Garganey - Salthouse

The Garganey is not a bird I see very often, and it is usually a case of right time right place, or a dedicated trip to see one. On this particular occasion at the end of April, I was very much in that right place at the right time. I was up early, and visiting my usual sites along the North Norfolk coast near my parents. I  don't know why, but I decided to look at a new site that I'd had always strolled past and never given the time of day. On this morning there was a lot of water on the pools, and as luck would have a cracking male Garganey. This was the first time that I've actually found one myself, and it was superb feeling. 

These are quite small and very shy ducks, similar to a Teal in size, and they love to dabble in the wet grasses. This particular site was spot on for what it needed and I was fortunate enough to be there on that morning to see it. 

Male Garganey, with that lovely white eye stripe.

With a Lapwing flying overhead of the Garganey.

RSPB Frampton Marsh

A late April visit to RSPB Frampton always offers so much. With waders on the move, warblers arriving and the first juveniles leaving the nest, it is an exciting time. There were a few birds that were high on the list to see. A returning Black-winged Stilt that fledged from here last year was the main target and was picked up quite quickly despite the rain that was coming down. 

Close to the car park and in the lagoons were a Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Lapwings, and several Yellow Wagtails. What a great start, without putting in any effort. It almost felt like cheating. Usually you have to walk some distance and then also get lucky in finding your birds. Not at Frampton! There was even a Spoonbill that was awake and actually moving towards us rather than away. That is not normally the scenario with this bird. 

First year female Black-winged Stilt.

Spoonbill

Yellow Wagtail

Juvenile Lapwing

My first Swift sighting of the year, is always a great moment.

Wood Warbler - Binn Green

I'd not seen a Wood Warbler for a few years, and so was really pleased to hear that one had been seen not far from me. I got up nice and early so as to beat the traffic and crowds, and was in place by 6am. I could hear it singing from the moment I stepped out of the car. It was hopping between branches and going up into the canopy, but all the while was really belting out it's lovely song. It was quite dark in the woodland, so I had to wait a little while for the sun to penetrate and give me some light. The longer I stayed the better the light got. Such great birds, that have travelled from Africa to spend it's summer with us here in the UK.

Wood Warbler

Garden Warbler

One bird that I seem to struggle with each year, is the Garden Warbler. and when I say struggle with, it's particularly the song. After so many months of not hearing one and having my ears fine tuned, this bird often sounds like a loud or excitable Blackcap. Add to that their secretive nature, and reluctance to sing nicely out in the open for all to see, it's been a bit of a bogey bird. Fortunately I now have a reliable spot for them just down the road, but it still takes my ears some getting used to distinguish between this and the Blackcap. 

Not a very exciting looking bird, with no obvious colouration or detail. It more than makes up for that with it's song. Nice to have them back for another year.

Long-billed Dowitcher - Norfolk

There has been a Long-billed Dowitcher present around the North Norfolk coast most of the winter. During this time it had been in it's rather grey winter plumage, but over recent weeks it has moulted into it's much more colourful summer breeding plumage. It has been associating with the Black-tailed Godwits, but is much smaller than these and clearly likes the security they provide. From watching this bird it behaves similarly to a Snipe and resembles a large version of one. Great to see and have the privilege of viewing this at close quarters.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Seen here in flight with Black-tailed Godwits and  Avocets just a few weeks earlier. It is the smaller bird just off centre, still looking very grey.

And here on the centre left tucked in behind the Avocet.

Summer Migrants

It's that time again! I popped to one of my favourite places last week on the hunt for some of our Summer migrants, and I was delighted to be able to catch up with a few of them. The numbers are still a bit thin on the ground, but I'm hoping that it is still early in the season and that more will follow. Pied Flycatchers were the first to be located in their usual spot, but only two males around at the moment and no sign of the females. 

One or two Redstarts were singing and then finally located feeding along a wall. A Tree Pipit was also singing and parachuting down to it's favoured tree, and it's song echoed across the valley. Willow Warblers were singing everywhere and were by far the most common migrant in song. Lovely to have them all back and hopefully I will be catching up with them many more times before they once again depart our shores.

Pied Flycatcher

Common Redstart

Willow Warbler

Tree Pipit

Cattle Egret - Redemsere

A bird dropped in to Redesmere recently (two in fact) that does not usually. I have seen Great White Egret and Little Egrets here, but never the smaller cousin, the Cattle Egret. Last year there were a few hanging around locally with the cattle herd, and I managed to see them, but it was really unexpected to see this pair. Due to the very wet weather of late, most fields here are turning in to marshland and so providing different opportunities to passing birds. It's my only explanation as to why they turned up here. All the same, it was great to see them and even the sun shone so I could get some better shots.

Cattle Egret

Holkham

A cold Spring day along the Holkham fresh marsh, and there was plenty to be seen. Brent geese were in good numbers, and there were plenty of waterfowl. Ruff seemed to appear out of thin air, as every time I turned round there were more. Egyptian Geese were making one hell of a racket, and one pair seemed to be nest building high up in the pines. 

On the beach and shoreline, a handful of Sanderling were scuttling about whilst being ably supported in numbers by the loud calling Oystercatchers. Although the sun was out, like many walks at Holkham, it was very much on the cold side.

Brent Goose (dark-bellied)

Egyptian Goose, and a few Ruff.

The lovely Sanderling at the waters edge.

 A pair of Wigeon on the marsh.