 water and 32 land. Year total finishes at 193.

39 water birds already seen on earlier trips in 2008.
3 Swans Mute Swan, Black Swan, Whooper Swan, 3 Geese Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Shag, Long-tailed Duck, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, 5 Gulls: Black-headed, LBBG, GBBG, Common Gull, Herring Gull. Kingfisher.

32 land birds already seen this year:
Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Pheasant. Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Goldcrest, Stonechat, Starling, Long tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jay, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and House Sparrow.
Da.18.12.08.

Four of us found that we were free to trip out for an extra excursion and that the mega bird at the Royal Military Canal at Hythe was still present. Green Heron was seen safely and photographed early in the morning before rain took over much of the rest of the day. But still without doubt a good day and well worth going straight for the main target. Many thanks to the driver.

We filled one car and noticed that from 15th November the toll charge for a car using the Dartford Crossing was going up from £1.00 to £1.50. To balance this we would have the opportunity of cashing in on the new free night crossings for all by arriving at the booth before 0600 hrs or after 2200 hrs.

White sack birds lying in a field attracted our attention to the west of the M25 in a large field close to the A13 turn. A version of the plastic bag bird but plump and perhaps designed as sleeping Whoopers. How many have been agitated by this possible?/innocent? site gag?

Bird Guides tell us that Green Herons breed across the USA, down into Central America, the West Indies and coastal islands off Venezuela. The species winters in the southern USA and down to northern countries of South America. This bird was first seen on 25th October and would be the sixth record for Great Britain and Ireland. After our visit to the canal side and a few history lessons from the information boards it was off to the visitor centre at Dungeness RSPB.

We hoped for a black-necked grebe on the ARC pit but try as we might we could not spot it although others said they had seen it. There were flights across by uniformly white rumped feral doves that seemed to come within the limits of Rock Dove and then another fly by was reckoned to be Merlin by those present.

At the car park to the beach at Dungeness near to the nuclear power stations those who walked into the increasing rain were rewarded with Great Skua and Kittiwake.

Fourth and final stop of the day was identified as Oare Marshes. A desert wheatear at Sandwich seemed a bit out of the way on a day that was not as kind weather-wise as we had hoped. We did have a good walk around to the spotted crake area and saw that a bonfire was being built for evening celebrations. We saw that the site total for the year had reached 177 species and envied those who had been there to witness, for instance, Leach’s Storm Petrel earlier this month.

The thirteenth trip is Monday 17th November 2008. Saturday 13th December is also planned.
Other trips may emerge on a spontaneous basis especially as we are only 7 short of our 200 target.
All welcome. Usual preliminaries but still on the Thursday please – see the trips page of the website.

63 Species recorded for 8th November 2008. 32 water and 27 land. Year total now 193.
4 new species: Green Heron and Great Skua for the water and Merlin and Rock Dove for the land.

32 water birds already seen on earlier trips in 2008.
Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail. 9 Waders: Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, 5 Gulls: Black-headed, LBBG, GBBG, Common Gull, Kittiwake.

27 land birds already seen this year:
Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Pheasant. Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Starling, Long tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, House Martin, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Greenfinch, Linnet.

Four people filled one car for a planned Monday trip. With so many arriving birds reported on the Sunday and good sunshine on our way north just after dawn we were optimistic for the prospects. One of those days unfolded when almost all of the target birds would be elusive. No rain and 71 species and all safely home so our disappointments could have been much greater.

We motored past the church at Cley and did not know that the only reported Waxwings for the day would turn up there later. We had brief views of the Red-flanked Bluetail at Muckleburgh Hill after an hour or so of studying a couple of Robins. We did not stay long after that though and discovered later we had missed the chance of a later Dusky Warbler as well as the previous day’s Pallas’ Warbler. At Salthouse Beach we bonded with a Snow Bunting that was nestling down in the shingle while 30 friends flew round. Sea watching – Eider and Knot in flight.

Anyway. Off to the hides and feeders of Titchwell that could provide some good enhancements to our lists. But as it happened we could only reinforce existing entries of gulls and waders and other birds.
Sea -watching was a blank and there were no other bird watchers sharing the empty low tide beach.
There was though another lesson for us about nature red in tooth and claw. After gulls with four-pack plastic and a Dunlin in Essex with toes clamped by clams some time ago this beach showed us a Turnstone with a beak clamped by a mussel. The bird was as depressed and hunched as possible. But it was not terminally moribund. It still had flight and did not want us to get close. Some hope then. It had not seen Song Thrush slamming shells onto stones. Maybe its name meant more than we thought and its body was designed for turning things and its education had not included lessons on striking items onto rocks. Anyway, a happy ending - a sequence of jumping flights was (unexpectedly) successful and a black crustacean like shape fell to the beach – leaving the bird to flee urgently to the reserve.
Hide watching was more popular on the side of the building sheltered from the wind and facing the hills and dry land. But although a good enough list was developed there were few stars except perhaps the Rock Pipit that gave us ten seconds before going to the grass and a good number of Pintail.

Spotting birds outside was hampered by many of the silhouettes opportunities being against a dark background. But one Water Rail did eventually emerge from the gloom.
First Goldeneye of the second winter seemed appropriate.
Feeder watching was hindered by the birds having something better to do.
Shop watching and tea dispensing were more popular than usual.
Unusually, we gave up on viewing Woodcock and the Harrier roosts on the basis that they might not be keeping to a regular timetable either.

The date for our twelfth trip is Monday 17th November 2008. Saturday 13th December is also planned.
Other trips may emerge on a spontaneous basis.
All welcome. Usual preliminaries but still on the Thursday please – see the trips page of the website.
Usual post event courtesy – Many thanks to the driver.

71 Species recorded for 3rd November 2008. 41 water and 29 land. Year total now 189.
We added 1 new land species for the year: Red-flanked Bluetail

41 water birds already seen on earlier trips in 2008.
Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Common Eider, Goldeneye, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail. 15 Waders: Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed, Golden, Grey, Green Plovers, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, 5 Gulls: Black-headed, LBBG, GBBG, Common, Herring Gull.

29 land birds already seen this year:
Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Common Pheasant. Red-legged Partridge, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Cetti’s Warbler, Goldcrest, Starling, House Sparrow, Long tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Magpie, Jay, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Five people went to three places in a short loop round East Anglia. We did not visit the coast and we did not set out with the benefit of lots of interesting birds declared over the recent days that were waiting for us to come and see them. We decided to start off at Sutton Gault on the River Ouse near Ely to see if the Glossy Ibis had come back from its roost up river at Fen Drayton. Where next? We decided that it had been some time since we had visited the RSPB and Wildlife Trust site near Manea (spoken Maney) at Ouse Washes. So we moved there. A good visit and another choice needed! As no reachable and remarkable birds at all had appeared on the bird information systems available to us in the field our third and final site was selected as the Hawk and Owl Trust reserve at Sculthorpe Moor near Fakenham. Not all of us had been there before and there were some excellent features to be seen although the final hide turned out to be still not open.

We had started earlier than usual to try to make the best of the good weather promised. Frost had to be scraped off the cars first! The afternoon did not decline as the forecasters had warned might happen but as the Sunday turned out to be the wet day promised we thought we had done well. And Swallows and House Martins were still at the Ouse Washes to remind us we are still not far away from summer.

The Glossy Ibis had indeed already returned to its favoured field. It showed pretty well. Other birds there included a Bar-headed Goose that gave us some good views of its plumage as it flew around.

The Ouse Washes has long had a colony of Tree Sparrows and it is no coincidence that the feeding programme there is favoured both by this species and a number of other small birds. That was easy for us. Many thanks. We ventured to the first two hides to the south of the visitor centre and viewed more Whooper Swans and a good selection of ducks that were settling in for the winter. Marsh Harrier and Kestrel were seen. So was Ely Cathedral. Just a few Canada Geese around. With some anticipation we saw skeins of geese coming across the sky and were surprised that these turned out to be Grey Lags – feral geese making a good show of being new arrivals from their breeding grounds. Maybe not! On the coast we recalled that on one trip we had seen skeins of what we thought might be wild geese - they turned out to be Cormorants. Make no assumptions.

Sculthorpe Moor is worth a visit. Lots of feeders again attract good birds. We saw Marsh Tit and on other days Willow Tit can be found. We saw the Common Pheasant and were delighted with views of the introduced Golden Pheasant. We had a winter tit flock with Treecreeper and Goldcrest. The only hawks or owls were Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard. A field vole took scarps from under one of the feeders. No water voles came into view but we tried hard to be sure it really was “only” a Moorhen.

The date for our eleventh trip is Monday 3rd November 2008.
There will also be a second November trip. Monday 17th November 2008.
All welcome. Usual preliminaries but still on the Thursday please – see the trips page of the website.
Usual post event courtesy – Many thanks to the drivers.

62 Species recorded for 4th October 2008. 23 water and 39 land. Year total now 188.
1 new water species: Glossy Ibis
3 new land species: Tree Sparrow, Marsh Tit and Golden Pheasant.

22 water birds already seen on earlier trips in 2008.
Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Bar-headed Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Common Teal, Wigeon, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot. Waders: Snipe, Lapwing. Gulls: Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull. Kingfisher.

36 land birds already seen this year:
Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard. Common Pheasant. Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Cetti’s Warbler, Swallow, House Martin. Starling, House Sparrow, Long tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Magpie, Jay, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Two people went to the Essex Wildlife Trust reserves at Abberton Reservoir and Blue House Farm at North Fambridge. Two extra birds for the year were listed: Lesser Whitethroat and Redstart. Sixty eight species were seen and these are listed below. Good company. A shame that more than two interested people did not have the time available, especially as it was such good weather. We left at 0700 hrs and on this occasion were home for a late lunch.

The excavators are already enlarging the reservoir on the far side of the small causeway.

The date for our tenth trip is Saturday 4th October 2008.
Usual preliminaries please but almost certainly the destination will be Norfolk.

68 Species recorded for 20th September 2008. 35 water and 33 land. Year total now 184.
2 new land species: Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat.

35 water birds already seen on earlier trips in 2008.
Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Common Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail. Waders: one Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits. Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. Gulls: Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull. Kingfisher.

31 land birds already seen this year:
Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Grey Partridge, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Magpie, Jay, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, House Martin, Barn Swallow, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and Wheatear.

Four people in one full car listed 65 species on this twelve hour fine and sunny summer trip to Oare Marshes in Kent. Six birds were new for our year: Wheatear, Spotted Crake, Garganey and three waders. Another 150 miles went on the clock. Another excellent day. Many thanks to the driver.

It was good to be back in Kent. Well over a thousand birds for us to look at and learn from. What a lot of ID discussions. We had Little Stint in winter plumage, Little Stint still in summer plumage and juvenile Little Stint as well. Now. Where is that Curlew Sandpiper? It has just a little of summer plumage left. Which sleeping waders are the Knot? Those small sleeping Godwits are Greenshank.

Star birds were probably the Little Stint. The crown could have been handed to the Crake. We did not realise it was still around before we pulled up in the carpark. But as we emerged the representative of the dog walker’s convention assumed that it was our quarry and directed us to the right pools. No early joy but quite a few other birds to watch. Then a local man who knew what to look for, from having the bird there for a week, came along. We had just one brief glimpse of a head with a small bill through the scope focussed on what started as the slightest movement of the grasses. And all of the other sightings would turn out to be the (long billed) Water Rail families going about their business. For a break we walked round the east loop track at low tide.

Lunch was eaten while we were back standing on the bank looking over the Crake pools. If seated we would not have seen anything of the muddy edges of the reeds. For our second break we continued west to Dan’s Dock to find the Wheatear and a young House Sparrow that seemed to be a world record distance away from houses. Four female Marsh Harriers showed well across the water on the island. A paddle steamer sailed by. Sandwich Terns appeared.

No luck on the third pass of the Crake site either. And we were not try again after our second visit to the main groups of ducks and waders. The light remained excellent and there was as much to chat about with the people there including others from home. We realised that when Garganey (38cms/15ins) are sitting quietly in open water next to Teal (35cms/14 ins) they can seem just that little bit bigger than we expected. After about an hour a Grey Heron came out from under the bridge straight in front of us. It had been fishing in the shadows and returned for more after a short break. Muddy legs helped explain what he was up to.

We missed quite a few birds. Turtle Dove should have been available in good numbers but we only saw Swallows on the wires. The “certain” Peregrine Falcon was not seen. No Bearded Tit. No Goldfinch. We did see Common Seals on Horse Sands. There were a couple of glimpses of tail of Lizard. We saw a good number of dragonflies and both skippers and, in particular, Green-veined Whites. The pagers had hardly anything to say all day. But they did tell us about a Black Kite flying south from the Isle of Sheppey. If it crossed our path then we did not look up at the right moment.

The date for our ninth trip is Saturday 20th September 2008. Usual preliminaries please.

65 Species recorded for 23rd August 2008. 40 water and 25 land. Now at 182. Shall we find 200?
5 new water species: Spotted Crake, Garganey, Curlew Sandpiper, Whimbrel and Little Stint.
35 water birds already seen on earlier trips in 2008.
Mute Swan and cygnets, Little Grebe and young, single Grey Lag Goose that looked not very wild, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck, Common Teal, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail and young. Waders: Lapwing and young, Redshank, Greenshank, Ringed Plover and young, Curlew, many Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin and Knot, Green Sandpiper and Common Snipe, Ruff, 500 Golden Plover and one Grey Plover. Gulls and Terns: Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Common Tern and Sandwich Tern. Kingfisher heard and seen.
1 new land species: Wheatear. 24 land birds already seen this year:
Kestrel, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Starling, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting and young, Linnet, House Sparrow, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.

Five people saw 94 species on this July trip. Two cars. Ten birds were new for our year.
Another 264 miles on the clock. Another clockwise loop so that the sun was behind us. This month we ventured up to Norfolk and a bird list with water birds in charge. Up the A10 and home down the A11. Other people had the Duxford Airshow, the Hoddesdon classic car show or just holidays. After some wet rain in the morning while we were at Titchwell the weather cleared up to give a fine day.

Just a few birds in Norfolk were listed to attract us. We were within the first ten cars in the car park after nine o’clock. There was indeed the promised Grebe on the sea just where the RNG had been all week. But it was asleep and so we failed to get a full breeding plumage view at close range. Never mind. The Godwits and Ruff helped to make up for it. Juvenile plumage Little Gulls were star birds. Bearded Tits were having a really showy day in both Titchwell and Cley. But it was the terns that commanded most attention. And even more were to be seen over the sea at Cley and then at Sea Palling. But, unfortunately, no Roseate Tern was around and we could not repeat the experience that one of us had recently at Arnold’s Marsh with Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns sitting side by side and offering a lesson in plumage comparison.

Lunch in the car park. Then on with our eastward drive. Earlier in the day we had declined looking for Crossbill in the Holme pines but we did route ourselves up the cliff road at Hunstanton for Fulmar. Now we had a quick look at Montagu’s Harrier on our way to more sea watching opportunities. Good light but generally choppy seas made bobbing for Razorbill and Common Scoter a bit like a fairground challenge. At least the Eider were sitting out on the sand and the kittiwakes etc at Sea Palling were on the sea defences.

Cley. Fitted the cars into half of the spaces for able-bodied drivers at the start of the hike to Arnold’s Marsh. Sea defences were down and beach buildings had gone. North – Swarovski Optik hide was still there and quite a few avocets and Sandwich and Arctic terns were on view for ID lessons. No Roseates were there despite the pager saying the opposite. And the report of one blogging up and down the bay between Sea Palling and Happisburgh did not help us as the light faded.

Sea Palling. A horse paddock on Clink Road was our destination. A Red-backed Shrike had taken up temporary residence and stayed. Just behind the beach dune. An hour or so passed while we watched Barn Owl and horses, horses and Barn Owl and Swallow and nesting Great Tit. Where it popped up from we do not know but there it was. Excellent. 92 Shrike, 93 Kittiwake, 94 Little Owl.

Only the absence of “easy” birds such as Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Song Thrush, Jay, Pochard, and Egyptian Goose (Arnold’s Marsh) let us to fall short of 100 – a total well ahead of what we were looking at in the rain that put us in the hide early on in the day. But, many thanks to the volunteer at Titchwell for the commentary on what was around and what the RSPB plans are for the reserve: subject only to planning approval for letting the sea in and creating a new landward sea defence.

The date for our eighth trip is in August! Saturday 23rd August 2008. Usual preliminaries please.

94 Species recorded for 12th July 2008. 51 water and 43 land.
8 new water species: Barnacle Goose, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Arctic Skua, Little Gull, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, 43 water species already seen in the year to date.
Mute Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Brent Goose, Razorbill, Mallard, Feral Mallard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck, Teal, Scoter, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Gannet, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Greenshank, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Curlew, both Godwits, Dunlin and Sanderling, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Common Tern.
2 new land species: Montagu’s Harrier, Red-backed Shrike. 41 land birds already seen to date: Kestrel, Hobby, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Pheasant, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Bearded Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Starling, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler (with fine views of young) and Whitethroat.

No calls from people able to join a group trip and so we set up a late start at four o’clock and headed for the Brecks. We did pop into Hatfield Forest first just as most people were going home. Checks on progress with the grebe and tern young were positive. We were followed by a group with five telescopes. We also had a look at the bits of the marsh that can be seen through the screen of trees..

A drive up the M11/A11 opened up a clockwise loop. We started at Lakenheath with a gentle stroll to look over the washland. Good Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler as well as Wren and Reed Bunting. Next it was the National Nature Reserve at Weeting Heath. Seven Stone Curlew gave good and easy views at both hides; the nearest one without the need for much more than spectacles as viewing aids. A Barn Owl went hunting. A Spotted Flycatcher did what it says on the tin in the car park. A distant Little Owl gave us a hint of more owl fun ahead. By about nine o’clock we were on our way to May Day Farm.

May Day Farm, quite close to Centre Parcs, normally involves a long walk to what have in the past been the best spots for nightjar. On this occasion the other five people who had chosen this calm but not too warm night had stopped with good views of 180 degrees of horizon to the east. So. We stopped too. If I say that the glow worm just ahead of us was the main highlight I would be telling a porky. There was one faint churring from one nightjar that did not last for long but we were able to help one late-coming couple who were worried it might be too dark to see anything. No flights. One call though from a flying Woodcock. Lots of deer barking. Constant calls from Long-eared Owl were welcome. One bird had crossed the path in low and direct flight on our way in. As we returned to the car a Twit call from a Tawny Owl started up and also continued. Four owls were seen in the same trip. Another good thing to be stored away in that memory bank.

Meadow Brown was the butterfly of the day.
There was odonata at Hatfield Forest but we stopped looking after seeing one.
The orchid stands there were tired as their best before date had expired.

The date for our seventh trip is of course in July: Saturday 12th July 2008.
0730 departure to be confirmed. All welcome.
Bookings please by Thursday 26th – just follow the advice on our website.

57 Species recorded for 28th June 2008. 15 water and 42 land.
1 new water species: Stone Curlew, 14 water species already seen in the year to date.
Mute Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Woodcock, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Common Tern.

5 new land species seen in the year so far: Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Nightjar, Spotted Flycatcher, Bullfinch. 37 land birds already seen to date: Kestrel, Hobby, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, House Sparrow, Green Woodpecker, Swift, House Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Whitethroat.

Fifth Club trip of 2008 – Saturday 24th May – Things to learn at and around some well known sites

Three people travelled together in one car on this May trip. 78 species for the day. With seven species added our 2008 list moved to 160.

For the first time we visited the newly acquired Fen Drayton Lakes, renamed by the RSPB. Of course, we had been there under the old management. Progress is for sure being made with the Great/Ouse Fen project. We had time to collect, and later ID the exuviae of a Four-spotted chaser at Wicken Fen. Did our reader reach for their dictionary yet? One of us found our first Scarce Chaser at Fen Drayton.

We have to report that we did miss Red-footed Falcon at Fen Drayton even though by all of the gallery entries photographers were having a field day somewhere close by clicking away at the bird perched in a tree. That was quite a disappointment but is what happens sometimes. With all of the people watching and waiting in such a large area something was missing in our communication skills. That we did later find a Hobby perched in a tree at Fowlmere for more than an hour was a “whoops” moment. No Black Tern was anywhere for us to see. We also could not quite get to a Grizzled Skipper site because of all of the engineering works for the guided bus project from Huntingdon to Cambridge – and presumably back again!

Our route took in the three main targets of Fen Drayton, Wicken Fen and then Fowlmere.
Wicken Fen added Ringed Plover to the Little Ringed Plover that we had at Fen Drayton. All three sites had Hobby. And Newport and all the main fen stops had breeding Coot and Moorhen. Only Wicken Fen gave up Water Rail but we surely missed this species at the other places by our poor timing and possibly hearing. We had Little Grebe and Little Egret and Lesser Black-backed Gull but these names should not make the reader think that this is a minor site. An excellent walk and facilities and good habitat too from what we enjoyed in our short visit. We had sun all day although the wind was gusting a little and the whole of the region was waiting for a few days of rain to arrive – as it duly did and on time for early Sunday morning. We enjoyed much good fortune on that score. We had to check our message systems to check they were working when almost no bird alerts were fielded for East Anglia or the component counties!

Fowlmere in the middle of the afternoon failed to deliver Marsh Harrier. But we were able to look into Drewer Hide from the main hide - which we had not been able to do before – but did we want to? Although the highlights were maybe not birdy ones we did manage to collect some of the common species that had so far eluded us as we travelled round the country – see below.

Back closer to home we stopped on the top of the chalk at Coploe Hill. This look-out over the M11 near Ickleton is gaining a growing reputation for a place to watch bird movements and migration. Our visit was more of an orientation stop as part of a tour of the chalk habitat that is so close to our base in Stortford. Our final stop, before we reached the 10km box around Stortford that is our home territory, was in Newport where we had a look at the birds of the local sewage farm and the surrounding fields and woods.

Many thanks to the driver. About 130 miles.
The date for our sixth trip is Saturday 28th June 2008. 0730 departure to be confirmed. All welcome.
Bookings please by Thursday 26th – follow the advice on our website.

78 Species recorded for 24th May 2008. 29 water and 49 land.
1 additional water species: Common Sandpiper, 28 water species already seen in the year to date.
Mute Swan, Black Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Mallard, Feral Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Water Rail.
6 new land species seen in the year so far: Yellowhammer, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Swift, House Martin. 43 land birds already seen to date: Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Robin, Wren, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap,
Dwa, 25.05.08.

Three people travelled together in one car on this April trip – often the best day for seeing some of the early summer arrivals and passage birds. Instead of an extra long list of birds in three figures we were happy to get home safely with three highlights – finding the first golden oriole of the year at Lakenheath Fen; having an all-too-brief sighting of 13 Dotterel at Acle and staying on for a fine last minute view of one of the uncommon Lakenheath Common Cranes. We did make a fair collection of summer birds including Tree Pipit, Nightingales, and Whitethroat plus the trio of Grasshopper, Sedge and Reed warblers. On the other hand we missed out on Crossbill at West Stow, an exposed Turtle Dove – if one can say such a thing, at Lackford, Willow Tits at Santon Downham and, because we did not try hard enough, Stone Curlew. At Lakenheath we could not find Garganey. Surprise omissions: House Martin, Jay, Little Grebe and Little Egret. But we did add 24 species for the year.

Our plan, devised at the station before we left was to spend the day around the Brecks. We knew we would be short of coastal habitat for waders. West Stow and Lackford were the first stops. We had done quite well at these sites when we had a message from colleagues: if we drove up to Acle we should find Dotterel. Now that was an attraction. While we did not put the blue lights on we did just get there quickly enough. We were the last ones to see them. They were on the ground as we pulled up and then almost straight away when we were still in the car at the lay-by at the A47 they were in the air and giving us a lap of the field before we lost them from sight. A kestrel did for them.

Back to the Brecks. Our third stop was Santon Downham where we saw Tree Pipit in some style. And one adder slipped into cover from its lounge in the sunshine. The final port of call at 1630 was Lakenheath Fen where we hoped for Common Crane but thought we were too early for an Oriole.

What happened at Lakenheath Fen was this. We spent some time separating Reed and Sedge by voice and enjoyed the reel of Grasshopper Warbler. We heard from those returning to the car park that if one was patient then cranes could be seen. So we made our way to the far end of the reserve and only two people were still “on guard”. As we left the main bank at 1800 one of us turned round – its not only in pantomimes that the best things are often behind you. And there at tree top height flying north-west was a male Golden Oriole. We said we would stay until 1900 hours for the chance of Common Crane. Just after our deadline when we had only glimpses, and Hobby and Bearded Tit and Marsh Harrier for consolation, we witnessed one fairly long and reed clipping flight by one of the Cranes. Will they nest successfully this year? The warden was closing down the site. We reported our Oriole and he said he would be out early for the morning song to check this first bird of the year; much earlier than the start of the 2007 season.

Many thanks to the driver. Especially for the extra 100 miles.
The date for our fifth trip is Saturday 24th May 2008. 0730 departure. All welcome.
Bookings please by Thursday 22nd following the advice on our website.

6 additional water species: Common Crane, Bar-headed Goose, Common Tern, Dotterel, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover. 25 water species already seen in the year to date.
Mute Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Grey Lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Common Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Kingfisher

18 new land species seen in the year so far: Bearded Tit, Golden Oriole, Grasshopper Warbler, Stonechat, Hobby, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Tree Pipit, Sedge Warbler, Turtle Dove, Nightingale, Barn Swallow and Cuckoo.
37 land birds already seen to date: Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Tawny Owl, Sand Martin.

Six people in two cars made five stops in Essex on a day that had no rain but was mainly grey and cloudy but had a little bit of sunshine. Three new birds were added to the 2008 list.

Hanningfield was first stop. We had unfinished business from February when we failed to find the Long-tailed Ducks as we were on the causeway. From the Rawl Hide this time the ducks were only on sheltering under the far bank. But, even on the other side the view was much better than were the dots seen only at extreme distance from Hunstanton Cliffs in January. We had good groups of Ruddy Duck, Goosander (one male and eight females) and Goldeneye and single Black Swan. The first arrivals for the summer – Sand Martins were seen here (3) and later at Abberton (5).

We again chose Tollesbury as our second stop. As in February we opted for the shorter loop from the car park and this reminded us that this was still winter and that the February trip had been like summer. The authorities had relaid the gravel surface on the sea wall path for us. We saw plenty of Brent Geese and Avocet, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and a Rook surprisingly on the saltmarsh, plus a rather fine fly past by a Kingfisher.

Peldon was third stop. This time we failed to find any owls but did add Fieldfare and Little Egret to the day’s tally.

Abberton was fourth stop. There was a cold wind but we found the female Smew sheltering round in a quiet corner with mainly tufted duck. We had a good group of Shoveler. But most birds were sheltering from the elements. A pair of Mute Swans chose this time to display and mate. Earlier in the day a pair of Coot had done the same. Although some birds thought it was spring to us, every time we got out of the cars, the year seemed to have gone back into winter. However, we had no rain despite the forecast and with some sunshine in the morning weather conditions were much less dire than we had been led to expect.

Little Easton was fifth stop – we had not stopped at this village near Great Dunmow before. We added Common Buzzard, Wren and Redwing to the lists and enjoyed a brief visit to the local part of the Saffron Trail that included a walk along the River Chelmer.

Quite a few birds were seen from the car while travelling from site to site. Most of them were also seen during the various stops. Kestrel and the Red legged Partridge (17) that were found in the fields south of Marks Tey were the main exceptions.

Many thanks to the drivers.

The date for our fourth trip is Saturday 26th April 2008. 0730 departure. Please try and book by the Thursday evening – details on the website - so cars can be “commandeered” and best destinations considered.

70 Species recorded for 8th March 2008. 38 water and 32 land.
3 additional species: Black Swan, Mistle Thrush and Sand Martin.

67 species already seen in the year to date.
Mute Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Brent Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Common Teal, Mallard, Feral Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Smew, Long-tailed Duck, Ruddy Duck, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher

Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrow, Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Second Club trip of 2008 – Saturday 9th February – Vectoring round Essex

Five people in one car (not a Vauxhall and not a Vector) made four stops in Essex on a day of clear blue skies. Twelve new birds were added to the 2008 list.

Abberton was first stop in Essex. We hoped for Bittern on the short causeway away from the visitor centre. Not so much of a raceway and no fisherman. And sure enough – it arrived after not much of a wait. This smaller causeway always seems to provide good birding interest. Our trips there that come to mind have come up with Osprey and Great Reed Warbler, for instance. On this visit we also had a good few of the thirty-odd Goosander seen in total. However, at the long causeway there was Red-necked Grebe, Red-crested Pochard and Snipe and Smew and six White-fronted Geese.

Peldon was second stop. Short-eared Owls were our target. Not a good year for reports of these birds but this promised to provide the exception. And so it was with three of the five or six giving some decent views, including the classic of sitting quietly half way up a winter hedgerow. Although we left at 0630 hrs it was already lunchtime before we left this site.

We chose Tollesbury as our third stop. With high tide in the middle of the day we reasoned there should still be a fair amount of bird movement at the coast. We opted for the shorter loop from the car park without walking past the yacht club. This stretch of coastal path affords inspection of another local sewage works and also gives distant views of the inaugural breach of the East coast defences from some years ago. Pintail and Reed Bunting entertained. Plenty of Brent and Avocet and Grey Plover were seen and then more distant groups of other wading birds started to move.

With the time saved at our third stop – Tollesbury can be an all day stay with no boredom - Hanningfield was within reach before the day waned. But rather than another walk and what would have been our first hide of the day we opted to base ourselves on the causeway. No new birds to add. Long-tailed ducks were long gone. Quite a few more Ruddy Duck were seen after only one at Abberton. Have the shooters got all their millions and left the job unfinished and plenty of Ruddy Duck still around?

Many thanks to the driver.
The date for our third trip is Saturday 8th March 2008. 0730 departure should not deprive us of much daylight. Try and book by the Thursday evening – details on the website - so cars can be “commandeered” and destinations considered.

77 Species recorded for 9th February 2008. 45 water and 32 land.
12 additional species: Bittern, Feral Mallard, Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose, Smew, Goosander, Ruddy Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Red-necked Grebe, Meadow Pipit, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker,

65 species already seen in January. Mute Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Brent Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Cormorant, Common Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Curlew, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Godwit sp, Snipe, Knot, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone turning bread on the banking at Abberton, Dunlin, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull,

Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Short-eared Owl, Pheasant, Three Pigeons and Doves: Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and Stock Dove. Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Goldcrest, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrow.
Dwa, 19.02.08

Not only were eleven people offered this traditional itinerary but there were five cars. So it was a little tricky to keep everybody together. While one car pulled over to watch a Short-eared Owl the others got on their way and in the end found their Snow Goose. The lost/last car added Brambling, both partridges, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and their own Grey Heron and Little Egret plus they enjoyed a few lanes they had not known about before.

The local constabulary wanted to know why we were trying to see golden pheasant in the bushes at Wolferton; the breakfast bar was not open and the high tide prevented birds being seen at Snettisham Beach car park. So, not everyone was happy to start with and some were both unhappy and hungry. The big idea we inherit from 1974 or some other time in the dark ages was to get to the hides for high tide and see all of the birds that have taken shelter on the pits and then see them and the geese from the fields return over our heads to the mud flats as they get exposed by the falling tide. Choose the best high tide date and hope that the weather will be kind is the simple plan. On both tests the elements in 2008 scored spectacular bulls for us. Woe are we that the walk into the deepest Snettisham reserve seems no longer a must-do all-day group experience.

For 2008 the cliffs at Hunstanton gave us the theatre to open our accounts. Nine Scaup was one bonus. They normally come in ones and twos. Site-wise we were to collect species after Hunstanton at Brancaster Staithe, goose fields further inland from Wighton, Cley, Walsey Hills, Salthouse and finally Warham Greens for the Hen Harrier roost. Some cars tripped into Holkham, to Titchwell and Wells.

Fifty or more Snow Bunting at close range at Salthouse was some compensation for a single Lapland at the same place and only one Twite at Brancaster Staithe.

Cutting to the undoubted moment of the day. A well ordered twitchers’ scrum for the White-crowned Sparrow at Cley. We ensured that those who had not already seen this obliging and doubtless ship-assisted vagrant the previous weekend could add one Western Palearctic tick to their lists. The donation bucket was cheaper than return plane tickets for New York

We know we missed Firecrest at Walsey Hills. Some were looking the wrong way for Barn Owl there too. Some of us missed Water Pipits around the visitor centre at Cley. Of course, all of the birds today were the opening scores in the club 2008 trips. Few could resolve that the dots off Skegness were Long-tailed Duck. Reader, you can be sure that no-one saw all the 114 species. They were seen by eleven sets of eyes from five cars calling in to most of the best spots on offer in North Norfolk.

Thanks to all of the drivers. Stay Happy.
Second date. Saturday 9th February 2008 again at 0630.

114 Species recorded for 12th January 2008. 61 water and 53 land.
Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Black Brant, Grey Lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Snow Goose, Cormorant, Shag, Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Common Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shelduck, Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Eider, Scaup, Common Scoter, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, Avocet, Curlew, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Snipe, Knot, Redshank, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone pictured on crates at Brancaster Staithe, Sanderling, Dunlin, Woodcock at Wolferton, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Fulmar at Hunstanton of course, Razorbill, Kingfisher at Holkham.

Six raptor species: Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Three owls: Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl and Tawny. Three game birds: Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge and Grey Partridge. Four Pigeons and Doves: Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove and Stock Dove. Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Water Pipit, Rock Pipit, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Jay, Rook, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Goldcrest, Linnet, Twite, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Cetti’s Warbler at Holkham. Dwa, 14.01.08

Six people were on this outstanding trip. There were two cars yet only one new bird for the year. So, we failed to register a double ton and find we have 191 as the target for 2008.

The Desert Wheatear that had been at Horsey all week kindly stayed until we were there or should we say kindly stayed alive until we were there. It was located soon after we strolled up and so we did not have to use that time to be patient. In fact, it was the bird that seemed to be a potential patient needing care and attention even though, and perhaps because it had been fed by the visitors, even though it had been so confiding – it had been inspecting round people’s ankles. Anyway, it was cheaper for some of us than buying tickets for Morocco.

Minsmere was the first stop. Much of the water from the inundation of 9th November had drained away and all of the paths were open again. Starting at 0830 we had good views with a favourable sun of the assembled birds especially from the hide with access from the beach. Nothing truly remarkable but checking Dunlin and Whooper and Common Snipe and two not-Great Crested Grebes kept us amused.

When we left at about noon after finding 30+ Siskin and one of us hearing Bearded Tit we were already half way through the hours of daylight. We were enjoying another mild and dry Saturday with clear blue skies that was to be followed by a wet and blustery Sunday. To make the best of our luck the plan was to drive past the Blythbrugh Estuary and potential sites in Lowestoft and Breydon Water and get to Horsey in time to be patient for the Wheatear and then motor round to Hickling so that we could be at the raptor roost.

We regrouped as intended near Breydon Water just in case the Rough-legged Buzzard had got our message to ask if it would kindly be in the middle of a flight over Gampton when we passed by. No luck. No delay at Horsey with the Wheatear and the local Stonechats. So, what would we find to admire next. Well, the grey seal colony on the Horsey beach of course. No wonder we were confused why there were so many cars and so many Broadlands Authority staff present for crowd control measures when the few bird people were so well behaved.

A thousand people come every Boxing Day to see live what enthrals us all on Autumnwatch.
New pups all white and with their mothers and black bulls swimming just off shore to be sure they take the first opportunity offered. There was a voluntary beach closure just like Little Terns are afforded for their ternery. Apparently, where the seals are is not a sealery but should be known as a rookery.

Round at Stubbs Mill Raptor Watchpoint we had about 20 Marsh Harriers and then 25 Common Cranes give us a long fly past. Quite distant but we all knew now where the famous viewpoint was. About forty other people were there as well. We were disappointed by the virtual absence of Barn Owl, Hen Harrier and Woodcock but we had done well and we variously drove and were driven home in good spirits. Thanks to the drivers. Happy Christmas to all.

Next date. 12th January 2008 at 0630 for the traditional trip to North Norfolk.

63 Species recorded for 1st December 2007. 30 water and 33 land.
Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Pintail, Shelduck, Shoveler, Common Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Wigeon, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Kittiwake, Kingfisher.

Three raptor species: Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Stonechat, Magpie, Crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Linnet, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Cetti’s Warbler, Desert Wheatear.

Seven people were on this excellent trip and we were pleased to welcome two birding pals from Oregon. There were two cars and again four new birds for the year were seen. These were Hawfinch at Lynford Arboretum, Jack Snipe and Lapland Bunting at Salthouse and Little Auk from the east bank at Cley. We also had a much better meeting with the Ross’ Goose at Holkham – in arrival flight and on the ground and we had also had another good look at the escaped Sacred Ibis with the egrets at the roost

On the way to Salthouse one car found a field that had both Grey Partridge and Red-legged Partridge. At Salthouse the coffee seller was still in business. With a balmy summer type day his season must be having a welcome shirtsleeve extension, as is ours. Again the sea watching was over a calm sea with good light and the sun behind us. The only problems were with the wave coloured birds such as Red-throated Diver. The black and white ones like Little Auk, the guillemots and razorbills, the waders and the gulls, Kittiwake in particular, and the fulmars and the gannets stood out well. Again there were few sea ducks at either Salthouse or Cley – two Common Scoters and one drake Mallard the only counts.
The red legs of the Redshanks that were everywhere, and highlighted throughout by the sun, required a selection of better colour descriptions from a thesaurus. Red was quite inadequate.

Bird of the day was not polled at the time but all of the ones mentioned here might be contenders. The Swallow at Salthouse flying north justified the shouts of alert and glee. Consulting bird guides at home in the evening it was good to see that our Hawfinch reports were safely listed. No obvious short lifer although a Sparrowhawk at Lynford had its eye on a tree full of finches and thrushes.

Not only was last time’s damaged Avocet not at Arnold’s Marsh but there were precious few birds there at all. A stand of trees had been introduced to the public footpath. The camouflage canvas around the tubs led us to think there had been a film set and that this activity might have scared the birds off.

We were at Holkham at half past two and the refreshment van was not there. This was our second woodland habitat of the day and this might have helped deliver our respectable total. No dunes or beaches could be visited with it being pitch dark at 1700 hours. We had started at 0630 to get a full day in and will do the same in December and January. We did hear Tawny Owl at the final stop at the north of Lady Anne’s drive but we failed on Woodcock (except for a croak from somewhere along the ditch). No Barn Owl appeared so we had to add these to the earlier misses of Firecrest and Brambling

87 Species recorded for 3rd November 2007. 45 water and 42 land.
Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Ross’ Goose, Red-throated Diver, Shelduck, Shoveler, Common Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Wigeon, Common Scoter, Little Auk, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, (Sacred Ibis) Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Knot, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Kittiwake, Fulmar.

Three raptor species: Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Starling, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Redwing, Stonechat, Magpie, Crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Linnet, Hawfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler.

13th Club trip of 2007 – 13th October – Kelling with a side trip to Holkham.

Two people only were on this excellent trip. There was one car; one driver and one passenger; perhaps not surprisingly. Four new birds for the year were seen. Highlights were the Red-necked Phalarope at Kelling and watching from the Joe Jordan hide at Holkham the Egrets whiffle into their pre-roost pond below the roost trees close to Holkham Fort. The Barred Warblers were still in their bushes at Kelling but with one of us having seen them last week and the other having been with Fair Isle’s best for seven days their novelty value was less than it should have been.

On the fresh water at Kelling the Phalarope was in the good company of a Spotted Redshank. At Salthouse we had many Linnets and a Wheatear but the Snow Bunting and Shore Lark eluded us.
We met the warden at Kelling who explained where the Meadows started and the Quag(mire) ended. The Long-tailed Duck of the previous evening had gone and in all of our watches over a flat sea with excellent visibility we had no ducks at all. Razorbills were seen from Cley and a juvenile Gannet from Kelling. Red-throated Divers were seen in flight at two stops. But to our eyes not much else graced the salt water except geese. One man at Holkham offered the theory that the pink-feet there were preparing to move on to Holland although the clear night did not have the benefit of moonshine and that some small parties of 40 to 60 commuted both ways across the North Sea during the winter.

We had a stop at Salthouse and another at the upper waters at Stiffkey at the path to Cockthorpe but the escaped Ibis was not at its adopted home.

Bird of the day that would not be there next week was the only Avocet. Its left leg was being dragged around Arnold’s Marsh at Cley in a semi-detached way. For us the walk to the sea there required t-shirt order. We enjoyed a summer’s day especially with the late date. Bird calls were one of the highlights with Cetti’s, Water Rails and Bearded Tits to the fore. There were also a couple of Sandwich Terns using light calls as they left the marsh and made their way back to the sea crossing over the backs of some of the many other groups thronging the coastal path – DoE, RSPB, families, self help groups etc.

We were at Holkham late enough to drive to where the refreshment van had already left but too late for much passerine watching. It must have been a good year somewhere for Long-tailed Tits. There were two obliging Goldcrests (but no Firecrest) and all of the regular Robins. Homage was done at the cross paths to the warblers that we did not see. And then we spent time as the sun set watching more than a hundred egrets fly in to the roost. The pink feet seemed to have come into Holkham early and just a few stragglers were seen instead of the serried ranks that flew in at the same stage last Saturday.

Non bird sightings included one seal in the water and for butterflies a comma, small tortoiseshell and whites and a Speckled Wood. Other mentionables included Hawkers and a Common Darter and a Muntjac at the Little Grebe pond at Holkham. The (second crop) blackberries were large, shiny, ripe and tasty and they were also delighting the birds (Barred Warblers) that were interested.

4 species were added to our 2007 club lists: Water Rail, Red-Necked Phalarope, Razorbill and Wheatear. Our total for the year now stands at 186 – only 14 away from 200. Next date. 3rd November.

71 Species recorded for 13th October 2007. 39 water and 32 land.
Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose (1), Red-throated Diver, Red-necked Phalarope, Shelduck, Shoveler, Common Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Razorbill, Gannet, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Water Rail, Avocet (1), Lapwing, Dunlin (1), Curlew, juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Common Snipe, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Sandwich Tern, Kingfisher.

Only two raptor species: Marsh Harrier and Kestrel. Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon,
Wood Pigeon, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Starling, Blackbird, Redwing, Stonechat, Magpie, Crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Linnet, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Barred Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Bearded Tit, Wheatear.

12th Club trip of the year – 6th October 2007 – Holkham Pines and a side trip to Kelling.

Five persons started and finished this trip. Another balmy day. Warm for the autumn. Cloud cover to start and mostly throughout. No rain again. It will catch up with us again one day soon. We were pleased to catch up with Barred Warbler, a species that had eluded us at Winterton last time. Two birds in a hedge on the path to the coast at Kelling showed us what experts this species is at staying hidden on the inside of cover although we were only ten feet from them! At Holkham we explored west of the Washington hide as a group for the first time. We walked right through to the dunes and found a Northern Great Grey Shrike on the first fence. The Yellow-browed Warblers that we saw had arrived in the week. Bird Track tells us that when the high pressure moved north to let easterlies invite movements from the continent birds were seen on radar flying at an altitude of 2.5km over the Netherlands on their way here. One Redwing had made it from Scandinavia but, although feeding, had given up flying and did not look as if it would be doing the return trip. Most were full of life.

We had two cars and the slower one had much trouble keeping up. Although one car visited more places than the other the species list only includes the birds seen when we all managed to be more or less together with the same birds. Thanks to the drivers anyway and as ever. Excluded from the listings are some regular coastal birds seen by the occupants of the faster car during a stop at Stiffkey and some flyover birds such as Crossbill, Redpoll and Lesser Whitethroat at Holkham. We cannot include Subalpine Warbler because it was no longer on the dunes between Holkham and Burton Overy, as far as we, and quite a few others, could tell.

We did not visit beaches where the species available and mentioned by others included Snow Bunting, Shore Lark, Lapland Bunting, Wheatear and Sanderling. Some of us contrived not to find the Ross’s Goose that came in over Lady Anne’s Drive with Pink Feet at 1218 and went off again at 1620 but was not seen to come into roost. We watched the spectacle of the roost from the ramps to the Washington Hide. We look forward to our next visit this season. We all spent a long time trying to find Greenish Warbler as this was being mentioned as a species that was likely to be around.

We did see the escaped Sacred Ibis as we drove past the wetland at Stiffkey. We saw it again when it was flying into roost with the Egrets and Cormorants at Holkham. We did not see the Great White Egrets that are reported to do the same.

6 species were added to our 2007 club lists: Ross’s Goose, Stonechat, Yellow-browed Warbler, Barred Warbler, Redstart and Brambling. Our total for the year now stands at 182. 220 miles covered today.
Next date. 13th October. All welcome. To book: please get in touch as set out on the trips page.

55 Species recorded on 6th October 2007.
The reader who has got this far might notice that the land species outnumber the water species. 20/35.
Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Pink-footed Goose, Ross’s Goose, Shelduck, Common Teal, Mallard, Feral Mallard, Wigeon, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.

Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Great Grey Shrike, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Starling, Blackbird, Redwing, Magpie, Rook, Crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Goldcrest, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Brambling, Redstart, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler.

11th Club trip of 2007 – 15th September – Winterton, Horsey, Waxham, Breydon Water and Lound.

Five persons started this trip – on another day with no rain and unbroken sunshine as far as the weather was concerned. However, the day was not as successful as it should have been. Staying with the weather, there had been no winds to bring autumn migrants onto the coast. The only target (Barred Warbler) had apparently left Winterton overnight although it was found again on Sunday. We had no sign of the single replacement: a Wryneck apparently close to us at Waxham.

With fewer birds to see we started messing with other wildlife and one of us was left behind having hospital treatment after being bested by an adder. There were fine Chinese Water Deer to admire near Horsey but our birds direct system was thwarted throughout and was bested by the NHS Direct system that was engaged to help us out.

So. This report is rather more sober than a mere day with no migrants should have produced.
And. Although we put together a perfectly good list and we saw almost all of the birds in good light and at decent range we have to accept that we were all on a downer.
But. It could have been a whole lot worse. And. Next month we will be a whole lot wiser.

Spots of sea watching at Winterton and Waxham gave good views of Red-throated Diver and Guillemot and some more distant views of passing birds such as the two Skuas and Sooty Shearwater.

Winterton had us 200m south of the Hermanus holiday centre. The blackberries were good. An adder was not doing well at crossing the road in the sand dunes. A Tawny Owl had done even less well and had been run over on the road.

Horsey had us admiring two Chinese Water Deer. There was nothing else to drool over.

Waxham was windier. It was breaking kites that dared to fly. It was a good place for lunch.

Breydon Water was studied for more than three hours. We were close to hand if needed and because there were no better hiding places. We were at the Rugby Club side again and had the sun behind us and witnessed a procession of the best waders and gulls both in flight and resting that anybody could wish for as the tide ebbed. Only one of the five Spoonbill remained but it was active and showed well.

Lound was a new site for us and gave us Hobby as our fifth raptor for the day. With a Barn Owl project, reports of Osprey and Honey Buzzard we should perhaps return.

What with a new caterpillar and Grayling, Small Heath and Small Copper it was not all poor.

5 species were added to our 2007 club lists: Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater, Guillemot, Curlew Sandpiper, and Great Skua. Our total for the year now stands at 176. 250 miles. Next date. 6th October.

78 Species recorded for 15th August 2007.
Pink-footed Goose, Egyptian Goose, Red-throated Diver, Shelduck, Common Teal, Mallard, Feral Mallard, Wigeon, Common Scoter, Guillemot, Gannet, Sooty Shearwater, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Kittiwake, Common Gull, Common Tern.

Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Starling, House Sparrow, Blackbird, House Martin, Swallow, Magpie, Rook, Crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Siskin, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

10th Club trip of 2007 – 18th August – Cley and Breydon Water, Great Yarmouth

Six persons were in this trip. A twelve hour trip with no rain. The rain at waking up time had stopped by meeting time when we accepted that the driest day was likely at our favoured east coast destinations. Which ones exactly would be favoured took a few minutes to resolve. Answer: it was the Norfolk Wildlife Trust mecca of Cley that had the vote. We would then have the choice of deciding whether to go east or west. Depending on whether anything worth writing home about had been found. No such reports came through; never mind.

Maybe many of the absent bird watchers had gone to the Bird Fair at Rutland Water. Where all the birds had gone remained a bit of a mystery but we did in the end manage to find 66 for the day.

A spot of sea watching gave some distant views of passing birds. And we had the opportunity of learning about the various calls of the terns that entertained us rather closer in. None of the Sandwiches resting on the ponds were of the Roseate variety – they must have been on the sea shift.

After Cley it was decided to head for Breydon Water where Spoonbill and White-rumped Sandpiper were likely to be available. The Spoonbill is a big bird. Five were expected. They had been there most of the summer and so the chase was likely to be for the sandpiper. Last year we had been able to locate one at Cley on a cold day and some are available most years. Breydon Water was reached in the middle of the day but it was full tide and a couple of hours were available for lunch and a walk around the riverside park until some suitable mud re-emerged. A favoured spot had been near where we were parked. This mud on the southern side of Breydon water turned out to be on the Suffolk bank. Some local birders joined us when they knew that someone else was already on their target bird. They were in their home county. For them it was good news that the bird was showing increasingly well in good light but it was bad news that the mud that had been chosen was on the far bank and therefore in Norfolk. They were faced with trying to work out how to get it to mid channel so that it could be added to their Suffolk county year list. No such dilemma for us.

Raptors. Apart from a Marsh Harrier at Cley and some kestrels we had little to see. Except that all of the feeding birds were enjoying their lower level part of the food chain.

Seven species were added to our 2007 club lists: Garganey, Spoonbill, White-rumped Sandpiper, Arctic Skua, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern and Bearded Tit. Together we saw 66 species in the day.

Frogs and Hares were seen at Cley. Green parasols maybe are used to mark wrecks only when they are in the boating channel.
An excellent day that made good use of surprise good weather. 250 miles. Many thanks to the drivers.

We look forward to the next trip on Saturday 15th September. You can find out how to come with us on these monthly trips by clicking on the future trips button of this website.

Species recorded for 18th August 2007.
Mute Swan, Grey Lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Common Teal, Mallard, Feral Mallard, Garganey, Common Eider, Common Scoter, Gannet, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, White-rumped Sandpiper, Turnstone, Arctic Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern. Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Starling, House Sparrow, Bearded Tit, Blackbird, Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow, Magpie, Rook, Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

A hot morning at Oare was shared with a major Swale boat race that had started at 0700hrs and returned for a 1300hrs lunch that was our picnic timetable too – although we were on the beach.
Cars were parked everywhere. Our day was even more memorable for a coastal out and back walk along the western beach path followed by a circular walk around the eastern paths. We had thirty species by the time we returned eastwards to the Harty Ferry boardwalk. Curlews were seen as well as Whimbrel. Tufted Duck and Pochard females were both looking after small ducklings. Every adult Little Grebe had young. Reed Warblers and Reed Bunting. Both Yellow and Pied Wagtail were seen.

We counted 70 species in total for the day and in the process added another four species to the tally for the year that has now reached 164. The species added were the Yellow Wagtails and three of the birds at Connaught Water – Mandarin, of which there were stronghold numbers, Red-crested Pochard, just one, and Nuthatch that had eluded us so far. Today there were a couple in amongst a tit flock.

Later highlights at Oare Marshes, a Kent Wildlife Trust reserve, included one Greenshank and quite a few Ruff. The Sea Hide gave us Avocets. The West Hide gave us Common Tern and two more waders – Dunlin and Green Sandpiper.

Raptors. On our arrival we had a fly by by a Marsh Harrier. We saw another across on the Isle of Sheppey – but it could have been the same one? There was some delight when a peregrine type blob was scoped on a distant pylon. Not long after that most of the waders took to the air. And a Peregrine came right past us. We had to wait for our second coastal walk in Gillingham for the day’s Sparrowhawk – and a big one it was with very slow wing beats as it went out over the water.

Our stop at Riverside Country Park in Gillingham was the third time we can remember stopping there.
We did not get the promised Knot but it was a flat walk with no difficulties by itself. ‘Elf and safety notices warned us of the changing hazards we were facing however and so we took blackberries rather more furtively than usual and ate them without washing them and left the few we dropped on the ground.

Excluding Trim’s Green our final stop was at Connaught water in Chingford. Known to have been a Mandarin stronghold we expected to have to find them tucked away under the surrounding trees. But no. They were virtually everywhere. And still sporting the grey colours of the bird we are seeing at Hatfield Forest lake. Red-crested Pochard was a bonus as was Nuthatch as we are now in August.
We must spend more time in the woods with our eyes and ears open.

Seals were seen at Oare and crabs at Riverside.
But. Did you know that green parasols can be used to mark wrecks?
An excellent day that made good use of the warm weather.
Many thanks to the driver.

We look forward to the next trip on Saturday 18th August. You can find out how to come with us on these monthly trips or on the summer outings by clicking on the future trips button of this website.

Species recorded for 4th August 2007. Mute Swan, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mandarin, Mallard, Feral Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret at Oare and Riverside, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon,
Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Nuthatch, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Starling, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Swift, Sand Martin, Swallow, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Three people enjoyed this trip to three sites in Essex and at least one of us came home with sunburn. We saw 77 species and added another four species to the tally for the year that has now reached 160. The species added were Black Swan – 2 at Abberton and 2 at Old Hall, Whimbrel, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper. Thanks to the driver.

We look forward to the next trip on Saturday 4th August. You can find out how to come with us on these monthly trips or on the summer outings by clicking on the future trips button of this website.

We set out westwards along the still new A120 and were in Colchester in no time. We had decided to visit some of the Essex sites. Although we started and ended with the familiar sights and sounds of Abberton and Fingringhoe there were some pleasant surprises. We were fortunate to spend nearly four hours ambling round the short walk at Old Hall Marsh RSPB where we had a permit for the car park.

Abberton. High quantities of waterbirds were seen at the Layer Breton causeway including lots of Pochard that it seemed to us had not migrated north and had not bred either. About four Ruddy Duck were lurking around watching for shotguns and the only pair seen did not seem to have young with them. At the longer causeway we again failed to find Yellow Wagtail.

Old Hall. If we had been speed walking and only checking our footing we would have taken little time to whiz round the 4km short walk. But that was not the point of our visit. As it was we looked down for butterflies and only minutes later realised we had missed a Kestrel box. The red Godwits were prominent even at a distance. We looked at reed buntings and then saw Hobby behind. The male Ruff coming out of breeding plumage was a revelation. The tide was coming while we were there.

Fingringhoe. Yachts were returning upriver with the incoming tide at quite a speed including one like a Thames Barge – the Reminder registered in Norwich. Most of the Curlews and smaller waders had made their way to the saltings before we arrived but the visibility was excellent and we were able to watch their comings and goings and puzzle over why they seemed so nervous and kept flying round.

As we left this EWT reserve we turned north and stopped to investigate the large sand quarry. A major colony of sand martin was hard at work at their nests and, appropriately enough there was a Green Sandpiper in attendance.

The sea lavender provided what constitutes home for many Large Skippers. Altogether we saw ten butterflies plus assorted blues and whites. We identified various skimmers and damselflies and hawkers but were mystified by a day flying bat out in broad sunshine at 1030 hrs.

Species recorded for 21st July 2007. Mute Swan, Black Swan, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose – 1 at Abberton, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal at Old Hall, Mallard, Shoveler at Old Hall, Pochard, Tufted, Ruddy Duck at Abberton but no young seen today Derwent May – Feather Notes Times page 79 today, Little Grebe at Old Hall, Great Crested Grebe at Abberton, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret at Old Hall and Fingringhoe, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, juvenile Little Ringed Plover at Abberton, Lapwing, Ruff at Old Hall, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel one at Old Hall, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper at the sand quarry near Fingringhoe, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Hobby, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove at Old Hall and Fingringhoe, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Starling, House Sparrow, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin at same quarry as Green Sandpiper, Swallow, Sedge Warbler at Old Hall, Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat and Chiffchaff at Fingringhoe, Jay at Abberton, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

There were only two people on this trip. The monthly trips are advertised well in advance on the club website and it could not be more clear that all are welcome to come. Advice about how to “book” – pick up the phone.

We saw 64 species and drove a 180 miles round trip. We added four species to the club trip 2007 tally that has now reached 156. The additions were Bittern, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail and Treecreeper. And we had a great outing. Rain. What rain. Our first pictures were of a rainbow. All of the showers came when we were relaxed and watching from the ring of hides.

We arrived at 1700 hours with the intention of walking right round the Island Mere and Canopy Hide circuit before having a picnic supper in the North Hide and driving over to the heath on the road to Dunwich Village to get another view of Nightjar. And this is exactly what we did. And the new path between those two named hides was impeccable through the swamp and the rhododendrons.

Simon Barnes agreed with us again (Lakenheath last time; Minsmere this time) about the best place to be this weekend. Of course, his column in the Saturday Times was able to include a section about his privileged access to parts of the reserve not open to the public. And the reserve had a Nightjar walk at 2100hrs that had been fully booked for a long while that evening too. So, anyway, we got on with it and did our own thing.

We were surprised about a few things. How many breeding Barnacle Geese there are. And one of us had not realised that the Sand Martin nest bank is now empty after they have moved to a sea cliff. After rain on the bank holiday four Bittern nests had been lost but four had survived. No bearded tits appeared. Tufted Duck already had young, at least, one did. After the various trials shown on Springwatch the Shelduck young seemed to be some of the less vulnerable young birds.

Path from visitor centre: lots of young fledged birds being fed including Treecreeper
East Hide: first look at the scrapes and the amphitheatre at the heart of the reserve.
Bittern Hide: Marsh Harriers and the ears of deer
Island Mere: Bittern boom and then flypast and more Marsh Harriers
Heath: Green Woodpecker and Jackdaw plus lots of rabbits of course
Canopy Hide: Jay and the Chaffinch glued to its treetop during a heavy downpour
North Hide: Green Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gulls in numbers and at least 18 Black-tailed Godwits. A small band of starlings gave us an aerial display that could have been a rehearsal for the larger volumes when winter comes.

We had seen the Grey Wagtail at the bridge approaching Middleton that had taken so long to build a few years ago. Other birds added en route were House Sparrow and Goldcrest at the farm shop lay-by shortly after the turn off the A12 at Yoxford.

Highlights included the Bittern coming past with throat patches showing where the booms had been made. Also, the water vole spotted selecting and eating reeds in the pond-dipping pond. The nightjars of course were worth waiting for although again none were seen. And the surprise Nightingale at the turn from the Minsmere road onto the Westleton to Dunwich road stopped us in our tracks. Lots of deer came out, especially crossing the nightjar road after dark, but also a Muntjac chomping away on the scrapes, another skulking in dark brown woodland after we left the Bittern hide - almost as well as that big cat Puma must skulk - and the ears of deer (see above).

Species seen, although one or two just heard, on 16th June 2007 and seen also on earlier trips
Mute Swan, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Pheasant, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Nightjar, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Cetti’s Warbler, Goldcrest, Starling, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Swift, Sand Martin, Swallow, Nightingale, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting.

Four species added on the day: Bittern, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail and Treecreeper.

Dwa, 17.06.07

This trip to the Brecks on Tuesday 5th June was upgraded from a scheduled club summer walk. Those who had booked decided that it seemed a better use of time to drive to Lakenheath RSPB and May Day Farm than to spend the afternoon walking along the River Stort from Spellbrook to Pig Lane when sightings there were unlikely to match what the Brecks had to offer.

A couple of weeks ago the RSPB announced that at the Lakenheath (Hockwold Fen) reserve where a new visitor centre had just been completed four Common Cranes had been sighted and that two of the birds were breeding. With the regular rare breeding Golden Oriole not having been looked for this year and the chance of using the 1400hrs planned start for a late night listening to and maybe looking at Nightjar in the Brecks the change of plan fitted our diaries and was thus a no-brainer.

Three people made the trip; in one car of course. 127 miles were driven and 57 species seen. Many thanks to the driver. The fifty-two species seen again are listed as a footnote. Five species were seen for the first time in 2007. As there were three people present these species can be added to our club UK year list for birds seen/heard/identified outside of the local area: Common Crane, Golden Oriole, Tawny Owl, Long-eared Owl, Nightjar. Our 2007 list is now 152 species.

Not everyone had seen the Common Cranes on their trips to Lakenheath in the days since the announcement. They love a nice bit of wet, bleak countryside. Simon Barnes in his wildlife column in the London Times of Saturday 2nd June had sung their praises and talked also about how they are good at dancing. But these birds had not favoured him with an appearance. Some people had seen them in the reedy area between two of the poplar plantations. We seized our chance to walk beyond the farthest point of the circular walk to watch two Cranes in the fields across the river. We stood on a concrete roof to give us the necessary height. And they danced.

Not everyone sees Golden Oriole on their trips to Lakenheath. Sometimes one has to be grateful for listening to their fluting call. Sometimes there is just a snatch of the call. So it was for us.

Not everyone sees Tawny Owl. Only one of us was in the right place to hear one at Lakenheath as the day started to get even darker than it had been. At lunchtime we had looked forward to a summer afternoon in shirtsleeves. We drove fifty-four miles north and here was a colder micro-clime.

It is not every year that we get close to a Long-eared Owl. When we left Lakenheath we made for May Day farm between Brandon and Thetford. As we had time in hand before Nightjars were likely to start calling at 2145 or 2200 hrs we decided to have a look around the fields at Weeting. No Stone Curlew were seen and we had a stroll up Area 49 opposite the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserve. Pheasants were flying up into the trees to roost. A Wood Lark flew round for us. Song Thrush sang and sang. Up the track there was a large but light shape that flew across the path to the right and then after a while flew back again. LEO we agreed.

While there we tried to remember what the guidebooks say that Chinese Water Deer look like.

And so to the Nightjars. We had seen them at May Day before but this time we did not walk for miles into the forest tracks. We stopped a 100 yards maybe past the bird hide where there was 180 degrees of open sky to watch for their silhouetted shapes. Well, one Woodcock did oblige us but the only Nightjar was churring away almost out of earshot. So we knew that at Santon Downham we could hear them closer to the car although there was no chance of seeing them. And that is what happened.

Home at the witching hour of midnight. Safe, and with nearly all of the boxes ticked. Sightings just a little less than classic on some points. They will have to save for another day.

The fifty-two species seen again were:
Mute Swan, Cormorant, Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Reed Warbler, Hobby, Buzzard, Pied Wagtail, Swift, Swallow, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Tufted Duck, Sand Martin, Starling, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Moorhen, Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Robin, Teal, Cuckoo (pair), Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Wren, Blackbird, Marsh Harrier, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Little Grebe, Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Garden Warbler, Rook, Kestrel, Wood Lark, Woodcock.

Change of direction this month. The Osprey project at Rutland Water this year has a nesting pair in front of two of the hides at Lyndon and the female is a bird that was raised in 2004 at Rutland and is the first female to return and breed. So we thought that this deserved a visit. And we were not disappointed. As well as quite a bit of movement and flights by the birds the volunteers answered all of our questions with good humour. And the walk to get to the hide took us past hedges and woods with so many warblers singing that our resolve as to which was which got tested just a little bit. The hides in-between were worth visiting and we had a very photogenic Kingfisher. After lunch we moved to the Egleton part of this wildlife trust reserve. Much quieter here although there was a nest bank made for Sand Martins and from the Shoveler hide a set of sandy islands that was clearly made for birds. Three Hobbies were in the sky and a Great Black Backed Gull flew over and put up all of the nesting and resting birds. The people there said that however much we might be impressed more species had been seen on the previous Saturday. But we accepted its potential and still confirmed some new birds to our lists and had some good birdwatching.

On our way to Rutland Water we had stopped off at Eyebrook Reservoir. As we made the turn down into Stoke Dry we had a fine Red Kite above us – likely to be from the Rockingham reintroduction project? A large group of Dunlin and a couple of Godwits were seen. Lots of Cormorants and Grey Herons – not surprising as this is a big fishing venue? Over the water we added Swift and the two martins to the growing number of birds seen for the first time this year on this trip – see second part of the bird list below. In all we had 80 birds. 63 species we had already seen on earlier club Saturday UK trips and 17 seen for the first time, this year.

On our way home we made two stops. The first was at Paxton Pits close to the A1 just north of St Neots. Although by then the Visitor Centre was closed we had time to walk to the Kingfisher hide. Although the weather forecast had predicted showers in most places, and it had been wet at home, we contrived throughout the day to be somewhere without rain! There was a Turtle Dove purring some way away out of sight as usual to challenge our hearing. And so many Nightingales we gave up attempting an accurate count, especially as we walked an out and back route.

The second stop on the way home was at Sandon near Baldock. We try to go there to find birds of chalkland habitats. In the first field we found a pair of Red-legged Partridge and in the same field another pair turned out to be Greys! Corn Buntings were exactly where we had hoped. And as we made our way to the A10 for the final part of our 200-mile journey we drove past no less than four Little Owls. Well, they do sit out in prominent places as dusk falls but to see four on one day made us realize that we must have done something right to finish our itinerary with these upbeat records.

Many thanks to the driver.
Species list with added birds shown separately.
The year list now stands at 147.

Mute Swan; Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron; Cormorant; Egyptian Goose, Greylag, Canada Goose; Shelduck; Gadwall; Mallard; Feral Mallard, Shoveler; Tufted Duck; Moorhen; Coot; Oystercatcher; Lapwing; Dunlin; Black-tailed Godwit; Black-headed Gull; Common Gull; Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull; Common Tern; Kingfisher; Buzzard; Sparrowhawk; Kestrel; Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Stock Dove; Cuckoo; Green Woodpecker; Skylark; Pied Wagtail, Wren; Dunnock; Robin; House Sparrow; Starling; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Long-tailed Tit; Magpie; Jackdaw; Rook; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Greenfinch; Yellowhammer; Reed Bunting; Corn Bunting; Swallow; Nightingale; Blackcap; Whitethroat; Chiffchaff; Willow Warbler. (63we already had on the 2007 trips list)
Little Ringed Plover, Osprey, Red Kite, Hobby, Grey Partridge, Turtle Dove, Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow, Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Bullfinch. (17 new sightings this month).

Not a surprise after the run of summer temperatures in spring: the weather could not have been more pleasant. Only three of us welcomed the first of the summer visitors onto the cumulative list for 2007. Just a modest haul of 69 species recorded on the day. We were leaving many more to be added on later trips. Ten additional species were seen to bring the 2007 cumulative list to 130 - including a plus one adjustment to earlier lists.

We had hoped to find more migrants and we had to make do without Yellow Wagtail at Abberton and without House Martin or Sand Martin anywhere. Nightingales had been at Fingringhoe for a week and although we failed to see them we had plenty of reminders there and at Abberton about the role the rattle call has in the repertoire.

Particular highlights included the opportunity to watch and photograph the mating display of Mute Swans at Abberton. There was a resting green hairstreak at Fingringhoe with a small copper close by and a fair number of speckled woods and orange tips as well as a few tatty Peacocks that had over-wintered. There was a sunning, and quite large, Adder at Fingringhoe.

Just a word or two about plastic birds. Feral Mallard has been added here because the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has asked that a separate note be made in surveys of full bloodied Mallards and those that are hybrids with various types of farmyard duck. We shall probably try harder than usual to overlook them on most trips but if the experts want to know about them then we can oblige. As any reader will know, Abberton has more than its fair share of such birds. Feral Goose has yet to make a parallel appearance on the lists. Abberton also tested us again with a white plastic bag bird. And then the pond on the approach to Fingringhoe has a pair of Black-billed White Swans tethered together and moving gently in the breeze.

Ruddy Duck. The cullers have apparently been out shooting these birds so that they, the hunters, can qualify for a share of the government’s booty in recognition of their efforts to clear these birds out. One pair was missed. They will not be the only ones. At the major tern raft at Abberton a pair of Oystercatcher had secured part of the main surface for a nest but it looked again as if any Moorhen that were trying to nest at the raft were consigned to the angles in the underpinnings. The more important “news” was that the Government has instructed that water storage capacity at Abberton should be increased by 50 per cent. The visitor center will have to be moved and this is only one of the many changes that seem to be under discussion.

Home for half past four and then an evening visit to Thorley Wash to catch up on what had been happening closer to home with a welcome influx of Grasshopper Warblers.

Mute Swan; Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron; Little Egret; Great Cormorant; Egyptian Goose, Greylag, Greater Canada Goose; Dark-bellied Brent Goose; Shelduck; Gadwall; Mallard; Shoveler; Tufted Duck; Pochard; Kestrel; Marsh Harrier; Common Pheasant; Moorhen; Coot; Oystercatcher; Avocet; Grey Plover; Lapwing; Dunlin; Black-tailed Godwit; Bar-tailed Godwit; Curlew; Redshank; Black-headed Gull; Common Gull; Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull; Woodpigeon; Collared Dove; Stock Dove; Green Woodpecker; Skylark; Pied Wagtail, Robin; House Sparrow; Blackbird; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Long-tailed Tit; Magpie; Jackdaw; Jay; Rook; Carrion Crow; Starling, Cetti’s Warbler; Dunnock; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Greenfinch; Linnet; Reed Bunting

Feral Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Common Tern, Cuckoo, Swallow, Nightingale, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler.

Third club trip of 2007
24th March to Cley, Titchwell and other North Norfolk coldspots

Surprise! The weather could have been more pleasant. Adverse conditions and a cold northerly wind nagging at a theoretical 6 degrees got us cold and a bit wet at different times. Less than a month ago one of us in Finland at minus 18 degrees had promised never to complain at the cold on the North Norfolk coast. More seriously, earlier in the week storms had flattened some of the sea defences at Cley and Titchwell. Four of us traveled in one car and clocked up 82 species. 17 species seen for the first time in 2007 brought our total to 119.

There were hardly any patrons to pay the attendant at the beach car park at Cley. We had choice of many spaces at the Titchwell car park. When we left that beach at half past three there was no-one else there; although a few latecomers were on their way to try their luck.

Before we arrived at the coast we had picked up Stone Curlew and Green Woodpecker and Common Buzzard and then also Siskin and Wood Lark and Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves while still in the Brecks.

In front of the building of Wells Sailing Club we tried to separate Brent Geese into more than dark-bellied but with no success. We took a reluctant picnic at Choseley but did see the Black Redstart that had been around for some time. And Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting also were added to the new birds! Egyptian Geese were in the field across the road from Titchwell and a Green-winged Teal and Little Gull were seen and added to our list. Gannet and Mediterranean Gull were seen over the sea. A Redwing was still with Fieldfares at a time when those returning for our summer were no doubt asking themselves why they had hurried along so much from Africa or wherever.

At Cley a JCB digger was trying to regrade what little shingle was left around the coastguard buildings. The top seemed to have sunk back into the sea from a hundred yards of beach. At Titchwell we could look diagonally from the access path to the people with their beach kite trollies and not just to the kites. Some of that tiny cliff had been wrecked and loose sand had been swept away. There must have been much force in the storm. Watching the waves still pounding in their great power was still evident. A wreck of starfish at an earlier high tide at Titchwell displayed both the gouging that had gone on and also many examples of a 12 star starfish we had not seen before. At both sites there were a great many gulls on the beach in clouds and flying over the waves to take live morsels. An adult Iceland Gull was seen to sweep in while we were waiting for it in the “bus stop/shelter”, having concluded that three hundred yards of marching up Blakeney Point itself to look for it was not a good idea today, let alone trying to concentrate on birdlife when we got into “position”.

Our final location was at Wolferton to see if the Black-eared Kite might pay us a visit as the Glaucous Gull had done. No joy, but at least we had followed directions to a watchpoint new to us. One of us had a glimpse of Barn Owl on the way home just north of Queen Adelaide.

Many thanks to the driver.
Mute Swan; Grey Heron; Little Egret; Great Cormorant; Pink-footed Goose; Greylag, Greater Canada Goose; Dark-bellied Brent Goose; Shelduck; Wigeon; Gadwall; Common Teal; Mallard; Pintail; Shoveler; Tufted Duck; Common Scoter; Kestrel; Sparrowhawk; Red-legged Partridge Common Pheasant; Moorhen; Coot; Oystercatcher; Avocet; Ringed Plover; Grey Plover; Golden Plover; Lapwing; Sanderling; Dunlin; Ruff; Black-tailed Godwit; Curlew; Redshank; Turnstone; Black-headed Gull; Common Gull; Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull; Great Black-backed Gull; Kittiwake; Marsh Harrier; Sparrowhawk; Feral Pigeon; Woodpigeon; Collared Dove; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Pied Wagtail, Robin; Blackbird; Fieldfare; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Long-tailed Tit; Magpie; Jackdaw; Rook; Carrion Crow; Starling, Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Greenfinch; Cetti's Warbler

Egyptian Goose; Green-winged Teal; Gannet; Stone Curlew; Mediterranean Gull; Little Gull;Glaucous Gull; Common Buzzard; Great Grey Shrike; Barn Owl; Green Woodpecker; Wood Lark; Redwing; Black Redstart; Siskin; Yellowhammer; Corn Bunting.

Second club trip of 2007
3rd February to Snettisham and Titchwell with three extra stops not counting Bellybusters for breakfast. We repeated the January trip because we thought we could do better.

High pressure today. Full moon the previous night. High tide at 0730. Clear skies, sunshine, hardly a breeze and good air for viewing (with the sun). So, the seven of us had a result.
80 count. With 16 species added to the birds seen in January we move to 102 for the year. You too could build a year list with us; although we do not all see all of the birds.

One person had a single male Golden Pheasant at Wolferton and another a single female but on the whole once we met together we managed to keep together. At Hunstanton we had trouble finding 2 parking spaces on the cliff top but did get them and Fulmar and lots of beach birds but not Sanderling. At Thornham we did not find twite or short-eared owl but the Lesser Yellowlegs was the champ of the day.

So, how to describe Snettisham. Flat sea draining away. Flocks of birds moving out to better mud. Golden mud in abundance. Four Shore Lark but no snow bunting. No kite. Merlin was photographed on the beach with prey and another gave a fly-by appearance at the Fen Hide at Titchwell. So merlin was runner-up bird. Lots of water birds on the pits. The sun gave us clarity on the mud but silhouettes when looking towards the pits. No winter thrushes seen at any stage. A Scaup still and quite a few Common Goldeneye. One drake Red-breasted Merganser on the pits with another on the sea at Titchwell.

Almost no need to describe Titchwell. But. The last remaining dune looks smaller and smaller each time we visit. Good job the beach slopes up. These open beaches are much better places to find Sanderling. One expects black duck on the sea but today it was brown and white. Wigeon were in charge and many many gulls. Lots of Brent Geese to try to split. Either red-breasted (easy – none) or black brant. Oh, they were there just a minute ago – sixteen in from the left. Then there was the monthly seminar on three birds feeding close together in the pools: Spotted Redshank is pale like the others but is smaller although it has a long bill. Bar-tails don’t have black and white bars on tail or wings. Think about ruff and their feather pattern on the back. Black tails do have bars but also have soft plumage on shoulders and back and a straight bill. Good job they were wading like wading birds should and you could not see where their knees came on their legs. Seven Marsh Harriers came to roost but the little egrets must be roosting somewhere else now. No owls but we could have seen some at Thornham and one of us had a tawny owl on the way home at Worcester!

Many thanks to the drivers. Christmas is now over and for at least one day spring is already here!
Little Grebe, Little Egret; Great Cormorant and dead shag at Snettisham (3).
Mute Swan (1) roadside. Kestrel and Magpie also. 20 Magpie at Titchwell roost.
Four geese (species) Pink-footed Goose; Greylag, Canada and Dark-bellied Brent Goose;
Twelve Duck: Shelduck; Gadwall; Teal; Mallard, Goldeneye, Scaup and Merganser
Pochard, Tufted Duck; Pintail, Shoveler with Wigeon on the sea at Titchwell;
Eighteen waders: Lesser Yellowlegs, Avocet, Oystercatcher; Grey Plover; Golden Plover; Lapwing; Sanderling; Knot; Dunlin; Bar and Black-tailed Godwits; Spotted Redshank; Redshank; Curlew; Turnstone and Ruff; Snipe and Ringed Plover;
Three Raptors: Kestrel already mentioned, Merlin; 7 Marsh harriers at roost
Four: Moorhen, Coot, Common Pheasant; Golden Pheasant;
Five gulls: Black-headed; Common; Lesser Black-backed, Herring and Great Black-backed Three pigeons and doves: Feral Pigeon; Woodpigeon; Collared Dove;
Four Larks, Pipits and Wagtails: Shore and Sky, Meadow Pipit; Pied Wagtail,
Five Garden types: Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Goldcrest;
Four Tits: Coal, Blue, Great and long-tailed
Four Corvids: Jay; Magpie already mentioned but not counted; Carrion Crow; Rook
Four mixed: Starling and Reed Bunting, Fulmar, Dunnock
Four Finches etc: Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; House Sparrow many at feeders
Two more: Cetti's Warbler (heard) and last of all four Woodcock (which taste good)

First club trip of 2007
6th January to Snettisham and other North Norfolk wetspots

Lots of rain was forecast and perhaps understandably the species list seen by the eleven who motored up the A10 was a modest 86.

A single male Golden Pheasant was noted at Wolferton. It may not be everyone's best technique - verge crawling in the half light round the rhododendron bushes. No matter.

No rain at Snettisham until noon - slightly better than the weather forecast. In that time-gap we took a long walk around the reserve and joined others staking out the ground looking over to Dersingham Bog. We were in vain. Our attempt was to get a sight of the Black-eared Kite that had been present for quite a few days. We were just too late for one sighting and we had no second chance. Worse though, we knew it was lying low somewhere, like all the raptors.

The water loving birds on the pits seemed quite happy. A female Scaup, a drake Smew, and quite a few Common Goldeneye were perhaps the best but good examples of most species could be studied from the hides.

Away from the pits we had been pretty close to getting the full benefit of high tide bringing the birds into towards the land. As the mud appeared while the high tide receded we had good views of Golden Plover and also Knot (aerobatics) and the Pink Devils (formation flying); certainly some of the best examples of mass displays in the bird world. These spectacles should attract more people to the winter high tides – such a mild (wet) day after all.

On the beach we saw a delightful party of four Shore Larks and a male Snow Bunting. With rain starting to fall, the group started to disband, with some of us heading to Hunstanton where a female Eider was the best that could be mustered! Onwards to Thornham and the wintering group of c.25 Twite were showing well on the saltings. With further disbandment, one car continued to Holkham, where the intermediate-phase Lesser Snow Goose was rapidly located as it dozed amongst the thousands of Pink-feet to the west of Lady Anne's Drive. At least one adult Black Brant was noted, along with a very deceptive hybrid. At least 25 European White-fronts and a single Barnacle Goose were seen amongst the Pinks.

The people in the car that went to Titchwell recorded Common Scoter on the sea, Spotted Redshank on the pits and a Cetti's Warbler. Probably just as much at home singing in the rain in January as it is in the summer – OK, now tell me these are different birds in the winter, arriving from zed–land or somewhere, while ours go to Devon or somewhere else.

Many thanks to the drivers, a Happy New Year, and good watching: so much to learn!

Great-crested Grebe; Fulmar; Grey Heron; Little Egret; Great Cormorant;
Mute Swan; Whooper Swan; Pink-footed Goose; Eurasian White-fronted Goose; Greylag, Greater Canada Goose; Barnacle Goose; Lesser Snow Goose; Dark-bellied Brent Goose; Black Brant; Shelduck; Wigeon; Gadwall; Common Teal; Mallard, Pintail; Tufted Duck; Scaup; Common Scoter; Common Eider; Goldeneye; Smew; Red-breasted Merganser; Kestrel; Sparrowhawk; Peregrine Falcon; Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant; Golden Pheasant; Moorhen; Coot; Oystercatcher; Grey Plover; Golden Plover; Lapwing; Sanderling; Knot; Dunlin; Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew; Redshank; Spotted Redshank; Turnstone; Black-headed Gull; Common Gull; Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull; Great Black-backed Gull; Kittiwake; Feral Pigeon; Stock Dove; Woodpigeon; Collared Dove; Kingfisher; Shore Lark, Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Rock Pipit; Pied Wagtail, Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Fieldfare
Mistle Thrush; Goldcrest; Coal Tit; Blue Tit; Jay; Magpie; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Starling, Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Linnet; Twite; Snow Bunting; Reed Bunting; Cetti's Warbler

Trip 22 – two species added
9th December 2006
North Kent
Eight watchers and again in three cars. Thanks to the drivers.
Another promised day out in North Kent was preceded by a stop at a new site for us: How had we missed the industrial neighbours of West Thurrock Marshes. Walking round to Stone Point and a broadside view of the Dartford QE2 bridge, we found no clue on the recent Grey Phalarope. We had to be content with three Yellow-legged Gulls (two adults and a first-winter) and a Rock Pipit!
Onwards to Kent. Things failed to improve at Oare Marshes! No clue about the Dowitcher either. An executive decision to head to Sheppey was supported by all. Plan or no plan we did not want to be empty handed for the first time this year in our tally hunting. Everyone was hunting in Kent – for partridge, pheasant and horses with red clad riders.
Over the new bridge and look for the old buzzard size haystack perch. We were soon watching the regular wintering Rough-legged Buzzard. So, we had one new tick for the year at least. Not much else to be had in the immediate areas despite searching from the parking area below the pub at Harty Ferry and at the Capel Fleet Raptor Watchpoint. We did find three adult Bewick's Swans, stacks of Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard, two Green Sandpipers and 30+ Corn Buntings. A fleeting Merlin but no Peregrine. We knew we were not missing much new any place else but we also heard that the bird we really wanted at Oare had been relocated.
So, with the light fading we returned to Oare. The first-winter Long-billed Dowitcher was eventually traced to the hidden side of a roost site. Good location for the East hide then. It flew before all of us had located it. We did not spook this one and it did return shortly. Two up for the day but no light remained for anything else.
A single Little Stint, two Ruff and a vocal Cetti's Warbler were the only further distractions at Oare. Rather a quiet day!
But we did find 81 species and increased our 2006 bird tally to what may now be a final 228 and a new record and something to chase in 2007.

Mute Swan, Bewick’s Swan, Grey Lag, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted, Little Grebe, Great Crested, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Green Plover (Lapwing), Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common, Lesser Black-backed, Herring, Yellow-legged, Greater Black-backed Gulls, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Starling, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting.

Upon our Auk and Barnacle!
FHS, LBI, FJI, LCZ
Three of the hams- Snettis, Thorn and Holk

Five new species for the year’s total taking us to 226:
Whooper Swan, Lesser Snow Goose, Little Auk, Shorelark, Snow Bunting

Species list with 72 entries
Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose (12,500), Grey Lag Goose, Lesser Snow Goose, Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Goldeneye, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover – including some in the fields at 3 above as the only exception, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Little Auk, Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Shorelark, Wren, Robin, Starling, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Twite, Snow Bunting.

This was one of our extra-curriculum Bird Group half-day outings – this time to East Mersea, - one of the many coastal parks Essex has to offer, and potentially excellent for winter birds. But first, a quickie visit to the causeway Abberton Reservoir.
It had been a gloomy start, with thick pockets of fog virtually all the way from home; yet it had begun to clear as the blue splash that was Abberton appeared on the SatNav screen. Unfortunately there wasn’t a great deal to be seen other than the usual selection of duck and waders, namely Coot; Moorhen; Shelduck; Mallard; Wigeon; Ruddy duck; Teal; Pochard; Goldeneye; Cormorant; Grey Heron; Black-tailed Godwit; Canada Goose; Pied and Grey Wagtails; and gulls ............ although none in great numbers, possibly due to the exceptionally low water level.
So, off to East Mersea and the Colne Estuary. Crossing the Causeway which connects Mersea to the Essex mainland, we eventually arrived at Cudmore Park which is a large coastal park, with walks along the shingle banks of the River Colne. The fog was still over the landscape; the sea as still as a millpond.
Along the beach small gatherings of Turnstone were in their usual confiding mood; with the odd Great Crested Grebe creating ripples as they dived. A Rock Pipit gave brief views before being lost to view somewhere on the marshes. In the neighbouring fields impressive flocks of Golden Plover; Brent Geese; Lapwings could be seen, with lesser numbers of Wigeon; Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit literally bringing up the rear.
Suddenly a Skua flew up river – its deep chest and slow, almost labourious flight identifying it as a Pomerine Skua, an unexpected delight, though of course not entirely unknown this time of year (recalling a an adult observed on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent in November 1999 – which gave incredibly close views as it rested literally within fifty feet or so of surprised birdwatchers on one of the main tracks around the marsh).
A small flotilla of Avocet swimming peaceably on the glassy, tranquil Colne was a genuinely ‘pretty’ sight, as it sailed gently in tight circles in sight of several small collections of Redshank; Knot and Dunlin. Regrettably, one poor Dunlin appeared to have a foot trapped in a shell and was seen to be dragging its cumbersome load along the shingle beach, clearly in some distress. It took a while to capture the bird, but once secured, it was possible to see at very close quarters, just what the problem was. The shell was a series of four, one on top of the other; seemingly lifeless to the casual onlooker. But the top shell was evidently very alive; and one could see quite clearly that the Dunlin had somehow managed to get a toe caught as the shell had shut tight, as was evidenced by a bare tendon – the only part of the original toe left. A delicate operation was required, but soon the bird had indeed been freed, and having been returned to the shingle (minus its toe), was seen to be hopping lethargically away to the shoreline, evidently still in shock from recent unfortunate events.
The tide by then was beginning to flood the marsh – threatening to cut us off from the car. It was a close –run thing but keeping to the shoreline we eventually made it back to Cudmore Park proper. The state of the tide had in fact been drawn to our attention by a lady walking her dogs along the shoreline, whereupon she nonchalantly announced that it was a high Spring tide which might just prevent us - at least for an hour or so - from returning to the mainland via the Causeway. And this in fact was how we came to find ourselves literally stranded in rising seawater – watching with baited breath as the water lapped the car; ever higher and higher until it began to look as if we might in fact end up floating over to the mainland. Of course, we weren’t alone, as by then a long tail-back of traffic had accumulated on the approaches to the mainland on both sides. Some larger vehicles attempted the crossing and in the process caused a sizeable ‘bore’ which threatened to swamp the car as they passed by. It was an anxious hour; but then the tide began quickly to recede and we were able to continue our journey home.
Regrettably, the delay prevented us from making a return visit to Abberton Reservoir; but since the consensus of opinion was that there was unlikely to have been much of interest on the reservoir itself, we could decide to call it a day without a heavy heart between us. But, all in all, an excellent trip.

The 63 birds seen include the 221st species seen on club outings in 2006 - Pomarine Skua.

Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Pomarine Skua, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed-Gull,

Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied wagtail, Robin, Staling, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Stephen Patmore had the message at 0900hrs. By 12 noon three of us had motored over for a good old hunt, with probably 150 others on the same mission at some time in the day. The bird was on RSPB land just back from the cliff top at the coast at Aldringham close to Thorpeness and the RSPB reserves at North Warren and Minsmere. The land was billed as a disused caravan park but we saw no proof of that.

The bird turned out to be fit and in fine form and well worthy of becoming species number 220 in our club trip listing for calendar year 2006. Four hours of a merry dance and good sport – its here, its moving there, its still one step ahead - ended up with it proudly showing-off to all still assembled. A hush fell for those few minutes. And then there was a bit of a hubbub of admiration when it slipped away to be elusive again. None of us had met this species before. Thanks to those who found it and reported it. Thanks to Stephen for driving etc.

Rule 3 applies. So long as at least three of us are in the field watching outside of the immediate area of Bishop’s Stortford we count the session as a trip and species seen can be counted alongside those seen on the regular planned expeditions.

Just a few token birds recorded as the supporting cast of 19 but the year gets some better quality as well as quantity. 217 is rather less than we had hoped for given a dream year target of 250 but there is still time. We shall trip again on 21st October and possibly twice more in November.

Red-flanked Bluetail, not a male in full breeding plumage, but there we are …
Our bird was accompanied/harried at various times especially by Robins,
And Stonechat, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, and Chiffchaff were in the area,
Also there and sometimes to confuse: Great Tit and Blue Tit and Dunnock and Wren
Flying over: two Little Egret and Pied Wagtail and Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Drove past: eg – Carrion Crows and Black-headed Gulls, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, Pheasant and Grey Partridge.
Species also seen and remarked upon: just one Redwing
and two Mute Swans at a run off water at Stansted Airport viewed from the A120.
No Yellow-browed Warblers claimed at all

I suppose this amounts to a slow blog given all of the private and quick blogs that people are producing these days in their own names. But the 73 pages of record so far on the club site are said to be welcomed by those who watch the page rather than make the trip. And maybe too by those who were actually there. Never mind. If one day these remarks are no longer worth the “effort” we could always (threaten to) switch to finding a way of making the changes to the spreadsheet of species seen – yes, we even hold something back - as exciting as, say, where a club is in the football league tables. Not a light show on the Corn Exchange walls perhaps, you know, but how could we show how for us it is something even more gripping?

Starting the day with 214 species we added Whiskered Tern, Cattle Egret and white-rumped Sandpiper. There were 94 species on our list at the end of the day – see below

Our route along the North Norfolk coast (see, this could even be of help to those young enough to be at school) was designed to collect these two sightings at Titchwell and Blakeney Fresh Marsh and also to pick up the Pectoral Sandpiper at Titchwell, one of the White-rumped Sandpipers at Cley and a Yellow-browed warbler at Holkham. We found them all in except the Pec. We did not wait to witness one of its showy moments.

Five of us fitted into one car. At least there would not be the problem of one “car” seeing something but not the others. We still risk birds being seen only by those in the front, or the back, or the right or the left. And we rotate the privilege of sitting in the middle of the back row. Such are the rules and limits of our comfort zones! Thanks to the driver.

Now. Titchwell attracts so many people that every car park extension that is built will be filled by cars the day the space opens. Everybody seems to want to be driving there for as long as they still have breath. It can be as risky (hence part of the reason for the hit and miss sub title) for some as parking at a supermarket after taking the car for its weekly outing. But, hey, what a success the RSPB must have on its hands. No wonder delegations turn up from all over the world to see how it is done. On this visit we could see the list of species on the reserve displayed on the same illuminated screens just coming into the sales windows of your local estate agents.

This trip rounded off a week when one of us watched four out of six remaining Redwings die at the Northumberland coast after flying across from Scandinavia. Three drowned when they continued their low flight path and misjudged the height of the waves breaking on the beach. The fourth did get to the beach but flopped down exhausted and was breakfast for a black-backed Gull – not even time for passport formalities.

First, at Blakeney Freshmarsh. This was while the Cattle Egret sat out on its gate, preening. Grey lag Geese and Curlews set up a real din and were seen rearing up on the ground with wings open. As far as we could see and make out there was an already injured Curlew trying to escape a return visit by a stoat (or stoats). Had it been tethered for some fowl (sic) play? Closer inspection revealed a bird with only one useable wing that somehow slipped away to the reeds. No doubt any third visit would be final.

Second, at Holkham. Stoats on the ground. Wood Pigeon drops out of tree and sets up the same noisy, wings open, posture while a stoat (or stoats) scurries around some potential tit bit. Wood pigeon flies back into tree. Stoats still scurry backwards and forwards on the ground. Quiet returns. What was happening there?

We found Yellow-brow but with difficulty and only through the help of call identification. We heard many cheeps and while one chiffchaff did materialise from the leaves we did not claim Firecrest.

On safer ground, because they are bigger, we saw thousands of Pink-feet. Their arrival at and after dusk at Holkham could be experienced time and again. Will any small individual geese coming in with them, we ask, be Brent, or Red-breasted or Snow? Today, just one Brent! We saw a few Little Egrets going to roost at Holkham. No time for the African Starling that had entertained at one of the hides.

Apart from a distant Barn Owl at Holkham we had a Tawny Owl dropping off a telegraph pole on the way home in the gathering gloom.

There was a preening Sparrowhawk at Titchwell with a prominent white supercilium.
This caused a few ID flutters for some.

A Kingfisher appeared very close to the beach on the freshmarsh/mallard shooting area.

Birds seen on this extra trip to Surrey were Tree Pipit and Dartford Warbler.
Most of the emphasis was on dragonflies and the like so not much more needs to be said. Rule 3 applies.

Saturday dawned murky and mucky, with lots of mist and a light North/North-easterly breeze. No rain unfortunately, but conditions seemed positive enough to give us some muted optimism that a good day was in store! Six of us were in a unanimous decision that North Norfolk would be a no brainer on a day like today…so with little hesitation, we were off!

Kelling Water Meadows was first port of call. No sign of the previous days Red-breasted Flycatcher, and even the reported Redstart was proving elusive! Not a good start. A juvenile Little Stint and a rather bedraggled Whinchat ensured that tedium was avoided, although our optimism felt somewhat muted…the action must be happening elsewhere, so that is where we headed!

Cley. This proved better, albeit for a handful of us! We joined the world and his wife at the largest Yellow-browed Warbler twitch in living history, although the bird was not playing ball as it skulked uncharacteristically in reeds at the north end of the East Bank. Bored with waiting, two of us wandered around to the Shingle Ridge where a smart juvenile Lapland Bunting was showing well. Alas, by the time the rest of the group reached us, it was long gone! Back at the Yellow-brow, and the bird eventually gave fleeting glimpses to all of us - albeit was only seen well enough by three of us! Group morale was at an all time low. We needed a fix, and we needed it quick! Despite breaking all tradition and committing the ultimate bird trip crime - paying to park the car - we got what we needed with a smart juvenile Red-backed Shrike on the fence west of the coastguard. We were back on track! A spot of sea-watching during lunch, provided most of the usual dross, with three Bonxies and an Arctic Skua as highlights. Plenty of Brent, Scoters, Guillemots and a couple of Red-throated Divers were just a hint of the onslaught of winter that is fast approaching…

Burnham Overy Dunes. Always a treat, albeit a rather busy place to be on this Saturday afternoon, with the dunes thronged not only with birders, but also bikers, runners, kids, dogs etc. Our reward for the long walk came in the guise of two Red-breasted Flycatchers, including a cracking male which was performing superbly well for the crowds on Gun Hill. Small numbers of common migrants included the odd Pied Fly and Redstart, whilst we all ‘scoped the juvenile Northern Grey Shrike towards the pines from an incredible distance!

With the day drawing to a close, we had one final stop to make, to search for a reported Wryneck at Warham Greens. We didn’t have to try too hard for this one, and we watched spellbound as the bird hopped along the path at the feet of it’s fawning crowd, ignoring even the battery of camera fire being let off in it’s direction! Quite superb. Finally, we rounded off the day with our second juvenile Red-backed Shrike hunting crane flies in the hedge between the two access tracks. Top birds, top locations, top day! It was Norfolk at it’s very best…

Red-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Common Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Common Scoter, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Arctic Skua, Bonxie, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Guillemot, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Wryneck, Skylark, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat, Redstart, Wheatear, Blackbird, ,Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher , Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Northern Grey Shrike, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Lapland Bunting ,Reed Bunting.

Four people enjoyed this additional Sunday trip. There were apparently no new arrivals to be excited about. But you have to be out and about or there will never be a wow factor. This time we chose Essex. Southend, Hanningfield and Waltham Abbey were the target locations. Thanks to the driver.

Having walked the Southwold pier in August this windy day easily persuaded us at high tide to stay on the prom. We could not locate the Ring-billed Gull at the Rossi cafeteria at Westcliff and walked east to find a quieter beach and some shingle and some sand. There had been a few Med Gulls just east of the pier but at an outfall we found the balance of a hundred sitting quietly with some black-heads of matching ages for plumage comparison. Lots of pictures fired off. A good few waders as well but only what would be expected.

Back west then to the original search for Rossi the Ring-bill. Three hours and no sign but hey, about a hundred yards farther west “There is a likely gull”. And there it was. Although Rossi was solo there was a Common Gull for plumage comparison. On the beach, it was quickstepping with the wind. Left profile, right profile; all the angles were seen except flight. After some minutes it did take wing and after prospecting the chances of being the only gull on any lamppost to the east it came back and flew over us holding up into the wind, circled round us again and then prospected west before coming back and in the end landing back on the beach near the casino. Much the best sequence the two experienced Rossi watchers could remember. Lots of people were around. Including walkers in wigs on a “Devoted to Life Walk to Remember”. There was no-one else to share our Rossi or Med gulls excitement.

Hanningfield at lunchtime was in the middle of a family fun day and so it was a good job we were not looking for solitude, say, on the top of a mountain. Having left the coast, the wind had dropped and it was shirtsleeve order and nearly 80 degrees. We found our target Black-necked Grebes at the RAWL hide – once it was our turn to go in. We did not need to borrow the binoculars or look through the guide’s telescope. Good practice and food for thought though prior to our duties at the Hatfield Forest wood-fest next weekend.

Down Brentwood High Street and along the M25 and we found very little traffic. We were at Cornmill car park in the Lea Valley Park in no time. Two of us had seen the Spotted Crake during the week but nothing to match the sequence we were treated to on this visit. Such close views that optics were maybe not really essential. When our turn had finished we stopped at the far side of the water on the return walk and had good if more distant views back to the crake. It was still hugging the outside of the reed edge and seemed to have chosen another blind spot to frustrate those then in the hide.

For summer visitors we had Chiffchaff at this location and more Swallows and Sand Martins. We saw House Martin at Allen’s Green on the way home. The only Swift we saw was high over the station car park while we debated what route to take at seven thirty. Certainly this was one of the classic days for us to remember. Some common darters and late damselflies and dragonflies were seen at the Cornmill reserve: a dragonfly sanctuary that we had not visited before as a group. We were home just after the second seven thirty of the day. Our list of 77 species follows:

Roadside - Swift (1 - 1)
Westcliff - Starling, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Goldfinch, Swallow (13)
Southend - Med Gull (100), Little Egret, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin (8)
Westcliff - Ring-billed Gull, Common Gull (2 - 23 - 24)

Hanningfield causeway - Ruddy Duck, Black Swan, Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Lapwing, Pochard, Wigeon (16)
Hanningfield cp - Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Red-crested Pochard, Pied Wagtail (6)
Point Hide - Skylark, Gadwall, Great Black-backed Gull, Egyptian Goose, Barnacle Goose, Teal, Little Stint, Shelduck, Sand Martin, Yellow-legged Gull (10)
RAWL Hide - Black-necked Grebe, Shoveler, Green Sandpiper, (3 - 35 -59)

Cornmill Meadow - Wake Hide - Snipe, Grey Heron, Spotted Crake (3)
Walk - Chaffinch, Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Pheasant, Rook, Jackdaw, Jay (13)
Roadside - Sparrowhawk, House Martin (2 - 18 - 77)

Four of us left sharp at half past seven in one car. First and only crisis. The road had stopped working after a major smash up that ended at least one life. Later huge queues were broadcast from spotter planes. After worrying that we had been delayed by that our families thought we might have dissolved in the rain. But we beat the system. This is the story of the day.

Salthouse. Only sitting on the very top of the shingle bank were our toes safe from the crashing waves. No wonder the authorities fear the upcoming high tides. We needed seven species to reach 200 for the year’s trips to date. And four came together in our first sea-watch of the day. Sooty and Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel went north and Arctic Skua went south. Trivial to record but at the roadside there was a wet Buzzard in a tree and the first of surprisingly many Swifts all flying north!

Cley. Witnessed the early work on the 80th birthday building site. Looked over the reserve from the existing shop to add Greenshank as fifth on the list.

Kelling. No maps needed today for the roads but this inspiration failed and a pectoral sandpiper had not preferred this water to Cley. Never mind, there was to be another one at Southwold. We only saw two butterflies/dragonflies all day. And actually this record should be the other way round and rounded down as, despite putting up a good fight, the southern hawker ate the large white. Freshwater (and spring) shrimp surprised us in a ditch. They were in the ditch.

We drove through constant rain to Southwold. A long way. We watched Yarmouth and Lowestoft from traffic jams. Southwold was new for our site lists, two sites actually. It was still raining as we parked up and discovered that we could watch the water behind the model boat pond from the car on the slope above the temporary lake. One of the three birdwatching luminaries we knew we had seen had kindly already launched on a full investigation of the reed beds. It was a rank job. No trace. But there was Green Sandpiper that gave us six out of the seven.

Off to the harbour for a Ukrainian-ringed Caspian Gull that is getting to be almost as much a celebrity as the people looking for it. But it was not on the usual masts, walls, bollards or anywhere. One Herring Gull had a ring and another bird without a ring looked like a Caspian and a record (digital) shot may help just in case we upgrade the possibly probable to the probably certain. Back to the first car park. Six fifteen now. Crucially, this was the time of the evening dog walk for the most important dog in all Suffolk. Sniffing in the nearest reeds it flushed out a sandpiper. Bingo. Pectoral Sandpiper. Not bad at all as number 200. And the bird was showing in fine plumage too. Then a sea watch through a gap in the beach houses immediately delivered an adult Little Gull close to the beach. 201 in more of the same style. So, how far shall we get into our third hundred by the end of the calendar year?

We reasoned that if we walked to the end of the pier we should be closer to the birds at sea. And yes, we were closer to Belgium too although some families of cheerful holidaymakers thought we might be looking for Wales (?). Some people asked if our telescopes were computerised and digitalised and could look at the sky.
Actually, one was working as badly as the Quantum Tunnelling Radar telescope that provided an end of the pier show courtesy of England (sic) Heritage and the European Onion (sic).

A second trip to a damp harbour still had the Ukraine ambassador dodging more successfully than we were. So we headed for home counting our blessings.
And taking full care to keep away from other traffic. Many thanks to the driver. And thanks to the sparrowhawk for making a late appearance.

Mute Swan (Southwold) Black Swan (Cley) Greylag Goose (Salthouse) Canada Goose (Sa) Egyptian Goose (Sa) Shelduck (Cl) Mallard (So) Common and Velvet Scoter (Sa) Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and Shoveler (all Cl) Manx Shearwater (Sa) Sooty Shearwater (Sa) Storm Petrel (Sa) Gannet (Sa) Cormorant (Sa) Water Rail (So) Moorhen and Coot (So) Oystercatcher (Sa and So) Avocet (Cl) Ringed Plover (Sa) Sanderling (So) 16 Black-tailed Godwit (So) Curlew (Sa) Whimbrel (So) Greenshank (Cl) Green Sandpiper (So) Pectoral Sandpiper (So) Arctic Skua (Sa and So) Little Gull (So) Black-headed, Common, Lesser Black-backed, Greater Black-backed (Cl) Herring Gull (So) Yellow-legged Gull (So) Kittiwake, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern (So) Marsh Harrier (Sa and Cl) Sparrowhawk (road home) Buzzard (road morning) Wheatear (Sa) Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove, Pied Wagtail, Starling, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin (So) Swallow, Reed Warbler (So), Meadow Pipit, House Sparrow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Goldfinch (Sa) Linnet (Sa) Chaffinch, Reed Bunting including hopefully the Caspian Gull genuine lookalike tribute bird.

At Fowlmere there was a very quiet session enlivened only by the appearance of one adult and one juvenile Water Rail at the foot of the reeds on the far right of the water looking from the centre hide. However, just the experience of being in that hide is almost worth travelling to Fowlmere even if there were to be no birds at all.

Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Water Rail, Swallow, Swift

At Sandon there was a very low chance of finding Quail and harriers. What was certain was that there would be Corn Bunting and Partridge calling in the fields to trap the unwary observer. And all of that happened and didn’t happen as predicted. Just the experience of being there on a hot summer’s evening with the sun setting is almost worth travelling to Sandon even if there are nearly no birds at all.

Fortunately amidst all of the clouds of harvest we found one of the local Little Owls sitting on top of a roadside pole as we drove home. This was the first representative of the species seen on club trips in 2006. The record has duly been added to the list recording our attempts to reach 200 species for the year. If truth be told we have above 190 species already. And it is the mystery of not knowing what will happen next that takes us on into the final five months of the year.

Five people tripped away leaving the Gilston Grosbeak to be admired by others. For some reason (?) we were nearly alone with the Lakenheath Oriole. We saw no hobby there and no garganey and no grasshopper warbler. But one pair of swans out of all those present had managed cygnets. A couple of Marsh Harriers were seen and Moorhen and Coot.

At the Wensum Valley (raptor) watchpoint at Gateley we did have one Honey Buzzard, with expert advice in the background. A Common Buzzard showed and Quail called again in the background but Hobby showed well.

Across to Breydon Water. The prospect was roseate tern and caspian tern and the sun in our eyes. The Caspian Tern had only two short spells there all day and we arrived just for the last couple of minutes of the second spell. We smiled about that, looked at all of the other birds, see below and checked the skippers and gatekeepers and darters and damselflies and dragonflies left for home well before six.

Cumulative total for the day was: with 5 birds added to our search for 200 birds in 2006
Golden Oriole, Honey Buzzard, Quail, Whimbrel, Caspian Tern
On the road:
Pheasant, Swallow, Collared Dove, Swift, House Martin, Starling, House Sparrow, (7)
Lakenheath:
Mallard, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Mute Swan one with cygnets, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Wood Pigeon, Lapwing with grown young, Tufted Duck in flight, Blackbird, Marsh Harrier, Golden Oriole heard by all and seen briefly by one, Stock Dove, Cuckoo, Wren, Pied Wagtail (Chis wick call), Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Green Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, (+ 31= 38)
On the road: Turtle Dove, front seat of one car (+1 = 39)
Wensum Valley:
Skylark, Hobby, Yellowhammer, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Oystercatcher (voices off), Quail (voice only and distant) (+7 = 46)
On the road: Long-tailed Tit (+1 = 47)
Breydon Water, Great Yarmouth
Caspian Tern, Avocet, Redshank, Shelduck, Curlew, Magpie, Sandwich Tern, Linnet, Greater Black-backed Gull, Whimbrel, Feral Pigeon, (second Cuckoo) (Kestrel catching nestling from the ground in level flight), Grey Plover, Little Egret (+13 = 60)

Judge how popular these occasional mid-week trips are by the 11 travellers despite 10-degree temperatures and grey clouds and rain until mid-afternoon. Three cars and a reasonable list of birds plus a fox. What price three dire and dismal trip days in a row? Thanks to our three hosts and their Jowett Javelin and to our three drivers.

No roadside birds through wet windscreens. Blackbird and Chaffinch at Barsham. We had three stops to try to make it all worthwhile.

From Covehithe we walked down to Benacre Broad and the hide for shelter and lunch. Got to get the basic instincts sorted out. As were nesting Avocets and Ringed Plover. Sand Martins looking very black were patrolling the cliff faces; a few House Martins for comparison. Swift and Swallow were also to be seen during the day. A group of Grey Lag Geese and a Lesser Whitethroat and a nesting Skylark showed well in the first fields. Non-breeding Little Egret and then Dunlin, Grey Heron, Cormorant were in their correct habitat. Calling Cuckoo flew past the dripping flaps of the hide. Three terns – Little, Common and Sandwich showed well. Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Herring comprised the gulls on offer. Oystercatcher. Turnstone for some and Coot for one observer.

Gadwall were prominent as were Common Shelduck. “Common” because on the way back south across the bar it was clear to some that three Ruddy Shelduck had flown in from somewhere to the Broad. That was a bonus; but their provenance is always challenged and one needs to go somewhere like Bulgaria to see the real McRuddy. Though they look the same ours are not reckoned to be in native habitat and are day-trippers from a captive population. But they are on our list even if dodgy.

At Walberswick Pheasant and Red-legged Partridge welcomed us as we parked first at the end of the road, but they looked soaked. When the rain eased Nightingale and Blackcap came into full view. We had Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk came by although we expected it because there were piles of feathers on our paths. Rabbit and Brere Rabbit and rabbit's friends entertained and Mr Fox gave a brief cameo appearance. Jay and Magpie and Jackdaw and Carrion Crow added themselves to the Rooks that made up five corvids for the list. Yellowhammer and Wood Lark and Goldfinch used the wires for support. Starling, Robin, Wren, Linnet, Greenfinch, and Great Tit started to form a garden bird type selection to which we added the pair of Dunnock testing the now dryer day. Whitethroat came to the top of its bramble. Turtle Dove called that it should join Feral Pigeon from the Benacre bar, Collared Dove and Woodpigeon to the pigeon section. We had a noisy Peacock for company but most of us reckoned our list should make no reference to it. No butterflies on a day like this.

From another car park we moved downhill through woodland to the marshes and a southerly view of Sizewell. Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and Goldcrest confirmed themselves, as did a fledged Long-tailed Tit family. The marsh added Reed and Sedge Warblers and Reed Bunting and Bearded Tit but no bittern. The heathlands added nothing new except Blue Tit. No dartford warbler. Cars left for home from 1800hrs in time to see Kestrel and the 2000hrs Thursday edition of Springwatch. Checking numbers after the programme gave a total of 64. Quite how we missed a house sparrow and mallard cannot be explained. We must do it again sometime – plenty of scope for improvement.

Blackbird, Chaffinch Avocet, Ringed Plover Sand Martin, House Martin, Swift, Swallow Grey Lag, Lesser Whitethroat, Skylark Little Egret, Dunlin, Grey Heron, Cormorant Cuckoo, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Coot, Common, Little and Sandwich Terns, Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls Gadwall, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Nightingale, Blackcap Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook Yellowhammer, Wood Lark, Goldfinch Starling, Robin, Wren, Linnet, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Dunnock, Whitethroat, Turtle Dove, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Bearded Tit, Blue Tit,

Home before 1630 means less than a nine hour birding day. But with no birds being paged and with late April showers becoming more frequent the decision was unanimous and everyone agreed as well. Six people in two cars cannot all have been wrong. There is a list of 60 species but it would not make exciting reading.

Regular readers may recognise that this was a west to east version of our 22nd April adventure. Except that we started in Over failing to find a broad billed sandpiper. We failed on the red-necked grebe at Fen Drayton too. Golden orioles did not jump out at us at Lakenheath or should that be Hockwold. We did the circular walk there for the first time but what with rain and the grazing cows using the path to walk and dump on it was not a stroll in the park. "Coot with two young at Over, Mute Swan, Swift, Lapwing
Little Grebe, Shoveler, Common Tern, Green Woodpecker, Garganey and Pochard.

At Fen Drayton Tufted Duck, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler,
House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Willow Warbler, Cormorant, Kestrel, Pheasant

At Lakenheath/Hockwold Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Heron,
Starling, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Sand Martin, Reed Bunting
Canada Goose, Grey Lag Goose, House Martin, Mallard,
Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Shelduck, Blackcap,
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Garden Warbler
Golden Oriole calling.

Roadside etc: Rook, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie
WPG, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon
House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin
Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Tufted Duck"

This was already the ninth club trip of the year. Four people in one car today. Thanks to the driver and also to the passengers who had their chins on their knees at loading and unloading time and sometimes in between.

An excellent day with 85 species with 21 birds added to our cumulative list for 2006. The total moves to 185 with a target of 250 possible maximum for the year if anyone has the energy and good fortune to join all of the trips and sees or hears all of the birds.

New migrants for the year were: Garganey, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, Common & Arctic Terns, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Swift, Sand and House Martins, Yellow Wagtail, Nightingale, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Common & Lesser Whitethroats, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.

Bird of the day was probably the Richard's Pipit at Witcham, only the second ever seen on a group outing, following the bird we happened to park next to on the Isle of Sheppey last December. Brambling and Goldeneye had been slow to realise that it was time to go in their diaries but they will not be here by 20 th May when the club next moves out of the Bishop's Stortford area.

Lakenheath for Garganey, Little Egret, Hobby and a snatch of Grasshopper Warbler,

Fen Drayton for Common and Arctic Terns and a good range of warbling warblers

First dilemma. Would it be the long haul to Dorset for Subalpine Warbler or the more manageable trip to Blakeney for Killdeer. East Anglia won.

Friary Hills, Blakeney (Killdeer, Ruff, Swallow, White Wagtail and Black Swan) –

Sea watch (Sandwich Tern) - Beach Car Park and Eye Field (Pale-bellied Brent). Maximum possible species 92 (see below).

Classic stop for the Stone Curlew and a good display not just from them but also from five Buzzard, Wood Lark and “ordinary” Curlew. Passage Wheatear a bonus. Second dilemma. No Killdeer yet seen. We drove past a dead deer in the road; did not know which way to take it if it was an omen.

Classic second stop at May Day Farm. Marker 6 there and the Valverde visitor centre name at Coto Donana could have given us the winner in the Grand National. Tops were Goshawk, Crossbill, Brambling, Redpoll, Siskin, Sparrowhawk and two more Wood Larks. Chiffchaff appears on our trip lists for the first time this year. Third dilemma. Killdeer now reported - so we must leave.

Halfway on the road to our target already and we set off north along the favoured 1085. Friary Hills a new place for us all. This American wader was well seen from our vantage point. We could not avoid the wildfowlers' collection of world ducks at Blakeney Quay and we were impressed with the range of species. Ah! The Black Swan just flew away – we did not mean that sort of range. Could this or similar collections really be a source of our gallant chases for Hooded Merganser etc?

So far we had been favoured by good light and sunshine – not often these do not go together I suppose especially when looking forward to summer. Classic views of plumage in the Brecks and at Blakeney. But at our final stops at Cley the April weather started to look back to winter. Heavy machinery had been regrading the sea wall and the approach path. The beach car park to the west of Cley was also under repair. There were very few birds indeed. Although there was no snow (cf FC Sunderland in the Premiership) we too abandoned further struggles.

We also took the luxury of listening to the Grand National on the radio in a warm car. By the time we took on petrol at Fakenham the April showers had turned into a full-scale hailstorm. Home in daylight – now there is another novelty.

Year now stands at 164 - If you had been on all of our 8 trips and seen all of the birds

Little Grebe Cormorant Little Egret Grey Heron Mute Swan Black Swan Greylag Goose Greater Canada Goose Dark-bellied Brent Goose Pale-bellied Brent Goose Egyptian Goose Common Shelduck Wigeon Gadwall Common Teal Mallard Shoveler Marsh Harrier Sparrowhawk Goshawk Common Buzzard Kestrel Red-legged Partridge Grey Partridge Pheasant Golden Pheasant Moorhen Coot Oystercatcher Avocet Stone Curlew Killdeer Ringed Plover Grey Plover Lapwing Dunlin Ruff Bar-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Curlew Spotted Redshank Redshank Turnstone Black-headed Gull Common Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Sandwich Tern Feral Pigeon Stock Dove Woodpigeon Collared Dove Green Woodpecker Woodlark Skylark Swallow Meadow Pipit Rock Pipit Pied Wagtail Wren Dunnock Robin Wheatear Blackbird Song Thrush Mistle Thrush Cetti's Warbler Chiffchaff Goldcrest Long-tailed Tit Bearded Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Jay Magpie Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Brambling Greenfinch Goldfinch Siskin Linnet Lesser Redpoll Crossbill Yellowhammer Reed Bunting

Exactly one month ago, we toured around North-east Norfolk on a 100% dipping spree. Therefore, what would be a more fitting way to commiserate that one month anniversary than to react those day's events in North Kent! Most of us would like to think that there can't be two duff trips in a row, well here is how four of us changed that rule… New Hythe Gravel Pits. The day started so well with the first-winter female Ferruginous Duck (our major dip of the last Kentish trip!) coming out to play on Brookland's Lake. A bit of a skulker, it eventually relented and gave us some cracking views, rather bizarrely right alongside the long-staying drake Long-tailed Duck - not an everyday combo in SE England! Even the intoxicating smell and chill wind failed to dampen our spirits, and even missing the Black-necked Grebe failed to reduce our optimism as we made the long drive across the county to… Joss Bay, North Foreland. A new site for us all, and our target - a female Serin that had been present for a week-or-so. And indeed had been present fifteen minutes prior to our arrival. Needless to say, we staked out a cauliflower (or was it a cabbage?!) field for some two hours without a sniff of our quarry. We did see a Meadow Pipit…and a Dunnock, but not the slightest hint of the yellow-rumped guest. Windswept and forlorn, we headed down the road to… Northdown Park, Margate. Another new site for us, and grand views of a number of obliging Ring-necked Parakeets. Not much consolation for missing a Serin, but nice nonetheless, and a nice break whilst travelling to… Grove Ferry. A site that has rarely failed us. Past bleak days have been instantly enlivened by falls of Ring Ouzels and bumping into a singing Savi's Warbler here, so we were hoping that it would provide a saviour for us today. On the cards were the wintering Penduline Tit, Firecrest and Water Pipits, as well as newly arrived Garganey. Cutting a long story (and even longer walk) short, the circular walk provided us with not much more than a few Pintail, a Black-tailed Godwit and two Redpolls! Just to add the final nail to the coffin - we now know that the Serin showed well for three hours about an hour after we left the site, and that all of our targets at Grove Ferry had been present during the morning! So where did we go so wrong? Well, obviously the weather was against us, but alas it seems that on this occasion, we were just at the right places but at the wrong times! Lesson well learnt…now where do you order that pager from?! Thanks to Tony for driving…and remember guys, there can't be three duff trips in a row! See you next month!

Trip List of 71 species: Red-throated Diver; Little Grebe; Great Crested Grebe; Fulmar; Cormorant; Little Egret; Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Greylag Goose; Canada Goose; Shelduck; Wigeon; Gadwall; Teal; Mallard; Shoveler; Pochard; Tufted Duck; Ferruginous Duck; Long-tailed Duck; Marsh Harrier; Kestrel; Pheasant; Moorhen; Coot; Lapwing; Snipe; Black-tailed Godwit; Curlew; Turnstone; Black-headed Gull; Common Gull; Lesser Black-backed Gull; Herring Gull; Feral Pigeon; Stock Dove; Woodpigeon; Collared Dove; Ring-necked Parakeet; Green Woodpecker; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Meadow Pipit; Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Wren; Dunnock; Robin; Blackbird; Fieldfare; Song Thrush; Mistle Thrush; Cetti's Warbler; Goldcrest; Long-tailed Tit; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Treecreeper; Jay; Magpie; Jackdaw; Rook; Crow; Starling; House Sparrow; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Siskin; Lesser Redpoll; Linnet; Reed Bunting.

Three of us are really excited because we decided to have a day out at Skegness on Thursday 9 th March 2006 when there was a really good bird at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve. Some other birdwatchers were also having a day out there.

The Sora Rail from the US of A, the 15 th UK record of the species was our target.

Not easy. Having crossed a very big pond (the Atlantic Ocean) – lets simplify the possible route it took – the bird led us a merry dance nearly all day round and round two very much smaller ponds. Most other days it has not been so elusive and has patrolled what has become its own private piece of wet ditch. We spent seven hours and seventeen minutes trying to get a decent look at the whole of the bird. Some of us saw one bit from a funny angle and some of us saw only its shadow. And some of us saw its “double” that turned out to be its cousin. In the end it relented and came out of the grass and vegetation and the cover of a bush to give us the views we wanted.

Fortunately, the weather stayed mildish and mainly dry. It was raining by the time we popped into Freiston Shore on the way home and saw a fine drake Scaup.

Swans – Mute; Geese – Brent and Canada; Grebes – Little and Great Crested

Divers – Red-throated. Waders – Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Snipe, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit; Gulls – Black-headed, Common, Lesser Black-backed

Sora Rail (147) , Water Rail (the cousin), Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Little Egret

Small Residents – Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Wren, Goldcrest, Robin, Dunnock

House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow (148) ; Thrushes – Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Redwing; Crows – Rook, Jackdaw, Crow, Magpie

Species in bold and with numbers are the cumulatives for the 2006 club trip totals

One week on, a slightly different seven watchers and listeners did come back for another dose. Although we failed on a number of counts we still had a good day. No failures by the weather nor the company nor the drivers – all compliant, aren't we lucky. No failures by the 87 species that did make it to the bird list, aren't birds brilliant, and about which we should have no complaint. This textual complexity is in case we have readers seeking to improve their spelling or keen, like the software's prompter, to simplify the writer's English. Please be in touch via the button provided if you are reading this far, far away.

No Northern (Great) Grey Shrike at Elveden; No Green-winged Teal at Horsey; No close-up Cranes at Waxham; No American Wigeon at Breydon Water and No Rough-legged Buzzard at Fritton/Haddiscoe by the Waveney Forest. Well, not that we nor anyone near us could see while we were there.

A Tesco driver talked to us by the monument on the A11. The fishermen told us about the escaped Harris Hawk at Horsey. We discussed amongst ourselves the dozen cranes flying in the distance at Waxham and the sea-watching success with Red-throated Divers and Gannets. We commiserated at Breydon with another chap who had been paged about the Wigeon. The sun was against us and hundreds of birds had their (diagnostic) heads hidden under their wings. We were told about the need to examine clods of earth at one-mile distance if we stood a chance of finding the Buzzard at Fritton. Although some had not been to Shangri La before, none of us had been into the Waveney Forest at Fritton and so we stood on a new and good vantage point for the marshes we have previously watched from the large Haddiscoe Bridge next to St Olave's. Three owls – Barn, Short-eared and Tawny (call only) was a highlight – not the only highlight, but we know our reader does not want to be reminded that all tall electricity pylons are delivered these days with a stick-on Peregrine and that all five-bar gates more than a mile away are home to the smallest falcon – Merlin.

As our group trips seem to be increasing in number we may find that our species list will be greater by the end of the year. 2006 happens to be the final year of a five-year cycle. The club writes up a summary each fifth year of what it has been doing in Bishop's Stortford. There may be a page or two to record what has happened on the 60 or so trips we have enjoyed in the UK; and maybe as much as a paragraph for our European ventures.

Red-throated Diver, sea watch at Waxham Fulmar, sea watch at Waxham Gannet, sea watch at Waxham Cormorant, sea defences for Shangri La Little Egret, Fritton Grey Heron, near Somerton Mute Swan, in various fields Pink-footed Goose, mainly near Somerton but also in flight Greylag Goose Greater Canada Goose Barnacle Goose, near Somerton Shelduck, near Somerton with geese Wigeon, Horsey Gadwall, Horsey Common Teal, Horsey (3) Mallard Pintail, Breydon Shoveler, Breydon Goldeneye, Horsey Marsh Harrier, Horsey Hen Harrier, near Somerton Sparrowhawk Kestrel, roadside Merlin, Fritton Peregrine, Haddiscoe Red-legged Partridge Pheasant Water Rail, Fritton Moorhen Coot Crane, Waxham Oystercatcher, Breydon Ringed Plover Golden Plover, Breydon Grey Plover Sanderling, Waxham Knot, Breydon Dunlin, Breydon Snipe, Horsey Windmill Bar-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Curlew, Breydon Redshank, Breydon Turnstone, sea defences for Shangri La Black-headed Gull Common Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull, Asda, Great Yarmouth Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Feral Pigeon Stock Dove, Fritton Woodpigeon Collared Dove Barn Owl, Fritton Short-eared Owl, Fritton Tawny Owl, Waveney Forest Green Woodpecker Skylark Wood Lark, Elveden Meadow Pipit Rock Pipit, Breydon Pied Wagtail, near Somerton Wren Dunnock Robin Stonechat, Elveden Blackbird Fieldfare Cetti's Warbler, Fritton Goldcrest, Fritton Bearded Tit, Elveden Long-tailed Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Magpie Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow, Fritton Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Linnet, near Somerton and at Asda, Great Yarmouth Yellowhammer Reed Bunting, Breydon

Under dull skies, seven members turned up at the usual rendezvous point, not realising that they were all about to receive bad karma for committing the ultimate 'bird group sin'...i.e. going out on the second Saturday of the month, instead of the third! Fearing that our betrayal of bird club regulations might cost us bird-wise, we sheepishly headed off to North Kent where the pager had been ringing with bird news throughout the last week, thus hopefully guaranteeing a not-total dip-out!

New Hythe Gravel Pits . A new site for us all. Unfortunately, the Ferruginous Duck that had been there for the last few months had decided to clear off for the day! Not the best of starts, although excellent views of a first-year drake Long-tailed Duck and an obliging Cetti's Warbler got the day off to a reasonable start, and the no-show of the Fudgey (Fuddy?) Duck was soon forgotten as we were all 'scoping the wintering Black-necked Grebe on Lunsford Pit.

Riverside Country Park . A brief stop in order to keep the group together before heading to more obscure climes produced a Med Gull flying around and gripping views of many grockles...needless to say, we were soon on our way again!

Motney Hill . Another new site, and vague directions for a "Spoonbill on Horsham Lake". First job was to find Horsham Lake. After much discussion, it was down to a pair of dog-walkers to put us in our place: no, the River Medway is not Horsham Lake! Cue, red-faces all round! Back to Motney Hill, and views of a small pool about a mile away seemed to be Horsham 'Lake', although there was no Spoonbill visible. A distant Red-necked Grebe was noted, and other bits and pieces included Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye, Avocet and Stonechat . A quick look back over the pool to see if the crime had been committed during our absence revealed that yes, the Spoonbill was now present on Horsham 'lake'! Soon we were all enjoying good (if very distant!) views of a for once actively feeding Spoonbill. Time to go!

Oare Marshes . Not much had changed since our last visit two months previously! A single Peregrine perched on a pylon, and a stunning group of Bearded Tits that were the definition of the term 'obliging'! We were left slightly worried by the distant Leica bearers on the other side of the river...were they scanning for a Black Brant, or for victims to recommit the Texas Chain Saw Massacre?! Sometimes faces tell a story... not that those stories are always ones that you would desire to know! New game of the day was the "50p for the finder of the days first Little Egret", perhaps we could build up this theme to increase our 2006 year-list: the first person to find a Swallow gets 5p, the first for a Shore Lark 50p etc. It could even go up to 500000p for the first person to find a Spoon-billed Sandpiper...well it would make the time go by! And with that, the time was going by, so we headed to...

Harty Ferry . We could see this from Oare, but it took 40minutes to get to it! Fortunately, by the time we arrived the clowns had checked out. Our lives had been spared! A Short-eared Owl gave cracking views over the field by the Pub, whilst a ringtail Hen Harrier did regular sorties over the area. We had 'scoped the "Crow Man" from Oare - he had been waiting for over an hour in the cold for the Hooded Crow to come to him. Sometimes that works, but not today - we re-found the Hoodie about ten minutes later in a ploughed field inland of the saltings! Oops! Moving on, we found a Redpoll-less field full of hunters...they were proudly sporting the fruits of a successful days toil: 1 Pheasant and a Vole...! Our vantage point proved to be "Owl central" with the first of up to 12 Barn Owls , and at least six Short-eared Owls to be scoped. Many Marsh Harriers , and a distant herd of Bewick's Swans completed a rather pleasant scene. Up the road to the viewpoint, but we were just too late for the Rough-legged Buzzard, more Owls though and an excellent finish to an excellent day.

Many thanks to the drivers and everyone else for a great day, we didn't quite pass the hundred-mark, but 97 species is still respectable! Oh, and the punishment for committing the cardinal sin? Well there can be only one punishment: we will just have to make the effort to go out again next weekend! How will we manage that!?!

• Little Grebe • Great Crested Grebe • Red-necked Grebe • Black-necked Grebe • Cormorant • Little Egret • Grey Heron • Spoonbill • Mute Swan • Bewick ' s Swan • Greylag Goose • Canada Goose • Dark-bellied Brent Goose • Shelduck • Wigeon • Gadwall • Teal • Mallard • Pintail • Shoveler • Pochard • Tufted Duck • Long-tailed Duck • Goldeneye • Red-breasted Merganser • Marsh Harrier • Hen Harrier • Sparrowhawk • Kestrel • Merlin • Peregrine • Red-legged Partridge • Grey Partridge • Pheasant • Moorhen • Coot • Oystercatcher • Avocet • Golden Plover • Grey Plover • Lapwing • Knot • Dunlin • Snipe • Woodcock • Black-tailed Godwit • Redshank • Turnstone • Mediterranean Gull • Black-headed Gull • Common Gull • Lesser Black-backed Gull • Herring Gull • Great Black-backed Gull • Feral Pigeon • Stock Dove • Woodpigeon • Collared Dove • Barn Owl • Short-eared Owl • Green Woodpecker • Great Spotted Woodpecker • Skylark • Meadow Pipit • Rock Pipit • Grey Wagtail • Pied Wagtail • Wren • Dunnock • Robin • Stonechat • Blackbird • Fieldfare • Song Thrush • Redwing • Cetti ' s Warbler • Goldcrest • Bearded Tit • Long-tailed Tit • Coal Tit • Blue Tit • Great Tit • Jay • Magpie • Jackdaw • Rook • Hooded Crow • Carrion Crow • Starling • House Sparrow • Chaffinch • Greenfinch • Goldfinch • Siskin • Linnet • Bullfinch • Reed Bunting

Four of us spent an impromptu and rather disappointing day looking for the Lowestoft Ross's Gull. We arrived too late in the morning (around 11am), and had to depart (around 3pm) before it arrived back in the late afternoon! Nevertheless, a decent day's birding was had, despite the no show of a certain Gull! Hamilton Dock produced a single Shag, a drake Red-breasted Merganser and a single Purple Sandpiper mid-morning. A short trip up the coast produced excellent views of the wintering group of four Tundra Bean Geese feeding on the marshes from Herringfleet Hills, with c.200 Pink-footed Geese also present. Back to Lowestoft, and still no sign of the Ross's Gull, but a single Waxwing in roadside bushes by the A12 at Pakefield was notable. A short stop at Lake Lothing produced little more than two Shags, whilst nearby, a superb adult Caspian Gull was found in a large gull flock adjacent to Burnt House Lane, Carlton Colville at 15:05pm. Finally, a Barn Owl was noted over fields near Bungay on the way home.

Ten people from Herts, Hereford and Essex set out for the opening trip of the New Year. Calm and cold, the damp persisted until mid morning. We missed Golden Pheasant first time. One of our four cars did get Woodcock. Then the breakfast bar was not there. Whoops. Time for face to face sharing with others. Go back to the Wolferton triangle and “you will now see something to your advantage on the verge”. No electronic diversions today – we just ploughed on and got the birds at the sites by keeping in touch with the others doing the same thing. If Mr Ank Hyundai of Ashby reads this: blush. Be amazed. Read this and find our day list was 110, see below.

Attempt two then. Two males and one female Golden Pheasant. In and out of the bushes they slipped as cars came by. What a long tail one of them had! Best show for 15 years. Next strategic risk. Do not walk right round Snettisham. Never more than “four” interesting birds. Holkham is always a better experience. Except that it fell a little short today - whoops. Although one car did take a peep at the low tide mud birds at Snettisham it was off to drive the north coast eastwards.

Hunstanton Cliffs. Here the sea watching results started to bring dividends. An East of England Black Guillemot – grey in winter plumage, of course. What a fine bird. Black-throated Diver and Fulmar (of course). Shag too and Kittiwake.

At Thornham the Twite flock came round on cue; actually the ringed Twite flock – but we do not want to claim a new species – just that the ringers had been at work. And a Spotted Redshank announced itself; more of those at Titchwell. At Choseley, Corn Bunting and the first of many Grey Partridge. That was a bit quiet. Common Pheasant and Chaffinch are not much to write about. No Brambling for most.

Titchwell. Black Brants were split off from a big flock on the freshwater marsh as if it was one man and his Leica. Cetti's did show by the path. It was the high tide waves at the beach though that got us pointing out the birds that were flying round and past and bobbing and ducking and diving. More Black-throated Divers, two Great Northern Divers, Slavonian Grebe, Mergansers, Eiders, rafts of surely 3,000 Scoters and for some a fly by from two Velvet Scoters. By now it was just cold and calm. But the long list shows how important this reserve is.

Here are the Holkham details. A few samples of all the geese we needed were in the fields by the approach road – but were the Egyptians on an away day? Later, big numbers of pink-feet came over to roost; but only a few Egrets appeared. Word was that we should get Snow Buntings but we would not get Shore Lark. Worse. Neither. And tramping around we got Skylarks. Nice enough birds all right, but resident at home. So, it was off to the shoreline that we do not have locally. Red-necked Grebe to go with the Pink-feet. Yes, there is a colour theme today. Thirty seconds of pale setting sun as we turned for home. Fortunately two (white) Barn Owls came to our rescue. One Kestrel and one Marsh Harrier was our list of raptors. We get more on our own patches! And here it was getting shivering cold – the marrows did not like it.

Many thanks to the drivers and the divers, the Leicas and their likers and those who were showing and sharing.

Golden Pheasant 3 (2m, 1f) of race obscurus Woodcock 2 Goldcrest 2 Coal Tit 1 Jay 1 Siskin c.5

Hunstanton Cliffs Black-throated Diver 1 Red-necked Grebe 1, possible Slavonian Grebe 1 Fulmar c.20 Shag 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose c.150 Common Scoter 4 Red-breasted Merganser c.40 Oystercatcher c.100 Sanderling c.20 Knot 2 Dunlin 4 Bar-tailed Godwit c.10 Turnstone c.20 Kittiwake 4 Black Guillemot 1, winter-adult Guillemot 2

Thornham Little Egret 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose c.100 Shelduck c.10 Goldeneye 3 Kestrel 1 Grey Plover 1 Bar-tailed Godwit 2 Spotted Redshank Herring Gull c.100 Great Black-backed Gull c.50 Rock Pipit 3 Twite c.25 Reed Bunting 3

Choseley area Pink-footed Goose c.1000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose c.500 Red-legged Partridge 8 Grey Partridge 6 Common Gull c.150 Woodpigeon c.300 Fieldfare 3 Chaffinch c.50 Brambling 1 Greenfinch c.20 Linnet 2 Yellowhammer 2 Corn Bunting 4

Titchwell RSPB Red-throated Diver 6 Black-throated Diver 1 Great Northern Diver 2 Little Grebe 1 Great Crested Grebe 2 Slavonian Grebe 1 Shag 1 Little Egret 7 Pink-footed Goose c.300 Greylag Goose c.30 Greater Canada Goose c.40 Dark-bellied Brent Goose c.200 Black Brant 2, adults Wigeon c.20 Gadwall 2 Teal c.20 Pintail c.30 Shoveler c.20 Pochard c.20 Tufted Duck 2 Common Scoter c.3000 Velvet Scoter 8+ Goldeneye 11 Red-breasted Merganser 6 Marsh Harrier 1f Grey Partridge c.10 Coot 2 Oystercatcher c.100 Avocet 3 Ringed Plover 8 Golden Plover c.600 Grey Plover c.10 Lapwing c.300 Sanderling c.30 Dunlin c.20 Bar-tailed Godwit c.200 Black-tailed Godwit 1 Curlew c.20 Redshank c.20 Spotted Redshank 2 Turnstone c.30 Guillemot 1 Kingfisher 1 Meadow Pipit 5 Cetti's Warbler 1 Long-tailed Tit c.10 Starling c.100 House Sparrow c.20 Chaffinch 40+ Greenfinch 30+ Goldfinch 10+ Siskin 6+ Linnet 6 Lesser Redpoll 1+ Bullfinch 2 Reed Bunting 4

Holkham area Red-throated Diver 1, first-winter Great Crested Grebe 2 Red-necked Grebe 1 Little Egret 9 Mute Swan 2 Pink-footed Goose 10,000+ Eurasian White-front 45+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose 200+ Black Brant 1, adult & 3 hybrid Dark-bellied Brent X Brant hybrids Wigeon c.1000+ Eider 40+ Common Scoter c.2000 Red-breasted Merganser 8+ Sanderling 20+ Barn Owl 2 Skylark 8 Stonechat 1m

• Red-throated Diver • Black-throated Diver • Great Northern Diver • Little Grebe • Great Crested Grebe • Red-necked Grebe • Slavonian Grebe • Fulmar • Cormorant • Shag • Little Egret • Mute Swan • Pink-footed Goose • Eurasian White-fronted Goose • Greylag Goose • Greater Canada Goose • Dark-bellied Brent Goose • Black Brant • Shelduck • Wigeon • Gadwall • Teal • Mallard • Pintail • Shoveler • Pochard • Tufted Duck • Eider • Common Scoter • Velvet Scoter • Goldeneye • Red-breasted Merganser • Marsh Harrier • Kestrel • Red-legged Partridge • Grey Partridge • Pheasant • Golden Pheasant • Moorhen • Coot • Oystercatcher • Avocet • Ringed Plover • Golden Plover • Grey Plover • Lapwing • Sanderling • Knot • Dunlin • Snipe • Woodcock • Bar-tailed Godwit • Black-tailed Godwit • Curlew • Spotted Redshank • Redshank • Turnstone • Mediterranean Gull • Black-headed Gull • Common Gull • Kittiwake • Lesser Black-backed Gull • Herring Gull • Great Black-backed Gull • Black Guillemot • Guillemot • Feral Pigeon • Stock Dove • Woodpigeon • Collared Dove • Barn Owl • Tawny Owl • Kingfisher • Skylark • Meadow Pipit • Rock Pipit • Wren • Dunnock • Robin • Common Stonechat • Blackbird• Fieldfare • Song Thrush • Redwing • Mistle Thrush • Cetti's Warbler • Goldcrest • Long-tailed Tit • Coal Tit • Blue Tit • Great Tit • Jay • Magpie • Jackdaw • Rook • Carrion Crow • Starling • House Sparrow • Chaffinch • Brambling • Greenfinch • Goldfinch • Siskin • Lesser Redpoll • Linnet • Twite • Bullfinch • Yellowhammer • Reed Bunting • Corn Bunting

We did not mean to go to sea again but we had these messages on the electronic tom tom that Penduline Tit had been located again at Rainham RSPB. There was a supporting cast of Black Redstart, Dartford Warbler and our old friend the Sociable Plover. And in another message we were told that there were probably four tits. And in another one we were told that the RSPB was kindly arranging access today only followed by no access until the New Year. The day was calm, clear skies, bright and as much as 11 degrees. Four of us reckoned that this was a no-brainer.

So we duly arrived at the open gate and chatted to a smiling volunteer. And proceeded to tick off all of the above plus Stonechat and about thirty other regulars. As a concession to our reader we shall not include the list here. But still we did not see the Plover's plumage while in flight. It took off in a flurry and beat us all. Ah, the mysteries of bird watching. And we shall not complain about looking into the bright sun and then the setting sun for everything but our main target bird.

We have been trying for Penduline Tit since getting close in 1997. We had a Devon weekend on the back of a failed search at Slapton Ley. There was much too much wind that day for them to come up and feed on reed mace. We did succeed in the Camargue but the small matter of an international boundary prevented a tick on our UK lists. This counts as a Christmas present and we shall be smiling about until 0630 on Saturday 7 th January 2006. Promise.

This week's birding hams – Rain, Bag and Graf

How did we manage to do three trips in seven days? Well, the short days and the points of the compass meant that we could not combine these venues. And we are constrained by when the best birds appear. You never know how long these birds will be around.

On Tuesday 6 th December five of us thought we had better get down to Rainham Marsh to see the Sociable Plover – we met it on Aveley Bay.

But it rested for the whole time we were there and despite some leg shaking we did not see it fly. While we were there we went to see the concrete barges from the car park on the other side of the Aveley Bay tip. And there were the Water Pipits we wanted.

On Saturday 10 th December we decided to postpone our Cambridge plans and get down to Kent for the Hooded Merganser at Chilham Lake at Bagham. We, a different five to Tuesday (3 +2 –2), went there too on the right day and the bird showed well for us and even took some short flights. To make a full day in Kent we went on to Oare Marshes and the Isle of Sheppey.

The best birds seen on the Isle of Sheppey where we had time only for the raptor areas on the road to Harty Ferry were:

Buzzards including a probable rough legged but distant and although it declined to fly and show us whether or not it had a white-banded tail.

On Monday 12 th we (four of us from Saturday) tried to catch up on what had been reported from North Cambridgeshire. We worked out a circuit to cover four or five good birds. Only 130 miles. Mixed success on original targets but good rewards for being out in the field.

Needingworth – despite realising our American Wigeon was probably one of the small group that took flight as soon as we got there – lots of winter duck

Fen Drayton Nature Reserve – despite not finding a clue about the winter Dotterel and only one of us having the smallest glimpse of Red-necked Grebe Woodcock for one

Yes, we missed out on some of our targets but we had some fair substitutes. First of all we stopped by to look at a winter wheat field that did not have plover but by a hedge that did have a silky Black Squirrel. These are rare even in Bedfordshire where some were introduced from the US of A 100 years ago.

Second of all we had a clear sky most of the day, but then had pointed out to us that forty or so miles away in the direction of Hemel Hempstead we could see the cloud formed over the Buncefield petrol depot that had been burning since Sunday morning.

And third of all we turned our attention to things astronomical and noticed that one of the planets, we now know it was Venus, had the shape of a crescent moon. Our study of the Internet tells us that Venus can be studied for its phases, just like our Moon. We saw for the first time. And so we learned something else.

Our combined species list numbered 108 including the wish type probables. Details are given below.

Red-throated Diver, from Oare Marshes Great Northern Diver, Diddington Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Red-necked Grebe, briefly at Fen Drayton Slavonian Grebe, from Oare Marshes Cormorant Bittern, typical snatched view at Oare Little Egret, at Oare Marshes Grey Heron Mute Swan Bewick's Swan, distant from Oare Marshes and Grafham Greylag Goose Canada Goose at Diddington Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Oare Shelduck at Oare Wigeon American Wigeon – a probable flyby over Needingworth Barleycraft Gadwall Teal Mallard Pintail Shoveler Pochard at Chilham and Needingworth Tufted Duck Goldeneye at Diddington and Grafham Hooded Merganser – Chilham Lake, Mid Kent Goosander at Grafham Marsh Harrier Hen Harrier – male at Oare Marshes, ringtails at Sheppey Sparrowhawk Common Buzzard Rough-legged Buzzard Kestrel Merlin – pylon sitting at Oare and a probable at Needingworth Peregrine – three at Oare Red-legged Partridge Pheasant – met their end by shooting party at Harty Ferry Lane Water Rail – close and obliging views at Oare Moorhen – including 15 at one farm pond at Diddington Coot Oystercatcher Avocet – at least 60 at Oare Golden Plover Grey Plover Sociable Plover at Aveley Bay Lapwing Dunlin Snipe Woodcock Black-tailed Godwit Curlew Redshank Turnstone Black-headed Gull Common Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Feral Pigeon Stock Dove Woodpigeon Collared Dove Owl species leaving Isle of Sheppey Short-eared Owl on Isle of Sheppey from Oare Marshes and Harty Ferry Lane Kingfisher at Chilham Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Skylark Meadow Pipit Rock Pipit Water Pipit, at Rainham concrete barges Richard's Pipit, at Capel Fleet at Harty Ferry Lane Wren Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail Dunnock Robin Stonechat, at Oare Marshes Blackbird Fieldfare Song Thrush Redwing Mistle Thrush Cetti's Warbler Dartford Warbler, at Oare Marshes Goldcrest Bearded Tit, at Oare Marshes Long-tailed Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Jay Magpie Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Starling, modest group flock size preparing for roost at Fen Drayton House Sparrow Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Siskin also at Diddington Linnet Lesser Redpoll Bullfinch at Fen Drayton Yellowhammer Reed Bunting Corn Bunting also at the entrance to Elmley RSPB reserve on Sheppey. SP, DA, 13.12.05

Just five members braved the frost and the fog to gather at the usual site outside Bishop's Stortford station. Two of us had already decided that there was no way that we were going to join the probable scrum at Northaw Great Wood, mainly on the grounds that we wouldn't get a look in trying to see the Grey-Cheeked Thrush which had found a home there (albeit probably temporarily?). However, the overall concensus was that Norfolk was a non-starter (after all it had been the ‘chosen' venue for so many of our recent trips – and anyway there wasn't a great deal on offer birdwise); so, where was our first port of call? Yes, Northaw Great Wood!!!

By then the fog had cleared substantially. Pity the same couldn't have applied to the car park at Northaw Great Wood – it was choc-a-bloc; an indication of what was to come maybe? Well a relatively short (and occasionally slippery) amble through the wood and we were confronted with the predicted scrum. The poor Thrush was taking refuge in the birch trees to the left of a small track (one would hesitate to call it a ‘ride' as it was being referred to) but was giving tantalizing glimpses through the trees at about 30m distance.

Eventually, all but one of the group had gained some sort of view through the bobbing heads and bodies; so the ever encroaching melee (which was growing by the minute, even as we departed) was left to its own devices.

As Norfolk was off limits, we'd decided that a circuit of North London birding sites, ending up at Esher for the spectacle of a Rose-Ringed Parakeet roost, was the best alternative. So, after the Thrush, it was on to Wilstone Reservoir near Tring for a hopeful Red-Necked Grebe. On the way through gloriously Autumn-tinted Red Kite country (and regrettably, no Red Kites) a Buzzard put in a show for one of our two carloads, before the fog came down on Wilstone Reservoir. And a right pea-souper it was too, despite the bright sunlight; and all we could decipher were shapes of birds on the reservoir. Good for photography maybe; but we were after proper birds – not mere silhouettes! An hour or so spent in the freezing hide didn't produce a great deal; but as the mist cleared (and for one of us a marvelous photographic opportunity lost – as he hadn't brought his beloved Canon) the reservoir could be seen in all its Autumnal glory; though in fact the birdlife proved sadly lacking in quality. The highlights were a couple of distant Water Rails; a Grey Wagtail……….and several flypasts by the odd glorious Kingfisher or two; or three……!!

The next venue was Broadwater Gravel Pits (near Uxbridge) where the target species was a (suspect?) White-headed Duck. Relatively easy to see, despite being somewhat distant (of course, we'd elected to choose the wrong vantage point – apparently others had had cracking views at a mere few metres away from another viewpoint; typical!!), it was a surprisingly attractive drake mixing with a small group of Ruddy ducks – a good lesson in identification skills as (apparently) the two can be difficult to distinguish (what?!!). Several Goldeneye and not a great deal else of interest were also observed here. Three Siskin were also seen here (one of our party picked these up from the call, thus demonstrating just how remarkably well tuned-in he is to bird calls; the same individual also picked up a butterfly – though not by call of course – probably a Red Admiral – but a surprising record nonetheless in the cold conditions).Then it was off to Staines Reservoir for Black-necked Grebe and possibly Water Pipit.

To the strains of a Satellite Navigation System installed in one car – incredibly accurate little piece of kit, I mean even when we'd misinterpreted the directions, the darned thing kept spewing out things like…….'take a u-turn at the next appropriate place' to put us on the right track. Absolutely amazing. So, it was no surprise that Staines Reservoir soon came into sight.

Thinking that we'd probably have to work extremely hard to get views of any Black Necks (almost invariably, they are scope jobs) we were amazed to find them close to the banks, and giving ‘stonking' views in superb late afternoon light. 10-11 birds were seen here, one or two amongst Ruddy Ducks with another several hundred or so Ruddies way out in the middle of the reservoir. One has to wonder how on earth the ‘authorities' are going to tackle this so-called cull of Ruddies; almost impossible task in the writers view. So it should be too; an outrageous decision by any stretch of the imagination. And how the heck is this going to help the Spanish population of White-headed Ducks, when the vast majority of Ruddies in the UK are resident!!

A close view of a Shag; a surprising lone Brent Goose (seen by one to fly into an electric pylon…………..and survive); another Black-Necked Grebe; a fly-over Bewick Swan (seen to land in amongst the Ruddies); and, eventually a Water Pipit, were the other highlights. Then it was off to Esher (or more accurately, Hersham) Surrey for the parakeet roost.

Several flocks of Ring-Necks were seen by all parties on the outskirts of Esher before we actually arrived at the destination – Esher Rugby Club!! The grounds contain around 65 Poplars which – literally every evening – are the night-time roost of simply thousands of Ring-necked Parakeets – presumably from the surrounding London communities ; and a real spectacle it is too. It didn't disappoint; enhanced at least for the writer by the crimson red sunset; and a Blue-fronted Amazon Parrot to boot!!

• Little Grebe • Great Crested Grebe • Black-necked Grebe • Cormorant • Shag • Grey Heron • Mute Swan • Bewick ' s Swan • Greylag Goose • Canada Goose • Dark-bellied Brent Goose • Common Shelduck • Wigeon • Gadwall • Common Teal • Mallard • Shoveler • Pochard • Tufted Duck • Goldeneye • Ruddy Duck • White-headed Duck • Common Buzzard • Kestrel • Pheasant • Water Rail • Moorhen • Coot • Ruff • Snipe • Black-headed Gull • Common Gull • Lesser Black-backed Gull • Herring Gull • Great Black-backed Gull • Stock Dove • Feral Pigeon • Woodpigeon • Collared Dove • Ring-necked Parakeet • Kingfisher • Great Spotted Woodpecker • Meadow Pipit • Water Pipit • Grey Wagtail • Pied Wagtail • Wren • Dunnock • Robin • Blackbird • Fieldfare • Song Thrush • Redwing • Mistle Thrush • Gray-cheeked Thrush • Chiffchaff • Goldcrest • Long-tailed Tit • Marsh Tit • Blue Tit • Great Tit • Nuthatch • Jay • Magpie • Jackdaw • Rook • Carrion Crow • Starling • House Sparrow • Chaffinch • Greenfinch • Goldfinch • Siskin • Linnet • Bullfinch • Yellowhammer

Goldcrests (plural) and a singular and classic Hoopoe will be quality lasting memories.

Those who had cameras were treated to a real life Hoopoe “studio” photo opportunity.

Our first courtesy stop of the “winter”. As the stone curlew have gone to their summer quarters it is now traditional to transfer seasonal allegiance and welcome this regular Great Grey Shrike. Winter Heath had quite a few other birds to attract our attention this time including Pied wagtails and Mistle thrush and Yellowhammer.

ASDA car park in Great Yarmouth for a brief look over the sea wall while the car had its necessary “coffee” break.

This turned out to be more of a site visit than meeting our hope to be among a wide variety of arrivals from across the North Sea . We had our quota of Goldcrests but there were more to come later. We missed the only Firecrest and Spotted Flycatchers.

We diverted up this approach road to pay homage to a recently reported site for Yellow brow. Nothing doing but Cranes and Pink Feet treated us to fly bys.

Guineafowl (species) spotted around farm opposite barn. Not for the first time, but not listed. Parked in the approach to Shangri La by field sprayed with sulphuric acid approved treatment.

Looked over breakwaters as sea defences and then turned attention to the migrants moving south on the landward side of the single dune. Exceptional numbers of Goldcrest. One of the arrivals had been ringed earlier in Latvia . Redwings and Brambling noted in some numbers. Robins, Great and Blue Tits also on the move. Classic passage movement – beats going to New England . A number of Yellow browed warblers were being seen. Field notes of Little Bunting assembled and checked at home later. Other birds moving through were undoubtedly overlooked because of a) their speed and b) their sheer numbers and c) the leaves they were using for cover.

We knew that a Hoopoe was in the village. We did not know how much at home it would be at Pebbles when we arrived to look over the obligatory five barred gate. It flew out of sight to one garden and then came back and then flew to the front garden across the road. A surprisingly small, and not surprisingly almost entirely silent and admiring audience.

Just to round off the day we thought we would see what we could find. Gannets obliged. Stonechats and the larger Greenland Wheatear. A Wryneck flushed and flew away not to be seen again. Two Blackcaps and a Wren showed well.

Trip list of 65 species
Gannets offshore at Winterton. Cormorant on breakwaters at Waxham. Little Egret from roadside on journey out. Grey Heron from roadside. Mute Swan Pink footed goose from Waxham Sands Holiday park. and elsewhere Greylag goose, Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose (4) Marsh Harrier only on trip home. Mallard on duck ponds (not a duck day!). Sparrowhawk hoovering up migrants at Great Yarmouth cemetery. Kestrel Red Legged Partridge (60), Pheasant Moorhen at Acle on the way home. Common Crane from Waxham Sands Holiday park. Oystercatcher at ASDA. Curlew Golden Plover Lapwing Greater Black Backed Gull Lesser Black Backed Gull Herring Gull Black Headed Gull Woodpigeon Feral pigeon Collared Dove Hoopoe at Happisburgh. Wryneck flushed at Winterton sand dunes. Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker at Great Yarmouth cemetery. Skylark Meadow pipit at ASDA and elsewhere Pied Wagtail at Elveden. and elsewhere Wren Robin, new arrivals at Waxham moving through. Dunnock Wheatear at Waxham beach and 2 including 1 of Greenland ssp at Winterton. Stonechat at Winterton. Mistle thrush Redwing, new arrivals at Waxham. Blackbird Ring ouzel, flushed at Waxham. Chiff chaff Blackcap, male and female at Winterton. Yellow browed warbler, two individuals at Waxham; the second at Shangri-La Goldcrest in super abundance at the cemetery and at Waxham in particular . Great tit, Blue tit, Long tailed tit Great grey shrike back at Elveden Magpie Rook – including a massive flying group at Strumpshaw on the trip home Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Starling, House sparrow, Chaffinch Brambling, new arrivals at Waxham Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer Little Bunting, one individual studied carefully with ID later from texts.

Well......it all began when Mr. Forgham announced he would start a bird club after the successful year 4 visit to Rye Meads. I wanted to join because I like all wildlife and it would be fun to learn more which is rare to some people! Anyway... also I wanted to join because it would be fun. I spent some of the summer holidays looking for a local bird club with no luck! Once a month we go on a trip and every Friday we hold the club after school. We do... what we might see on our field trips, bird watching, identifying birds and birds of prey, using binoculars, bird quizzes and most IMPORTANTLY how to become better bird watchers!

So far I have spotted lots of birds. Here are just a few - Sparrowhawk, Goldfinches, Reed Bunting, Meadow pipit, Linnets and Chiffchaffs. We saw these on our first trip to Stansted Lagoons. My favorite so far was the sparrow hawk and the reed bunting.

I enjoy this club very much because birds are related to my most favorite creatures .....Dinosaurs. I really have a good time out of school on our trips with my friends learning how to spot birds that most people do not even know are there.

Stansted Lagoons: 2 Reed Buntings, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallards, 2 Linnet, 10+ Goldfinches, 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Grebe and a Juvenile Swan, but no Black Necked Grebes.

Hatfield Forest : There were 2 Green woodpeckers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, and a family of Canady Geese, 15+ Mallards, and some deer

Trip Report – Weymouth 8/9 Oct

Family connections mean I do most of my birding in Weymouth. This Sat I went with my two eldest (8 and 10). We covered the 170 miles in a standard 3 hours and arrived in time to see excellent views of the Pectoral Sandpiper at the reserve centre, and a supporting cast of 24 Blackwit, 2 Little egret. I would have preferred longer but was outvoted – beach and ice-cream won.

Radipole is a reserve with a problem. The last 20 years has seen a steady decline in variety and numbers of birds, and its generally last on my list of places to visit. The reason is well known – rising water levels – and the RSPB has plans to improve the reserve by digging and building. The Environmental Agency and County Council have thrown a mass of objections, so currently there is as I understand it no viable plan. Currently its good for Med Gull, Cettis Warbler and bearded tit and not much else.

The only other birding on Saturday was an attempt to watch the Nothe http://www.naturalist.co.uk/nothe which is a bit of parkland round
the main headland in Weymouth. Friday had a YB Warbler, but today just a Common Scoter and 3 Commic terns; there may have been more, but the
demands of hide-and-seek prevented closer inspection of the twittering in the bushes. In winter this area is a banker for Black Redstart, and
gets grebes and divers in the bay (but not as good as from Sandsfoot Castle)

Lodmoor is a gem of a reserve. It rarely fails to deliver, and most of the good spots are close to paths – if you like bird photography you should have this reserve high up your list. Sunday morning had juv Spoonbill (hardly a rarity here now), a Curlew Sand so close I could almost touch it, Blackwit, Greenshank, and invisible Bearded tits pinging in the reeds.

In an ideal world I'd have headed to Portland for twitchable Arctic Warbler, stopped off at Ferrybridge for waders and possible Med Gull. But today as always a visit to Grandparents came higher on the priority list. One day ...

regards

John Slee

One of us is going on holiday to Australia later this week. He agreed that an Essex bird trip might be a good warm up. There is, of course, a pair of Australian Black Swans at Abberton. However, it is just possible that they should not be on the official list as they, (in lit.) and the parents (pers. comm.) may not have made their way from there to here totally unaided. The same shadow is unlikely to fall on the two American waders seen during the day. Anyway, the call was a “no brainer”. Three of us were free. We left at 1000hrs for 10 hours of fieldwork, 100 miles and our tally: 83.

We got the surreal stuff out of the way by looking for a wandering White Stork in a ploughed field east of Little Dunmow while the bird was also being reported in Chelmsford. Ah well.

Abberton. The Pectoral Sandpiper might as well have still been in the US of A it was so far away on the sand bar. But we had the optics of choice with us and its tramlines and supercilium seemed next door. And the Common Sand on the concrete bank another mile away behind. We did not tell Roy King's other friends about that one. No answer to what the mass Pochard display was all about – will have to look that up. We still have no answer about the skeins of Cormorant in Norfolk doing a passable imitation of pink feet. Had someone duped them into acting like geese so they too could be shot? Any number of ruddy duck. No coot to speak of. Had those shooters got the wrong birds? How can we turn our hobby into a cheque writing business? The Osprey tree had gone from previous years and the bird itself had too.

Old Hall. The long billed Dowitcher was the last bird found. Nature sometimes saves a Marbled Duck till the end. We took the long walk all the way round from the scout hut. Framed a few pictures and admired the salt loving Kingfisher and all of the Little Egrets, a couple of thousand Golden Plover and the post Michaelmas blackberries and the apples ready for scrumping and the sloes and the rose hips – Dick is old enough to have done their wartime collection and processing for vit C. Then we sheltered from a skybourne onslaught (rain) and got ready to work out why three others were all the way round at the wind pump and not at the first pits. By the time they left and we got there courtesy of the final quaintly named “short walk” sign our quarry had flown back to where it was meant to be. So many Teal and Snipe. So many shades of brown. We had Spotshank and Ruff and Grey Plover to admire. No marsh harrier! No owls! No shelduck! No avocets! Rainbow, Yes. Sunset, Yes. 3rd Dowitcher in 10 years, Yes.

As seems usual; back to the car in Tollesbury after dark – that place has so many walks and so many things to delay one in any season. At least it was dry underfoot and one could just about see where one was trying to walk.

Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail (60), Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck,

Pheasant – no black ones in these fields; (and splendid RLP breast feathers – to exhibit)

Moorhen, Coot (not a lot), Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover

Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank

Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone (home of the turnstone that marine fencing)

Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove – standard four winter pigeons

Kingfisher. Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker – we tried for the other

Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff (one showing off, one calling), Goldcrest

Starling (not enough to flock/roost), House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch (big flock), Goldfinch, Linnet (small flock) – standard passerines

2 cars and 5 people with one substitution from the previous weekend's ‘extra' jaunt, embarked on a trip to what is becoming almost an addictive location for the Bishop's Stortford bird group. North Norfolk was promised to be the only place in England with squally occasional showers with a cool NW wind and, with last weekend's fall of migrants still fresh in mind, off we went.

Skipping the Stone Curlews at Foxholes, we headed straight for some sea-watching at Salthouse where, unlike Cley's East bank, the beach car park enables a quick retreat to the cars should the rain make life a little too uncomfortable. Summer appeared to have departed as we donned clothing more suitable for our winter trips – some even had the foresight to bring thick gloves – those that didn't regretted it. Two Arctic Skuas, one a light phase, harassing a tern provided the initial entertainment which was followed by the usual suspects. In Shearwater terms, only a Sooty this time but plenty to keep us occupied for an hour or two.

The group temporarily split – one had not seen the Spotted Crake at Kelling water meadows the previous weekend and some wanted an upgrade. So, despite a lack of reported sighting so far that morning, 3 of us slipped off and were rewarded with fine views in bright sunshine – a cracking bird. On their return to Salthouse, the 2 remaining members had added a female Velvet Scoter at close range. An inspection of the pools behind the shingle defence wall revealed some very confiding Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Then the juvenile Purple Sandpiper, seen on the last two trips, put in a welcome appearance.

Very little was bleeping on the pagers and the recent sightings board at the Cley visitor centre was disappointingly devoid of anything unusual – even the previous day's Red-backed Shrikes down the beach road appeared to have departed.

So onto Titchwell for Temminck' Stint – a reasonably quick tick on this one as it probed away in the far SE corner of fresh marsh. Those with good optics confirmed the pale leg colour. We all agreed however that closer views would have been better and indeed had been enjoyed by those on our April trip to Coto Donana in Spain. A couple of Little Stint were a noteworthy attraction, along with a supporting cast of several Curlew Sandpipers. Down on the beach we added a few more to the list and then dropped into Parrinder hide which by 5pm had emptied considerably from a couple of hours earlier.

Notwithstanding the inevitable comparison with the previous trip, a good day was had by all. 104 species, 222 miles and 5 happy people back by 8.30pm.

"So, to help reconcile the numbers seen on the two trips - and they were quite different for only being seven days apart in much the same places,

Cattle Egret, Hobby, Grey Partridge, Stone Curlew, Yellow-leg Gull, Barn Owl, Wryneck, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart, Black Redstart, Whinchat, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher & Coal Tit.

Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater, Wigeon, Pintail, Eider, Velvet Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-legged Partridge, Water Rail, Sanderling, Temminck's Stint, Spotshank, Greenshank, Bonxie, Arctic Skua, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail & Bearded Tit.

This weekend was billed as blanket rain – don't know where, when or how much but last week and the beach was history. Those forecasters were not wrong. But we were not disappointed. We plumped for the coast that had the best chance of migrants.

We made our customary stop at the Stone Curlew and then headed for Kelling Water Meadows for the Spotted Crake showing well during the week. Tick. We and the blackberries were ready washed. At least they were very tasty. “I have just been at Salthouse for the Pied Flycatcher and Redstart” said a new and wet friend. Click.

Almost next door and we were drying nicely. Searched both the Plug (East) and the Eye (West) and found Redstart and then Whinchat and Wheatear as well as Linnet, Goldfinch and Willow Warbler and Robin. “What is that man doing creeping forward and then sideways on his haunches with a telescope and camera?” He was by a pool between what we now knew as the Plug and the Eye. Taking close up photos of the most delightful Little Stint(s). We tried our own photos of them and a Knot and the juvenile Purple Sandpiper still there from last month and the Curlew Sandpiper. All this took time but with birds all around and almost at our feet we were happy.

Sandwiches were opened at two o'clock - it was that good. Half way through the first sandwich, for those who were hungry, the pager told us that at Burnham Overy Dunes a Red-breasted Flycatcher and other notables were being watched. One non-hungry member was called down from his sea-watch position and clunk click – off we set.

Sixteen miles this eastward journey was. But the rain was keeping all in place. The first bush being staked out held Pied Flycatcher and Redstart and Dunnock. And then another tip: the real prize was further on. And the second downpour was easing. A Red-breasted Flycatcher, in its own dell with one main bush, another to the left and saplings to dart between. Calling too. A Merlin flew behind for those whose attention wandered. “I have just seen two Wrynecks back on the other side of the boardwalk”, said one of our new and by now dry again friends.

So guess where we headed next for an even better prize! Not two but at least three wrynecks to confound all concerned. Flying low and direct, flying high and away, on the ground, on the smallest rosebay willow herb type plant. Then we found a Black Redstart and more Pied Flycatchers and more Redstarts too. Reluctant to leave we saw the (Pensthorpe) Cattle Egret fly off to roost with the Little Egrets. Back at the cars – we had two for five people, by the way – we turned to bid adieu to the dunes and there was a Barn Owl. It was that time of day already.

Hardly time to pay even a token visit to Titchwell. And hardly anyone there at 1900hrs to call it emptying but by the time we had just passed the first hide we had the place to ourselves. Usually there are people using the beachward path until all hours. Not today – it was for the first time our solemn duty to turn the lights out. But not before we added Little Grebe, a Marsh Harrier and a Hobby and a sky-ful of hirundines. Thanks to all concerned. Species list for 107 from 214 miles follows:

Little Grebe Fulmar Gannet Cormorant Cattle Egret (escapee Burnham Overy Dunes) Little Egret (6 Burnham Overy Dunes, c.60 Titchwell) Grey Heron Mute Swan Pink-footed Goose (80 Burnham Overy Dunes) Greylag Goose Greater Canada Goose Egyptian Goose (6 Salthouse) Common Shelduck Gadwall Common Teal Mallard Shoveler Common Scoter (15 Salthouse) Marsh Harrier (2 Burnham Overy, 3 Titchwell) Sparrowhawk Kestrel Merlin (1 Burnham Overy) Hobby (1 Titchwell) Grey Partridge Pheasant Spotted Crake (1 juvenile Kelling WM) Moorhen Coot Oystercatcher Avocet Stone Curlew (5 Fox Hole Heath) Ringed Plover Golden Plover Grey Plover Lapwing Knot Little Stint (7 Salthouse) Curlew Sandpiper (2 Kelling WM, 8 Salthouse) Purple Sandpiper (1 Salthouse) Dunlin Ruff Snipe Bar-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit (c.100 Titchwell) Whimbrel (1 Salthouse, 1 Burnham Overy) Curlew Redshank Common Sandpiper (1 Kelling WM, 2 Salthouse) Turnstone Black-headed Gull Common Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Yellow-legged Gull (1+ adult Titchwell) Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Sandwich Tern Common Tern Feral Pigeon Stock Dove Woodpigeon Collared Dove Barn Owl (1 Burnham Overy) Wryneck (4 Burnham Overy) Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Skylark Sand Martin (1 Salthouse) Swallow House Martin Meadow Pipit Tree Pipit (1 Burnham Overy) Yellow Wagtail Pied Wagtail Wren Dunnock Robin Redstart (7 Salthouse, 8 Burnham Overy) Black Redstart (1 Burnham Overy) Whinchat (c.17 Salthouse, 7 Burnham Overy) Northern Wheatear (12 Salthouse, 10 Burnham Overy) Blackbird Song Thrush Mistle Thrush Sedge Warbler (1 Burnham Overy) Whitethroat Garden Warbler (2 Burnham Overy) Common Chiffchaff Willow Warbler (including 1 acredula Burnham Overy) Goldcrest Pied Flycatcher (6 Burnham Overy) Red-breasted Flycatcher (1 Burnham Overy) Long-tailed Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Jay Magpie Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Linnet Reed Bunting

Four people fitted into the Jeep Chickadee and two into a Megane. We were on 299 for UK trip totals since this generation of records began in 1995. After an audience with our own group of Stone Curlew we opted for sea watching at Cley - plenty of wind from the north and who knows what might come along. Just a few squally showers to sit out. The sea defences though were in poor shape and a breach cannot be far away.

Four shearwaters - well out from shore but no trouble for our best optics. Manx, Balearic, Sooty and Cory's . Straight to 301 species. No mean feat. But the two Arctic Skuas at length over Salthouse Broad/Arnold's Marsh were classic views - one a light phase. Also most welcome was a Purple Sandpiper - very elusive some years but here a single as promised on the mud for all to see. Four Marsh Harriers together was another highlight.

Four dips at least were Ruddy Shelduck at Cley, Temminck's Stint and the returning Lesser Yellowlegs at Stiffkey and Little Stint at Titchwell.

And by general consent another excellent day with 111 species on the list. See below. We ended at Titchwell and had to be impressed with large groups of Golden Plover, Godwits, Lapwings and 34 Little Egrets coming in to roost. Predictable Sanderling and Turnstone on the beach and we must avoid being blasé about just how good the birding is at this site. No owls again. We were all impressed with the largest group of Grey Plover any of us could remember. From the Parrinder Hide after most people had gone home our closer inspection turned up Garganey and Common and Green Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank. Even before that from the path there were plenty of individual birds to study including juvenile Curlew Sandpiper.

Many thanks to the drivers. So good is the birding at the moment that some of us plan an extra group outing and will trip out on 10th September - usual arrangements and all welcome - as well as the listed third Saturday trip on 17th September.

Little Grebe - Stiffkey • Great Crested Grebe • Northern Fulmar • Cory's Shearwater - 1 E past Titchwell c.1830 hrs • Sooty Shearwater - 3W past Cley, 2 past Titchwell • Balearic Shearwater - 1W past Cley • Manx Shearwater - 2E past Titchwell • Northern Gannet • Great Cormorant – roosting at Titchwell • Little Egret - 3 at Cley, 1 at Stiffkey, 40+ preparing to roost at Titchwell • Grey Heron • Mute Swan • Grey Lag Goose • Canada Goose • Egyptian Goose - 3 at Cley, 18 at Stiffkey (A149 Floods) • Common Shelduck – plenty of juveniles at Titchwell • Eurasian Wigeon – returning birds grazing at Arnold's Marsh • Gadwall Common Teal • Mallard • Northern Pintail - 1 lame female at Stiffkey (A149 Floods) • Garganey - 1 at Titchwell Freshmarsh • Northern Shoveler • Tufted Duck – young by Arnold's Marsh car park • Common Scoter - 50+ at Cley, 60+ at Titchwell • Ruddy Duck - 1 drake on Stiffkey Fen • Marsh Harrier - 5 (4f) Cley, 2 (2f) Titchwell • Sparrowhawk – one over the saltmarsh at Titchwell • Common Buzzard - 1 Fox Hole Heath • Kestrel • Hobby - 1 Cley • Red-legged Partridge • Common Pheasant • Moorhen • Common Coot • Oystercatcher • Avocet • Stone Curlew - 23 at Fox Hole Heath • Common Ringed Plover • Golden Plover - 140+ Titchwell • Grey Plover - 2 at Cley, 200+ Titchwell • Northern Lapwing • Knot - 2 at Cley • Sanderling - 1 at Cley, 100+ Titchwell • Curlew Sandpiper - 6 Cley, 9+ Titchwell • Purple Sandpiper - juvenile between Salthouse & Cley • Dunlin • Ruff - 30+ Cley, 25+ Stiffkey, 70+ Titchwell • Common Snipe • Black-tailed Godwit - 200+ Cley, 80+ Stiffkey, 300+ Titchwell • Bar-tailed Godwit - 500+ Titchwell • Curlew • Whimbrel - 3 Cley, 9 Stiffkey Fen, 2 Titchwell • Spotted Redshank - 17 Cley, 1 Titchwell • Redshank • Greenshank - 9 Cley, 10 Titchwell • Green Sandpiper - 1 Stiffkey (A149 floods), 1 Titchwell • Common Sandpiper - 1 Stiffkey Fen, 1 Titchwell • Turnstone • Arctic Skua - 20 Cley, 8 Titchwell • Bonxie - 1 Cley • Mediterranean Gull - 1 adult Titchwell • Black-headed Gull • Common Gull • Lesser Black-backed Gull • Yellow-legged Gull - 2 Cley (1 adult, 1 first-year), 3 Titchwell (first-years) • Herring Gull • Great Black-backed Gull • Kittiwake - 50+ Cley • Sandwich Tern • Common Tern • Little Tern - 2 Titchwell • Guillemot - 2 Cley • Feral Pigeon • Stock Dove • Woodpigeon • Collared Dove • Turtle Dove - 1 Titchwell • Swift • Kingfisher - 1 Stiffkey (A149 Floods) • Green Woodpecker • Sand Martin • Swallow • House Martin • Meadow Pipit • Pied Wagtail • Wren • Dunnock • Robin • Blackbird • Mistle Thrush • Cetti's Warbler - 1 Cley • Whitethroat • Common Chiffchaff • Willow Warbler • Bearded Tit - Cley • Long-tailed Tit • Blue Tit • Great Tit • Magpie • Jackdaw • Rook • Carrion Crow • Common Starling • House Sparrow • Chaffinch • Greenfinch • Goldfinch • Linnet • Yellowhammer • Reed Bunting

We tried the Drewer Hide at Fowlmere first but then could not find the Centenary Hide. Mainly because it was not there any more. From the central round Reedbed hide Turtle Doves were prominent. Little Grebes and a Grey Heron accompanied 28 Mallard and 2 Gadwall. Canada Geese and Grey Lag Geese had bred successfully and were moving back from the fields (diurnal movement) to the central water to roost. At that point a single coot stopped trying to be in charge of everything.

This was the day of the four suicide bombs in London. Our lives go on. We were content to have the second prize of the owls that the warden kindly pointed out to us. The Canada Geese young had grown considerably since our earlier visit on Saturday 4 th June. But they still crept up the ditch from their daytime grazing fields to test our fieldcraft about what might be moving the reeds. Juvenile Little Grebe were there at various ages. No Gadwall. No Grey Heron. Young Tawny Owl also present. Single Water Rail seen. Kingfisher flashed through. Still plenty of Turtle Dove. A flying club gave us a five machine fly past to marvel at. All the optimists wanted was a hundred Little Bustard and accompanying Calandra Lark. Well, we can have our dreams.

Five of us had really returned for a second time this year to Fowlmere in the hope and expectation that we would be there on the right night to see otters. We failed but will get it right one year. Remember Swallowtail butterfly at Strumpshaw on 19 th June 2004 and Lammergeir at Ordessa in the Pyrenees on 20 th June 2005. We shall have another try on the evening of Saturday 30 th July as part of a final day.

Quite a few other people were there for the evening aware of these same targets.

They knew where recent otter sightings had been although these had not been publicised.

Fortunately three of us had a flying display by a Long-eared Owl as the final bird of our visit.

This was over the field leading to the aircraft hangar at the rear of the site; and against a clear sky.

Apart from Hobby and the first gulls noted no new birds were seen in addition to those listed during the other visits on 4 th June and 7 th July.

1. Little Grebe 2. Great Crested Grebe 3. Gannet 4. Cormorant 5. Little Egret 6. Grey Heron 7. Mute Swan 8. Greylag Goose 9. Canada Goose 10. Shelduck 11. Gadwall 12. Common Teal 13. Green-winged Teal 14. Mallard 15. Pintail 16. Shoveler 17. Pochard 18. Tufted Duck 19. Common Scoter 20. Ruddy Duck
21. Garganey 22. Wigeon 23. Marsh Harrier 24. Sparrowhawk 25. Common Buzzard 26. Kestrel 27. Pheasant 28. Water Rail 29. Moorhen 30. Coot 31.Oystercatcher 32. Avocet 33. Lapwing - jet black bird like a cormorant with white wing feathers. Acrobatic 34. Ruff 35. Snipe - drumming 36. Whimbrel 37. Curlew 38. Redshank 39. Arctic Skua – distant view across the patch or scum atoll 40. Mediterranean Gull 41. Black-headed Gull 42. Common Gull 43. Lesser Black Backed Gull 44. Herring Gull – lots and lots, grey winged gulls in the fields etc 45. Gt Black Backed Gull 46. Kittiwake – at the patch 47. Sandwich Tern 48. Common Tern 49. Arctic Tern 50. Little Tern 51. Feral Pigeon 52. Stock Dove 53. Woodpigeon 54. Collared Dove 55. Cuckoo 56. Ring-necked Parakeet – Dartford toll 57. Kingfisher – River Stour 58. Green Woodpecker 59. Skylark 60. Sand Martin 61. Swallow 62. House Martin 63. Meadow Pipit 64. Yellow Wagtail 65. Pied Wagtail 66. Wren 67. Dunnock 68. Robin 69. Nightingale 70. Stonechat 71. Black Redstart 72. Redstart 73. Northern Wheatear 74. Blackbird
75. Song Thrush 76. Mistle Thrush 77. Cetti's Warbler 78. Savi's Warbler*** 79. Sedge Warbler 80. Reed Warbler 81. Whitethroat 82. Blackcap 83. Chiffchaff 84. Willow Warbler 85. Bearded Tit 86. Long-tailed Tit 87. Blue Tit 88. Great Tit 89. Treecreeper 90. Jay 91. Magpie 92. Jackdaw 93. Rook
94. Carrion Crow 95. Starling 96. House Sparrow 97. Chaffinch 98. Goldfinch 99. Linnet and 100. Reed Bunting

Dave Sampson, Steve Patmore and myself planned a day in Norfolk. 5.30 start from Stortford meant early wake ups for all. Before we left Stortford, changes. Off to twitch Killdeer at Breydon. SP at Newport was met and the Laguna cut through the swathe of rain. DS not optomistic regards weather. "Rain before 7, fine before 11, my grandmother said" reported JF. And so it was. Yarmouth at 7.30, walk along sea defences to mingle with bored
looking twitchers. No killdeer; so SP not in best of moods. His first wader dip. Many waders kept non twitchers busy and a godwit fly past was spectacular, only outshone by the entire population of East Anglian starlings wheeling like a spyrograph pattern in the grey sky. Superb.

Back to the car. "How far to go?" enquired 1 twitcher near car park."1 mile not to see it" came the helpful response. Coffee and off to Yarmouth beach. 3 med gulls and 1 black headed gave good comparison. Med gull walk like Max Wall. Size comparison and coverage of hood. Arnold Palmer crazy golf deserted, so off to Horsey. Willow warbler lightened our hearts as mud heavied our boots. Cranes heard and marshies soared. Spectacular. Round trip and then cranes, first 5 then 2 took to the air. Now we were spotting birds. Discussions of migrants in bushes, Orphean and dusky warbler
possibilities. A fantasy bird league. Return to car. Crisps and bread. Off up the coast road. Mundlesey cliff realised 1 lone kittiwake a heading south. On to Cley to look at board. Nothing lit our candle but list increased with views from reserve HQ. On to Stiffkey marsh and Lesser Yellowlegs performed for us. Now in summer plumage and spectacular it is too. Med gull found on lake along with pintail, snipe. First tufted of the day etc. Return for walk at Warham Greens. No migrants but Little Egrets pleased. Continue to Holkham fresh marsh. Marshies mated and spoonbill swept. Crests in
bushes remained non visible and mergansers 3 and scoter 1 floated near beach. Lady Anne's Drive Short eared owl performed at a distance, but then SP's new scope could pick up anything. Oh, if only the world was flat we could have had killdeer on East coast of USA with this piece of magnifying glory.
Into Victoria at 7.00 for coffee and tea. List compiled. c93 species for the trip. Barn Owl possibilities on return journey not to be. 280 miles and a jolly good day had by the 3.
With apologies to Dave Arch,

Jono

Four people travelled 140 miles in one car for 79 species. Abberton (twice), Fingringhoe, Heybridge basin as tourists and then Westcliffe on Sea. We secured the Ferruginous Duck at Abberton on the second visit and Rossi the Ring-bill Gull and Med Gulls at Westcliffe. We failed to find a Purple Sandpiper at the gasworks jetty, or indeed the gasworks jetty, but had an excellent day out.

Now that a digital camera has nearly reached nearly all of us we not only look for birds, and flowers and mammals but we also have to keep stopping for that picture. Came in useful for asking for assistance on the web about the small Canada goose on the small causeway at Abberton. And for capturing the sunsets at Chalkwell when we could not find what would have been our dumpy wader friend.

The Ferruginous Duck stayed hidden on our first visit to Abberton. Over 200 Ruddy Duck were on view but our quarry was lurking amongst flooded tree stumps and roots. So we decided to go to Fingringhoe, as one of us had not been there before. Up in the tower of the visitor centre and in Robbie's hide at the river we had good views of many birds including our only raptor in good daylight – Marsh Harrier. As we left we realised that the tide had taken all of the marshland – three of us had never seen that before. And Abberton was brimming over with freshwater too.

Well, a new category of sighting was defined. We had been near the Ferruginous Duck. Not a tick and not a sp. But, almost no hesitation on our return, fortunately. No stops at Abbott's Hall (no access anyway) or Blue House Farm but a side trip to the free car park at the Heybridge Basin . This got us among people and we wondered how the large car park coped in the summer.

We really set our stall at seeing more people, than birds, by heading for Southend, but we did stop short at Westcliffe. Rossi obliged on a post. Med Gulls floated alongside black-heads. There was even another birder there. West to Chalkwell we had mudflats full of common waders and gulls and water birds. No purple sandpiper though. Yet we did earn the chance within 21 days of a free big whopper for the price of a 50p pay and display ticket.

Good weather, good company, and a few firsts for all of us. Roll on 16 th April.

13 Ducks, Ferruginous, Tufted, Pochard, 3 Smew, Goosander, Shoveler, Ruddy, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard

13 Waders, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Sanderling, Turnstone, Redshank, Greenshank, Knot, Avocet, Curlew, Oystercatcher,

12 Other Passerines, Long tailed, Blue, Great Tits, Wren, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Hedge Sparrow (Dunnock), Starling, Linnet, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit

7 Water Birds, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Coot, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Little Egret

7, Gulls, Terns and Skuas Ring-bill, Med, Black headed, Common, GBB, LBB, Herring

Five of us boarded the Chickadee with high hopes. We were driving towards the rain, into the wind. That way the rain would be over quicker. Correct, but a cold, bitterly cold wind was not to go away. We were setting out on the sort of route we like. Some stops dictated by recent records and hey; we would be able to change and fit in a few more along the way. 0830; rain over. Not much at the first stop but Green Woodpecker and Chaffinch was a start.

Stops two and three were at Lynford Arboretum, and Snowdroporium as its February. The lake at the Hawfinch end gave up its headline species. Three, clinging to the tops of trees. Then seen creating world flight speed records for chunky birds. The gravel pit end had no jack snipe but we could see Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe. Honestly, mi lu'd, we were just conducting our lawful business. Maybe we had just got close to the snowdrops. But. These two large trees just fell right down while we looked at them, all by themselves. And all the bits. Two down, millions to go. Oh dear!. Goldcrest. Let's move on. That wind is so strong.

A new Norfolk site for us now. Blackborough End Tip. And the gulls. But before we reveal the species we were looking for a word about a new sub species of the Common Gull, larus canus. Here they were handling the conditions so well. Larus hurri-canus canus. The large and beautiful Glaucous Gull, Larus Hyperboreus, had nowhere to hide and was surprisingly easy to find. Last month we had a wild goose chase. This month was quickly turning into a gull chase.

We were just approaching East Winch from a southerly direction, honestly, mi lu'd, Winch. Would you like the map reference. Its on the A47. That we were about to cross. Anyway, we texted this one to the Rare Birds line. The sun was shining. Likely looking group of mixed gulls. OK so this major family reunion did fly a bit further away while we got the scopes out. Seventh from the left sitting in the front row. A particularly fine Larus Glaucoides. Ah! Confused? All right, we will leave the latin alone for a while. Remember this for that quiz – Larus Glaucoides is Iceland Gull. Reckoned later to be second winter not first winter.

That was another bonus. No-one was thinking of sandwiches, lunch or even coffee. Next scheduled stop was Choseley Barns because we may on our last visit have missed a little owl looking down from an ivy clad tree at all the “grockles”. But, just a minute. We could call in at Harpley on the way. And we could go there via Massingham Heath on the off chance for winter raptors. No rough legged buzzard reported this year but this place is one of Norfolk 's answers to the Isle of Sheppey, and you never can tell. That field on the left has both Grey and Red-legged Partridge. Drive on. Yes a buzzard. Common Buzzard, Buteo Buteo, (sorry, promised not to do that) but we can add it to the day list. As we did the Great Grey Shrike at Harpley Dams, sitting on the side of a hedge, and not the top of a bush.

No little owl at Choseley and no tree sparrow either. We had a really long hike for a big flock of Snow Buntings on plough. Some Skylark again. Just a glimpse of Lapland Bunting on the way back on the same ridge as last month.

Titchwell next. Car parks almost full. Coach parties. Maybe on their second stop of two on a trip planned twelve months ago - naughty. We were there once and may go back to it again. The wind was returning sand from the beach to the orient somewhere as fast as it could. From the beach it looked as if Dame Ellen MacArthur had only just got back in time. Never mind three seconds to find a feather or two. Fifty long tailed duck were hidden somewhere up close and we had a third of a second to get to them. There were solo Auks. And some single ducks but no great displays of seabirds. The short sighted went up close to the waders down at the low tide rocks. Just about every species was there but there was no purple sandpiper.

Sammy was on the reserve again and a couple of Little Egrets. One Marsh Harrier put in a late appearance. An Arctic Redpoll and family associates had moved tree. The odd sandwich was grabbed and it was 15 minutes to Holkham where the parking now was free as it was the end of most peoples' day.

One juvenile Snow Goose was the next drive by species. In the front row of thousands of Pink-footed Geese. See annotated website details at end. But no distant sign of spoonbill. Have you, dear reader, noticed another new convention. The birds we do claim to have seen are given Capital Letters and the ones we saved for another trip are consigned to the lower case.

No short-eared or barn owl at the end of Lady Anne Drive . No life in a heap of former guillemots. But in the last bit of likely habitat we did nearly tread on 21 Shore Larks. We had time to admire them and show them to the first comers but then they flew off inland. No alternative but to trek back into the wind and in V formation. We learn so much from nature. And we had the setting sun to help us. Back at the drive we saw 21 Little Egrets flying in to roost and then it was “home James, and don't spare the horses”. One Woodcock became the final fly by drive by bird.

Door to door service for 12 hours 0730 to 1930. 109 species. Many thanks to the driver and all concerned. Next booked date is now 12 th March.

• Little Grebe • Great Crested Grebe • Northern Fulmar • Cormorant • Little Egret • Grey Heron • Mute Swan • Pink-footed Goose • Eurasian White-Fronted Goose • Greylag Goose • Canada Goose • Snow Goose • Dark-bellied Brent Goose • Egyptian Goose • Shelduck • Wigeon • Gadwall • Teal • Mallard • Pintail • Shoveler • Pochard • Tufted Duck • Eider • Common Scoter • Long-tailed Duck • Goldeneye • Red-breasted Merganser • Marsh Harrier • Common Buzzard • Red-legged Partridge • Grey Partridge • Pheasant • Moorhen • Coot • Oystercatcher • Black-winged Stilt • Avocet • RingedPlover • Golden Plover • Grey Plover • Lapwing • Sanderling • Knot • Dunlin • Ruff • Snipe • Woodcock • Bar-tailed Godwit • Black-tailed Godwit • Curlew • Redshank • Turnstone • Black-headed Gull • Common Gull • Lesser Black Backed Gull • Herring Gull • Iceland Gull • Glaucous Gull • Great Black Backed Gull • Kittiwake • Guillemot • Feral Pigeon • Stock Dove • Woodpigeon • Collared Dove • Green Woodpecker • Great Spotted Woodpecker • Skylark • Shorelark • Rock Pipit • Meadow Pipit • Grey Wagtail • Pied Wagtail • Wren • Dunnock • Robin • Blackbird • Fieldfare • Song Thrush • Redwing • Mistle Thrush • Goldcrest • Long-tailed Tit • Coal Tit • Marsh Tit • Blue Tit • Great Tit • Treecreeper • Northern Grey Shrike • Magpie • Jackdaw • Rook • Carrion Crow • Starling • House Sparrow • Chaffinch • Greenfinch • Goldfinch • Siskin • Linnet • Mealy Redpoll • Scandinavian Arctic Redpoll • Hawfinch • Yellowhammer • Snow Bunting • Lapland Bunting • Reed Bunting • Corn Bunting

This wild goose chase attracted only 8 watchers but between us we saw over 100 species – see list at end. Fortunately by the time we stood up at 0830 hrs for a hot breakfast near Snettisham the day's rain, if not dark cloud cover, was all behind us.

Instead of spending most of the day on a long circular walk at Snettisham we did a high tide sea watch from the public beach car park and then from the newish RSPB/KLAA car park we popped along to the back of the ponds. Nothing really special but examples of all that would have been at the high tide roosts, but not knot for the writer. And four distant waxwings for the young, those with maximum concentration and 360 degree eyesight; again not for the writer. By the way, fellow Homo (and, for that matter Womo) Sapiens birdwatchers. Most us are born without the necessary radar in a hitherto unmentioned special eyelid and you need to come on our monthly refresher courses to do your best at realising that distant and monochrome dots do focus up to be the silhouette you cannot see in your back garden or local patch and have dreamt about seeing from the daily website reports. Assume the worst case of a three second view. You might find it in the first second, and tell someone close to you in the second. When you are the second person you have the third second to find the right dot(s). Hence you need to learn two things. To see the bird(s) i.d. it/them, realise it is going out of view and still say/shout urgently still in the first second: “four waxwings flying right, two hundred yards, across the left bank of the second pond” and also to learn urgently to listen for shouts and to stop watching a blue tit or eating a sandwich, and catch up with the shouter in the third.

Well, we know where we ate breakfast. But lunch was taken here, there and everywhere. In the geese flocks in the fields we had one wild barnacle goose (it was black and white and not grey and pink) but no snow goose (off white) or bean goose (grey). At one stage we had pigeon and wigeon. We went for the Sea Eagle twice and may have been in the right place eight times but not at the right time. Then it was Titchwell via Choseley and then Holkham before sorting cars out at Snettisham.

Choseley had lots of little brown jobs with, delight, light shining on them from over our shoulders. Best Laplands ever. How yellow can a Yellowhammer be? Skylarks, chaffinches, greenfinches, corn, reed and snow buntings. Yes, even if sno goose(?).

Titchwell had the three redpolls on one branch but few of us were confident about getting full marks in any subsequent multiple choice test. The now expected woodcock was sitting and fortunately moving in its dense cover at the entrance path. A high flying merlin was the only raptor of the day apart from kestrel and sparrowhawk. No owls anywhere either. From the beach, by this time the tide had turned of course, we had predominantly goldeneye and one, two or three long tailed duck, eider, scoter or cormorant. Fortunately they were there for more than three seconds but a Slavonian Grebe kept diving again without knowing we had asked it to count to three so we could perfect that part of our training.

Holkham had its thousands of pink feet. We knew they would be there but the spectacle never disappoints. But the egret roost must now be somewhere else.

Many thanks to the drivers. See you all on 19 th February for that extra training.

Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Red-necked Grebe Slavonian Grebe Shag Cormorant Bittern Little Egret Grey Heron Mute Swan Pink-footed Goose Eurasian White-fronted Goose Greylag Goose Canada Goose Barnacle Goose Dark-bellied Brent Goose Black Brant Shelduck Wigeon Gadwall Teal Mallard Pintail Shoveler Pochard Tufted Duck Eider Common Scoter Long-tailed Duck Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Sparrowhawk Kestrel Merlin Red-legged Partridge Pheasant Moorhen Coot Oystercatcher Avocet Ringed Plover Golden Plover Grey Plover Lapwing Sanderling Knot Dunlin Ruff Snipe Woodcock Bar-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Curlew Redshank Turnstone Black-headed Gull Common Gull Lesser Black Backed Gull Herring Gull Great Black Backed Gull Guillemot Feral Rock Dove Stock Dove Woodpigeon Collared Dove Tawny Owl Great Spotted Woodpecker Skylark Meadow Pipit Scandinavian Rock Pipit Pied Wagtail Waxwing Wren Dunnock Robin Blackbird Song Thrush Redwing Mistle Thrush Goldcrest Bearded Tit Long-tailed Tit Marsh Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Treecreeper Magpie Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Linnet Lesser Redpoll Common Redpoll Scandinavian Arctic Redpoll Bullfinch Yellowhammer Snow Bunting Lapland Bunting Reed Bunting Corn Bunting

Not being aware of the changes to the trip due to a Christmas party, I turned up at the usual meeting point, the only other arrival was Dave Arch to let me know that no one else was coming. So one car and one person headed to Titchwell for the Artic redpoll that had been present for a about a week. On arrival it was not showing but druing the wait most of the common woodland birds were around, the pick was a Brambling although chiffchaff was of note. The bird was located after 90 mins showing very well with a mealy redpoll , goldfinches and lesser redpolls. A walk around produced the usual fayre, but poor numbers of geese, a few flyover Brent and a lone pinkfoot, perhaps the wildfowling adjacent to the reserve had scared them off. Sammy ever-present on the freshmarsh with a few waders. A northern bullfinch was located near the visitor centre apparently a small group had been around for a few days. I headed to Hunstanton for the Fulmars when the phone reported a king eider at Titchwell. I turned round and was back at Titchwell in 10 mins. The juv king eider was easily located on the sea amongst the scoter and goldeneye. Other highlights were twite and merlin. The next stop was Wolferton but no sign of any goldies, onward to Lynford arboretum where Hawfinch and Great Grey Shrike had been present earlier in the day. Neither could be located but there was a great deal of bird life highlights were firecrest, fieldfare, all three woodpeckers and sparrowhawk.

Species list (80 ish)

Northern Bullfinch, grey heron, little grebe, great creasted grebe, cormorant, little egret, mute swan, pink footed goose, brent goose, canada goose, shelduck, widgeon, teal, mallard, shoveler, gadwall, pochard, tufted duck, king eider, common scoter, velvet scoter, goldeneye, sparrowhawk, merlin, kestrel, red legged partridge, grey partridge, pheasant, moorhen, coot, golden plover, lapwing, grey plover, dunlin, curlew, redshank, black headed gull, common gull, hering gull, lesser black backed gull, stock dove, woodpigeon, collared dove, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, lesser spotted woodpecker, skylark, meadow pipit, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, fieldfare, chiffchaff, firecrest, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, jay, magpie, jackdaw, rook, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, brambling, house sparrow, goldfinch, greenfinch, linnet, twite, lesser redpoll, mealy redpoll, artic redpoll, bullfinch, reed bunting, oystercatcher, avocet, black winger stilt.

68 species were seen. Nothing was added to the calendar year's tally. Species list available on request. 100 were seen in November in Norfolk .

Made the most of a dry still day even if daylight was in short supply and sunshine absent. It was the sort of balmy winter day when no man would sail and no bird would fly for fun - too much effort. Took a now popular day trip to Abberton and Tollesbury. Unless you get out with your binoculars you just do not know what will be seen. First stop was the Abberton visitor centre. The Scott Hide gave views over the bay of the usual range of winter duck but smaller numbers than were seen from the two causeways. Turnstones were on the causeway banks. Just a few pintail as the class act. Then on to Tollesbury Wick. No (short eared) owls or (hen) harriers or (snow) buntings were flying when we were walking. As last month our raptor list only had kestrel until we reached the final piece of woodland when a calling tawny owl set all of the blackbirds into alarm mode.

We had good views of some birds through telescopes. Redshank, Curlew, Turnstone, Little Egret, Ruddy Duck, Pochard and Tufted Duck. We also had many birds which we did scope but which we could identify through behaviour and outline without every feather being seen. These included the hovering kestrel; the flying shapes of the cormorant, although none were seen with wings outspread and groups of goldeneye going in for synchronised diving. There were large rafts of Coot at Abberton. A few thousand Brent Geese at Tollesbury made a marsh field very dark. A number of grazing brown groups of wigeon whistled away on the marshes. On the riverine mud we had flocks of Golden Plover, Dunlin, Shelduck and Avocet. An airplane was doing aerobatics as well. At one point an Easyjet came along and we were pleased it did not join in.

A sit-down lunch at the Hope Inn and home by six. Are we getting old? Or was it just that we are young and fitting in evening engagements after a full day in the field.

Wren Great Tit Blackbird Song Thrush Greenfinch Starling Moorhen Collared Dove Mallard Little Grebe House Sparrow Black headed Gull Blue Tit Magpie Jay Carrion Crow Robin Pheasant Grey Heron Red legged Partridge Kestrel Tufted Duck Mistle Thrush Redwing Rook Shoveler Mute Swan Redshank Lapwing Teal Canada Goose Pied Wagtail Chaffinch Goldfinch Fieldfare Shelduck Skylark Long tailed Tit Grey Lag Tawny Owl Wigeon Great Crested Grebe Pintail Wood Pigeon Gadwall Great Spotted Woodpecker Goldeneye Coot Curlew Brent Goose Cormorant Oystercatcher Ruddy Duck Reed Bunting Meadow Pipit Barnacle G Black tailed Godwit Green Woodpecker Dunlin Avocet Turnstone Golden Plover Grey Plover Egyptian G Pochard Lesser black backed Gull Little Egret

Norfolk again! No Great Grey Shrike at Elveden but Stonechats did their best. Not much on the fields and water at the east end of Cley. From what is left of the sea defences - we had a good but cold sea watch. At least one of us had the shivers later. Highlights flying past, almost always to the west, were 14 red throated divers, many groups of common scoter, a group of goldeneye, one male eider, one male Goosander, Mallard and Wigeon, Cormorant, Puffin, three separate Little Auk. Dunlin and Sanderling. We had teal with goldeneye and wigeon with mallard and one diver with scoter. No skuas or gannets. No big group of Little Auk. That would have been greedy. Seven people in two cars then went to find Black Brant at the pitch and putt car park on the road to the beach at Wells.Thwarted. Looking in to the sun we could see hundreds of geese. A lifetime of learning the jizz of birds from the silhouettes inside the covers of Collins/Petersen guides was not enough. The birds are dark anyway and we were looking for one just that little bit darker and with little bits of contrast! No chance. We tried calling a cloud in. We studied moorhens and other birds not directly in the line of sight. Very soon we gave up on that one. Remember, it rained all Thursday and froze on Friday. At Stiffkey we slipped and "slided" only a bit on the way to the coast path. Plenty of regular birds in the sun. The long staying Lesser Yellowlegs pretty well came when it was called. Then it had a skirmish with a redshank. Plenty of seals on Blakeney bank. Three mergansers and two more goldeneye. And then there was Connor. He had come past us on the path with his friend and seemingly being carried by his telescope. He was on a birthday treat to see the lesser yellowlegs for the third time. He already had 70 species for the day. He collected 100 the previous Saturday and would no doubt do the same again. Watch out for that name in future. At Thornham Harbour we needed Connor straight away. With others we were looking at a small area of brown plough. The websites the next day said there were 16 Lapland Bunting. Probably 100 snow bunting, not all female, some Skylark and a couple of Turnstone. Now, if this was a 2x2 matrix on Have I Got News for You we would be finding a way of guessing the odd one out. But first we would have to separate brown female snow and brown female lapland and brown male lapland. What Connor could do was take a digital picture of the three target birds, explain the images and the differences, relocate the birds and invite you to try your new knowledge on his locked position. All he did not yet have was a training scope with two eyepieces on the same barrel and image. To finish - Titchwell, stupid. Christmas cards. (Looked at the books for the Algarve and Southern Spain). A walk to the beach. Good afternoon to Sammy. Little egrets coming in to roost. No marsh harriers, barn owl or woodcock. No long tailed duck on view on fresh water marsh. Home for the 1900 dinner date. Excellent all round. Many thanks to the drivers.

Build up was a wet Thursday and Friday. No matter, we had a calm and fine Saturday.

A bad start with no trace of Pallid Swift at Sizewell. But then six of us put a classic run together for the rest of the day. We drove north to Minsmere and on to Horsey Mill. On the way we nodded only at the Blythborough estuary and the cemetery in Great Yarmouth. We found Corton but not the Lapland Buntings. Previously we had not attended an Alpine Accentor there.

Sizewell – Little Gulls, Black Redstarts, Wheatear, Swallows, House Martins, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest

SBCurlew was still being reported but that will have to await expert opinion later

Sea watch at Winterton – Velvet and Common Scoter, Eider, Red-throated diver, distant gannet, assorted auks and terns and gulls

What really happened at Horsey Mill was that we walked round to the viewpoint for a quiet sunset hoping for a classic flyby of a dozen or more cranes against the red sky. In fact 6 had already come to roost. This from the fisherman naturalist who found the squacco heron. Eventually two did fly in but landed south of the viewpoint. But the calls of various cranes did fill the air as did the voice of water rail and splashing of free pike. Our new colleagues had fished all day for pike with no result. And none was to be anywhere near their rods while we were there.

This trip to Rainham Marshes RSPB open day attracted two members – we fitted into one car. The other usual suspects had University terms and RSPB volunteering to attend to but some of the others ….46 species and 86 miles and home by 5.

We reckoned on trying some of the local spots that had attracted recent attention.

At the front Burstead pond were the Little Grebe and Mallard. Mallard and Canada Goose at the back. The Trims Green approach road gave us hobby harassed by corvid and then posing on a near ploughed ridge. An early candidate for classic bird of the day. Nothing at the triangle before Green Tye. Backtracking and just before Allens Green we had at least 6 yellow wagtail, goldfinch, wood pigeon, stock dove, swallow and starling. A resident moorhen at the Queen's Head semi-detached pond stood to attention but the ones at Blount's Farm seemed to be away. Nothing at the junction of Redrick's Lane and the High Wych Road but the evening before there had been a young kestrel.

A puzzle at Fishers Green. All the hide said was – beware I have been treated with anti climb paint. Inside was a mouse. Plastic sheeting on part of the roof. Outside, no channel cut in the reeds. No notice board, no people, no bittern. 70 acre lake seemed to be humming along as usual.

We passed the Ortolan hedge at Sewardstone Marsh and walked round Connaught Water (1880). A fine pair of mandarin. A red crested pochard and barnacle goose. Coot still on nest. Still no rain and none until we were on the way home.

Off the to Rainham by about noon for five hours of fun. An open topped bus (RT3435 LYR 854) ride to the marquee. Face painting. Pond dipping. Containers for hides. LBJs that the staff did not know. Essex Bird Reports for pennies. Another rubbish tip. Did you know that the power station in Kent close to the QEII Bridge is Littlemore or that Wheatear take advantage of the mounds of the Yellow Meadow Ant. So much to learn

Six people, two cars, 106 species, two sites, no side trips and Kelly Holmes 2 nd gold medal. First hide at Fen at Titchwell. Bittern flying right. On the freshmarsh – spotted redshank. And so it went on at both sites. Plenty of classic views without there being any surprise stars. The single wood sandpiper at Titchwell never came close and as seems to be usual was mixing with green sandpipers at distance.

This was a day for trying to find early movements of breeding birds from their summer quarters. The downsides were reports of poor breeding seasons for many birds on the east coast. We saw no little terns but Ruff were in good numbers. Flocks of golden plover, godwit, mainly black tail and even 9 grey plover together. Avocets and little egrets of course. At both Titchwell and Arnold 's Marsh at Cley curlew sandpiper were the star attraction. Arnold 's Marsh held maybe a dozen spotted redshank, half as a group and half a dozen greenshank. There was one Little Stint at Titchwell and one Knot at Cley. 17 waders in all. Ruddy Shelduck and Egyptian Geese and Bar headed geese were the exotics on display at Cley. A grey cow exactly matched the colours of juvenile Shelduck. And a dozen late swifts came past at Cley to end that walk.

Not a great day for raptors. Marsh Harrier yes, with one coming off the sea and an occasional kestrel. We had 100 species by 1500 hrs.

We had two sessions of sea watching as intended. Arctic Skuas chased Sandwich terns and Gannets at both places. One scoter at Titchwell. One red throated diver and one Black Tern off shore at Cley. Modest numbers of terns and shore waders. Five Whimbrel moved through.

Once again as optimists we noted that the good weather days had jumped from the previous Sunday to our Saturday. In the week the summer had been written off but we found a text book fine Bank Holiday Saturday. Bookings made for 18 th September at Rainham Marshes. Keep alert for trips in between. Ideas welcome for 16 th October.

A beautiful weather day. And a breeze down on the Essex coast. Why did we do Essex? Because the young Montys in Lincolnshire had not started to fly. You never know what can be found just by going out watching birds. So why then did we start within 5 miles of the Corn Exchange and have a look at the airport lagoons. Because the night before there were 5 species of wader there and one of the four of us had never been there!! So, we missed green sandpiper but made up for it later. We did have two family groups of Little Grebe and two kingfishers in energetic flight. We could not work out why the swallows were harrying the kingfishers. They had been aggressive to common sandpipers the night before. And at the Shell House we recalled much aggression to marauding Magpies. Then we went off to Abberton, Fingringhoe and Tollesbury. A familiar route we had taken before. Just about 100 miles and the chance of 100 species. With petrol threatening £4 a gallon maybe we will do more local work and less of the heroic trip making. Some of us went down to the Blue House Farm open day at Fambridge on. By the way, the Rainham Marshes RSPB open day happens to be third Saturday of September. We had the ruddy shelduck at Abberton and the feral Barnacle and Bar headed geese. There were not yet shot Ruddy Duck and more but nothing to write home about. We then did a side trip to check on Hythe gravel pits but there was no water there and nothing to write about except flocks of lapwing, black headed gulls and canada geese all over the adjacent river mud. All right, there were one or two black tailed godwit and common sandpiper. At Fingringhoe we had a picnic lunch in the higher hide above the scrape. Plenty of curlew and redshank and grey plover and a few avocet and little egret. But no raptors until even later when Kestrel and Marsh Harrier came past at Tollesbury. Whimbrel and Wheatear were the passage highlights there. But we got more excited about the clouded yellow that greeted us. 94 species and 111 miles. Most of us were back for 2000 hrs. Around 27 summer degrees all day. Much enjoyed by the four of us.

Five people and two cars braved adverse weather to visit three locations in the Kent marshes. First the RSPB reserve at Cliffe, a new location for more than one participant. Having held our breath as we squeezed through the rather narrow entrance barrier, we were greeted with an unusually large group of around 11 Greenshank on the main pool. Moving round to the first watchpoint, we found two Green Sandpipers among 80 or so Black-tailed Godwits and several tens of summer plumage Dunlin. While the second watchpoint held no birds of note, a brief sunny interval provided the opportunity to be entertained by several Scarce Emerald damselflies (Lestes dryas), a noted specialty of the Cliffe Pools reserve. This is a truly spectacular insect with large blue eyes, a green thorax and a metallic green abdomen with a blue tail and wings held at a characteristic 45 degrees to the body; it's also one of the few Odonata which appears to be expanding its range having thought to be extinct in the UK in the 1970's.

So onto the Kent WT reserve at Oare Marshes and probably the largest group of Black-tailed Godwits which any of us have ever had the privilege of seeing – upwards of a thousand summer plumage, mostly adult, birds and not in the slightest upset by the electrical storm and heavy rain rolling around. A few Spotted Redshank, Ruffe and LRPs were a little easier to identify than the ducks which were mostly in a fetching shade of eclipse brown and a lone Whimbrel easily gave up its identity by accompanying two Curlew flying NW over the reserve.

Torrential rain and ribbons of blue lightening greeted our arrival at the final destination of Grove Ferry at the western end of the NNR of Stodmarsh. Undeterred by the conditions, we were rewarded with a fine Spoonbill showing well on Feast's lake, together with 4 LRPs and two juvenile Bearded Tits, knowing no better than to fly in such weather. On the insect front, we failed on this reserve's specialty, the Variable damselfly but a male and a female Marsh Harrier kindly showed towards the end of our visit. All in all, a tally of 83 birds in the July doldrums of the birding calendar seemed a more than reasonable result, particularly given the weather.

One car and four people. Two targets. Corncrake and Montagu's harrier. We knew in advance that therte would be no corncrake to hear at Nene Washes near Peterborough as probably only one of the 55 chicks released in 2003 was known to have returned. What we did not know was that we would be all but blown away by strong winds at Eldernell Lane. Second target. We explored a number of areas to see what we could find. Good birding but no target bird. So we ended up at the RSPB watchpoint round at Frampton. No guarantee there either but our luck was in. We had watched birds and insects and mammals first at Ouse Washes with some success. Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Small & Large Whites, Ringlet,
Meadow Brown

Dragonflies: Scarce Chaser (2), Ruddy Darter (10+), Blue-tailed & Common
Blue Damselflies
Mammals: several Hares At the mouth of the Nene by Sutton Bridge - go on, get the map out, - we had distant views from a new angle of Hunstanton cliffs. By the end of the day we had clocked 83 bird species. And we have decided to go back for an extra trip on 7th August to update ourselves and those who can join us for the young Monty's in flight. And maybe we shall get some better weather at the Nene Washes. Lasting memory and best moment. As we left the College Farm viewpoint a hobby was chasing and being chased by prey. Up and round and round and up. And then suddenly down with full force to ground level, behind a hedge, and then up and more rounds. Second best moments. A single meadow pipit took offence at first one then two and finally three collared doves and then they went round and round in large low circles in some dispute or another. Ten out of ten for tenacity

Another excellent trip! Four took part. The bird tally was 85. We went straight to the RSPB reserve at Strumpshaw Fen near Norwich. We had excellent views of a Grasshopper warbler reeling from the top of a small bush and got amongst families of birds at many points. My how young black headed gulls not yet paddling in a straight line could be mistaken for phalaropes. But once again we had more of a natural history day than just a bird one. Dave Sampson has put three key photos - swallowtail, water vole and grasshopper warbler on the Yahoo site. Highlights amongst the non-avian species were as follows: Butterflies : Swallowtail (7+), Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Heath & Small Tortoiseshell Odonata : Norfolk Hawker (2), Hairy Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Four-spotted Chaser, Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly & Blue-tailed Damselfly. Also, a probable Brown Hawker Mammals : Water Vole, Stoat, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel, Brown Hare and a fair sized mouse plus various deceased roadside foxes and deer. Reptiles : Grass Snake, Slow Worm (deceased!) After Strumpshaw where there were just a couple of gentle summer showers we motored down to Bungay and were entertained by the voices of the Icterine Warbler that had made a temporary home in some sallow close to a golf course. When we worked out the circuit it was using we also had good views but after a while we decided to stop stalking it and give it a break. After Bungay we aimed for home via the mid Breckland sites around Lackford. Nothing really remarkable but young lapwing, little ringed plover, mute swan, coal tit, greenfinch and great spotted woodpecker showed how well the year was progressing. Ducks in eclipse plumage though meant that some MFBP males in full breeding plumage were not available. Just over 200 miles in just over 12 hours. All smiles. All targets met. Just a doubt about stone curlews - are they having a bad year?

The Saturday of the late May Bank Holiday week-end was reckoned to be a suitable time for a club bird race. Under the rules proposed Team 1 elected to start from the Minsmere RSPB car park and to drive zero miles thus getting a plus 10 eco-friendly score. As it happened we did not start until 1030 because we left Bishop's Stortford at 0630 for a side trip to Abberton for the Great Reed Warbler.

Species were very similar to the early summer birds recorded by others in Essex Birding volume 99.

Our route was via the first hide to the coastward path and then Dunwich for the heath. Back to the coastguard cottages and four miles to Sizewell village. Back to the Minsmere sluice. Into the reserve again and via two hides to the car park. Out again to the Bittern and Island Mere hides and a final check of the scrape. Our late start prevented us doing the last leg from Island Mere to the canopy hide and back to the car park.

It has to be said though that birds were largely outshone on this occasion. The reserve's own notice board announced that the day's highlight had been a spoonbill that left the scrape at 0530 hours and a pair of Med Gulls that had left at 0800 hrs.

Mammals were prominent. The Society acknowledges that Red Deer are increasing. We had two sightings of a pair of does in different localities at Minsmere – though it is probable that it was the same pair on each occasion. We also had a pair of Muntjac feeding openly at fairly close quarters near the Bittern Hide at Minsmere; lots of Grey Squirrels (arguably underlining their vermin rodent status); and a surprising view of a Badger in woods in the vicinity of the West Hide at about 2045 hrs.

As regards butterflies, arguably the highlight was a pair of male Green Hairstreaks in woods on Dunwich Heath, actively sparring with each other like Speckled Woods do. Other species seen included 2 x Wall Brown; Small Heath; Small Copper; Small White; Peacock; and good numbers of Common Blue – which included a “roost” of several individuals in grassland on the Sizewell path.

Stephen observed a snake that was very probably a grass snake on Dunwich Heath.

Dragonflies were represented by: Hairy Dragonfly; Broad-bodied Chaser; Four-spot Chaser; and an unidentified small blue darter type – of which the nearest look-alike in the guides is a Keeled Skimmer which it can't be because (a) it's marginally too early and (b) it occurs mainly in SW & Southern England!!

Of the Damselflies only Large Red and Azure were identified. A mystery yellow, black and dark red individual was very probably an immature Large Red Damselfly, but will again remain unsubstantiated – poor thing!

We also had a freshwater crab clinging to the side of the sluice wall, in the water.

By the way, the splatometer readings on the central part of the front number plate within the six panels given by the RSPB for the big bug count in June was estimated at 80. We travelled 200 miles. There was some slight rain. Frankly the bugs were small not big but that is probably not the point. Neither does the awkward point that the count does not start until 1 st June; never mind it was good practice.

Bird highlights were Raven, Dartford Warbler, a Bittern/Marsh harrier spat and Redshank. We chose a day with mild weather, some sunshine, no wind and just a couple of late light showers. Timing in the bird year meant that the waders and ducks that were going to leave for breeding elsewhere had left. The only exception was a calling greenshank almost at the last moment.

The raven flew over the landside of Dunwich Heath to the south at 1320. Two classic dartford warblers were seen and heard close to the circular heath walk. The spat took place as were about to leave the Bittern hide. A female harrier was on the wing when a bittern flew on a course that was likely to intersect. The harrier flew towards the bittern and forced it back into the reeds. We decided no red card was needed because there was no contact. Redshank because the timing meant that redshank young were running around with all of the other local breeding species – lapwing, avocet, mallard, goslings, coot and moorhen. Curlew had all gone and the bar tailed godwit. Lots of black tails still there and a dozen Dunlin and half a dozen Sanderling. And numbers seemed to be holding up well pending predators getting into their stride when the young are fatter and juicier.

Cetti's were everywhere and noisy. Sand Martin colony seemed to be doing well. Good numbers of Hobby flying over the heath. Maybe it was just the way our route worked out but we had tree pipit before meadow pipit, nightingale before great tit, stonechat before hedge sparrow/accentor/Dunnock. No collared dove, song thrush, long tailed tit, wigeon or pochard, nuthatch or rook at all. No yellowhammer, goldcrest, redstart or decent reeling by grasshopper warbler – so plenty of room for our record to be broken.

Of course, with the side trip and the roadside birds seen on the way home we were able to rack up a day total of 102 birds. At Abberton we found the Great Reed Warbler courtesy of the Essex Wildlife Trust staff on their way to work. A first for one of us and an important 10 year refresher for another.

The other eight birds added from the morning list were a pair of black necked grebe, yellow wagtail, Goldeneye, pochard, black swan, ruddy duck and kingfisher. Two owls were added on the way home. Three separate little owls appeared at their roadside posts and a tawny owl elected to leave its tree as we went past. We often talk about getting our final birds on the way home but this time our wish came true in the grand style.

Six members in two cars represented the club on 15 th May for a trip that recorded 110 different species. We started with the regular spots on the way to the North Norfolk coast. We had stone curlew, golden oriole and raptors, but not many of any of them.

The most notable change was the new car park and access road at Lakenheath Fen. Our less young colleagues welcomed the reduced trek before birds appeared and all welcomed the better balance between bird watching time and walking time. Sometimes we feel like a walking club. And this happened again on the big areas of regraded shingle at Cley Beach.

Most notable birding tick of the day was the Temminck's Stint near the wartime building at Cley car park – not that we had taken that easy route. We started at Arnold's marsh we did not realise where it would be although this bird and many others were being reported from all over the country. Of course, we all had our different year ticks and favourites.

Red was the colour of the day. It started to be prominent with cinnabar moths at Lakenheath. Summer plumage godwits at Cley continued the theme. By the time the setting sun at Titchwell turned red some of us had developed red necks and faces to remember the day by. Probably the first proper day of summer. Pretty well all of the summer birds were seen; but not spotted flycatcher yet. Nightingales heard in the Salthouse triangle.

Although we had no owls or evening birds (nightjars) to show for it, most of us were very late home. Nearly twice as many birdwatching hours as there are in deepest winter who is surprised that we have difficulty pacing ourselves. And we failed to bring enough food for the long hours and so had to stop for replenishment.

We have often said we must go straight to the Dungeness patch more often. So much warm water from the nuclear reactor. So many excellent records for others. So we took our own advice and found it all very quiet. But then everywhere else was quiet too. When we reached the Stour Valley later the pager came up only with the sorts of things we were finding or not finding. We did reach 93 species for the day and our leading surfbird contenders found additions to their year lists.

We should not dismiss Dunge quite so quickly. Beyond the patch were groups of Brent and Whimbrel. Solitary divers, skuas and quite a few terns were about but nothing astronomical. In the observatory moat was a single Firecrest that had been around some time and in fine feathers. So green. Beyond the traps, getting their annual maintenance, the bushes in the shingle yielded precious little. Again a few chiffs and willow warblers – so green. The train interested those who had not been before. Migrant wheatear and resident black redstart and stonechat were not overlooked.

And so to the Stour valley and Stodmarsh. We could not find the yellow brow at the “old” end but approved the wood anemone and bluebells on the approach and the ladies smock in the yellow brow's wood. We elected to do the full circular walk to Grove Ferry “new” end and even those initially reluctant agreed that it was a classic route. The woods had added Treecreeper and the tits and blackcap to the growing numbers seen as we headed for the marsh hide. One redshank, one snipe, two Shoveler (well, they did have a nest). We knew hobby would not be in. Just a trace of sedge and whitethroat and turtle dove and swallow and then nightingale at the other end but no crowding. You only need one but are more impressed with numbers.

From the Watchpoint we did get a group of four ring ouzels in the field with a fifth on a riverside field and a loose group of yellow wagtails but no blue heads. Two avocets and one LRP. Walking south down the riverside path we thought about the local cormorants flying in the thermals more like gulls. In an adjacent pool was a pair of Garganey expected from an earlier alert. Matched the French ones. For such a large marsh area it took till the very last for a pair of marsh harriers to present themselves from the tower hide. Low key maybe but then we were watching for birds that duck and dive and throw their voices and know how to keep it quiet.

Camargue, La Caume, Le Crau, and Les Baux etc etc – 12 th to 15 th March 2004

This was a three-night trip by Ryanair to Nimes for seven people. Rooms at the Etap Hotel at Fourchon in Arles . Breakfasts as the first guests of an early opening McDonald's. Recommended regional cuisine evening meals at L'Hauteur, 25 Rue Porte de Laure in Arles ; ask for Samira. We had done our homework from published reports and drove 540 kms, with two hire cars, and clocked up 135 species. The one of us who had been before was appointed map-reader to get us from place to place without deviation or valid delay.

27 highlights each worth the fare: Three Wallcreepers, hooting Eagle Owl, six eagles, two buzzards and two storks. Penduline tit, Alpine Accentor, Serin, Sardinian warbler, Fan tailed warbler, Blue rock thrush, Rock sparrow, Bluethroat, Alpine swift and Crag martin. Slender billed gull, drake Garganey, several hundred Greater flamingo, more than 300 Black necked grebe and more than 100 Little Bustard in flight with Calandra lark. Top bird? Who knows!

Left the airport by the back road and stopped within a kilometre or two for four buzzard and a pruned vineyard with a major flock of small birds – finches and sparrows mainly. Forecast was heavy rain (wrong) and strong winds (right). Plan A was Les Baux and we switched immediately to Plan B and went down to Mas Neuf, an observation platform on the north shore of the main lake. We were to return twice more. To help describe the fury and chill of the wind there were some plastic decoy ducks about 150 metres from the platform on water away from the lake. Only on our second visit when a black winged stilt strutted between them did we realise we had not discovered previously unknown regional hybrids.

A single Slender billed gull was to be seen again but hundreds of great crested and black necked grebes must have been seeking shelter. We explored south and drove past Salin de Badon and went as far as we could to the Etang du Fangassier. There were not many people about, few cars and no birdwatchers. We saw one other telescope on the whole trip and essentially we had this premiere place to ourselves.

We lost the wind, kept dry days with one wet night, but did not gain sun and some warmth until Mas Neuf came to life on Monday morning after a foggy start.

Saturday we tried and just failed to fit in a planned loop of Etang d'Entressen, Le Crau generally, Eyguieres Airport , Le Destet, La Caume and Les Baux. Sunday was a return trip to the east side of the Camargue reserve and then a proper visit to Les Baux for the hilltop village with its fortifications destroyed in 1631. In a short but focussed four-day (three days car hire) weekend trip we missed many sites but found virtually all of the target birds we could have reasonably expected. Apart from birds there were white Camargue horses and black bulls. Humming bird hawk moth at La Capeliere. Squashed coypu (Fr.ragondin) and barn owl and coypu but live coypu, some rats (and a drake red crested pochard) in the ditches. Many things were early but so were we and we beat the biting flying insects. Our petrol station had its own Black Redstart. The only downers for the trip were nothing personal. Droppings of free running dogs at the upper village at Les Baux and acres of blown plastic bags around the huge rubbish tip at d'Entressen. A main mistake was not having walkie talkies to prevent guessing, usually wrong, what the other car had stopped to watch.

Saturday was our second day. We left the hotel at 0730 for a quick breakfast and soon reached the stony desert areas of Le Crau. There was much fruit growing and not much desolation. Or birds at first.

Nothing too notable at the Etang d'Entressen, that was very English. But the Black Kites and Red Kites were just that bit different. And a large gull flock did have a few Med gulls. To our left was another British sight – retaining fences at the top of a hole in the ground. These had failed to keep wind blown plastic in and the mess justified the French anti-pollution slogans. At the first part of the tip came Lesser kestrel and round the tip were Stonechat, Larks, and Serin. At the pond were resting Kites and White Stork, Green sandpiper, Chiffchaffs and Blackcap. To the northwest a Greater Spotted Eagle was “spotted” and a White tailed sea Eagle and Booted Eagle also. At the bridge viewpoint also were clear Sardinian warblers and a little further on a Southern Grey Shrike, a fall of Chiffchaffs and two Stone Curlew – well there were lots of stones (later there were seven in a grass field), and short toed lark.

At Eyguieres Airfield we expected Rock Bunting, but not as the first bird we saw. More of a surprise was the entire population of Little Bustard flying round their protected areas. We gave up on Sandgrouse as their area was nowhere near as public.

So to the Alpilles. Le Destet was void but just up the road drifted a fine Golden Eagle.

Via St Remy de Provence to the car park controlling the access road to the radio masts at La Caume. On the way to the top on foot we found Crested tit, Crag martin and the local Bonelli's Eagles. Raven and Rock sparrow at the top. Wallcreeper at home on the return and Jay (noisy) and Firecrest together with Alpine Swift and a Common Cuckoo – maybe the third record for France in 2004.

At Les Baux for the first time we parked before the barrier beside the Hotel Mas d'Oulivie. Up the path with olive trees on the right we set up the scopes for the hills between the two mature pine trees and focussed on the two small trees away at the top horizon. First bird was another Wallcreeper and second was Eagle Owl. We wanted more and voted for a return on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday dawned grey again at our 0730 start. The fields at Mas D'Agon on the approach to Mas Neuf from the north held waders in textbook fashion. The platform gave us plenty of Cetti's and plovers but not Kentish. Many Great White and Little egrets and a few cattle egrets. A Bluethroat behaving just like a Pied Flycatcher we had seen at the reed edge at Titchwell. We wanted to walk at La Capeliere and accepted that we would not get to see the western part of the Camargue on this trip. We reckoned the trail would get closer to some of the smaller birds. Wrong. We came face to face with the Long legged Buzzard from the second hide and had to search long and hard for a distant PendulineTit. Across the road we had better views of more Penduline Tit but could only hear Moustached Warbler.

And back to Les Baux to do the Upper village and the paid-for hill top ancient site. Alpine Accentors brought out the cameras. Blue Rock Thrush a little harder to find.

Our third Wallcreeper was close to where we had read about: after we left the village and walked past the statue of the Virgin Mary. And at the Eagle Owl site we had a repeat and improved performance.

Monday dawned foggy. We started at 0630 and went without breakfast. 0715 and for an hour or so we chased mostly shadows including Coypu but did have nearby Tree sparrows, Reed bunting, Water pipit, Curlew sandpiper and some other waders. For the second hour the sun broke through. Eleven calling Black winged Stilt flew by. Greater Flamingo flew past. Bearded Tit showed well. A Fan tailed warbler displayed at a reed top. Two Black Stork and a Whiskered tern flew past as well. How did we drag ourselves away!

At the airport we had the sixth eagle (Short toed) as we taxied away. Magnifique!

Four members drove into Suffolk on the regular March date. We had planned the same or a similar trip a few weeks earlier but fortunately one, most of the birds had stayed around and two, we found them. Brief details with some of the highlights from 90 species follow:

Also seen – little egret, dunlin, Godwit, Cormorant, Shag (1) Green sandpiper (1) LRP (2), common Shelduck and common Wigeon.

Lower Holbrook – main target we knew had already gone – Long eared owl roost

Lemon Hill Bridge at Alton Water – No Ruddy Shelduck here or elsewhere but Sand martin and Goldeneye.

Minsmere – main target, Northern Long tailed tit moved from Westleton Heath. Found. Also seen – Avocets, Snow bunting (1), glimpses of marsh harrier and bittern, Skylark but not Woodlark on the road out to Eastbridge

North Warren . A bit like Lower Holbrook, some of us had not stopped by before to have a general look round.

The main feature of the day was the very strong south-west wind. From the hides at Minsmere we had been puzzled by the coloured cloud inland that kept appearing and did not seem to be sun or rain. It turned out to be soil being blown from the fields. Also, on the beach at Sizewell the wind was blowing sand into the sea as well as dry seaweed. The waves appeared flattened and driven back. And then the Orwell Bridge was shut when we turned for home!

Six of us in two cars visited two sites new to us on these trips. 216 miles and 111 species. Different habitats well searched make all of the difference to numbers. We had intended a Suffolk trip but most of those birds had melted away. The Pine Bunting at Choseley was also being elusive before and during our visit but we did have Lapland Bunting as compensation added to some life lists. Mild to cool and dry and calm with spots of rain early and a final shower we saw coming just in time.

We started with the Great Grey Shrike at Weather Heath for some year lists. Also Stonechat there as a regular. 25 Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum would surely mean we could get one or two. Actually we found three and good if distant views. We could not find Firecrest in the box or Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but we did go next door to the gravel pit for the first time and then could not find the Ferruginous there either.

Next we backtracked a little to show off Santon Downham (red backed and great grey shrikes of previous years) to those who had not been and we failed on Wood Lark.

Massingham Heath was the second new site. The bird (RLB) had come down to see us at Snettisham in January so we reckoned we should go to its place. Not really a heath but a valley between two masts and a single mast. Three Common and the one Rough Legged Buzzard.

Choseley Barns was less of a scrum than in the week but lots of buntings and finches on the concrete apron and lapland and snow buntings still in the ploughed field. Little Owl in distant tree By about 1500 hrs we drove into Titchwell with about 25 species to reach 100 for the day. No problems and something to spare. Classic Woodcock by the path on arrival and then Barn Owl on just about the first post. Two clear Black Brants in the same field in a large group of Brent. How do you tell the two Godwits apart? The ankle joint of the bar is smaller 3/5 than the longer ankle of the longer named black. Of course, all ours were wading so we still have to test the theory. Spotted Redshank and Stilt on parade. Very high tide so the Sanderling and Turnstone and Oystercatcher were straight before our eyes on the beach with good flocks of other waders. Not much swell so the mergansers and scoters being harried by gulls were not as difficult as they might have been.

This report of a visit to see wintering birds in South Devon on 21st and 22nd February 2004 is based on a three-way classification. Classic (cl) is the top category and requires sustained and good views often with extended insights into aspects of behaviour. This is what we all aim at but is unlikely to be possible in bad weather. Sp (Species) is the middle category where another day is needed to get classic conditions. Perhaps the bird is identified only because it was known to be there and might otherwise have been overlooked or the view was snatched or was little more than a little brown job. Void is the third category. This is needed when there are birdless areas or moments or days with or without bad weather. Wind as we confirmed is one condition that some birds will avoid.

The main target birds for the four watchers in one car included Glossy Ibis, Dusky Warbler and Cirl Bunting, Lesser Scaup, and then Penduline Tit, Dartford Warbler and Green winged Teal. The first three turned out to be classic, the middle bird Sp and the final three void. Seems average but we also had classic views of some regular birds and the best moments made the whole trip worthwhile.

We went to Bowling Green Marsh at Topsham twice. Once early on Saturday and again last thing on Sunday. Saturday provided roosting Avocet and Curlew in large numbers on the marsh and red breasted merganser in full view on the estuary from the viewing platform at high tide. On Sunday we not only had the Glossy Ibis but also Little Egret and over 100 Black tailed Godwit feeding in the same field and being very flock active. We were impressed by the solid bird hide.

At Exminster Marshes as second stop on Saturday we walked all the way round and had the first of many peregrines and stonechats. The Lesser scaup was at a distant ditch junction hence the sp status. There was no Greater Scaup to be seen.

At Clennon Valley at Paignton we did not even get to see the pools because the Dusky Warbler was pointed out to us at the stream. The bird was active on the side of a bramble bush often low down at water level. Another watcher will have taken a classic video of wing flicking and aggression to chiffchaffs.

Slapton Ley was on our site list because of the male Penduline Tit wintering there. We paid homage to the site for more than six hours on three separate visits but had to declare a void. Fortunately there was a fair amount of other birds there. Not even a sp can be claimed for dodgy calls. The bird was last seen at 1030 on Saturday and then not until the Monday when we were safely back at work. We had failed at Dungeness a couple of times on windy days and also were ten minutes late for a bird at Titchwell.

Prawle Point is the national specialist site for Cirl Bunting and so it proved. Excellent indeed classic views along with Yellowhammers of course.

The new site on Sunday was Dawlish Warren where we dipped, had voids, on Dartford Warbler. We had distant views in the surf of Shag, Cormorant, Red throated Diver, Black necked grebe and Slavonian Grebe (at a nationally important winter site) and even though they were all in a line at times we used the sp as identification was a bit of a lottery for some of them. Gannet and Brent Goose were additions to our list for the trip. We got to a virtual 100 but needed to include the Black Swans on the town duck pond. For the record, we stayed at Cott Farm, Dittisham

0630 to 2115 hrs, 345 miles, 67 species and four to go on an adventure Weather forecast - good to start with some wind and howers later from the north Feather war cast - Waxwing, Sardinian Warbler, Lapland Bunting, Shorelark, Long tailed Duck, American Robin

Summary: Downside - no Sardinian Warbler, no Waxwing and no Lapland Bunting Upsides - the weather did not really hinder us and 3 birds from 6 and new sites seen

Chronology
The sun rose round Spalding somewhere and four mute swans in flight could almost have been pink flamingos. The supermarket car park at Pinchbeck did not hold waxwing. At Frieston Shore we had the resident Richardson's Goose and a single long tailed duck on the new lagoon. We completed a survey there which might help persuade the Environment Agency to change the grading of the steep entrance ramp so that cars did not ground their exhaust systems as they reached the top. At Butterwick Pullover there were flocks of twite and skylark and turnstone. This turned out to be Merlin country.

We drove through a shower just before Skegness which was still a bit damp and getting damper. No warbler that day as confirmed later by the websites. The sea buckthorn was not friendly but the adjacent rear gardens backing on to the seashore were attractive to man and birds alike. Off to Grimsby via Louth for 1230 hrs and the ship assisted female American Robin. She was sitting on the grass verge waiting for us as we pulled round the corner. Good if partly obscured views then feeding on the ground in the chosen piece of scrub. See pictures at lincsbirdclub.co.uk. Lunchtime followed by a short unconducted tour of Grimsby and the front at Cleethorpes complete with views to the lighthouse at Spurn.

Donna Nook was a must see site. It turned out to be complete with a burger bar and an RAF station and many more people than we expected in what we thought would be in a far away place. Shorelarks pointed out to us with seals in the far distance amongst the military targets. Down to Rimac for the final site. Now this one was deserted and we let the last person go at the entry bridge before we realised we might need some help. Any lapland buntings were lying low in the grass and despite much tramping there was nothing clearcut. Safe home and already planning the next trip.

12 people came to sample the joys of birdlife on the North Norfolk coast on a mild and dry and not really windy day. All told there were 106 species in our bins. And we missed quite a few and did not go chasing the American geese we saw last year. No golden pheasant, auks, shorelark, lapland bunting, purple sandpiper or long tailed duck.

There were good chances to study why winter spotted redshank are the real thing. We tried to separate grey lag and pink foot but had to settle for the pictures on the wall of the hide as there were no pink feet on show. One very pale brown redshank was noteworthy. Long debate as to linnets which are “full of confusion for the unwary observer”.

We did have barn owl and both partridge and sparrow hawk in flight on the road sections.

At the first main walk at Snettisham there were Snow Bunting to be seen again at Titchwell and remarkable fly bys from Golden Plover which came down to the beach after high tide past our ears and then left the beach at dusk again just before the woodcock came out.

The Massingham Heath rough legged buzzard had an away day and was seen in the distance at Snettisham. The tail would make it black tailed buzzard if it was a godwit. We had eight raptors in all and will not list them to keep you guessing about these champagne moments. The numbers of wheeling waders did not disappoint. As well species with large numbers there was one wintering avocet on the mud when the tide turned. On the ponds we had single scaup, red head and merganser.

Fulmars at Hunstanton and turnstone and oystercatcher on the greens and fairways as well as green woodpecker.

At Titchwell for the second main walk there was an RSPB youth group learning the ropes and at least one citizen with a more famous name and record. Good though Norfolk was we plan to add a visit to Lincolnshire on our normal third Saturday this month.

This week's birding hams – Rain, Bag and Graf

Bird Race 28/05/2005