Night Heron

Myself and Dave Evans went down to Thornton Leicestershire for good scope views of the Night Heron. Bit too far for anything more than record shots. On way back we stopped at the Wellbeck Raptor point and saw no Honey Buzzards but several Common Buzzards and a nice group of 8 juvenile Crossbill. Our final stop was Old Moor RSPB where we had good views of several Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher

Kingfisher and some rarities!

Me and Dave went to  East Yorkshire on Sunday. At Tophill Low we had a brief view of the Purple Heron that's been there for a few days. We also had great views of a pair of Kingfishers.

It was then onto Wykeham where we had brief views of a Honey Buzzard and a couple of Turtle Doves in flight. I also saw a Goshawk briefly. 

We finished off at Filey for good scope views of a Surf Scoter along with a group of Common Scoters. Other species seen included Puffin, Rock Pipit and Sand Martin

Red necked Grebe

A quite disappointing day despite all efforts. We bagged the Red necked Grebe at Tophill Low but the Black necked grebe was not there. Also saw Grey Partridge, Red legged Partridge and a pair of Kingfishers. First singing Chiffchaff of the year too

Golden Oriole and Stone Curlew

Where do are start. Norfolk and Suffolk again provided an incredible day's birding. Myself and dave Evans drove down to Suffolk Friday 11th. May and stayed at the Swan Inn b and b so we could have an early start. We were up at 5 on Saturday and went to Lakenheath Fen. This is a truly magical site. Shortly after arrival we could hear Golden Oriole, booming Bittern, Cuckoo and Cetti's warbler all at the same time! We were quickly rewarded with 2 sightings of Golden Oriole, one in the black poplar plantation and another as it flew out of the trees and was mobbed by a Cuckoo! Other highlights were Hobby, Kingfisher in flight and 2 Cranes which flew by.
We then went onto Weeting heath and saw 2 Stone Curlew which sadly were a bit distant. Then onto Abbey farm at Flitcham where we saw Red-legged Partridge and another  Kingfisher. We then went onto the coast and visited Cley, Tichwell and Snettisham. Highlights were Cetti's warbler and Temmincks stint at Cley, Whimbrel and Red-crested Pochard at Titchwell and a summer plumage Grey Plover at Snettisham. Other notable species included Avocet, Marsh harrier, Grey Partridge ,Spoonbill, Whinchat and Egyptian Goose. In total we saw an amazing 92 species. We need to go back soon though and bag Montagu's harrier, Honey buzzard and the elusive Turtle Dove.

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