BOC Weekend to North Norfolk, 4th-6th October 2019
Nine of us met up at the Cley visitor centre/cafe soon after midday on Friday, after fairly smooth drives from Berkshire.
As the winds had generally been from the south and west there were few migrant species on the Norfolk coast apart from brief viewings of Yellow-browed Warblers. We decided to seek out a flock of Spoonbills at a previously unvisited site at Stiffkey Fen. After some confusion we found the correct footpath into the fen and, sure enough, after about half a mile, we found a large pool with a dozen Spoonbills dozing, sleeping or preening. There was quite a variety of other ducks and geese on the same pool.
A quick look for a reported Yellow-browed Warbler yielded nothing so we headed off to Burnham Overy Staithe to find some Cattle Egrets and for a walk out to the dunes at Gun Hill. We failed to connect with the egrets but had a really enjoyable walk along the embankment between the sea and marshes and the fields. There were a good number of the usual Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover and some Black-tailed Godwits on the marsh side of the embankment. Little Grebes were in a ditch running alongside. We decided not to go all the way to Gun Hill but turned right onto the path back to the road where we’d parked. One field contained four enormous and impressive bulls. Another held about 100 Pink-footed Geese and about 20 Egyptian Geese. As we got closer to the road another field had a covey of perhaps 10 Grey Partridge amongst some Pheasants.
We headed off to the Burleigh Hotel in Hunstanton to check in, and then returned to Thornham, where some Marsh Harriers compensated for a fruitless search for Barn Owls; then dinner at the Lifeboat.
Saturday dawned quite mild with a slight westerly breeze which had changed from an overnight northerly. That boded well for a possible influx of migrants. We spent 40 minutes at the seafront scanning for not very much, finding many Oystercatchers and Turnstones, and some Black-tailed Godwits, but not much else.
A good breakfast followed and we all headed to Titchwell. We started with another look for Yellow-browed Warbler, without success, and then headed to the beach, stopping for a few scans across the pools and reedbeds. Several Bearded Tits were seen, a Kingfisher, Avocets, a single Golden Plover, Cetti’s Warbler and a variety of ducks. On and over the sea, there were a few flocks of Common Scoter and several divers including a probable Great Northern and a close Red-throated. Two mergansers flew by, some saw a Sandwich Tern, and there were a few juvenile Gannets. A Snow Bunting made a short visit before flying further down the beach. Sanderlings were readily seen scurrying backwards and forwards by the shoreline and a Bar-tailed Godwit flew over. On the walk back, at least one Spotted Redshank was clearly seen next to a Common Redshank giving a good comparison. Water Rail was added. Additionally, Rock Pipit and Knot were seen by some of the group. A probable Hen Harrier was seen by Gray and Adrian, confirmed by a sighting reported on Birds of Norfolk.
Most people had a light lunch before we headed back to Burnham Overy as there was a report of a Dusky Warbler sighting and the Cattle Egrets had moved to a new location nearby. This time we parked in the harbour car park (it was low tide) and walked back out on the embankment seeing a cluster of birders about half a mile away. “Not seen for an hour”, was the refrain from some dispirited birders. Another group of about ten birders had gathered along the other path lower down. Marcus and John H went down to join them as they seemed to be looking at something specific. Sure enough, they had seen a Yellow-browed Warbler, which obligingly popped up and flew along the hedgerow. It then flew towards us and disappeared in the reeds immediately in front of us. The remainder of the group came down just in time for the Dusky Warbler to make the first of several fleeting appearances, giving just about satisfactory views to most of the group. We went back up onto the embankment, as we had directions to look at a herd of cattle halfway to Holkham and, amongst them, were the six Cattle Egrets and further away a Great Egret. On the way back to the harbour we got another glimpse of the Dusky Warbler.
Three of the group then went to Holkham to search for Shorelarks and the remainder returned to Titchwell to look for a Yellow-browed Warbler. Reports of this species were coming in from all over the coast. Both groups had a good level of success … the Holkham party didn’t find a Shore Lark but did see a large flock of Linnets and quantities of Meadow Pipits, as well as a pair of Wheatears and a late Yellow Wagtail. The Titchwell group immediately saw a male Brambling at the feeders followed by a Treecreeper. After walking past the Fen Hide there was a flighty tit flock which contained a Yellow-browed Warbler, although it was not seen by all. Finally, a small flock of Redwing passed over.
Another pre-dinner look for Barn Owl was unsuccessful although there was a distant very probable Tawny Owl.
Sunday dawned very wet as forecast and after breakfast everyone vacated the Norfolk coast as it was supposed to rain until early afternoon. Seven of the group reconvened at Welney and picked up some further birds including a flock of Tree Sparrows, an over-summering non-migratory breeding flock of Whooper Swans, another Great Egret, two more Cattle Egrets, about a dozen Snipe, Stock Dove and a Bittern in flight. Some late House Martins made an appearance to add to some Swallows seen the day before. A Weasel showed very well as we had a final coffee in the visitor centre. We all finally said our goodbyes and headed south into lighter skies and even some late sunshine.
In total 108 bird species were seen by some or more of the group. We visited some sites not explored by the BOC before and enjoyed some good banter in generally pleasant conditions for two days.
Marcus I’Anson