Club Weekend, 7-10 February – Norfolk: Leader Jane Cumming

Sixteen members went on the long weekend trip to north Norfolk, expertly led by Jane Cumming. On the way we stopped at Welney Wetland Centre where we saw lots of Whooper Swans, Pochard and Teal. 55 different species were seen on our journey to Hunstanton, including Tree Sparrows and a Short-eared Owl at WWT, Red Kite, Buzzard and Marsh Harrier en route and a distant Hen Harrier at Roydon Common. Saturday was a perfect day for bird watching, clear and mostly still. We started before breakfast on the sea front at Hunstanton where Brent Geese, Fulmar, and Oystercatchers were out and about feeding. After breakfast we went to Thornham Marsh to find Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, Curlew, Lapwing and Reed Bunting, also beautiful flocks of Linnets. But the highlight there was a group of Twite which settled near the path. Nine were counted in all and their winter yellow beaks were clear to see. After that we went to Holkham Gap. Two Grey Partridges were close by to the parked cars and Wigeon and Teal were also very close, markings clearly visible to the naked eye. A few Black-tailed Godwits were seen in the nearby channel mud flats. We wandered through pine trees to the Gap and saw in the distance of the roped-off area, Shore Lark. But we had a much better view on our return when their yellow and black faces were clearly visible. Five were counted. There was lots to see from the beach at Holkham Gap. Hundreds of Common Scoter were out at sea and some Velvet Scoter spotted with them. Red-breasted Merganser and Red-throated Divers were seen by those with ‘scopes. We continued onwards towards Wells in an effort to see a Rough-legged Buzzard that had been around there all winter but no luck, only a Buzzard. On to Cley Marshes NWT for a much needed cup of tea before venturing out onto the marshes to enjoy the afternoon. The marshes looked quite beautiful in the late sunshine. A Peregrine and Buzzard flew overhead and the Peregrine perched on a post for long enough to give all a good view. Turnstone and Snow Bunting were at the beach but some of us had difficulty picking them out since their camouflage was so good, only spotting them when they took off. On the way back the ethereal light of the full moon gave the area a special beauty with Little Egrets coming in to roost and flocks of Greylag Geese flying noisily overhead. Those who arrived back at the minibus early were rewarded by a Barn Owl sighting. Finally we took a detour up Beach Road at Cley NWT before darkness made further bird-watching impossible. But all were pleased to have had such a full and successful day with sightings of 80 species of birds The next day we awoke to 60-70 mph winds and the full force of Storm ‘Ciara’. RSPB Titchwell Marsh was closed and an attempt to see birds on the sea front at Hunstanton beach was really only possible from the shelter of an ice cream hut. Despite the atrocious conditions and the fact we had to stay put in Hunstanton for the day, 25 species were sighted including Turnstone, a Kittiwake and one Gannet. Many Sunday newspapers were read! The weather picked up on Monday. The wind although still strong had subsided slightly and we were relieved that Titchwell Marsh was open again. The light was excellent with the clear blue sky reflected in the freshwater lakes and Skylark sang overhead. On the salt marsh, the tide was retreating revealing the mud flats on which many waders were feeding. It gave the experts in our party the chance to point out the differences between the Grey Plover and Knot. Redshank and Curlew were in evidence too and a Little Egret was feeding so close to the path that its long head and tail plumage was clearly visible fluttering in the wind. On the beach there were flocks of Dunlin and Knot as well as many Bar-tailed Godwit. A flock of about 40 Avocet were sheltering in the freshwater lake closest to the centre and at one stage two Marsh Harriers were hunting overhead. Pintails, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Brent Geese and Greylag Geese were also in evidence. Back at the centre, the bird feeders were full of Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. We left Titchwell after lunch driving back through the Norfolk hinterland where from the minibus, we spotted four Red-legged Partridges along a hedgerow and three Hares running across the open fields. A decision was taken to detour to Deeping Lakes in Lincolnshire on the way home hoping to see the Long-eared Owls known to roost there. Unfortunately, the weather had deteriorated with snow falling by the time we got there and the owls were nowhere to be seen. Nevertheless, we were happy to have experienced such a successful weekend. Over 105 different species had been seen and we were all delighted to have seen Twite and Shore Lark. Many thanks to our drivers Chris Neale and Alastair Fraser and to Jane, our leader, for all the trip organisation. My thanks also to those with ‘scopes for so patiently pointing out the waders and their differences to me and to the other inexperienced birders. I feel that my identification skills have much improved (or at least they should have). This was my first visit to Norfolk and I feel very privileged to have seen such a beautiful winter coastal landscape in all its diversity with people who were knowledgeable about the birdlife to be found there. Thank you. Alison Hooper