Glossy Ibis: Thornham, Norfolk

The weather forecast for today was not looking very encouraging with light rain being predicted to fall all day. Our main target this morning was the Glossy Ibis at Thornham on the North Norfolk coast. We Arrived at Thornham Harbour around 8am, the journey from home having taken at least 30 minutes longer than normal due to road closures. As we stepped out of the car we were greeted with the light rain that had accompanied us on our journey and very heavy dark threatening clouds. Thankfully the field that had been hosting the Ibis was only a short walk from the car park and the bird was thankfully still present.

Glossy Ibis

The light was not as good hand holding the phone to the scope!

We moved onto Wells and were enjoying views of the Rough-legged Buzzard perched in a distant bush. Unfortunately, it was disturbed by a shooting party and it flew over the grass bank and was lost to view.

We spent the next few hours searching the fields around Binham and Field Dalling trying to locate the Lesser White-fronted Goose that had been reported yesterday. But although we saw large groups of geese in the air we never managed to pin them down on the ground. Hopefully, the flocks will become more reliable at certain locations towards the end of the year.

When reports of a Black-throated Diver being present in the channel at Wells Quay came through we decided to take a look. The diver was still present when we arrived but was, in fact, a Red-throated Diver

Wells Quay

On the journey home we again failed in a brief search for any Golden pheasant, but no doubt we will try again on our next visits to Norfolk.

Little Bittern, Amwell Nature Reserve

Reports of a Little Bittern seen in flight at Amwell NR today, had us planning the trip if any more positive sightings were broadcast. Forty-five minutes later the news services reported the bird as having been seen again in flight from the viewpoint. That was all the encouragement we needed. 

Amwell Nature Reserve is only 15 miles from home and with no traffic delays, we were parked up along Amwell Lane within 30 minutes. As we approached the viewpoint our main concern was if the bird was still present or had it just been a fly-over, never to be seen again?  Although all the reports had stated "Still from the viewpoint" this was not the case, Birders returning along the canal path told us it had in fact flown over Great Hardmead lake and was currently perched in a tree beyond the lake.  After another half a mile walk along the towpath, we joined a small group of birders who had the bird in sight!

Great Hardmead lake as we arrived

It remained in the tree for several minutes and then flew low and disappeared from view. Unfortunately for the later arrivals, it would not be seen again today.

It could have gone to roost in trees bordering the lake beyond the River Lynch and hopefully will be re-found again tomorrow.

This was my second Little Bittern within the London recording area, having seen the Rickmansworth individual in 2012, and my fourth overall.

Great Hardmead lake as we were leaving

Isabelline Wheatear, Cley Marshes NWT

An Isabelline Wheatear had been present in Norfolk since Sunday and with very limited opportunities for birding throughout the remainder of the week, we headed for Cley this morning. The weather forecast looked to be in our favour as regards to the bird staying put overnight and we were quietly optimistic as we traveled the 120 miles North East. We arrived around 7.30 and walked along the East bank towards Arnold's Marsh. As we searched for the Wheatear a small flock of Snow Bunting were seen busily feeding among the shingle. We decided to split up to cover more of the area and eventually, Brian managed to locate the Wheatear perched on a fence post within the fenced-off area of Arnold's Marsh. It spent some time feeding within this area before it flew to the shingle banks. 

Isabelline Wheatear

On the walk back to the car, we stopped to scan the pools West of East bank and found the Long-tailed Duck still present. It was constantly diving and as soon as it re-surfaced it would dive again. 

Arnold's Marsh

We needed to be back home by1pm, but we had just enough time to stop at Wells hoping to locate the Rough-legged Buzzard reported yesterday. We scanned the fields either side of the track, only managing a flock of Golden Plover. Continuing over the ridge we scanned the next two fields and managed to pick out a Peregrine sitting among the grass. We were about to leave when the Rough-legged suddenly appeared. It quartered the field and then drifted over the ridge and slowly began searching the far edge of the field. We eventually lost sight of it after ten minutes but had enjoyed some stunning scope views by that time.

Rough-legged Buzzard

A short trip, but a very rewarding one nonetheless.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail: Walberswick, Suffolk

On Thursday the bird news services were reporting a possible/probable Eastern Yellow Wagtail along the beach at Walberswicks Corporation Marshes in Suffolk.  Subsequently, sound recordings were made and by Saturday the news services were reporting the bird as an Eastern Yellow Wagtail.

We set off around 11am and enjoyed a trouble-free journey up the A12, arriving at Dunwich Beach car park around 12.15pm. We left the car park and began the 2.5km walk along the beach, eventually joining a group of 25-30 birders and were told the bird had flown South, but not to worry as it had followed this pattern several times and had eventually returned. Thankfully this would prove to be correct, as after 30-40 minutes Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings began dropping back in along with a couple of Western Yellow Wagtails. There was still no sign of the Eastern Yellow Wagtail but when a small flock of Snow Bunting dropped onto the shingle the Eastern Yellow Wagtail suddenly emerged from within the long grass. It didn't seem to associate with its Western cousins at all while I was present. but it seemed to take an instant dislike to the Snow Buntings, several times we saw it harass one particular individual.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Its favoured area along the front of the grassy area

Searching for Warblers at Spurn, East Yorkshire

Spurn in East Yorkshire was our destination this morning, we left home at 4.30am and arrived shortly after 8.30am, having encountered patches of heavy mist and fog on the way up. Upon arrival, the fog had cleared leaving clear blue skies. A Pallas's Warbler was to be our first target and shortly after parking the car the bird appeared in roadside trees bordering the Crown and Anchor car park. It flitted from tree to tree and showed extremely well on occasions. Having failed to see a Pallas's Warbler in Norfolk recently I was relieved to finally connect with this little gem of a bird.

Pallas's Warbler

We walked the canal path and managed to add a Lapland Bunting to the year list. Having heard it call overhead we then managed to locate it along the shoreline among a flock of yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. A single Twite was also seen among the foraging flock. A Bluethroat had been present for over a week but after several lengthy searches, we failed to locate it and had to settle for a very confiding Snow Bunting feeding only feet away from us among the Marram Grass. As we headed back towards the car a Woodcock suddenly appeared overhead giving superb close views.

Snow Bunting

News had filtered through of a Hume's Leaf Warbler being found along Peter Lane. It was only two miles from our location and immediately after parking up, we had the bird in the scope! It eventually took flight and headed further along the road and disappearing into the trees and was lost to view. As we returned to the car a Merlin appeared overhead, it was in pursuit of a Skylark. Thankfully for the Skylark, it moved off having made several failed attempts at catching it.

Another very rewarding days birding.

Seawatching at Cley Coastguards

This morning we headed for Cley, with the forecast for moderate to brisk North-northeast winds we were hoping there may be a chance of some decent passage movement. We arrived at Cley Beach car park to find around thirty other birders all had similar ideas. We joined their ranks and began scanning the sea. 

Gannets and kittiwakes were present in large numbers. The Gannets must have located a large shoal of fish as they were constantly diving into the same area of sea. Several Red-throated Divers were moving through and three were seen resting on the sea. Small numbers of Auks (mainly Guillemots with the occasional Razorbill ) were seen flying East and numerous groups of Common Scoters flew West. 

As the clouds darkened and the wind picked up the first Pomarine Skua appeared. This would prove to be the first of twenty-seven poms seen during our four-hour session. Also seen were at least four Arctic and seven Great Skuas. Wigeon, Red-breasted Merganser, and three Velvet Scoters were also seen along with a Great Northern Diver. 

As we set off this morning we had hoped for some Little Auk sightings and two were spotted heading West towards us. They were close to the shoreline, but even at close range they still proved difficult to find among the crashing waves. Luckily as they moved out of the surf I managed to pick them up.