Samuel Birding: Titchwell and the Brecklands (27th August)

RSPB TITCHWELL

Sh4rpy kindly offered me another lift for a bank-holiday Monday visit to north Norfolk. This time in the company of my brother. The drive to Titchwell was rather eventful with a flyover Hobby, Yellowhammer feeding on the hard shoulder, GREY PARTRIDGE on the winding country lanes approaching Titchwell and a Stoat, sprinting across the M11 only missing our tyres by inches! Needless to say, the reserve at Titchwell was packed. However, we arrived a little earlier than the large crowds and were soon enjoying good views of 30+ RUFF (still a year tick), wading in the shallows, 17+ SPOONBILL, 2 SPOTTED REDSHANK, numerous Avocet, Little Egrets, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover and 3 Egyptian Geese. I also glimpsed a probable Bittern plummet into the reeds but it was to short a view to confirm. Walking north along the path past three scrapes, we reached the sea and despite an offshore wind we managed to see 1 Common Scoter, Sandwich Terns, 1 Fulmar, Sanderling and 3 eclipse ♂ Eider. The exposed rocky surface, in the tidal zone was also rather attractive to several waders including Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and Oystercatcher. Whilst scanning out to sea, I picked up our first Marsh Harrier for the day. The highlight came soon after, when I found a second raptor hovering over the water at some distance out to sea. It gradually flew closer in our direction before rising higher above the horizon and circling, it was an OSPREY! It was heading directly for us and was on course to fly right over our heads. However, just before it reached the beach, it turned back and flew back out to sea.

RSPB Titchwell Marsh

Ruff

2 Spotted Redshank

Silver Y

Bar-tailed Godwit resting on the marsh, waiting for the high tide to retreat

East Sands

Osprey in of the sea

SANTON DOWNHAM

Our second stop for the day, in search of Tree Pipit. A fresh wind swaying the tree tops discoraged any from showing themselves so we contented ourselves with a flyover Hobby and a few more day ticks in the form of Goldcrest, Stock Dove, Swift and Nuthatch. Also of note were 4+ Speckled Wood and 1 Red Admiral.

THE BRECKLANDS

Our final stop for the day, at a large open heath in search for our last target bird for the day. We got lucky again and managed 25+ STONE-CURLEW perched along the ridges and slopes all showing very well! A big finale to "another good days birding".