Another Journey...

27-29 May was spent birding Norfolk on trip 2 of the "10 days 10 years" project that John, Mark, Rob and I are undertaking.

2010 had been spent birding Mull and Iona, so this years change of location was sure to add more species to the modest 200 species target for the 10 trips.  On Saturday we were guided by Ian, a friend of Johns' from his Minsmere wardening days in the 80s. I could drivel on for ages with species at each site but instead heres' a quick summary of localised, East Anglia specialities seen... (and seen by all four of us - it doesn't count if we all don't connect!)

Bittern (several in prologed flight at Lakenheath)
Cettis Warbler (including a "shower")
Bearded Tit
Golden Oriole
Hobby
Stone Curlew
Nightingale
Nightjar
Woodcock
Tree Pipit
Redstart
Honey Buzzard
Marsh Harrier
Red Kite
Barn Owl
Little Owl
Firecrest (JBs listening for one in the BW photo!)
Little Stint
Little Ringed Plover
Mediterranean Gull
Little Gull
Black Tailed Godwit
Shorelark (a single late bird)
Red-crested Pochard
Egyption Goose
Curlew Sandpiper


No Turtle Dove were seen by the four, nor Woodlark could be found...

The 3rd 10 day day 10 year trip will hopefully be in the coming winter... more on that then.

Bank holiday Monday was spent catching up with the unphotographable terek sandpiper at Hauxley... judging by the pager reports today I've been lucky!

Spoooonbill

Four spoonbill graced Druridge today - so I headed up for a look this afternoon after an early-shift at work. A little distant on the budge field, and amazingly they were awake for some of my visit.

Meanwhile at West Hartford this evening 2, then 4 ringed plover were joined by a single little-ringed plover ~ nice to catch one here in the Spring...

4

...Wood sandpiper at West Hartford this evening, plus Phils' earlier found cracking whinchat (good spring record), 2 wheatear, a pair of ringed plover & shelduck

Warblers still warbling - grasshopper, sedge, willow, chiffie, whitethroat...

All good stuff.

7

4 of 7...

West Hartford held an impressive seven wood sandpiper this morning, the highest I've seen at one time there. Supporting cast included a single redshank, oystercatcher, two shelduck, circa 5 reeeling grasshopper warbler, sedge warbler, chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, swift, house martin, barn swallow, reed bunting and a lone female northern wheatear.

Chillax!

Taking it easy in the spring sunshine, Dunnock style...