2023 – tonydavisonphotography.com

Christmas 2023 in Norfolk

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Jan 012024

My wife and I spent our Christmas in North Norfolk. A few days away was just the tonic we both needed, and some good birds to finish off 2023. A detour was in order, via RSPB Frampton, for the very obliging Lesser Yellowlegs that seems to be over wintering at the site, and also gradually moulting into adult plumage. Also 3 Scaup were further highlights during a breakfast bacon “butty” in the Cafe.

Stopping via Cley Marshes for Avocet, Ruff, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier and a Red Kite.

Christmas Eve morning was spent at RSPB Titchwell and I managed to find 3 Velvet Scoter amongst a large flock of Common Scoter just off shore. A few Red-breasted Merganser, 13 species of wader and several Water Pipit, my first of the year, and amazing views of the wintering Siberian Chiffchaff. In the afternoon a visit to Stiffkey Floods for the long staying Glossy Ibis.

On Boxing Day (26th Dec) we paid an early morning visit to Holkham, trying to beat the hoards of people that descended on the place as we were walking back to our car. A good move, as I managed to locate 7 Shore Lark in their favoured wintering area. The most significant spectacle however, was the sight of thousands of Pink-footed Geese in the flooded fields at Holkham Fresh Marsh, on several occasions taking to the air. There must have been the entire North Norfolk population on view, and the sound was incredible. Another Great White Egret, hundreds of Wigeon and Teal and several Marsh Harrier finished off the day. During our trip, I managed 80 species without a great deal of effort and time in the field. Three or four year ticks move my year list on to 232.

Lesser Yellowlegs – RSPB Frampton Marshes

Dark-bellied Brent Goose – North Norfolk

Another Pink Punk on my door-step

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Dec 192023

A friend paid me a visit on 16th December to drop off Christmas Cards, just before he left, he picked up a Waxwing perched on a high Conifer tree at the bottom of our road. The bird spent the rest of the late morning feeding in a neighbours secluded garden. My neighbours kindly allowed me access to their garden, and I was able to take a few photographs. It also spent time in the afternoon, perching on the tops of conifers and silver birch trees, covering a wide area, and using them as vantage points. It would then perform flying sorties after insects, it was a mild afternoon, before it disappeared, presumably to roost. It was a first winter male and was still around early morning on the 17th, when I saw it perched high up on what appeared to be its favoured conifer tree. After a brief fly-around it disappeared over houses and I never saw it again.

Such a privilege to have had one of these Scandinavian visitors right on my door step.

A nice “Find” at Foremark Reservoir

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Dec 192023

On 13th December 2023 I made one of my regular visits to Foremark Reservoir, and whilst scanning through the Great Crested Grebes, I found a diver. At first I thought it might be a Black-throated Diver, but it was along way off and I couldn’t at this stage rule out Red-throated Diver. I put out the news on the social media platforms, but then when I went to re-look at it, and it took me a further hour before I managed to relocate it. Fortunately it re-appeared just off the dam wall and I could confirm its identification as an immature Red-throated Diver. The first time I have self-found one in Derbyshire, and my second at Foremark Reservoir. Also seen, at least one first winter Shag, and a redhead Goosander of note.

Red-throated Diver – 13/12/2023 – Foremark Reservoir.

Big White Egrets invade local patch

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Dec 132023

Staunton Harold Reservoir, my local patch, in south Derbyshire, has had regular Great White Egrets since I found the first one for the site back on 7th August 2020. On 21st November 2023 I encountered an unprecedented 6 Great White Egrets, along with a minimum of 15 Little Egrets. I met up with a good local birder and friend, Mike Blavers, who had returned to the county for a few days. We had an amazing morning, not only with Great White Egret, but also a Red Kite, 2 Goosander, 2 Teal, a drake Pochard and a Raven. Then at nearby Foremark Reservoir, we found one of the two Shags still on site.

On the 22nd November, I decided to get up early and re-visit Staunton Harold and got very close to several Great White Egrets and managed some decent photos. More images elsewhere on my website.

Moth Trap – 23rd October 2023

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Nov 052023

I ran a garden moth trap over night on the 22nd October 2023. Just 4 moths of 4 species, a Juniper Carpet, a Red-green Carpet, a Light-brown Apple Moth and a November Moth agg outside the trap and one that got away. Totals – 4/4

Moth Trap – 10th October 2023

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Nov 042023

I ran a garden moth trap overnight on 9th October 2023. Highlight was a Clifden Nonpareil, a new moth species for me and obviously a new one for the garden. It’s been a good year for this species in Derbyshire. Other notables were a Green Brindled Crescent, a Yellow-lined Quaker, 14 Box Tree Moth, 3 Black Rustic, a Barred Sallow and a Wax Moth. Totals were 35 moths of 15 species.

Moth Trap – 15th September 2023

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Nov 042023

I ran a garden moth trap overnight on 14th September 2023. The main highlights were a Northern Deep Brown Dart agg, which was new for the garden, along with my second Brindled Green. Other notables were Black Rustic (7); Beaded Chestnut (1); Large Wainscot (1); Burnished Brass (1); Vine’s Rustic (4); Box Tree Moth (9): Totals were 132 moths of 27 species.

Moth Trap – 11th September 2023

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Nov 042023

I ran a garden moth trap overnight on 10th September. Several new species for the garden were Box Tree Moth and White-point, also my second garden record of Orange Sallow. Totals were 123 moths of 36 species. Other notables were Silver Y (3); Dusky Thorn (2); Centre-barred Sallow (2); Vine’s Rustic (4); Lesser Wax Moth (1); Pale Mottled Willow (2):

White-point – differing light conditions affecting the ground colour.

A break in Majorca and a rather Special Gull

2023, Birds, Birds of 2023 1 Response »

Nov 022023

My wife and I decided to take a late break in Majorca, during early September. We spent a week at Port de Pollenca, basically just relaxing in the very warm sunshine for the time of year, eating Paella and enjoying a few beers. I made the decision, before we left, to switch off and just chill out for a few days, but Audouin’s Gull was a major distraction, and I was so glad I brought a camera with me.

Around twenty or so were a regular sight, in the early morning and early evening, just opposite our hotel.

More Waders at RSPB Frampton

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Nov 012023

Another visit to RSPB Frampton Marsh on 30th August, produced a Pectoral Sandpiper, 5 Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, the usual common waders, 38 Spoonbill, c60 Little Egret, 5 Pintail, a Turtle Dove, and for me, a new species of Odonata, 2 Willow Emerald.

Pectoral Sandpiper – always rather distant

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