Birding Horsey Mills
Hi everybody,
I have written these few notes about our field meeting on Sunday 4th April which I thought might be of interest to you.
“Twenty members of the Nar Valley Ornithological Society (NARVOS) and the Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society met at Horsey Mill on Sunday 4 th April to enjoy a day’s birdwatching together under the leadership of Ray Gribble. The weather was fine and dry but a cool easterly wind meant that woolly hats were required.
The first part of the day was spent walking along the dyke bordering Breyden Marshes and then across the adjacent grazing marshes to Horsey village. At the start of the walk the members enjoyed good views of Marsh Harriers as they quartered the reed beds nearby and a Sparrowhawk as it passed overhead. Unexpectedly a Buzzard was located as it circled nearby being mobbed by two Crows. A Chinese Water Deer was seen on the grazing marshes but soon headed for cover when it became aware of our presence. A Chiffchaff was in full song in the bushes beside the path but some members found it difficult to locate as it moved around restlessly. Further along the path Ray drew everybody’s attention to a flock of 16 Common Crane feeding on the Brograve Levels, a rare treat to see so many of this species together in one place. Well spotted Ray!
After a pleasant break for lunch we moved to Winterton dunes as news had been received on Allan Hale’s pager that a Ring Ouzel and a Black Restart had been seen there. Some patient searching was rewarded with views of the Black Redstart on a garden fence – a good garden tick for someone! Despite further efforts we did not locate the Ring Ouzel but by way of compensation Josh Leeder found a roosting Long-eared Owl, again in a garden hedge! As some members returned to their cars and a well-earned cup of tea they noted a flock of Common Scoter off-shore and 6 Linnet flying overhead. Other members walking through the area behind the dunes encountered a pair of Stonechat perching prominently on the gorse.
Allan Hale’s pager again brought us news of a Firecrest at Waxham Barns so we retraced our steps in search of this beautiful little migrant. Once again after some patient searching NARVOS member Jasmine Rogers found the bird feeding actively in a bramble patch behind the “Shangrila” bungalow. Another garden tick!
Moving on again a short distance south down the track beside the Nelson Head public house we found a Ring Ouzel, a Shorelark and a Wheatear to round off what had proved to be a very successful and enjoyable day’s birdwatching. We had counted 60 species in total. Thank you Ray.”
Alwyn Jackson