A planned trip to Norfolk today had added spice with news of Titchwell’s first ever Red-flanked Bluetail staying put for a second and hopefully third day.
We stopped at first light in the hope of seeing the Golden Pheasant at Wolferton but had to settle for it on call alone before we moved on to Titchwell. A walk around the meadow trail failed to find the target but we then had news on the mobile of a sighting at the western end. We made the short walk from the Eastern end and waited with the small crowd for a few minutes before the bird was seen feeding on the ground. The local Robins chased it off and this routine continued with a brief view before the Robins saw it and went after it again.
On the walk to the beach we ticked Red-crested Pochard with seven birds on the salt marsh. Nine Long-tailed Ducks drifted along on the sea and as always with Titchwell the wader count was impressive. Our next stop was Blunt’s Corner where I found the Pallid Harrier sitting in the field and we also had five Red Kite and five Common Buzzard to entertain us.
On the way home we popped into Lynford where we found five Crossbill and enjoyed the woodland birds coming to the feeders on the bridge. Hawfinch were being reported but we missed them on this occasion.
Year list now 180.
Brian Anderson
Essex Birder using the blog as a diary of my trips around the country chasing birds. Enjoying the places it takes me and the people I meet along the way. Great to spend time with my Dad and brother as we chase our year lists and grow our life list in the process.
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