Birdline East Anglia bird news for April 2008
Norfolk bird news for April 2008 by Robin Chittenden
Late April saw the discovery of a singing male Black Lark at Winterton dunes. It was found in the in the late afternoon after a few days of easterly winds and was more than likely grounded by the drizzly conditions in the morning. This bird normally inhabits the steppes to the east of the Black Sea, especially in Kazakhstan, where large flocks can be encountered at certain times of the year. It is a hardy beast. I’ve seen them chiselling away at frozen pools of water, breaking off chunks of ice and swallowing them for refreshment. All this with an air temperature of minus 25 not including windchill! Despite their tendency to migrate only short distances, this is the third Black Lark to occur in the UK, but only the first to be seen in Norfolk. The influx of rare bird enthusiasts, attracted by thoughts of seeing the black form, dredged up a rich haul of scarce exotics the next day, with Subalpine Warbler, Hoopoe and Wryneck. The Black Lark though had had enough of the pleasures provided at Winterton dunes and departed rather early in the morning, leaving the non-early birders twiddling their thumbs.
Other highlights of the spring so far included a Whiskered Tern at Holkham NNR 28th, a Red-rumped Swallow that was tracked around the coast from Winterton, Salthouse and Blakeney Point 9th and another was seen at Waxham 28th. A first summer female Red-footed Falcon flew west over Weybourne and Cley Hangs 26th and was also seen at Kelling Water Meadows briefly 29th. A Hoopoe was at Waxham 26th on private land and a Wryneck was there the same day and a Serin was there briefly 28th. Just east of Acle were thirteen Dotterel 26th. A Stone-curlew was at Horsey 26th. A flock of Dotterel were found at Choseley from 26th-30th at least. A Wryneck was at Burnham Overy Dunes 21st. Up to three Shorelark remained at Cley NWT until 25th although there were only two towards the end of their stay. There were two between West & East Runton 22nd. A Richard’s Pipit was at Kelling 29th-30th at least. The Great Grey Shrike remained at Kelling Heath until 22nd. Another Great Grey Shrike was at Great Walsingham 12th, one was south of Hunstanton 23rd-26th and another was at Cart Gap 26th.
There appeared to a multiple arrival of Black Kites in Norfolk this spring. This species is more likely to be seen in southern Europe, but regularly wanders into the UK. If anything, with increasing temperatures, it is predicted that this species could become even more common in the UK and ultimately stay and breed. This year though all records will be ‘clouded’ by news, that in March London Zoo managed to lose three Cape Verde/Black Kite hybrids and a Black Kite from a storm damaged aviary. It is going to be difficult task for the county bird recorders to satisfy themselves that all sightings this spring were not these escapees. I expect the ‘British Birds’ rarities committee (the people that adjudicate records of UK rare birds) are somewhat relieved that they had ‘demoted’ Black Kite from their list of species they consider, only a couple of years ago. The task will now fall to the two ‘new’ Norfolk bird recorders, Dave & Jacquie Bridges and the Norfolk rare bird committee. Giles Dunmore the previous Norfolk bird recorder has just retired.
The Rough-legged Buzzard was at Burnham Overy Dunes, Scolt Head Island, Holkham Freshmarsh all month. Others were seen over Blickling 24th, Horsey 25th and Waxham 26th. An early Montagu’s Harrier was at Holme 2nd, a male was at Holkham Freshmarsh 19th and a ring-tail was at Horsey 28th. An early Honey Buzzard was over Great Gressingham 25th. The Dark-breasted Barn Owl was still at Wacton Common 5th.
The Lesser Snow Goose was also at Heigham Holmes, Horsey or Waxham 1st at least and at Breydon Water 13th and perhaps the same bird was at Ken Hill marsh Heacham 23rd. Up to two Black Brants were still at Cley NWT and one was at Titchwell RSPB The Glaucous Gull was still at Gorleston until 19th and one flew past Weybourne 21st and an Iceland Gull was at Trimmingham 19th.
Spoonbills this spring have been at Holkham NNR, Welney WWT, Hickling Broad NWT, Hopton-on-Sea, Martham Broad and Berney Marshes RSPB. Away from the Broads five Common Cranes flew west over Brancaster Staithe, Titchwell RSPB and Holme 2nd, one was near Emneth 14th and one over Choseley then at Holkham Freshmarsh and then over Cley NWT 19th. One flew east over Aylemerton and Incleborough Hill 26th. A Cattle Egret was found at Stiffkey 4th-13th and perhaps the same bird was seen in flight at Burnham Norton 27th. A Great White Egret was at Guist 5th-7th and one was at Ditchlingham 14th. A summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe was at Hickling Broad NWT 9th and nearby a drake Green-winged Teal was at Martham South Broad 14th-15th.
The usual influx of Ring Ouzels included a count of twenty-two near Brancaster Staithe 18th Returning summer visitors included Tree Pipit at Sea Palling 1st, a Hobby at Wereham 2nd, Ring Ouzel 3rd, Common Tern Wroxham Broad 8th, Sedge Warbler Titchwell RSPB 10th, Grasshopper Warbler Holkham NNR 13th and a Common Swift Burnham Overy Staithe on the 13t.
This article is written by Robin Chittenden from Birdline East Anglia.
Anyone can listen to the latest bird sightings on Birdline East Anglia by phoning 09068 700 245
Robin is available for private bird, wildlife or photography tours. For more information please click on the ‘news’ button near the bottom of this page. You can view his photographs at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk Please register by clicking on ‘lightbox’.
Please contact us with your sightings phone/text 07941333970 or e birdnews@birdline-eastanglia.co.uk