Holkham

Wedding anniversary and Michelle fancied some lunch and a walk at Holkham. So I obliged. Not really any birding but had a quick look and failed to find Creeping Lady’s Tresses. Apart from a Red Kite in Foxton, the most interesting sightings were in the garden of the Victoria where we had lunch. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was on the Buddleia and this Wagtail kept me puzzled for a short while until its mom came along to feed it!

Holkham
31 July 2015 14:00 - 16:00
Sunny 18C 8SW
Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Starling, Blackbird, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Large White, Small White, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Common Darter, Humming-bird Hawk-moth

Chaffinch

Sadly, although it survived the night and seemed to be feeding fine, the Chaffinch died in the morning.

Chaffinch

A young Chaffinch (probably) flew into the window a couple of days ago. It’s been hanging around below the seed-feeders and below the one next year. It seems unable to fly. Made a decision to take it in and try to feed it up before the cat gets it. Hope it’s the right one.

Swifts have left the nest and are only returning in the evening to roost.

Pec’ Sand at Fowlmere

Lightning strikes twice and this time I get to see it: Pectoral Sandpiper at Fowlmere. Was away for the last one a few years ago and didn’t expect to get this one back! Rushed down with Tom and also ticked Redshank a few seconds later! Took a poor record shot…

Later sent this email to the finder Ade Cooper speculating on its origin…

I did actually wonder afterwards whether it may be the same bird as a few years ago. Think it was a similar sort of time? It’s highly unlikely to have come across from the US (or Siberia) in the last few days. My guess is, being an adult, it could doing a yearly north-south migration but on the wrong side of the Ocean: A failed breeder somewhere in northern Europe at some birder-less location, heading back south early after (obviously) failing to find a mate. Stopped off at Fowlmere last time to feed up for a day, and is doing the same again. Obviously no proof of this at all, but makes sense and seems a possibility to me.

On the way home a Marsh Harrier was over Fowlmere Road and a Hobby flew over the house.

Drive to Entebbe

Long drive back to Entebbe for 4pm flight. Ticked Hartlaub’s Marsh Widowbird on the way and stopped off in Kampala for African Wood Owl. Unfortunately the vehicle overheated (second time) and needed to be repaired. The lost time meant I didn’t get to shower and change my clothes at the lodge in Entebbe that the others were going to and I had to go travel home in rather a state!

Royal Mile, Budongo

Yesterday’s long drive proved worth while. A great day’s birding along the Royal Mile. Highlight was a pair of Nahan’s Partridges that I called in, but there were other good birds including Pennant-winged Nightjar that was flushed (female unfortunately), African Dwarf Kingfisher, Rufous-capped Robin-chat (in the open on the path), Ituri Batis (that I called in despite an atrocious recording), Black-faced Apalis, and Uganda Woodland Warbler.

  

Drive to Masindi

A frustrating day. It was a long drive to be fair, but giving only fifteen minutes a top spot for White-napped Pigeon (dipped) followed by an hour’s lunch and thirty minutes looking for Red-necked Falcon (I’d already seen one earlier in the day!) was scandalous and another example of the bad organisation that could have made a good trip better.

Also got frustrated at having to leave a Black-faced Rufous Warbler, though did manage a few decent ticks: Brown-eared Woodpecker, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Masked Apalis, Dark-backed Weaver, and Golden-napped Weaver.