Summer birding weekend went well in great weather. Plenty of Cuckoo at Lakenheath plus Cetti's Warbler, hunting Barn Owl and a lone Hobby sat in a tree.Sadly no Golden Oriole have arrived this year. In the evening went to Thetford Forest for my best ever view of a Nightjar.
The following morning it was an early start at Weeting Heath for superb views of at least 6 Stone Curlew one showing in flight and giving its distinctive call. From there we went to Norfolk where we saw Marsh Harrier but no Montagu's Harrier at a favoured spot. On to Cley where there were Red Crested Pochard, Spoonbill and Avocet. We finished up at Frampton where we were rewarded with 3 Turtle Dove. Other highlights of the weekend were Marsh Tit, Red Kite, Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Partridge and Red Legged Partridge
What a spectacular trip this year's Scotland trip proved to be. We spent 2 days in the Cairngorns and had good views of Black throated Diver on our first day in the evening. An Oystercatcher was nesting by the roadside! Red Grouse were abundant and we had a close encounter with a Red legged Partridge. The following day we headed to Findhorn valley and saw Golden Eagle and White tailed Eagle being mobbed by a Peregrine. On our last morning in the Cairngorns we went to Loch Garten and viewed a Capercaillie on the tv monitor but sadly it was out of direct sight. We failed to see Crested Tit but heard one in the Loch Garten car park. Being here a couple of weeks later than usual had made a difference as birds were dispersed not displaying at leks or sat on eggs and were harder to see.
We then headed to Skye and had a fantastic close encounter with a White tailed Eagle coming down to the boat for a fish. We also saw our first Hooded Crows of the journey as we headed west.
Getting to North Uist revealed 4 skuas on the ferry 2 definite dark phase Arctic Skua and 2 possible Pomarine Skuas. The Outer hebrides proved to be the real gems of the trip. stunningly beautiful, wild and unspoiled. Nature was everywhere. The sound of Cuckoo and Corncrake, drumming Snipe, displaying Dunlin, wing clapping Short Eared Owls was wonderful. The first bird we saw on our first morning was a stunning male Hen HarrierThe real highlight though was a Snowy Owl that finally revealed itself after 3 attempts and several hours of searching and all credit to Dave Evans who found it after I had given up and started on the wine!
Other highlights were Black Guillemot, Rock Dove, Reb breasted Merganser, all three species of Diver, Corn Buntings and yet more Golden Eagles on North Uist. One being mobbed by a Merlin
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
What a day spent yesterday in Norfolk and Suffolk. First off was a Golden Pheasant at the Wolferton Triangle. We bagged Red-legged and Grey Partridge from the car. Then onto the coast where we failed to pick up a rough-legged buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe and also failed to see the Shorelark seen recently at Salthouse. We did see however 25 Snow Buntings on the shingle.
We then headed south to Dunwich Heath where we were quickly onto 2 Dartford Warblers although we were hampered by the cold fog which made photography impossible. Lifers for me and Dave. We finished off at Waveney Forest and had cracking close views of a Rough-legged Buzzard flying past despite the dense fog.
