First-summer male Woodchat Shrike, Winterton South Dunes, Norfolk, 6 May 2010 (Chris Morgan)
WEDNESDAY 5 MAY
Had a very enjoyable day out in the field with Mick Frosdick. Norfolk was our destination and a long-staying WOODCHAT SHRIKE was our main target bird. The wind remained in the Northeast, it was clear with little cloud and 14 degrees C.
CHISWELL GREEN (HERTFORDSHIRE)
A COMMON CUCKOO flew across the road, close to the M25 junction, at 1045.
WINTERTON SOUTH DUNES (EAST NORFOLK)
From 1300-1330 hours, Mick and I obtained outstanding views of the first-summer male WOODCHAT SHRIKE in Winterton South Dunes. It was frequenting an area of scattered bushes 250 yards south of the village and was regularly perching out in full view. It represented my 261st species of the year and was beautifully photographed by Chris Morgan.
WEDNESDAY 5 MAY
Had a very enjoyable day out in the field with Mick Frosdick. Norfolk was our destination and a long-staying WOODCHAT SHRIKE was our main target bird. The wind remained in the Northeast, it was clear with little cloud and 14 degrees C.
CHISWELL GREEN (HERTFORDSHIRE)
A COMMON CUCKOO flew across the road, close to the M25 junction, at 1045.
WINTERTON SOUTH DUNES (EAST NORFOLK)
From 1300-1330 hours, Mick and I obtained outstanding views of the first-summer male WOODCHAT SHRIKE in Winterton South Dunes. It was frequenting an area of scattered bushes 250 yards south of the village and was regularly perching out in full view. It represented my 261st species of the year and was beautifully photographed by Chris Morgan.
The Winterton Dune scrub also produced two male LESSER WHITETHROATS, 3 singing male Common Whitethroats, numerous House Sparrows, a European Barn Swallow and a HOLLY BLUE butterfly.
HICKLING BROAD RUSH HILLS SCRAPE (NORFOLK)
Mick and I did the long walk out to the Weavers Bend hide but on arrival, there was no sign of the Wood Sandpipers present recently. What was noted were 2 pairs of Egyptian Geese, Common Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, 2 pairs of Marsh Harriers, 2 pairs of Pied Avocets, 7 Common Redshank, 5 WHIMBREL, 1 Common Tern, a GRASSHOPPER WARBLER reeling by the hide, several Cetti’s Warblers, Sedge and Western Reed Warblers, Willow Warbler and 3+ Peacock butterflies.
SANTON DOWNHAM (NORFOLK BRECKLAND)
TREE PIPITS in recent years are getting harder and harder to come by with the population continuing to seriously decline. In my local area now, they are completely lost, with no breeding birds in Bucks, Beds or Herts and the nearest being the odd singing male in Berkshire. Consequently, adding one to the Yearlist involves a fair bit of effort and today – after chatting to Norman Williams – two pairs were located at a regular site NW of Santon Downham village – two singing males displaying less than 100 yards from each other. Excellent views were obtained.
The same area held a large number of COMMON CROSSBILLS – one flock of at least 30 birds seen in flight. A HOBBY was also an unusual sighting.
FOXHOLE HEATH (SUFFOLK)
Two pairs of STONE CURLEW were visible from the road, as well as 1 pair of Eurasian Curlew and a male NORTHERN WHEATEAR.
SWAFFHAM PRIOR FEN, 0.75 MILES WEST OF REACH (CAMBS)
Officially known as Tubney Farm NT (at TL 554 665), this fabulous new wetland reserve (scrape) providing me with my first TEMMINCK’S STINTS of the year – a trio of birds affording excellent views from the spanking new hide and track adjacent (263)..
The scrapes also held Pied Avocet (3 pairs), Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, GREY PARTRIDGE (pair), Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Yellow Wagtail, Linnet and CORN BUNTING.
WILLOWS FARM POOL, TYTTENHANGER (HERTS)
Little of note other than a single LITTLE RINGED PLOVER present.
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