20th May

A pair of Red-footed Falcons at Lakenheath Fen
Adult female Red-footed Falcon
Adult male Red-footed Falcon
This Little Owl was an area tick, having birded in this area of the Norfolk Broads for over twenty years.
This Little Gull was one of about fifty present at Titchwell, some were emaculate adults. But due to the strong breeze and their distance I cant show you how stunning they looked.


This Great spotted Woodpecker was going back and forth feeding some hungry youngster.



Back from a few days in Norfolk, two days birding and the rest dealing with family matters. This has to be one of my the worst spring trips. The cool north-east winds were constant, with the odd period of light rain or drizzle. The total number of species seen was a fairly respectable 131, though there were some glaring omissions. The highlights were a pair of Red-footed Falcons, Bittern appearing to chase a Common Crane, Golden Oriole, Garganey ( Lakenheath Fen); 40+ Little Gulls, Wood Sandpiper, pair Red Crested Pochards, showy Bearded Tits (Titchwell) and a pair Montagu's Harriers.

Luckily enough I did not miss much in the park.
Garden Warbler:
One sang quietly from the top of the Oak trees in area 2 on 17th.
Common Sandpiper: One was on the side of the lake on the 18th.

Comments

Neil said…
Is it me or is there an epidemic of red footed falcons? Ive seen quite a few reports across eastlondon/essex and kent. Sounds like you had a good trip
This constant easterly air flow has displaced a lot of birds into the west of Europe. See Dutch Birding.
Neil said…
That explains it then!

Had a quick wander at 7pm tonight. There are two broods of crested pochards now by the main heron nesting Island, a brood of mandarins on the grass next to the cafe and I had a common tern frly about 3ft over my head when I was standing on the bridge over the norter wildfowl collection
Cheers Neil.
Common Terns have been very thin on the ground