A weekend at Titchwell
It was ultimately a lacklustre weekend at Titchwell RSPB, an assessment made purely on the lack of returning migrants, and the absence of any autumn rares. The trip was more in anticipation of what is to come over arguably the most exciting period for a UK based birder. The chance of an encounter of a rare vagrant, a UK mega, forcing local birders away their patches for a week or two for the outer isles where birding bounties lay in wait.
It is always a joy being in this part of the world but alas, my arrival was inevitably a little premature. The freshmarsh is always a hive of activity regardless of the seasons. The sea however drew most of the interest with a bracing northerly blow that was forcing seabirds reasonably close to shore. I however opted spend most of the time in the relative shelter of the reserve.
It ended up being quite a lethargic couple of days, content with just mooching around, sitting in hides, and convivially bidding everyone a good day as I walked the paths of the reserve.
So to the sightings, six Spoonbill flew low west on the first morning under grey leaden skies before dropping down distantly onto the marsh. The floods were awash with Bar-tailed Godwit with at least a thousand there. Other wader highlights were a maximum of three Little Stint, single Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, at least 50 Ruff, with Avocet, Golden Plover, Sanderling, Knot, and Grey Plover (including two in fine summer plumage) all present. A male Bearded Tit appeared briefly from the reedbed but disappeared out of the fresh breeze.
A few parties of Brent Goose flew in formation low over the sea, and around 10 Pintail loitered on the freshmarsh, presumably fresh arrivals onto the reserve.
For a change of habitat, I tried my luck for autumn migrants within Wells Wood but could only uncover a Spotted Flycather, Garden Warbler, and few Willow Warbler, Blackcap, and Treecreeper amongst the roving flocks of titmice.
Hardly an inspiring visit to the coast, but it was nice to be out and about.
It is always a joy being in this part of the world but alas, my arrival was inevitably a little premature. The freshmarsh is always a hive of activity regardless of the seasons. The sea however drew most of the interest with a bracing northerly blow that was forcing seabirds reasonably close to shore. I however opted spend most of the time in the relative shelter of the reserve.
It ended up being quite a lethargic couple of days, content with just mooching around, sitting in hides, and convivially bidding everyone a good day as I walked the paths of the reserve.
So to the sightings, six Spoonbill flew low west on the first morning under grey leaden skies before dropping down distantly onto the marsh. The floods were awash with Bar-tailed Godwit with at least a thousand there. Other wader highlights were a maximum of three Little Stint, single Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, at least 50 Ruff, with Avocet, Golden Plover, Sanderling, Knot, and Grey Plover (including two in fine summer plumage) all present. A male Bearded Tit appeared briefly from the reedbed but disappeared out of the fresh breeze.
A few parties of Brent Goose flew in formation low over the sea, and around 10 Pintail loitered on the freshmarsh, presumably fresh arrivals onto the reserve.
For a change of habitat, I tried my luck for autumn migrants within Wells Wood but could only uncover a Spotted Flycather, Garden Warbler, and few Willow Warbler, Blackcap, and Treecreeper amongst the roving flocks of titmice.
Hardly an inspiring visit to the coast, but it was nice to be out and about.
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