Jan09 – Holkham Park & Lady Anne’s Drive
Despite very wet weather, a strong wind and cool temperatures eighteen members gathered at the Alms Houses car park at Holkham to enjoy a day’s birdwatching together. We ventured into the park and within a few yards found a Nuthatch perched in the treetops sheltering from the wind and preening. Small birds like this were going to be difficult to find in such foul weather but we were not deterred. As we progressed towards the lake we were able to add a few more species to our list including a small party of Long-tailed Tits.
Arriving at the lake we scanned the windswept surface but only Mallard and two female Tufted Duck were brave enough to venture out into the open water. Further searching along the island edges revealed a small number of Shoveler sensibly taking advantage of the shelter the islands provided. As we walked along the shoreline a Woodcock took flight from the nearest island soon to disappear from view before some of those present could be alerted to its presence. A couple of Mallard perched in a tree was perhaps an indication of the severity of the weather conditions. We continued along the path constantly searching for a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but without success.
We paused to look over the distant marshes but apart from a couple of Shelduck and a Curlew everything was keeping its head down until someone shouted “Common Buzzard over the marsh”. We had brief views as it drifted behind the nearby trees and despite searching we were unable to relocate it for those who had missed it.
We decided to retrace our steps and try to find a roosting Tawny Owl but to no avail.
There was no alternative but to head across the open ground to the café. What a relief to get into the dry and enjoy a hot drink and sticky bun.
Suitably refreshed everyone present was keen to continue birding so we made our way back through the park and rain towards the car park. On the way we were fascinated by the herds of Fallow Deer moving through the parkland as they negotiated the traffic on the main drive. There was also a migratory flock of Redwing moving over the grassland in search of food items.
It was a short drive to the end of Lady Anne’s Drive and luckily the car park attendant was having a day off so there was no charge to be paid! We took a break for lunch and then made our way west along the edge of the pines towards the Washington Hide. By now the rain had stopped and conditions for birdwatching had greatly improved. Pausing at a pool we were treated to close-up views of a stunning male Goldeneye and further on Josh Leeder located a flock of White-fronted geese grazing on the marsh.
We spent a little time in Washington hide and were joined by members Peter and Alma Banson. On the grazing marsh we noticed Pintail duck, Black-tailed Godwits and Marsh Harriers amongst the other more common species present. We decided to move through to the beach to see what we could find on the sea and the saltmarsh. Scanning the sea there were several Mergansers present and a huge raft of Common Scoter. As we watched the Scoter took flight and some of the members were able to pick out the distinctive white wing panel of a Velvet Scoter in the flock. As we walked across the saltmarsh we flushed flocks of Skylark, Goldfinch, Linnet and Snow Bunting. Despite some careful searching through the flocks we were not able to turn up any Twite.
By now it was time to head back to the car park but we paused to scan the grazing marshes for any hunting owls. We had excellent views of a Barn Owl both in flight and at rest before heading home as further wet weather closed in. We had shared a thoroughly enjoyable day’s birdwatching together and recorded 71 species in total. Many thanks to Ray for organising and leading the day so ably.