North Norfolk Birding

I had a brilliant Bank Holiday at my parents in Norfolk recently. It's possibly the best time of year to visit this marshy coast line, as the reeds, pools, marshes and sea hold so many different varieties of wildlife all at once. Sedge Warblers were in abundance, singing constantly from their chosen bush or reedbed, while the accompanying Reed and Cetti's Warblers, Whitethroat, and Lesser Whitethroats all added to the cacophony.

There were plenty of waders on show too, with the Redshank particularly active as they defended their territories. These were supported by good numbers of Avocet, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Knot, Avocet and Curlew. Add in raptors such as Marsh and Hen Harrier and it really was a bird field weekend.

You can see my latest wanderings here:

Lesser Whitethroat

Little Ringed Plover

Garganey

Redshank

Reed Warbler

Ringed Plover

Sedge Warbler

Wood Sandpiper

Reed and Sedge Warblers - Cley

A May walk from the Cley visitor centre to the hides brings a cacophony of noise from the reeds, grasses, bushes, shrubs and trees. Sometimes the birds singing will be kind and show themselves to you before dropping down out of sight again. It can be a long wait and you have to be ready with the binoculars or camera for the brief glimpse. 

I was fortunate to have some decent light and some quick views when I last visited my parents. 

Reed Warbler

Sedge Warbler

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.

The Wirral

The Wirral is an amazing place for bird watchers, as I think I have said many times before. It offers something every month of the year. Spring brings the usual migrant species, but it is also a great place for almost guaranteeing certain species that are not easy to find once they disperse throughout the country. Whinchat is one of those and I love being able to find one and even better if you can get a few shots of it.

Reed Warbler

A male Stonechat with a small caterpillar in it's bill.

A distant but very welcome Whinchat.

RSPB Burton Mere

Lots of activity everywhere right now, with young birds needing feeding. It means that birds are a made a little easier to see, even with trees now in full leaf, as they dart between nest to feeding area.
Whilst looking for the Spoonbills at Burton Mere, there were plenty of warblers in and around the reed areas. I managed to catch up with my first Sedge Warbler of the year. A very showy bird. Singing loudly and marking out it's territory.
Reed Warblers and Common Whitethroat were also in abundance. The Reed Warblers only gave fleeting views as they were constantly foraging in the reeds.

Standing next to one of the pools, a Grey Heron.

A Reed Warbler.

Distant views of the Sedge Warbler.

A Common Whitethroat in full song.

Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve

It's a good time for birds all over the country at the moment and Loughton in Essex is no different. The Spring and Summer migrants are back in now and bird song and activity is at its peak.
Around the lake at Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve there is a real cacophony of noise. Reed Warblers are in a couple of locations churring away. Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs are all in competition and then you can here the yaffle of the Green Woodpecker in the background. Every now again you can get the whistle like call of the Kingfisher as it shoots along the River Roding, usually low and out of sight. A special time of year to take a walk.

Reed Warbler.

Common Whitethroat.

Young Mallards.

Variety is the Spice of Life.

A good variety of stuff at Pennington Flash as usual recently. Nothing much out of the ordinary, but it's always good to go and see lots of different species rather than the same species you see on a daily basis. It keeps you on your toes I find.
I had the pleasure of meeting Derek from Northern Ireland in a few of the hides. I had a good time sharing our sightings and knowledge. We spent some time lamenting the lack of movement from a Green Sandpiper some way off in the distance. It only transpired later in the day that he follows my blog. Such a small world. You can find Derek's own blog here: Bangor West

There were quite a few busy parents around feeding their young. Female Mallard here looking after just 3 youngsters. Makes me wonder what happened to the others.

Moorhen scampering about.

There were two very busy Reed Warblers zipping about.

One for Derek. A Stock Dove.