Norfolk Coast part 2

Day 2 of the Norfolk trip included a terrific little bird that had been around since before Christmas, and was high on my list of birds to see. Sheringham has a good record of over-wintering Black Redstarts, but this year they had one that that was of Eastern race that is usually found in Asia, rather than Europe.

It had been a very wet day, and you can tell by the state of the poor thing. Really bedraggled and looking rather sorry for itself. That said, it was feeding well and no worse off for the soaking it had endured. A great bird to eventually see.

Click here to see my vlog of day 2 of my trip:

Eastern Black Redstart (rather wet)

Little Egret

Meadow Pipit

Oystercatcher

Greenshank

One of my favourite waders (there are many) is the Greenshank. I just love it's crisp white and grey colouration. I don't see them that often, so that also adds to my enjoyment when I do get to see one. On an annual basis I tend to see them when they turn up locally in the Spring. At this time of year they are on passage and don't tend to stay on site very long before moving off again. 

The particular bird photographed here I have been lucky to find on it's wintering patch, meaning that I was able to visit it on a number of occasions. At low tide on the mud flats of the Norfolk coast this bird likes to wander up and down probing for food. I secreted myself behind some boats so as not to disturb it, and was able to spend a good amount of time observing. 

Greenshank

With an Oystercatcher for company

This time with a Redshank (right). The Greenshank didn't really tolerate this one.

New Years Day (part 1)

 Happy New Year to you all!!

A new year and a new year list. I like to start the new year with a good effort on the first day, and see how many I can get on my list. It was an early start and still dark as I headed towards Merseyside. The forecast was good, with some actual sunshine and no rain for once. Lisa and I arrived at Lunt Meadows hoping to see the Green-winged Teal that had been resident for some weeks. That would be a really good one to get on the 2024 list. Before that though, we were so lucky to watch a Barn Owl float across the fields in the early sunshine. What a great start!

Just one loan Goldeneye dropped in, but it landed nice and close for good views.

The Green-winge Teal (on the left) spent most of it's time roosting on the bank, but gave good views of the tell tale white vertical stripe beneath it's shoulder.

On the water this time (top centre) with other Teal.

We moved on to Crosby Marine lake where there quite a number of bonus birds which were not on my radar for the day. This lone Oystercatcher gave a nice fly-by giving it's usual call.

There were a few Turnstones on the shore line of the marine lake. A bird that I'd not expected to see.

Things are Warming Up

Some local birding recently has shown that things are really hotting up with nesting activity and courtship. Birds are starting to move back from their wintering grounds and heading to their inland breeding sites, or at least, they are taking a break on the way for a rest. A great time to get out and observe what's about and going on.

A Moorhen with nesting material.

A Nuthatch, with what looks like a peanut.

The first Oystercatcher of the year. They'll be off to find suitable nesting areas soon.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker that has been drumming on this dead branch.

Down by the Beach

A cold morning at the beach in Norfolk during the winter months always throws up some good birds. These were taken at the start of this year, when it was cold, but not as cold as it is here right now. 

There were some Pintail on a pool at Cley, and on the sea were several Red-breasted Mergansers. The beach held all sorts of waders, with Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Sanderling, Plovers and Curlew. Geese were flying overhead making lots of noise, just in case I hadn't noticed the vast numbers with my own eyes. The sun had not been long in the sky, so it made for some very nice light.

Pintail

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Redshank

Oystercatcher

Sanderling

Sanderling and Oystercatcher

Spring Movement

Pre-Lockdown and a look back at my last visit to the North Norfolk coast. I guess it was early Spring, but things were starting to move about and birds were starting to pair up. There was more birdsong to be heard and some birds that had not been around these parts were seen again.
I saw a lot more deer on this visit, than during the warmer summer months.I even caught out a family of Roe Deer, as they quietly ate their breakfast. Showing that it does pay to get out early and also to be quiet. You'll never know what you won't have seen had you just been a little more cautious.

This looks like one of the young. 

These Oystercatchers were enjoying the rich pickings left by the retreating sea. This one with a small crab.

Ringed Plover were busy scuttling along the sand.

This Skylark was singing from the ground. More usually seen singing on the wing.

Cemlyn Bay - Anglesey

I spent a full day in North Wales last weekend, stopping at sites from Llanddulas all the way out to Holyhead and South Stack. I did a bit of sea watching first from the shoreline of Llanddulas, where I quickly picked out a pair of Red-breasted Merganser followed by hundreds of Common Scoter. A Great Northern Diver went by too before I moved on.
I headed to Cemlyn Bay where I had been once before and was impressed by the birds on show. This time was no different, with lots seen that I wasn't really expecting.

A Whimbrel was the first bird I stumbled across. I'd been tipped off that there was one over wintering here, but wasn't really expecting to find it. Thankfully I did, although it didn't hang around long before moving off.

Golden Plovers were also a nice surprise. Always a very obliging bird but usually at some distance. I kept mine from this one out on the rocks.

It was soon joined by other waders, like this Oystercatcher.

A flock of 10 Purple Sandpipers were a real bonus.

Here's 7 of them together.

It took me a few glances through the binoculars at these, as I initially passed them off as Golden Plover, but they were just too pale. These are in fact Grey Plover, with one showing off the nice black underwing to confirm my doubting mind.

A pair of Dunlin at bottom left an Oystercatcher on the right of picture.

A very nice looking Ringed Plover was one of a few around.

Burton Mere

These pictures were taken last Spring on an a visit to the RSPB reserve at Burton Mere on the Wirral. Lots of different birds on show and making themselves visible.
One of the birds I'd set out to see was the Great White Egret. There have been a few on the Wirral in the last 24 months. Needless to say, this was one of the birds that was not playing ball on this day.

Just a head at the top of the tree.

Giving a slightly better view.

Little Grebe

Oystercatcher

Spotted Redshanks chilling out.