Field Trip: N Norfolk Coast 31st October 2010
Published November 26, 2010 | Twenty members started the day seawatching at Cley beach. The sea was relatively calm and we were able to get good views of the birds off-shore. Unusually there was a flock of about 15 Gannets loafing on the sea as well other birds flying through or feeding in the vicinity. The birds appeared to be mostly sub-adults with one or two juveniles present. A small raft of Common Scoter forming a characteristic line three or four abreast was spotted appearing then disappearing in the slight swell. A single bird swimming slightly apart from the flock was first thought to be a Long-tailed Duck but Colin clinched the bird’s true identity for us – a Velvet Scoter. A Red-throated Diver moulting from its summer plumage was also noted. Continue reading
Posted in Birding In Norfolk, Field Trips | American Golden Plover, Bearded Tit, Cley, Grey Phalarope, Snow BuntingBird Identification Workshop – Pipits, Buntings, Finches & Larks
Published September 14, 2010 | An insatiable appetite for help with bird identification led 12 of us to the Old School Room at Sparham on Thursday 26th August evening to meet Steve Cale, our birding guru. The small finches, pipits, larks and buntings were our target.
First of all fix the family. How many times has Steve said this over the years, but is it that simple? Some pointers are that Pipits have pointed bills and long tails; Larks have longish rather thicker bills and a long hind claw (if you can see it!); Buntings have seemingly triangular bills and a deep ‘v’ at the end of the tail; the small Finches a similar bill but a small ‘v’. No more looking at a bird and guessing!
Field trip: Snettisham High Tide Spectacular
Published September 14, 2010 | Saturday 14th August
We just didn’t want the day to end. After all it was only 1.30pm. We had just eaten our lunch in the car as the heavens had opened as we finished our walk at Snettisham. What good timing! A suggestion of Abbey Farm at Flitcham sounded right, especially as ‘you always see Little Owls there’!
Sunday 30th. May – Dawn Chorus (& Bacon Butties) at Sparham Pools
Published June 30, 2010 | Twenty-nine members met in the car park of the NWT Sparham Pools Nature Reserve in the early morning light surrounded by the sound of bird song. Setting off we appreciated the fine tone of a singing Garden Warbler, which remained in full cover as we passed by. Further along the path we stood to listen to a Blackcap and were able to distinguish the delicate differences between its song and that of the very similar Garden Warbler. The remarkable song of a diminutive Wren came drifting through the early morning air.
Saturday 24th April – Field Trip to East Norfolk
Published May 18, 2010 | What a treat to arrive at Horsey Mill and to see the newly returned Swallows flying about the car park, deciding whether or not to nest under the thatched roof of the toilets.