Saturday 8th March 2014 and my first trip of the year to the North Norfolk Coast. For the first time, I have seen the devastation to the coastal system caused by the severity of the winter storms. The sand dunes at Titchwell have been completely flattended, but the sea defences have saved the fresh water marshes. Goodness knows what Cley must be like, as we never got that far.
Holkham was the first port of call and to my surprise, the Pink Feet had gone, only 6 remaining in a nearby field. The area was barren of geese with only a large flock of whistling Wigeon, breaking the silence. Along with my wife, we walked out to the dunes at Holkham Gap and scanning the sea, I found a huge flock of Common Scoter (not as good as Barnegat I thought). Working through the flock, I found at least 6 Velvet Scoter and a few Eider. The southerly wind was battering me and viewing conditions were extremely difficult. A Great Northen Diver flew east but there was little else.
Ttichwell produced the majority of year ticks that I was after. A good selection of common waders included 92 Avocet, a single Spotted Redshank, a few Knot and numbers of Ruff, Dunlin, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Grey Plover and Ringed Plover. A single Water Pipit on the fresh marsh and a Water Rail in the ditch on the way back to the car. All in all a good day but "no great shakes". Another large flock of Common Scoter were offshore and 1 counted at least 21 Velvet Scoter and a few fly-by Goldeneye. During the day I saw 71 species without too much effort.
Sunday morning 9th March was stunning, clear blue skies and lovely warm spring sunshine. A walk through Spring Wood at Staunton Harold Reservoir should produce a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker I thought. Always a good chance on a morning like today, Despite 2 hours of trying hard, no such luck, but I did get Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Marsh Tit for my effort, along with 2 Green Woodpecker and four Great Spotted Woodpecker. The woodland was begining to wake up, maybe in a few weeks time the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers will be back.
The year List moves on to 124 and the Patch List on 66.
Brent Geese (Dark-bellied form) over Titchwell, Norfolk – Tony Davison©
Shoveler – drake – Titchwell, Norfolk – Tony Davison©
Redshank – Titchwell, Norfolk – Tony Davison©
Black-tailed Godwit – winter plumage – Titchwell, Norfolk – Tony Davison©
Above two images – Marsh Tit – Spring Wood, South Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Nice shots.
Appreciate your comments as always thanks..