January 2005 Birdrace
A BIG THANKYOU to all who took part in the WVBS Winter Bird Race on Sunday, what a magnificent turn out: c.30 people in 10 teams
From the atmosphere in The Bridge Inn afterwards I am confident that everyone enjoyed themselves.
In total 84 species were seen in the study area with a further one heard (Nuthatch). Attached is a spreadsheet with the accumulated totals. I’ll bring the recording sheets to the next meeting so I can return them to those of you who took part.
The winning team of Allan Hale, Andrew (Burhinus) and Linda Goodall saw 70 species. Considering none of them live within the study area this is a magnificent result. Close behind were Ian Brittain, Paul Riley and Tony Forster with 68 species seen plus 2 “heards”. Then in 3rd place with 66 were Barry Pummell, David Knight & Ian Doble.
Virtually every team recorded birds they may not have expected to see.
The best was probably 5+ Snow Buntings found by Margaret & Barry Shapcott between Great Ryburgh and Colkirk. Others included Little Egret alongside the Marriott’s Way at Lenwade, Willow Tit & Lesser-spotted Wdpkr at Sparham Pools, Scaup, Redshank & Green Sandpiper at Swanton Morley GPs, Little Owl at Bylaugh, and Brambling at Fustyweed, Lenwade & Sculthorpe Moor.
Sparrowhawks - Sculthorpe Moor
Common Buzzard - Wensum Valley Raptor Watch Point (3), Gt Ryburgh - Colkirk (1)
Barn Owls - Sparham Pools, North Elmham, Elsing Bridge, West Lexham (2), West Rayham (2), Hoe, Hoe Hall (2)
Snipe - Sparham Pools, Swanton Morley GPs, Elmham Mill
Grey Partridge - Gt Ryburgh- Wensum Valley Raptor Watch Point, Creaking Gate Lake Area (2 pr)
Golden Plover - Lyng Easthaugh (600+), Billingford (20 fly-over), Horningtoft (5), S of N Elmham (200), Worthing (800)
Kingfisher - Marriott’s Way Lenwade, Sparham Pools, S Morley GPs,
Grey Wagtail - West Raynham, Bintree Mill,
Linnet - Bintree Mill Area (30), Worthing (20)
Yellowhammer - Sparham Holes (20), Bintree Mill Area (20), Creaking Gate Lake (55), Worthing Church (50)
Thank you to all who sent me further details of your sightings and my apologies if I’ve missed any off that you think should have been recorded above.
I’m delighted that so many of you joined in and obviously thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hope to see you at Fred Cooke’s talk “Harlequin Ducks & the Birds of the Canadian Arctic” on Thursday 20th Jan.
Good Birding
Ray