Norfolk shines

Cracking weekend in Norfolk with most of the usual crowd. 114 species including two on the journey there and back so 112 Norfolk birds. Brought the year list to some respectability at 126.

With fantastic sunny weather for most of the stay we were able to get some superb views of various birds. the picture was captured on my mobile phone of Brent Geese at Titchwell. Birds of the weekend were the White Crowned Sparrow, Rough Legged Buzzard at Burnham Norton which was obligingly walking distance from where we were staying. Couple of Merlins, some good flocks of Snow Buntings. Wonderful views of Barn Owls almost everywhere we went. Nice to catch up with Brambling in a couple of places and Lesser Redpoll at Titchwell as well as close range Woodcock.

Sun brings the owls out!

My house is bisected by an OS grid line. To the East are gravel pits water meadows. This is quite productive for birds. Yesterday brought 4 Pintail, 100+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 30+ Gadwall, 3+ Chiffchaff down at the sewage works and a GS Woodpecker. MH and I paid a visit to Bury Down in the afternooon and saw a minimum of 6 Short-eared Owls in perfect warm sunshine weather quartering the scrub and fields around the gallops. Cracking views. I love the way the light catches their primaries as they wheel around.
Then today and to theWest of the grid line to do my BTO square. Two hours of slogging around mostly mono-culture and the A34. A bit sole destroying with a paucity pf species compared to the East. Nice treecreeper though and about 20 Stock Doves. Up to 84 for the year. Trip to Norfolk next weekend so the list will gain some respectability!