North Norfolk 7 January 2001
by Martin Coates
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PBC Trip Report North Norfolk 7 January 2001 by Martin Coates |
The PBC trip to north Norfolk on 7th January was an ideal chance to kick start what should be a memorable year list and an entertaining excuse to blow out the last of the festive cobwebs!
Our combined lists totalled 106 species, plus an impressive total of 28 members, including several very welcome 'new faces' at the first Sandringham rendezvous. A cool crisp start memorable only for a singing Mistle Thrush, although several early birds had Woodcock and Golden Pheasant at nearby Wolferton. 'Cool and crisp' did not describe the biting winds at South Hunstanton but by driving to the sea wall we were close to shelter and coffee. Plenty of sea and shore birds were immediately available both here and later from the nearby cliff top shelters. One or two Velvet Scoters were found in a large flock of, fortunately, very flighty Commons but nearby Eiders, Red-breasted Mergansers and Goldeneye were much more obliging. Fulmars were already back on their cliff-side territories, several Razorbills and
Having more or less promised views of Waxwings, I was the last to catch up with seven 'berry gobbling' in Holme village but did have hundreds of calling Pink-footed Geese low overhead en-route.
We then moved along the coast to Holkham, firstly visiting the Park and its 'staked out' Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl and Egyptian Goose, and then a Mediterranean Gull! Onwards then to the beach and adjacent marsh for close up views of White-fronted and Brent Geese, a flock of some 60 Twite and eventually six hardy Shore Larks crouching on the exposed sand-flats.
On a roll, the day finished at Titchwell with a good variety of waders and waterfowl including Spotted Redshank, an obliging Purple Sandpiper, the resident but often illusive Black-winged Stilt and seven roosting Little Egrets. A calling Water Rail was probably the last bird of a cold, but hugely enjoyable, day that this short report can only give a tasty flavour of.
