Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Little Stint - Titchwell, Norfolk

One of my life time first birds seen in Norfolk was the Little Stint. At first it was seen with the aid of another kind birders scope, but a little later it was seen very close with the naked eye, and then my camera. A lovely little wading bird one that I won't forget in a hurry.



Also seen at Titchwell were a Ruff, Grey Plover and Common Redshank. Some pictures of these below.

Ruff


 
Grey Plover in lovely breeding plumage.
 
A Grey Plover as you would see outside of breeding season.
 
Common Redshank
 
 

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Spoonbill - Titchwell Norfolk

A bird that seems to be around the Norfolk coast more and more frequently is the Spoonbill. That being said, I'd only ever seen one before, and that was quite distant and I didn't even get to see it's bill as it was asleep with it's back to me. So I didn't actually count this one.
This time however, I had a lovely flyby on a couple of occasions. At first I thought it was a Little Egret, but it was a bit chunkier. I was thrilled to watch as it came back the second time almost directly overhead. And this time it's spoon bill was there for all to see.


Friday, 20 September 2013

The Snipe - Titchwell Norfolk

I managed to get some decent shots of one of my favourite wading birds, the Snipe. I've found it very difficult to get close enough in good light without too much vegetation to take anything worth while so far. At Titchwell though I found one very obliging bird just outside one of the hides. The sun came out too, to make it even better. I love the markings on these birds, the head shape, the length of the bill, everything. Add to that the fact that they are hard to spot sometimes and it all adds up to something very interesting for me.
Here are a few shots that I got.




Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Norfolk


I spent a lovely weekend with my parents in Snettisham on the North West coast of Norfolk, in what is starting to become a nice tradition and a nice break from the humdrum of everyday life.
Once again, we were blessed with dry weather. Not particularly warm, but none of us really do the wet stuff, so it was smiles all round.
The birds never fail to show up in Norfolk (unless its a Stone Curlew, but that's for another day). Three more lifers for me this time, in the form of Whimbrel, Little Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper. Always great to see new birds and tick a few off.
Here are some shots from our visit to Titchwell. (There will be plenty more for me to post in the coming days)

Black-tailed Godwit, which seemed to be everywhere I looked.




Dunlin


Robin