The final Away-Day of the year for the Brandon Marsh team and with a blocking high pressure system still firmly in control over Scandinavia there was no other place to go but to the east coast and Norfolk. Setting off from Brandon at 06:15 with the usual stop for breakfast we arrived at RSPB Titchwell at around 09:30. Six
Red Kite on route and a heavy downpour just before reaching the reserve.
A look at the feeders opposite the cafe area produced at least two
Brambling, along with
Goldfinch and
Chaffinch and then several of us decided to head off towards Patsy's Pool. The first
Yellow-browed Warbler of three for the day was seen at the feeders to the rear of the visitors centre and several
Goldcrest along the path towards the Fen Hide, plus
Chiffchaff and
Dunnock. A look over the fence before heading up to the screen produced
Meadow Pipit,
Blackcap and a
Stoat, which ran across some old pallets. One or two
Redwings heading overhead and a scan of the track along the rear of the east trail from the second fence produced more
Brambling,
Redwing and
Song Thrush.
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| One of three Yellow-browed Warbler ~ Photo by Trevor Griffiths |
I didn't personally spend too much time at the screen, keen to check out the east trail but lots here including
Wigeon,
Snipe and
Ruff. The trail produced a
Common Redstart and across the pool a couple of
Ring Ouzel were feeding in the elder bushes, although I personally only saw the male, thanks to Keith Foster for making us aware. A decent size flock of
Golden Plover overhead,
Skylark, several
Curlew and more thrushes moving through before heading back across to the west side.
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| Spoonbill over RSPB Titchwell ~ Photo Trevor Griffiths |
We took the meadow trail across to the fresh marsh, recording two more
Yellow-browed Warbler,
Cetti's Warbler calling and even more
Goldcrest. As we tracked along the west bank path a
Marsh Harrier out across the saltmarsh and at least 7/8
Bearded Tit before a couple of
Jack Snipe close in on the brackish marsh. No sign of the
Pectoral Sandpiper during our stay in the Parrinder Hide but two
Spoonbill were a welcome diversion and a single
Curlew Sandpiper and
Grey Plover in among the
Dunlin, Golden Plover, Avocet and
Black-tailed Godwit. A sea watch was disappointing and only produced of note juvenile and adult
Gannet, several
Sanderling on the beach, along with
Oystercatcher and
Turnstone. Several stops as we headed back to the car park during a brief shower with two flocks of
Brent Geese, three
Little Stint, 100+
Knot,
Little Grebe and
Redshank.
After Titchwell a stop at Cholsey Drying Barns and here
Red-legged Partridge,
Yellowhammer and at least four
Grey Wagtail. The only 'twitch' of the day was for the
Pallas's Warbler seen at Stiffkey along Campsite Wood. Despite our best efforts, along with several other birders we dipped on this one, although a couple of
Greenshank along the wet marsh added to the day list!
Two final stops for the visit: Firstly at Cley beach, which produced
Slavonian Grebe,
Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and
Gannet offshore and looking inland
Wheatear and four late
Barn Swallow. Final stop in fading light was Salthouse, only birds of note on Gramborough Hill
Meadow Pipit and a brace of
Stonechat. A final scan before heading off produced four
Marsh Harrier as the heavens opened to end a thoroughly enjoyable day!
