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A Few Days in North Norfolk

2021, Birds, Birds of 2021, British Butterflies, Butterflies, Trips, Year No Responses »

May 312021

We decided to spend a few days away in North Norfolk, basing ourselves at Blakeney. The first three days were pretty dreadful, with heavy rain on and off and a very cold North Westerly wind. These conditions made photography and birding extremely difficult. Fortunately there were a few birds hanging on from the previous week and we managed to see Common Crane, Temminck’s Stint, plenty of Spoonbills, a Great White Egret and a few Red Kite to kick start the week.

A few Short-eared Owl were hunting the marshes between Cley and Salthouse and after some patience we were rewarded with some reasonable views once the rain stopped. I found a Greenland Wheatear at Salthouse and one of the abberant “White-rumped” Common Swifts that have been seen along the North Norfolk coast at various sites. This was was over the marshes at North Point Pools, near Wells. I must admit it got me going for a few moments.

The 26th May was by far the best day – A walk out to Blakeney Fresh Marsh produced a few feeding Sandwich Terns and Little Terns, several Marsh Harrier. Later in the morning we had a Red Kite over Blakeney to Morston coastal path and excellent views of a male Cuckoo. I found 2 Spoonbills roosting out on the salt marsh. We decided to spend a few hours parked up along the beach road at Salthouse, whilst eating our lunch of Crab & Prawn sandwiches. I decided to check the RBA news and noticed a report of 2 Bee-eaters over Overstrand heading west. Right we will stake this one out and keep fingers crossed that they will head our way. Sure enough at 14:33 I picked up on the distinctive sound of a calling Bee-eater. I had a job to locate it in the bright blue sky and sunshine but as it got closer I managed to get my bins on the bird, which was quickly followed by the second. I watched them hawking in the sunshine over Walsey Hills at some distance. What a fantastic few moments, it is experiences like this that makes birding so exciting and enjoyable. About 15 minutes later I picked up on a Hobby, heading in the same direction following the streams of Sand Martins and Swallows that were all heading west along the coast.

With booming Bittern and several Cuckoo waking us up each morning we were reluctant to leave for home. A great few days away and we managed to see around 96 species without too much effort.

Alexanders – THE Norfolk spring wild flower.

Record shot of the Common Crane at Holkham Fresh Marsh

This rather Grey headed Yellow Wagtail was at North Point Pools near Wells.
I watched it drop into this hawthorn bush as though freshly arrived.

Goldfinch – several were along the coast path from Blakeney to Morston.

Hobby – over the beach road at Salthouse on 26th May 2021.

This male Kestrel was hovering right above our heads at Morston.

Lapwing displaying over the water meadows at Blakeney. Oh for a blue sky.

Redshank – these birds love to call from fence posts

Rook – not often one gets close to a Rook.

Sandwich Tern over the shingle beach at Salthouse

This very obliging Sedge Warbler was at North Point Pools, near Wells.

Shelduck over the fresh marsh at Blakeney

Short-eared Owl – one of three that were hunting the dunes between Cley East Bank and Salthouse.

Skylark – above two images – get a load of those hind claws – immense

Wall Brown – the only butterfly we saw during our few days in Norfolk – Titchwell 28th May 2021

Greenland Wheatear – photographed in heavy rain at Salthouse

Wren – this obliging individual was belting out its song in the reeds at Blakeney Fresh Marsh.

A Day in North Derbyshire

2018, British Butterflies, Butterflies, Year No Responses »

Jun 182018

Along with my good butterflying buddies, Barrie and Anita, I spent some time yesterday at Derbyshire’s first Butterfly Reserve at Hoe Grange, an abandoned limestone quarry on the edge of the Peak District National Park. The site has already recorded 26 species and also hosts several rare plants and a variety of insects. The rare Blotched Emerald moth was trapped overnight and also two Wood Tiger moth were seen, but unfortunately the weather was not so kind and few butterflies were on the wing. We did manage to see Common Blue, Small Heath and Large Skipper. Bee Orchid – North […]

A Day with Waders at Frampton

2016, Birds, Birds of 2016, British Butterflies, Butterflies, Year No Responses »

Aug 092016

In recent weeks the RSPB Reserve at Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire has been a haven for waders, with several notable species being recorded. So we decide to head off there for the day on Saturday 6th August. It was a hot day and not altogether conducive for photography. Anyhow, there was a good selection of waders, as our visit coincided with a 7 metre high tide. The lagoons were covered in Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit. Mixed in were several Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a White-rumped Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Redshank, Greenshank, Ruff, Snipe, Avocet, Curlew, Lapwing, Ringed Plover and Common […]

Derbyshire “Hot Spot”

2014, Birds, Birds of 2014, British Butterflies, Butterflies, Year No Responses »

Apr 282014

After Saturday's Red Letter day at Willington Gravel Pits, Derbyshire, (Drake Garganey; Avocet; Marsh Harrier, Whimbrel, Dunlin and 2 Mediterranean Gull), it was not so much a "Hot Spot" this morning, Sunday 27th April. A Greenshank, a near adult and an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Little Ringed Plover,13 Common Tern, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler and 5 species of Butterfly on the wing. So a few year ticks this morning moves the Year List on to 169. Adult Common Tern – Willington GP, Derbyshire – April 27th 2014 – Tony Davison© Adult Common Tern – Willington GP, Derbyshire – note black […]

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