Orchids in Norfolk

Had a free day with Michelle (no kids!) so decided to go to the north Norfolk coast and, amongst other things, look for Orchids at Holkham Pines and Beeston Common, Sherringham. At the former, we enjoyed a good walk (from the Wells Wood end to Lady Anne’s drive) but failed to find anything of note. Beeston Common was much more successful and I quickly found Marsh Helleborine, Marsh Fragrant Orchid, Common Spotted, and maybe Pugsley’s Marsh Orchid.

Corn Buntings

Went for lunch in Fowlmere with Michelle. We walked, and I was amazed at the number of Corn Buntings seen in the wheat fields. I would guess we saw about thirty birds, many of them flushed from underfoot as we walked through the cut footpath.

Farne Isles

Farne Isles with the family. No Roseatte Terns unfortunately, but all the other usual suspects, including Puffins still in full breeding plumage and still on land (late season?). Lots of photos of course, including this one by Tom…

and this one by myself…

Full slideshow here.

Farne Isles
24 July 2012 10:00 - 16:30
Overcast 16C 6S
Mallard, Eider, Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Purple Sandpiper, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Arctic Tern, Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipit, Grey Seal

Fowlmere

Tufted Duck down to one chick this morning. Family of Mink reported.

Fowlmere
17 July 2012 09:41 - 11:24
Overcast 22C 12W
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant (heard), Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit, Swallow, Chiffchaff (heard), Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler, Wren (heard), Blackbird (heard), Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting (heard), Corn Bunting, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Azure Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Southern Marsh-orchid

(Un)Common Birds

The rain eventually stopped late afternoon, so I made a quick visit to Fowlmere before dinner. I only had time to go to the hide and back, yet had two new birds for my reserve list! Probably the last time it will ever happen in one day. Common Tern and Common Sandpiper were both on the mere when I arrived. A female Kingfisher was also seen.

Fowlmere
08 July 2012 18:44 - 19:25
Showery 17C 6NW
Greylag Goose, Mallard, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo (heard), Kingfisher, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap (heard), Lesser Whitethroat (heard), Whitethroat (heard), Sedge Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird (heard), Song Thrush (heard), Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch (heard), Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Rabbit, Brown Hare, Southern Marsh-orchid

Fowlmere

First visit for some time. Just a brief one, in between showers, with Michelle. Tufted Duck female with several young. First time they’ve bred there since I’ve been here. Maybe first time ever? Also a Kingfisher, the first record for some months.

Fowlmere
07 July 2012 17:28 - 18:21
Showery 19C 8SE
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant (heard), Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Swift, Kingfisher, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit (heard), Swallow, Long-tailed Tit (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Willow Warbler (heard), Blackcap (heard), Lesser Whitethroat (heard), Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler (heard), Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush (heard), Robin (heard), Chaffinch, Linnet (heard), Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting (heard), Corn Bunting, Meadow Brown, Southern Marsh-orchid

Edit: 08/07/2012: Second record of Tufted Ducks fledging apparently; last was in 1984.

Sabine’s Gull

At home working, sitting in my dressing gown, looking through my email, when I read that a Sabine’s Gull has been present at Startops Reservoir since Sunday. The first Herts record since the late ‘80s! My BirdGuides subscription has run out, so I’m not getting any alerts. Fortunately it is still there. A quick shower and I’m on the road. A quick look, and a few sketches later, I’m back home for lunch. Pinched the nice picture from the web. A few Common Terns were also noted, but not much time to look at much else.

Edit 08/07/2012: Good video here.