Taking a break

Two of three Wheatear this morning at Felbrigg

The birding is certainly beginning to pick up. Cley on Monday produced Swallow, House & Sand Martin over the central scrapes whilst we were enjoying point-blank views of the Long-billed Dowitcher. I found three different ringed birds – Oystercatcher, Sandwich Tern and Black-wit – but none of them close enough to get any details alas. A couple of sea-watches have produced a few bits and bobs but yesterday was actually better for vis mig. The three aforementioned hirundine species heading west in good numbers (House Martin seem to be particularly early this year), 300+ Meadow Pipit, Pied & White Wagtail and a couple of Wheatear – which landed on the rail in front of the shelter! The best birds however were two Arctic Tern which went east early on. There were more Wheatear at Felbrigg this morning and a Sedge Warbler – uttering it’s sub-song – suggesting it was a new arrival. Dipped on the male Ring Ouzel unfortunately.

There’s an outside chance that we might catch up with Long-billed Dowitcher in The States (photo by Jane)

This is my last post on this site for a while as we are about to depart on another birding road trip of the USA (GABRaT ll) – this time following Spring migration from Florida, up the east coast, to Canada. But I will be posting on my other site trevorontour.me – just click the link.

Playing catch-up (again!)

Yesterday’s Dotterel was probably the birding highlight of the week

I’m not sure where the past week has gone – it’s certainly been busy. We’re in the home straight as far as conservations work parties are concerned – getting everything ready for the start of another breeding / flowering season. There was also a CGS de-brief on our highly successful Wildlife Gardeners’ Question Time event and an assessment of the negative impacts of the Miyawaki Forest planting on the playing field next to Happy Valley – more of that story in due course. And ‘yes’, I’ve also found time to do some birding! A couple of morning sea-watches have been interesting, with definitely more birds on the move including: Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Eider, Little Gull and Bar-tailed Godwit. Cley on Monday was a case of ‘rinse & repeat’ with a number of the long-stayers continuing to perform. The Long-billed Dowitcher is still here, as are Water Pipit and the Bittern performed well for the crowds in the afternoon. Other highlights of the week have included Great Egret, which flew west over Cromer before sea-watching on Tuesday, three Redpoll on a survey of private land was a bonus, swiftly followed by the Dotterel – just out of area near Fakenham and then, this afternoon, a nice male Mandarin on Selbrigg Pond. Thanks to Phil B for the shout. This was my first in the NENBC area since summer 2019. On the way home I came across an ‘out bound’ flock of 200 Fieldfare, but still haven’t caught up with an ‘in bound’ Swallow. Maybe tomorrow!

Though this male Mandarin on Selbrigg Pond is a close second

TGI Friday

A windy day at Cley on Monday began with a Barn Owl quartering the western skirts and ended with a prolonged Bittern display along East Bank – hopefully a good indication that they will breed again on the reserve this year. There were a few of the ‘local suspects’ still lurking but otherwise nothing much of ‘new’ interest. A busy week as we finish off major habitat management work, at various Felbeck Trust sites, before the breeding season gets underway and a couple of tolerably interesting sea-watches – but things haven’t really got started in that department yet. The BIG surprise to round off the week was the remarkable discovery of a Hume’s Leaf Warbler in the gardens at the Overstrand end of the golf course. Found by Dave, with identification confirmed by Simon, the news was quickly put out, enabling a steady trickle of visitors to catch up with the bird in the persistent drizzle. A spanking Spring individual, which showed well, if a little distantly, seeking out insects amongst the garden borders. Distance and weather meant that record shots were all that was possible but a great bird and a ‘not to be missed’ addition to the NENBC list. Thanks to all those involved.

iPhone record shot of Bittern on Monday