Dave, Ken, Roger and I were
off to Lakenheath Fen and then the north Norfolk coast if time allowed. We picked Ken up in Corby and set off for
Lakenheath seeing a Red Kite near Brigstock, Northamptonshire and a Common Tern
over the A14 near Thrapston.
When we arrived at Lakenheath
Fen were surprised to see so many other birders there, particularly
mid-week. We walked around the centre
and on to New Fen, where a male Red-footed Falcon had been present for several
weeks. There were plenty of Reed
Warblers and a few Whitethroats singing and we also heard a single Cetti’s
Warbler as we walked out to the fen. Two
Cuckoos were also observed in flight and then a third perched as we arrived at
the eastern edge of New Fen. We
continued walking to the western end of the fen and soon had the male
Red-footed Falcon perched in some dead trees on the edge of the wood. We had not been there too long when it took
to flight, initially covering the northern edge of the fen but it gradually
came closer and was even passing over our heads on several occasions. It was a terrific bird and I was able to get
some rather nice photos of it in flight.
Whilst we stood in this area we heard a Bittern booming and there was a
Grasshopper Warbler reeling nearby and we also had several views of two Reed
Warblers and a single Sedge Warbler and a Hobby passed over.
Red-footed Falcon over New Fen
The falcon eventually
disappeared and we continued to walk to Joist Fen, listening for a Golden
Oriole on route without success. There
were plenty of singing Reed Warblers and another Cetti’s Warbler was
heard. Dave had walked head and found a
Crane in a field on the other side of the river but it disappeared behind the
embankment and so we went to Joist Fen viewpoint. From here we saw a second and third male Marsh
Harriers of the day and had nice, if brief views, of a male Bearded Tit
carrying food and a second bittern was heard booming and two Cuckoos.
Male Marsh Harrier over Joist Fen
Whitethroat at Joist Fen
Male Bearded Tit at Joist Fen
We walked back the same way to
the centre but there was still no sign of any Golden Orioles but we did hear
the Grasshopper Warbler reeling again but it remained elusive. Dave had gone on further when Roger picked up
a male Marsh Harrier we had seen earlier but Ken and i the noticed something
smaller approaching and recognised it as the Red-footed Falcon. It passed right over our heads and landed in
a tree between us and New Fen and allowed good views for some twenty minutes or
more.
We continued back to the
centre and went on to the wash land viewpoint but it was rather disappointing
with very little on or over the water.
It was now just after eleven
and we decided to head for Titchwell and divert to Holme if a Red-backed
Shrike, present yesterday, was reported.
As there was no news of the shrike by the time we reached Kings Lynn we
went across country to Titchwell, seeing a Red Kite on route, and calling at
Choseley Barns where we took lunch.
There were some passerines
feeding on the ground near the barns and six Corn Buntings were amongst a party
of Yellowhammers. Roger then found a
Grey Partridge, which disappeared into a furrow before Dave was able to see
it. We also had a female Marsh Harrier
over the fields.
Reports would suggest that it
was rather quiet at Titchwell and as we began to walk out along the western
path a report of a female Red-backed Shrike at Cley came through and we almost
decided to go but stayed at Titchwell.
As we moved along the path two distant Marsh Harriers were observed and
although the freshwater marsh was rather full of water there was a good
selection of waders. They were mainly
Oystercatcher and Bar-tailed Godwits but we also saw five Black-tailed Godwits,
a Knot, a couple of Grey Plovers, a Little Ringed Plover and a Dunlin.
We continued to walk towards
the sea when it started to rain so Roger and I decided to go to Parrinder Hide,
whilst Dave and Ken continued, although Ken soon joined Roger and I.
We stood outside the hide and
had good views of the waders, which had increased and eventually held two
Ringed Plover, eight Grey Plover, a Knot, several Sanderling, a Dunlin, five
Black-tailed Godwits, sixty-five Bar-tailed Godwits and fifty-three Turnstones.
Bar-tailed Godwits on the freshwater marsh
Bar-tailed Godwits over the freshwater marsh
Dave rejoined us and
eventually the rain stopped and we decided to continue to the sea. On the way out we spent some time watching
two Skylarks that were dust bathing on the path and allowed extremely close
approach and causing a bit of a jam due to their reluctance to move. A Little Tern also provided some excellent
views and a Spoonbill flew west before landing on Thornham Marsh.
Adult Herring Gull on Volunteer Marsh
Skylark on the path
Skylark dust bathing on the path
Skylark dust bathing on the path
Skylark dust bathing on the path
Linnet on the path
Little Tern over Thornham Marsh
Little Tern over Thornham Marsh
When we eventually reached the
sea I found a single Eider and Dave pointed out a female Common Scoter. There were quite a few waders on the beach,
particularly Sanderling, but there was nothing new. Tony, who had joined us, then pointed out a
massive raft of Common Scoter out towards the wind turbines and Roger then
found two Gannet amongst them and we eventually saw three.
We walk back and I stopped and
was trying to get photos of Swallow and House Martin, unsuccessfully when Tony
said that must be a Temminck’s and sure enough not too far away a Temminck’s
Stint was feeding on the edge of a tiny island.
Dave and Roger had gone on but I called Roger and they both came back
and good views of the bird. Finally a
Cetti’s Warbler was heard before we got back to the car.
On route home we had a couple
of Fulmar off Hunstanton cliff top, two Buzzard near Heacham and a Red Kite
from the A47 just beyond the A43 roundabout.
We then had our third Red Kite of the day near Morcott and a Sparrowhawk
over Uppingham.
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