26-5-11, Choseley Barns.

I have never birded in Norfolk during the spring/summer months and so not used to long hours of daylight for birding. I skipped breakfast and decided to be at Choseley really early. I hung around for a bit and birds noted were Woodpigeon, Red-legged Partridge, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Wren, Common Whitethroat, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Black Headed Gull and Pheasant.

Titchwell RSPB.

Down the road a little and I was at Titchwell RSPB reserve. I really enjoy coming here and was on site for about 07.00 and I was the only one in the car park!! In fact I was on site until about 09.30 before I saw anyone else around, amazing. Birds noted were Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Avocet, Pheasant, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Blue Tit, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Black Headed Gull, Reed Warbler, Redshank, Swift, Swallow, Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Sedge Warbler, Canada Geese, Coot, Canada Geese, Pochard, Tufed Duck, Marsh Harrier, Linnet, Brent Geese, Black-tailed Godwit, Reed Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Herring Gull, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Common Tern, Starling, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Moorhen, Skylark, House Martin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ringed Plover, Wigeon, Lapwing, Dunlin, Greenshank, Sand Martin, Curlew Sandpiper, Turnstone, Little Egret, Curlew, Knot, Sanderling, Cormorant, Common Scoter, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Fulmar, Yellow Wagtail, Blackcap, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Cettis Warbler, Stock Dove, Jackdaw, magpie, Red-crested Pochard, Pintail, Kestrel and Eider. Bucket loads of birds and great fun.

Cley NR.

It was mid afternoon by the time I got to Cley, payed up then headed off to the hides before doing the east bank. Birds noted were Jackdaw, Black Headed Gull, Dunnock, Swift, Woodpigeon, Oystercatcher, Sedge Warbler, Starling, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greylag Geese, Mallard, Pheasant, Little Egret, House Sparrow, Swallow, Marsh Harrier, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Reed Bunting, Sand Martin, Gadwall, Reed Warbler, Shelduck, Avocet, Great Black-backed Gull, Greenshank, Redshank, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Stint, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Moorhen, Skylark, Goldfinch, Little Ringed Plover, Little Gull, Coot, Common Gull, House Martin, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Tit, Linnet, Common Sandpiper, Blue Tit, magpie, Wren, Tufted Duck, Hobby, Curlew, Bearded Tit, Whinchat and a cracking male it was too, Sandwich Tern, Knot, Fulmar, Meadow Pipit, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Spoonbill and Knot. Another great session here. I was in the small hide on Pats Pool (sorry, dont know the name of the hide) at about 18.30 when I wondered if there was a time I needed to be off the reserve. I popped out the door and my car was the only one in the car park. Ooops, would I be locked in?? It was too late so I went back in the hide and carried on. Five minutes later a chap came in, no gates are on the car park. I asked where everyone was and he said "proberbly sitting at home next to their pagers". I was quite amazed, one of if not the best reserves in the country and void of birders by 18.00!!! I hung around for a while more before heading off.

25-5-11, Paxton Pits NR

I had a week off work however I had to pop in on Tuesday afternoon to attend a training session but Wednesday morning, very early, I was on the way to Cambridgeshire before having a couple of days in North Norfolk. Paxton Pits was my early destination for one thing only, and a very shameful one thing too. I have never seen a Nightingale before, heard them but not seen them. A bit embarrising really but I have just never been anywhere where they existed before. On arrival I was quite excited at finally nailing the bird and I was told I would definately see one here. I headed along the path and immediately heard two sing but couldnt see anything. Then I arrived at a rustic fence which was to prevent people walking around the bushes where the Nightingales favoured. I hung around for about half an hour but no sign. Was I going to dip this bird? The shame. Nothing was showing and the singing had stopped so I headed on along the path. Good idea. In a small gap three NIGHTINGALES were chasing each other for half a minute before flying off. Walking further on and I soon realised there were Nighingales everywhere and I even managed to get a record photo too, great fun. Other birds noted were Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Dunnock, Black Headed Gull, Cormorant, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard, Mute Swan, Song Thrush, Robin, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Tern, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Jackdaw, Great Tit, Rook, Blue Tit, Tufted Duck and Collared Dove.

Weeting Heath.

Next site was about three quarters along the road however my timing was awful and it took about two hours with the morning rush hour traffic around Cambridge. As most will know, Weeting Heath is one of or the best sites to see Stone Curlew and having only ever seen one at Marsh lane NR on the 5th of May, 2007 I wanted to see one on its breeding ground. On arrival there was no-one around and just guessed on going to the hide to the right of the centre. Only a couple of minutes in the hide and a Stone Curlew was in the distance and in the heat haze, no photo oppurtunities here. Other birds noted were Chiffchaff, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Rook, Lapwing, Mistle Thrush and Woodpigeon.

Lakenheath RSPB.

Just down the road is Lakenheath RSPB reserve, home to the Golden Oriole. I came here in July 2007and saw my first one bringing food to the nest. From the car park I headced along the river to the back of the reserve before walking back down the track through the middle hoping for any sight or sound of the Orioles. Birds noted were Chaffinch, Shelduck, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Mute Swan, Coot, Mallard, Cuckoo, Garganey, Wigeon, Gadwall, Carrion Crow, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Wren, Pheasant, Black Headed Gull, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Skylark, Hobby, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Egyptian Geese, Cormorant, Chiffchaff, Canada Geese, Swift, Blackcap, Bittern and Great Spotted Woodpecker. No Orioles but a male was doing his contact calls through the poplars. I hung around for about an hour to see if the bird showed but with no success but fun listening to the calls.

Great Ryburgh.

Another bird I have never seen is a Honey Buzzard, well apart from a bird I saw at Flamborough Head a few years ago when I saw the back end of a bird flying away being mobbed by other birds, Buzzard size with flat wings. I got on it before it glided out of view and couldnt make a positive identification but I was sure, from the jiss, that it was a Honey Buzzard but not sure enough to claim it. Great Ryburgh is a raptor watchpoint, and very good for Honey Buzzards. It was early afternoon so I decided to hang around for a couple of hours here. Birds noted were Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Gadwall over, Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Lapwing, Greylag Geese, Pheasant, Wren, Rook, Greenfinch, Swallow, Cuckoo, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Black Headed Gull, Skylark, Grey Heron, Egyptian Geese, Swift, Marsh Harrier and Lesser Black-backed Gull. No show on the Honey Buzzard front but not expecting to see one so not too bothered.

Stiffkey Marsh

It was late afternoon and I was tired now after an early start so I had a walk along the marshes at Stiffkey, not expecting much but you never know. Birds noted were Black Headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Starling, Jackdaw, Wren, Blackbird, Dunnock, Redshank, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Shelduck, Little Egret, Chaffinch, Mallard, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pheasant, Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher, Linnet, Chiffchaff, Avocet, Common Whitethroat, Skylark, Red-legged Partridge, Greylag Geese, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Swallow and Greenfinch.

Stiffkey Fen.

Last site of the day and I decided to pop down to the fen just down the road from the marshes. Birds noted were Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Oystercatcher, Chiffchaff, Avocet, Black Headed Gull, Shelduck, Mallard, Jay, Cettis Warbler, Redshank, Moorhen, Wigeon, Ringed Plover, Woodpigeon, Garden Warbler, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Common Tern, Pied Wagtail, Greylag Geese, Lapwing, House Martin, Sedge Warbler and Yellowhammer.

A great day out, very long but lots of birds. Time for some Woodfordes Werry.

24-5-11, Croxall GP.

This wasn't the plan for today. I was going to take my mother to Middleton RSPB, had a quick look on tinternet to see if there was an opening time orf new car park etc. To begin with the website says the site is opening at the end of the month, I thought it opened mid May, and no access till 10am. Whats that all about?? I had to be at work for 12.00 so we knocked the idea on the head and I came to Croxall instead. A walk upto the hide and a scan produced Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Canada Geese, Swift, Oystercatcher, Coot, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Black Headed Gull, Reed Bunting, Mallard, Great Tit, Cormorant, House Martin, Mute Swan, 17 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, Grey Heron, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Stock Dove, Starling and Magpie. Through to the east side and a quick look in the hide and I added Buzzard, Rook, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Gadwall and a single Common Tern along the river. Back towards the car and I added Pied Wagtail, Blackbird and a very showy Garden Warbler. Nice.

Whitemoor Haye.

On to the patch and I had a look at the pool from the Tamworth road as I could look along the pool. I noted Stock Dove, Carrion Crow, Wren, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Greenfinch, Black Headed Gull, Lapwing and plenty of Swifts. A drive around thge corner, park up the car and then off around the lanes and I added Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Shelduck, Skylark, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Common Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Blackbird, Linnet, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mallard and Magpie. Onto the pool and I couldnt add anything else. Off to work for a couple of hours now:-(

Blithfield Reservoir.

During the training I had my pager on and I was suddenly awoken with news of a Red-necked Phalarope at Blithfield. Cracking. It would bve a welcome addition to my Staffs and year list. As soon as the van was parked up the car was motoring through Kings Bromley, Hamstell Ridware, Abbots Bromley then on to Blithers. The bird was in Tad Bay so I headed through the gate and past the feeder station full to a, I assumed, full hide. I opened the doors and it was empty!!!! Then I remembered there is another hide to the right. I decided to have a scan from this hide as I could see the majority of the shoreline. Birds noted to this point were Chiffchaff, Hobby over the car park area, Robin, Great Tit, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Yellow Wagtail, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Blackcap, Pheasant, Cormorant, Garden Warbler, Gadwall, Shoveler and Shelduck. There was no sign of the Phalarope along the shoreline then I noticed a slack bit of water. A quick scan and there was the Red-necked Phalarope. Distant but superb and by looking at the plumage it was a smart female but I could be very wrong. Superb. After feasting on then bird in the hide all on my own I headed around the point and into Blithe Bay before heading home. Other birds noted were Buzzard, Swift, Teal, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Spotted Flycatcher (year tick), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Black-backed Gull and a couple of Long-tailed Tits. Quality. Then it was back home to get the car ready and pack for a couple of days in Norfolk. Come on.

23-5-11, Night Heron.

This bird has left me with a bit of a dilemma. I have been reading about this bird on the pager and internet and at first it was looking good. My fishing match on Saturday was only ten minutes away so I planned to go on Saturday but as the week got on the bird was only using the area to roost and it came in and left the roost at erratic times. Having never seen one, did I want only brief views of one flying over??? During the fishing match I had my pager and it was very quiet for a Saturday, with very little news anywhere. I decided to head over to Earlswood Lake after the fishing, a quick chat with some birders who said no sign today so I carried on home. It was seen later about 20.15. A bit of a tricky decision as it is a bit of a drive through lots of traffic then a good walk from where you park the car to where the birders are congregating. I was going this morning early but something stopped me and with no news it was proberbly the right decision.

Kingsbury Water Park.

I am on holiday for a week but on Friday I left my mobile phone at work. To be honest it was quite nice not to have to worry about always having it. I picked it up first thing this morning and then decided to head to Kingsbury Water Park as I need a Turtle Dove for the year and I had one here a couple of years ago. Worth a go anyway. Agood couple of hours birding got me Mallard, Moorhen, Starling, Canada Geese, Black Headed Gull, Collared Dove, Chaffinch, Tufted Duck, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Mute Swan, Swallow, Wren, Garden Warbler, Swift, Robin, Blue Tit, Sand Martin, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Reed Warbler, Skylark, Willow Warbler, Common Tern, Jackdaw, Great Tit, Shelduck, Gadwall, Sedge Warbler, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Magpie and Cuckoo. Good couple of hours but no Turtle Dove. It was very windy and if any were present I wouldnt have heard them.

Some of you might think why Kingsbury and not the new RSPB reserve. Well I am taking my mother there on Tuesday for the morning. Really looking forward to it.

Whitemoor Haye .

After some breakfast I collected the dog and we headed around the lanes at Whitemoor Haye. It was incredibly windy around here and, as it turned out, the birding was going to prove a bit tough. Birds noted around the lanes were Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Swift, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Corn Bunting, Skylark, lapwing, Linnet, Stock Dove, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Pheasant, Black Headed Gull, Common Whitethroat, Mallard, Hobby, Yellowhammer, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Shelduck and a Kestrel. The Hobby was first picked up by another birder who tried to shout me as I was listening out for Quail in the winds with no success. I couldnt hear him but he told me a couple of minutes later as he drove past and then the bird appeared over the pits before flying past the microlight sheds. Great views. On to the pool and I added Redshank, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck and Coot. Not brilliant and it was almost impossible due to the very strong cross wind, I couldnt hold the scope still.

Croxall GP.

I couldnt ignore this place after recent weeks although the weekend reports were not too promising. The reported Temminks Stint would have been a great bird for the site and county but no reports of it since it was see (or imagined!!!). Anyway as I had the dog I could only do main side so it was up the track to the hide, a brief look over the gate then back to the car. Birds noted were 7 Oystercatcher, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Swift, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Reed Warbler, Black Headed Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Mallard, 11 summer plumaged Dunlin, Gadwall, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, Shelduck, Cormorant, Pheasant, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Linnet, Rook, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Sedge Warbler and Great Tit. Same as Whitemoor number wise, with the wind making the birds keeping there heads down and as I walked back to the car the rains came. Good timing.

Just booked myself into a pub in Norfolk for a couple of nights so heading down to Camebridge on Wednesday moring for a few birds before heading to the pub.. Mmmm, Woodfordes Wherry straight out of the barrel, superb.

22-5-11, circa Alrewas

A bit of a busy weekend so very little birding done. Saturday was the first British Waterways fishing match, did rubbish. Sunday I was working but I was up very early, dog needed walking so we had a good walk around Alrewas and the fields. Birds noted were Wren, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Starling, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Robin, Magpie, Skylark, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Goldfinch, Song Thrush, Moorhen, Pheasant, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Coot, Sedge Warbler, Cormorant, Jackdaw, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Grey Heron, Blackcap, Greenfinch, House Martin, Swift, Swallow and Dunnock. Not bad for a couple of hours first thing before work.

15-5-11, Alrewas GP.

It was WeBS count today but it was a bit of a struggle after consuming a few pints of Pedigree the previous evening. The bike was loaded with all my stuff, a quick ride down the A38 and I was on the pits. Birds noted were Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Coot, mallard, Mute Swan, Swift, Wren, Common Whitethroat, Tufted Duck, Oystercatcher, Swallow, Lesser Whitethroat, Black Headed Gull, Stock Dove, Sand Martin, Canada Geese and a couple of House Martins. Pretty quiet here and the WeBS numbers were low too.

National Arboretum.

Although only passing through I did note a few birds. Cuckoo, Swallow, Swift, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Pheasant, Chaffinch, Black Headed Gull, Canada Geese, Swallow, Reed Bunting, Grey Heron, Sand Martin, Mute Swan, Wren, Great Crested Grebe, Common Tern, Linnet, Mallard, Coot, Blackbird and Pied Wagtail were all noted.

Junction Pit.

A quick look on here produced Coot, Oystercatcher, Greylag Geese, Mallard, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Wren, Great Tit, Common Whitethroat and Blackbird.

Croxall GP.

Croxall was next but to check the wides I looked from the arboretum. Birds noted here were Mute Swan, Cuckoo, Canada Geese, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Little Ringed Plover, Kingfisher, Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Swift and Reed Bunting. Round to the entrance and then check the rest of Croxall I added Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Moorhen with 4 chicks, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Linnet, Magpie, Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Common Whitethroat, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Shoveler, Blue Tit, Black Headed Gull, Rook, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sand Martin, Cormorant, Blackbird, Dunnock.

Whitemoor Haye.

14-5-11, Croxall GP

I was up decently early today but couldnt get my act together quick enough and didnt get down to Croxall to way after sunrise. I was, again, beaten to the hide from a regular visitor and he had scared anything decent away. Birds noted were Sedge Warbler, Reed warbler, Common Whitethroat, Teal, Pheasant, Canada Geese, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch, Tufted Duck, Coot, Chiffchaff, Oystercatcher, Reed Bunting, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Common Tern, Blackbird, Buzzard, Sand Martin, Woodpigeon, Black Headed Gull, Swift, Redshank, Magpie, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Cormorant, Pied Wagtail, Dunlin, Greenfinch, Stock Dove, Jay, House Martin, Greenshank and Shelduck. Not a bad few hours in the hide but with the winds from the west (ish), there was small chancer of anything decent showing up.

Whitemoor Haye.

I was planning to do more birding through the day but after popping home for breakfast/lunch and doing a few jobs I felt a bit knackered so I decided to have a rest and watch Man Utd become champions and Man City win the cup. After that I headed off to Whitemoor Haye with the dog and we walked the lanes. That was the plan anyway but as I arrived it started to hammer down so I had a scan of the pool whilst it rained and noted Swift, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, Greylag Geese and Pied Wagtail. After the rain lapsed it was off round the lanes. Birds noted were Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Starling, Blackbird, Lapwing, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Stock Dove, Jackdaw, Rook, Magpie, Wren, Common Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Collared Dove, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Corn Bunting, Goldfinch and Robin. Back at the quarry pool I added Common Tern, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, House Martin, 2 summer plumaged Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, Gadwall, Blackcap, Tufted Duck and a solitary Yellow Wagtail.