Tuesday 19 April 2011

Spring is here

My first April walk up Blakeney Point this year
There was a real feeling that birds were on the move. Plenty of Spring migrants arriving and lots of Winter species departing.
Of the departing birds:
2 Pink footed Geese - Eye Field
Curlews
20+ Golden Plover - most of which were in summer plumage
1 Female Merlin - which headed straight out into the north sea!



And the fresh arrivals:
1-2 male Redstarts
2 Whitethroat
3+ Whimbrel
25+ Wheatear
10+ Willow Warblers
6+ Chiffchaff
and a few Swallows

Monday 18 April 2011

Fudge Duck at Strumpshaw

A quick visit to Strumpshaw this pm resulted in seeing the Ferruginous Duck that has been elusive at times. The bird was right in front of Fen hide and was displaying to Pochards. Tipping its head back and calling.
No sign of any rings and as pure as can be
This was a long awaited Norfolk tick having dipped them a few times over the last few years.

Also here: 2 Green Sand flew over. 1 Common Sandpiper. Singing Grasshopper Warbler. A few Sedge Warblers now back and lots of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs




Strumpshaw in the sunshine