The delights of Cley

A bird that you will often hear rather than see, is the Cetti's Warbler. Notoriously tricky to pick out of the undergrowth where they like to skulk and hide, they will tease you with a unusually loud song. Just when you think you may have nailed down where it was last calling, it sings from deep within a different bush. Seemingly it can teleport. On this particular day I got lucky as it raised it's whole self up into the reeds to give me a brief glimpse. Don't be fooled by the picture. It wasn't there long at all.

Cetti's Warbler

Curlew 

A flock of Black-tailed Godwits, and if you can pick out the smaller bird that is left of centre, a Long-billed Dowitcher, with an Avocet two birds below it.

Long-billed Dowitcher just above the highest Avocet on the left.

A Day of Year Ticks.

A cold crisp morning on the Norfolk coast and I was able to finally see and photograph a couple of birds that had eluded me so far this year. I'd heard several Cetti's Warblers on my wanderings but hadn't been able to physically see one, until this morning on the East Bank at Cley, where one decided to break cover and come out of it's protective reeds. It wasn't for long, so I had to be ready and capture the moment. I could now move this from the 'Heard only' list to 'Seen' 😃

Cetti's Warbler

As I ventured along the bank towards the sea, I was looking at the noisy Black-headed Gulls and noticed a slightly different version of one. On closer inspection, it was actually a Mediterranean Gull, and another first for the year for me. It even made it's call just to confirm it's identity. These are lovely gulls, and one's that I don't see that often, maybe one or two a year.

Med Gull

I love to see the Purple Sandpipers at Sheringham on the rocks, but despite a good half a dozen visits, they had still eluded me. Poor timing on my behalf, and their choice of where to dine had seen me draw blanks. But a pre 7am visit and high tide at the same time, meant that one was on it's trusty rocks and reduced my anxiety that I might have missed them until the winter. Super little birds and great fun to watch as they slip and slide around the rocks.

Purple Sandpiper

Burton Mere RSPB

RSPB Burton Mere on the Wirral is such a great place for birds of all varieties and it seems to attract something different each time I'm there. I spent a good portion of a day there recently and saw some really great birds. Some of the highlights included a Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper. These were viewable by scope only, but I had mine and was more than happy to tick these off the year list and watch from afar.
The whole reserve was alive, from tree tops to reed bed to muddy verges to water. It's such a great time of year. I'm already starting to think that it's nearly over and looking forward to April coming once again. I'm wishing my life away now, but blink and you can miss it. So I do try and make the most of this busy period.

This bird is one that is more often than not only ever heard, as it skulks through the undergrowth giving it's very loud and clear call. I was patient on this occasion and had time to wait it out for an actual sighting of this very active Cetti's Warbler. One of the best views I've had of it.

A Great White Egret, used to be very uncommon not so long ago, but is now around Burton regularly.

A lovely male Reed Bunting

A Reed Warbler, which was busy tending to a nest.

Common Whitethroat were very busy and vocal.

A real success story for Burton is that a pair of Spoonbill were nesting on site. Almost unthinkable that they would choose to nest here, but Cattle Egret and Great White Egret are just some of the species that have also made this area of the Dee Estuary their new home.

Cetti's Warbler

The Cetti's Warbler is so often seen but not heard. A loud burst of song from within a dense bush is usually all you get. I saw my first one at Titchwell in Norfolk last year. After hearing several bursts it appeared close to the boardwalk. It sat quite proud for a moment, tail cocked, and then shot off into the undergrowth again.
I've had a few encounters this Spring too. Pennington Flash came up trumps again and gave me fleeting views by the hide, but the New Forest was excellent for the number of singing birds and those willing to show themselves.
It's a very nice looking bird. I just wish it was seen more often, because they are there.

Apologies about the twigs.