|
Leaders: Steve Chapman, David Gibbons and Alan Hughes Reporters: Jacqui Fenn and Alan Hughes Bird Lists: David Gibbons and Colin Fenn On a calm but fresh Saturday morning the members met up at Cley Visitor Centre. As there was such a good turnout we split into two groups; David Gibbons led the 'Clockwise Group' and Alan Hughes 'The Anticlockwise Group'. We had already enjoyed listing the birds in the car park which included small flocks of
Goldfinches, House Sparrows and Dunnocks before heading off in our different directions. The 'Anticlockwisers' headed towards the East Bank, first stopping at the hide to look over the scrape. One very lonely Whooper Swan was among a small number of Shelduck, Teal, Mallard and Pintail. A few Redshank and Dunlin worked the fringes of the scrape and a flock of Avocets flew in to boost the numbers. Steve spotted a White-Fronted Goose flying east and a Merlin was also seen by several people on leaving the hide. We walked towards the East Bank through what felt like a forest of reeds, for some being too tall to see over. Marsh Harriers flew low over the tops of the reeds, appearing and disappearing from view. Smart Reed Buntings fed on the tops of the reed heads as flocks of Lapwings passed over our heads from inland heading towards the marshes and Pink-footed Geese made their straggly way seawards calling en route. Heading along the East Bank towards the sea we saw large flocks of Wigeon, always beautiful in the bright winter light, along with smart Teal, Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew and a small number of Ringed Plover. Colin had a brief glimpse of a Bearded Tit flying over the reeds but it seemed odd not to have seen more when it was such a still day. Grey Plover and Turnstones were also seen but not in any large number. As we got nearer to the sea we saw groups of people to the west, binoculars in hand, watching a large flock of Snow Bunting in the gravelled slopes. We hoped to get there in time to get some good views but needless to say as we neared the beach the flock flew a long way east. The group trudged through the pebbles but they decided to fly even further away at which point we had to admit defeat! We headed along the beach towards the 'Clockwisers' to exchange experiences and information. Looking out to sea was eerily empty. The sea was dead calm but there was a distinct lack of gulls and 31 seabirds. Steve did manage to spot a Gannet, Common Scoter and a Great Crested Grebe but it was otherwise lifeless. Just before leaving the beach we spotted a female Stonechat perched on the stalk of a shrubby bush. On our way back up to the main road a Kestrel flew parallel to us and sat on the top of a telegraph pole looking down at us for a great photo opportunity. Some members went into the hides on the way back to the Centre before a well-earned lunch break. Thanks to Alan from the 'Anticlockers'. After lunch, half of the group decided to stay on for the 2nd part of the field trip. We drove down to Salthouse beach road, and walked from there along the shingle bank adjacent to Little Eye, where we were able to enjoy good views of 50-60 Snow buntings before they flew further Westward, and then back eastwards to Granborough Hill. After a brief sea-watching session, where we added Guillemot and 3 Great-crested Grebes to our list, we walked along the Iron Road, then back to Salthouse Village along a path which gave us great views over the marshes. We didn’t add many new birds, but it was a lovely end to a very enjoyable day – thank you to everyone who came. Bird List White-fronted Goose Pink-footed Goose Brent Goose Canada Goose Mute Swan Whooper Swan Shelduck Shoveler Gadwall Wigeon Mallard Pintail Teal Common Scoter Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Wood Pigeon Moorhen Coot Water Rail Avocet Oystercatcher Grey Plover Lapwing Ringed Plover Curlew Black-tailed Godwit Turnstone Dunlin Redshank Common Snipe Lesser Black-backed Gull Great Black-backed Gull Black-headed Gull Common Gull Herring Gull Gannet Cormorant Little Egret Marsh Harrier Buzzard Kestrel Merlin Rook Carrion Crow Magpie Jackdaw Kingfisher Blue Tit Skylark Bearded Reedling Cetti's Warbler Wren Starling Blackbird Robin Stonechat Dunnock House Sparrow Meadow Pipit Goldfinch Snow Bunting Reed Bunting 63 species
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Please feel free to read through our reports from our monthly outdoor meetings. Archives
October 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed
