31.10.2020 - Field Trip to RSPB Titchwell Reserve

​Leader: Alan Hughes
Reporter: Emily Leonard
Species List: David Gibbons

We started our trip out to RSPB Titchwell at around 9.15am, on a stunning morning. The sun was shining and there was a bit of warmth to the air as well. With our face masks and hand sanitiser in hand, our group of 6 ventured off onto the reserve to see what we could find. We had agreed that we would aim for the beach as high tide was around 5am, so the tide would still be reasonably close in and the birds would be closer to us. We glanced over the scrapes but knew we would come back to them at a later time. On the beach we had many adult and juvenile Gannets flying along the horizon, who were joined by 2 Great Crested Grebes nearer to the shoreline and gave us very good views. Also on the sea was a Red Throated Diver which is always a sight to see. We scanned the shoreline, which resulted in Brent Geese, Oystercatchers, Grey Plovers, Bar Tailed Godwits, as well as Sanderling whizzing up and down!

​We walked through the woodland before the visitors centre and we found a small mixed bird flock, which contained Blue Tits, Long Tailed Tits (lots of these!), Chaffinch and Goldfinch. It also included 1 Goldcrest that was very vocal. We walked back to the visitor’s centre/ car park for a quick coffee break. On our way back onto the reserve, we had to go through the new visitor’s hut; it was very nice! We next walked round through the woodlands and up to the Fen Hide. We caught up with the small mixed bird flock again as they flew around our heads. A little Chiffchaff flitted around the scrub beside us, we didn’t even need our binoculars to enjoy it.
A few Coots were present at the Fen Hide. We had to turn around at the Fen Hide, as the rest of the trail was cordoned off due to the new works that have been planned for the reserve. On the rainy walk back to the car park for lunch, we had Starlings flying over our heads as well as some Redwing too.
At the car park the rain started getting heavier and we made the decision to call it a day, having enjoyed a lovely morning out on the reserve.
Although the rain stopped us from continuing into the afternoon, I for one (as I’m sure the others were too) was very grateful to be able to get out and see some wonderful birds with good company too.
I look forward to when we will be allowed to do another outdoor meeting again. Keep safe everyone and take care.

Titchwell Sightings 31.10.2020.

Jay   Jackdaw    Pheasant      Woodpigeon
Blackbird      Robin      Chaffinch      Goldfinch
Mallard       Black-headed Gull           Marsh Harrier      Great Tit
Magpie             Lapwing               Little Egret           Cetti’s Warbler
Pied Wagtail          Redshank           Curlew            Skylark
Turnstone                 Common Gull               Oystercatcher           Golden Plover
Brent Goose         Dunlin         Bar-tailed Godwit             Herring Gull
Cormorant              Great Crested Grebe            Great Black-backed Gull
Sanderling             Linnet              Red-throated Diver              Gannet
Eider Duck             Stonechat           Pintail            Grey Heron
Rock Pipit             Little Grebe           Shelduck           Teal
Gadwall           Wigeon           Grey Plover         Ringed Plover
Avocet            Moorhen        Shoveler            Meadow Pipit
Black-tailed Godwit        Pink-footed Goose         Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit       Goldcrest         Starling            Chiffchaff
Coot     Wren

60 Species in total.