A pleasant weekend in Norfolk
Not that it was teaming with rarities but the numbers of birds on show was really impressive. They were mainly waterfowl and waders with a sprinkling of Snow Buntings and a couple of roadside harriers.
I have been birding in Norfolk for almost 50 years and I cannot remember seeing so many Long-tailed Ducks 200+ and not quite as many but still an impressive number of Velvet Scoters. They weren't that close to shore and were feeding with the large rafts of Common Scoters off the coast at Titchwell. On the water but not as easy to see were Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated and Red-throated Diver and a few Eiders. The reserve also had large numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Knot and Lapwing.
Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck
A line of Long-tailed Ducks
Knot on their way to roost at high tide.
Knot (above), Sanderling (below)
How many species of wader can you see?
Avocets at Titchwell RSPB and later when the sun was out at Cley NNT Reserve.
Brent Geese never stop talking to each other.
This seal has a guilty expression on her face.
This Guillemot may have been unwell, although his plumage looked in good order and his eyes were wide open which are normally good signs.
Ringed Plovers were displaying on the beach.
There were at least 23 Snow Buntings on my local beach.
Spot the "Shingle Bunting" well that might be a more appropriate name for this species.
While driving away from the beach this Hen Harrier was hunting along the roadside ditch and not far away a Marsh Harrier flew past the car.
Not that it was teaming with rarities but the numbers of birds on show was really impressive. They were mainly waterfowl and waders with a sprinkling of Snow Buntings and a couple of roadside harriers.
I have been birding in Norfolk for almost 50 years and I cannot remember seeing so many Long-tailed Ducks 200+ and not quite as many but still an impressive number of Velvet Scoters. They weren't that close to shore and were feeding with the large rafts of Common Scoters off the coast at Titchwell. On the water but not as easy to see were Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated and Red-throated Diver and a few Eiders. The reserve also had large numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Knot and Lapwing.
Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck
A line of Long-tailed Ducks
Knot on their way to roost at high tide.
Knot (above), Sanderling (below)
How many species of wader can you see?
Avocets at Titchwell RSPB and later when the sun was out at Cley NNT Reserve.
Brent Geese never stop talking to each other.
This seal has a guilty expression on her face.
This Guillemot may have been unwell, although his plumage looked in good order and his eyes were wide open which are normally good signs.
Ringed Plovers were displaying on the beach.
There were at least 23 Snow Buntings on my local beach.
Spot the "Shingle Bunting" well that might be a more appropriate name for this species.
While driving away from the beach this Hen Harrier was hunting along the roadside ditch and not far away a Marsh Harrier flew past the car.
Comments