Draycote Water this morning

The Island

A morning visit to Draycote Water between 0730 & 1200 was very pleasant weather wise - indeed I soon realised I was well overdressed and the sweat poured, and poured and poured. Meeting Francoise on Hensborough Bank later in the day made me realise that her dress sense was better and more appropriate than mine. Maybe I should wear a dress?!!

Walking to Farborough Spit and back, I realised that the water levels were even lower than my last visit two weeks ago. Scanning the "millpond" water, anything on it would be clearly visible, but alas nothing outside of the expected. Scoping across to Draycote Bank got me on to three Black Terns but they soon disappeared. Overhead, visble Skylark migration was occuring with at least fifty over Farborough Bank heading east. Along the bank, four Yellow Wagtails flitted but would not come close for a picture. At the spit, a number of Dunlins and Ringed Plovers scurried about totalling around the water c15 Dunlins and c 10 Ringed Plovers. A solitary Curlew Sandpiper was on the spit with another by the outlet - same bird or two? Returning along Farborough Bank, I walked out to the valve tower in the hope of finding the Black Necked Grebe. I was to be disappointed, maybe its moved on, maybe its moved to the north shore bays, maybe I didn't look hard enough - time will tell! The outlet had further Dunlin, a drake Shoveler, and a Curlew Sandpiper (? same bird as on Farborough, ? another). A Chiffchaff sang out near the inlet. Over Draycote Bank eleven Ravens "honked" their way north.

A few windsurfers and sailing boats were venturing out, with of course the boat fishermen. Disturbance on the water was minimal until, a sailing boat moored on the island and its crew decided to walk onto the island and its full length. Of course, this scattered everything on the island which then remained barren for a good while after they had moved on.

Grey Heron

Dunlin

Dunlin

Teal

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Dunlin

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper & Dunlin

Curlew Sandpiper & Dunlin

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Todays Sightings:

Rook; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Chaffinch; Magpie; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Great Tit; Dunnock; Coot; Mute Swan; Mallard; Great Crested Grebe; Black Headed Gull; Pied Wagtail; LBB Gull; Grey Heron; Tufted Duck; Canada Goose; Green Woodpecker; Black tern; Cormorant; GBB Gull; Dunlin; Ringed Plover; Teal; Skylark; Yellow Wagtail; Goldfinch; Pochard; Dabchick; Curlew Sandpiper; Blue Tit; Wren; Wigeon; Gadwall; Kestrel; Shoveler; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Chiffchaff; Moorhen; Raven; Lapwing; Pheasant; Jay; Jackdaw; Long Tailed Tit; House Sparrow.

On a Lighter Note....................

Mirror Mirror on the wall, Who is the most beautiful Little Egret of all?

If I see another photographer, i'm gonna puke.......HUUUUEEEEEEEY!

Another case of "botty burps" affecting the Redshank population!

Titchwell Marsh 25th September 2011

My week is at an end and I have to say that this is the quietest I have ever known Norfolk to be. No life ticks but several year ticks and good healthy fresh Norfolk air make it all worthwhile. I decided to call into Titchwell Marsh on my way home, arriving quite early at 0630. Unfortunately, the sun was preventing clear observation of the reserve, so I headed for the beach. Most of the birds present had already been seen throughout the week but at last, some more year ticks. From the beach, five Red Throated Divers, plus many flyby Common Scoters and a Long Tailed Duck. Walking back down the path, two Little Stint were close to the Island Hide with a small group of Dunlin. I have been trying to locate Spoonbill all week, but always seemed to be in the wrong place! When at Titchwell, it was reported at Cley, when at Cley it was reported at Titchwell! Luck was on my side when an immature Spoonbill flew onto the Thornham Marshes, distant but it was in my scope.

I apologise for the following Spoonbill record shots, next time i've booked the Hubble Space Telescope!

Knot

Little Stint

Curlew

A study of a Black Headed Gull, Titchwell Marsh, 25th September 2011

My last day in Norfolk and on my way home, I stopped off at Titchwell Marsh in a last effort to find something interesting. Standing by the derelict building on the beach, I could not resist this Black Headed Gull!

Cley 24th September 2011

Another walk around Cley Marshes, again in the hope of SOMETHING unusual turning up. Have a look at the following two "sea beasts" pictures and tell me what the difference is...............?

The answer is at the end of this post!

Bird wise, not a lot of change! Marsh Harriers gave distant views, a Blackcap showed at the start of the East Bank path, a Water Rail flew up out of the reeds near Bishops Hide, Cettis Warbler and Bearded Tits were as elusive as ever. The sea held Red Throated Diver, Guillemot, Arctic Skua and Great Crested Grebe. Several Wheatear were in Eye Field.

Grey Heron

Curlew

Goldfinch

Grey Heron

Ruff

Answer to the "sea beast" poser..............

The seals remained in the sea. Unfortunately, the women got out of the water, stripped off their costumes, standing full frontal naked on the beach, in full view of the birders sea watching at the end of East Bank! Traumatised or what?!!!