Anser Birding Norfolk and Suffolk 23-27 May 2007 trip report

Anser Birding Norfolk and Suffolk 23-27 May 2007 trip report

Golden Oriole basket nest at RSPB Lakenheath/Hockwold Fen

Avocet at Minsmere
Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint (wing strectching) at Titchwell RSPB

23 May 2007 The guides on this trip were Martin McGill and Neil Smart. It was a hugely sucessful tour, thank you to all who have contacted me with such kind words, if I could just use one line then it would be.....a very big thank you to you and Neil for the best holiday I have ever had, Len.

It was a pleasure to be on this tour as everyone was so enthusiastic about birds and there were one or two new species for all. To see the same genuine level of satisfaction from Iberian Chiffchaff and Montagu's Harrier says it all, keep on birding guys.

We set off from Gloucestershire at 0730 numbering a group of 10. We travelled to Lakenheath/Hockwold RSPB stopping at a couple of rest breaks en-route. The weather was very warm and after seeing Hairy Hawkers and Four-spotted Chasers at the new visitor entrance we were quickly hearing and watching Reed and Sedge Warblers plus Common Whitethroat and Reed Bunting along the river. A few Banded Demoiselle were also noted. Birds noted on our visit included 3 singing male Golden Oriole and a female, we were lucky enough to see the nest (but the location will be kept a secret), 4 male Garganey in various moult stages and the clicking call was heard, 3+ Hobbies, the breeding Common Cranes were heard but kept a low profile in the marshes, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo and a selection of wildfowl on the washes. We spent nearly four hours birding this site. We drove to our hotel, settled in and enjoyed the evening meal (quickly for those who requested the viewing of the Champions League final, bad luck Jim) while those wanted an early night headed off to their rooms.

24 May 2007 After a 0700 breakfast we headed straight for Minsmere RSPB and on nearing the end of our journey we stopped to enjoy Nightingale in full song along with displaying Turtle Doves, breeding Great Spotted Woodpecker and Yellowhammers. On arrival we made our way to the busy Bittern hide where patience and careful manouevers got all the Anser guests a seat with a view, the continual presence of Marsh Harriers in the air was a joy to see, the 17 pairs in the area show just how successful they can be with a bit of help. Not a moment went by on the reserve when you could not see one on the wing or perched atop a post or bush. Neil picked up a Purple Heron for the whole hide to enjoy in flight and a variety of species were seen from here including Sand Martins, a few calling fly by Mediterranean Gulls and the busy throng of a rich wetland habitat. A booming Bittern was all we had as reward for the time we put in for this reedbed foghorn. A distant Red Kite, Water Rail and Kingfisher were also seen.

The next stop was the Island Mere Hide which was also very busy but again we settled in to eventually watch the busy activity of all wetland birds. A number of Bearded Tit sightings led to everyone seeing them well as they hurried back and forth feeding young. We had a bit of lunch at the centre and then worked our way around the scrape hides and beach. The large colonies of Avocet, Common Tern and Black-headed Gulls provided great viewing as the former and latter had young. Neil and the group spent much of the time sifting through the scrape birds while Martin continued a solo vigil for a Bittern sighting, a couple of Purple Heron views were the only reward and after all the effort it was Jim Sines who picked up a Bittern flying over the reedbed that all managed to see before it dropped into the reeds again. A few Little Terns were also present on the scrapes and beach but the 4 pairs of breeding Mediterranean Gulls were a real treat to see among their commoner relatives. At least three Ringed Plover were seen on the scrapes but they were devoid of much in the way of passage birds.


After dinner we headed back to the coast where a quick stop on the Blyth estuary confirmed the lack of passage. We headed for Walberswick for Grasshopper Warber and found one singing but even this bird could not compete with the Navy helicopter training offshore so we and it gave up. A Tawny Owl called as we walked back in the dark. A short drive to Westleton Heath and we immediately heard churring male Nightjar and 3 Nightingales in the still, warm moonlit night, perfect setting, temperatture and weather.

25 May 2007 We left the hotel after breakfast and headed for Colney near Norwich where we located the long-staying Iberian Chiffchaff which was in full song and view. This is still a very rare bird in the UK and has attracted many visitors not least due to it being a first for Norfolk. Everyone enjoyed this little bird who at the time of writing is still singing away. We left for the Great Ryburgh raptor watchpoint but whilst there a cold front carrying rain arrived and the hot weather duly dissappeared. At least 4 Buzzard and 4 Hobby were seen but alas no Honey Buzzards showed. The weather changed our plans and after a coffee stop at Creake Abbey (where we saw a male Marsh Harrier) we ended up at Titchwell RSPB. The passage waders were great here with 2 breeding plumaged Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, flocks of Dunlin, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling and a Little-ringed Plover on show. Small groups of Little Gulls popped in to the scrapes with adults, second-summers and first-summers all resting or feeding. The scrapes were very busy for wildfowl with Shoveler, Wigeon and Pintail all being seen among the Gadwall and Mallard. Two Spoonbill flew over with perhaps another feeding on the scrape on our return walk. A Bittern was booming from the reedbed and of course Marsh Harriers were seen again. The sea held flocks of Common Scoters and Gannets and Fulmar were also noted. A fledged Great Tit was on the path as we neared the visitor centre which we placed back in the bushes. The rather cheesy photo of me was taken by Len Ingram.
After a large dinner we tried a few different spots for Barn Owl without luck and finally another place at Holme for Grasshopper Warbler where everyone got scope views of a reeler in the fading light. A plesent end to the day.

26 May 2007 Neil looked after the group from the pre-breakfast birding trip to dropping off in the evening after dinner at 1030pm and all had a full day packed with birds. Martin travelled to London fulfilling a promise of taking his son Joseph to Wembley Arena seeing Bristol Rovers beat Shrewsbury 3-1 and clinch promotion to League 1. Many of the group enjoyed watching Barn Owl hunting near to their accommodation first thing and this was followed by a 0630 start with Neil taking in a couple of male Montagu's Harriers at an undisclosed site. The site also held calling Quail, male Marsh Harrier and singing Lesser Whitethroat. After breakfast Neil took the group to Cley NWT reserve where passage was more in evidence. Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Ringed Plover were all among the other breeding waders of which Avocet had chicks (one on the path!) more wetland warblers were seen including Cetti's. The Marsh Harriers performed along with some great views of Bearded Tit. One of the highlights on this visit was a Temminck's Stint showing on the Eye field and the long walk around the reserve was worth it.

The afternoon was spent on a Bean's boat trip from Morston to Blakeney Point where the seals were seen very well to a few feet and landing on the point offered views of the tern colonies. Little, Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns were all seen and compared. Some winter birds were still in evidence with 5 Eider including an adult drake and 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese plus 3 passage Turnstone. After the trip a return to the Montagu's Harriers rewarded all with 2 males and a female, the calling Quail and 2 Grey Partridge plus the farmland bird supporting cast that included Corn Bunting. The slight communication problem with text was resolved with the Devon girls adding these birds on their trip list.

27 May 2007 The atrocious weather caused us to head inland to the Brecks where we arrived at the excellent NWT Weeting Heath visitor centre and were soon enjoying Stone Curlew (male and female brooding 2 chicks), Neil located a Woodlark on call which showed very well on the ground in front of the hide, Green Woodpecker, Linnets, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Lapwing, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were also heard or seen.

Stone Curlew at Weeting Heath NWT

The weather conviced us that WWT Welney would be the best place to visit and to have lunch. From the hides the fluctuating water levels had caused problems for the breeding birds but the Black-tailed Godwits were again displaying after having the nests flooded out. Many Lapwing, Redshank, Avocet, Black-headed Gull and Common Tern were busy on eggs and a Yellow Wagtail was heard and a few mobile Little-ringed Plover were seen. We ended the trip here and headed back to Gloucestershire arriving at c1830. Thanks to all who came on the trip for their company and enthusiasm, it is much appreciated. Let me know if there are any ommisions for editing in this report.

Martin J McGill