09 May 2018

That Green Heron!

I forget exactly what I was doing but I checked the Pembs Bird Blog and Twitter mid afternoon on the 27th April and found a message newly-posted by Dave Astins concerning a Green Heron on a private pond at Llanmill near Narberth. So I rang Dave and found that he had the message via Kevin Phelps from the landowner, The MP Simon Hart. Whatever it was we were doing it was 'tools down' and we were off. When we arrived Brian Southern and a couple of others were already present but it had flown! And it didn't show for half an hour until I got a flash of purple in the irises and Richard Dobbins then picked it out in that area. And then it performed brilliantly for a while. My only regret was that it was a dull and overcast afternoon, poor for photos, and people on subsequent days had much better light conditions to enjoythis shockingly good-looking bird. We had seen a number in Costa Rica, on the Nicaraguan border which sounds exotic but somehow it was much much better in Pembrokeshire. So we at the Pembs Blog did our bit to help smooth access and give information and it was enjoyed by all - or at least it seemed that everyone with a pair of binoculars came to visit. On a serious note, it's not possible to thank Simon and Abigail Hart enough for their forbearance and hospitality throughout.









Whistle-stop Norfolk trip - April 21st-25th

A brief trip back to North Norfolk, staying once more in Salthouse. We arrived at midday on the 21st, and had a mammal tick en route, Chinese Water Deer, which crossed the road in front of us, heading for marshland somewhere near Thornham. It was also good to see our first Brown Hares, though we saw them every morning along The Skirts at Salthouse on our regular before-breakfast walk.



We also picked up on a couple of Muntjac Deer, they're pretty common and pretty tame too it seems. Also a feature of all our walks around Salthouse were good numbers of Stock Doves, they made a really attractive addition to the trip; they were always present in the past but I don't remember them being this numerous. The first evening also turned up a 1st year male Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp.




Our first morning walk last year turned up a goodie in the form of a Red-footed Falcon. On our first before breakfast walk this year it was a Great Egret, flying south-east over Weybourne Camp and then back west, a little while later. The rarest find of the trip for us.






There were a few Sedge Warblers around and singing but we only came across one Reed Warbler, everything being late here - as in Wales. There was one invisible bird along the ditch at The Skirts.


We spent the rest of the first full day around the Reserve at Cley, something we rarely did when we lived here. So we caught up with Spoonbill and Black-necked Grebe, Little Ringed Plover etc. Though the Avocets, Ruffs and Black-tailed Godwits were great to see and the ever-present Marsh Harriers.





                                   

The next day, after our morning walk, was spent at Titchwell where the sheer numbers of birds were stunning, loads of Gulls and Terns including many Mediterranean Gulls. Only flight views of Bearded Tits unfortunately but it was nice to see 3 male Garganeys looking very smart - our first of the spring.

Tuesday, our final full day, we spent around Weybourne and Salthouse finding our own bits and bobs like Little Ringed Plover and picking up about 15 Yellow Wagtails though only a couple landed. The Ring Ouzel was still at Weybourne Camp and a few Swifts went through, though we had seen others earlier in the trip. Then as the weather closed in we spent some time exploring some unfamiliar areas around Overstrand and Sidestrand. Then it was out to dinner with friends.






And the last morning was our usual walk to Weybourne (we sometimes get to Weybourne Coastguard Cottages or even Spalla Gap) and with fewer migrants moving as the weather worsened, we headed home via Picnic Fayre in Cley for a selection of their excellent vegetarian pies. Another great trip, and one we'd like to make a tradition if we can.