Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society

The weather forecast had predicted a fine day earlier in the week but we woke to a dark, wet morning. No problem! We birders are made of stern stuff. We reached our meeting point at Morrison’s Fakenham and as we gathered it was still drizzling, and did so all the way up to the Norfolk coast.

Our first stop was Choseley barns. The rain had now eased slightly and we piled out of the cars to seek elusive Corn Bunting and Yellowhammers. Several other more common birds also joined the list. On to Titchwell and as we assembled in the carpark the weather looked brighter. We  enjoyed great views of the solitary Woodcock from the broadwalk as we walked towards the visitors centre. Further on we found a Water Rail close to the feeders and Marsh Harriers were over the marsh towards Thorham.  Then a shout went up “Bittern”.  Most of the group saw it flying low and disappearing into the reeds.  We walked on towards the beach platform gathering a great list of birds on the way among the best being Spotted Redshank, Goldeneye and Water Pipit. There were also a lot of Pintail on the water – one of my personal favourites.

The list was fast approaching 60 species. We got to the beach and scanned the sea. A huge, and I mean huge, raft of Common Scoter could be seen and as they took flight a few Velvet Scoter with their white wing bars could be seen amongst them. Great sight! We saw a fine male Goldeneye on the sea and lots of the more common shore birds including fine Bar-tailed Godwits and, unusual for the coast, a single Common Sandpiper. We walked towards the shoreline with the weather improving by the minute and added Golden Plover and Red-breasted Mergansers to the list. On the way back to the cars for lunch we saw Ruff and had a closer view of Water Pipit and a Common Buzzard was seen in the distance. Bearded Tit were also seen and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard. The sun was now shining in a blue sky. Amazing!

After lunch we headed for Wells where Scaup had been reported. The skies were darkening and as we arrived the rain started again. But, despite the rain, all the group had a distant,but positive, view of the Scaups on the far end of the boating lake. As we drove off towards Holkham the rain stopped, again, and we arrived to clear skies. Pinkfooted Geese were in the fields and overhead. The clear skies seemed to be a trigger for the Barn Owls to start hunting and four were seen at the same time with a fifth seen later. It was now quite pleasant in Holkham Bay as we walked towards the far dunes looking for Shore Larks and Snow Bunting but despite walking what seemed like the entire beach we had no success. We headed back to the cars enjoying the lengthening evening light and re-capping on a great day out seeing some of the best North Norfolk had to offer. Having, amazingly, dodged the rain all day we drove south towards blackening skies and more rain.

Many thanks to Colin for a great days birding. We ended up with a superb list of 86 species.

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