26.10.25 - Field Trip : Horsey Beach, Mere & Mill

Leader: Alan Hughes
Report: Lorraine Taylor (morning) and David Laurie (afternoon)
Bird List: David Laurie

​Although windy and slightly chilly, we arrived at Horsey Windpump in bright sunshine, which we were fortunate to have for the whole morning. In the carpark Linnets were chatting in the tree next to the exit while two Mute Swans were looking for any morsels the humans walking by the dyke might throw to them.

The walk to Horsey Gap took us past a small, wooded area where we were treated to a Goldcrest and a fly past by a Great White Egret.
A couple of Marsh Harriers appeared far to our right, which although is a usual sight for the Broads, was a privilege to see. On the left, a Kestrel was hovering over nearby field watching some potential prey.
A Cetti's Warbler was heard, but not seen, close to the path, but Stonechats and Meadow Pipits were the birds of the day with several showing on our walk to and from Horsey Gap. However, these were outnumbered by far by the welcome sight of several skeins of Pink Footed Geese.
The first skein was spotted to the north as we were approaching the dunes. Numbering well over 1,000 a second skein soon followed. Unfortunately they went down before they got to us. We were treated to several more skeins during the day. At the dunes, the tide was in, and the waves were
crashing down creating foam along the beach. This didn't stop two determined Turnstones from searching for food.
A few heads of seals occasionally bobbed up between the waves as the occasional Cormorant and Gull flew past, and even a juvenile Gannet.
On our return to the Mill we heard the 'chwee, chwee, chwee' call of the Yellow Browed Warbler but unfortunately didn't see it.
After lunch 10 of us took the path that runs from the car park alongside Horsey Mere to the derelict but picturesque Brograve Drainage Mill). Cloud started to build and the walk was rather quiet for birds with the
highlight being small groups of Cranes flighting in. There were 12 in all, and they landed in a field beyond a line of trees so we couldn't see much of them on the ground. The canal alongside the path added Gadwall, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe and Reed Bunting to the day's list. Two Egyptian Geese were on the boathouse and two groups of Teal flew over while above the trees towards Hall Farm was a Buzzard.
By the time we reached Brograve Mill cloud cover was complete and spots of rain were felt so we returned along the path and by the time we reached the car park at around 3pm the rain was falling steadily. We were lucky it held off so long and were able to enjoy a beautiful sunny morning.

Bird list: 57 species in all.
M - morning walk to the beach and seals
A - afternoon walk to Brograve Drainage Mill and back

Brent Goose MA
Greylag Goose M
Pink-footed Goose MA
Mute Swan MA
Egyptian Goose A
Gadwall A
Mallard MA
Teal A
Wigeon M
Common Scoter M
Red-throated Diver M
Pheasant M
Feral Pigeon M
Woodpigeon MA
Moorhen A
Great Crested Grebe A
Lapwing M
Turnstone M
Black-headed Gull MA
Common Gull M
Great Black-backed Gull M
Herring Gull M
Gannet H
Cormorant MA
Crane A
Grey Heron MA
Great White Egret MA
Marsh Harrier MA
Red Kite M
Buzzard A
Kestrel MA
Jay A
Magpie MA
Jackdaw M
Rook M
Carrion Crow MA
Blue Tit M
Great Tit M
Skylark M
Cetti's Warbler MA
Long-tailed Tit M
Yellow-browed Warbler M
Goldcrest M
Wren M
Starling MA
Redwing M
Blackbird MA
Fieldfare M
Robin M
Stonechat M
Dunnock M
Pied Wagtail M
Meadow Pipit M
Chaffinch M
Linnet M
Goldfinch M
Reed Bunting A

​Plus:
Mammals:
Chinese Water Deer A
Roe Deer M
Grey Seal M
Dragonflies:
Common Darter M
Migrant Hawker M
Butterfly: Red Admiral M