Muntjac, the Dell, Wells woods.
Our annual autumn birding trip took us once again to Norfolk this year due to a week of
easterly winds. We arrived in Wells wood caravan park at noon on friday and headed for the
woods where a few rarities had been reported. There were lots of birders heading back to
their cars, having no luck finding an Olive backed pipit in the wood. When we got to the
spot it was quiet and we soon found 2 Olive backed pipits feeding together, although they
proved too flighty for pictures. There were lots of other migrants around, Robins and Goldcrests
seemed to be everywhere and Redwings and Chiffchaffs were numerous too. I found a juv
Redstart, there was a Red kite, a pair of Egyptian geese and a flock of Pink footed geese
flew by. We spent the last hours of daylight at Warham greens, having no luck with a Radde's
warbler, but seeing Redstart and 12 Brambling.
Brambling.
On the saturday morning we checked Wells wood first thing, Colin finding a Firecrest and Martyn
seeing a Pallas warbler, which I only heard calling. There were flocks of Siskin, Redpoll and
Fieldfare and a Marsh harrier drifted past. After the super-muddy track at Warham yesterday, we
decided to approach Warham greens from Stiffkey. There were plenty of migrants along the path
including lots of thrushes, a Garden warbler, a male Yellowhammer, Skylarks and Robins. Brent
geese were on the saltmarsh and a superb male Marsh harrier drifted by. At Garden grove we got
some great views of the Radde's warbler, a Red kite and Yellow browed warbler.
Radde's warbler.
Burnham overy was next to see a showy Barred warbler, although it never came close enough
for decent pictures.
Barred warbler.
We spent the last of the day at Cley marshes, seeing 3 Bearded tit, Ruff, 18 Greater white fronted
geese, lots of Wigeon and other ducks, more Marsh harriers and an adult Caspian gull. A blood
moon lit our way back to the carpark.
Cley village.
Marsh harrier
Blood moon.
Dawn from the caravan.
On sunday we headed first to Choseley farm for Dotterel but were out of luck. We saw some Red
legged partridges, a Yellowhammer and a Stoat. The forecast rain started so we went to the hides
at Titchwell. Lots of good waders on the scrapes included Avocets, Golden plovers, Dunlin. Ruff
, Little stint, Grey plover, Greenshank, both Godwits and a Curlew sandpiper. A little ringed
plover flew within a few metres of me after the rain stopped as we walked to the beach for a
seawatch. Fulmar and Gannet were the only passing birds and there was a flock of Common
scoter and a single female Velvet scoter were on the sea. Two brambling and another Yellow
browed warbler were in the willows near the meadow trail on the way back to the car park.
Curlew sandpiper.
Back to Wells wood in the afternoon, catching up with a nice Firecrest and hearing Crossbills and
frustratingly, a Pallas warbler.
Firecrest.
Instead of driving straight home to Wales on monday morning, we decided to detour up the coast
to Yorkshire to see the UK's second Siberian accentor. The roads were clear and we got to
Easington with no delays, seeing the Accentor behind the gas station fence and in an old yard
across the track. Thousands of birders had seen this bird since last Thursday and had to Queue
to see it with viewing time limited,so we were happy to be amongst just 30 or so others watching
the bird at our leisure at close range. An Isabelline wheatear was found nearby, so we walked to
the beach and had distant views of it in a large ploughed field. A small flock of Swallows flying
south along the coast ended a splendid trip.
Siberian accentor.
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| Acrocercops brongniardella leaf mines were in the hedge outside our caravan. |
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| Isabelline Wheatear, pic by Colin. |
