A mixed weekend....
Note: The post below has beeen updated! (18/6)
Day one...
After missing the Purple Heron by less than 5 minutes, the previous week at Titchwell, I was somewhat eager to see it second time round. My only other sighting of Purple Heron was a Juvenile at Minsmere in August 02, that flew over the reeds and perched in a Birch tree! Misses, include one at Cley and another at Welney, and so far, one at Titchwell! The longer I stood, the more this felt like another dip... Heron 2 (I have missed this bird twice) Roche 0 (I have yet to see the bird!) Though the Little Gulls did their best to entertain the spectators, the Heron failed to make an appearance within 2 hours of waiting... better luck next time. A quick stop at Holkham failed to locate any Spoonbills, but the morning was saved by the local Montys which gave great views en route to Stiffkey. A search of Stiffkey Fen revealed a single Common Sandpiper, whilst the flooded field just beyond the village revealed even less... Whilst realising that the day wasn't getting much better, our luck was seemingly reversed, with news of Wood Warbler, Firecrest, and Golden Oriole on Blakeney point. After a short moments pondering we were continuing along the coast and starting the trudge along the point.
Reaching the point it was soon clear that our luck had not been reversed, nor improved, but made rather worse... The birds had all departed. Out of the 3, it was the Wood Warbler that I was after. The last (and first) one I saw was in the Lake District in 01.
Day 2
We know day one was a disaster... what of day 2? It would be only fair that this was better. Then again, it wouldn't have to be particularly great to be better than day one. Better?! Of course it was better! what a crap weekend that would have been... The Purple Heron finally gave itself up at Titchwell, with a smart Temminck's Stint on the freshmarsh and my 1st ever Grey-headed Wagtail. Thats more like it.
Day one...
After missing the Purple Heron by less than 5 minutes, the previous week at Titchwell, I was somewhat eager to see it second time round. My only other sighting of Purple Heron was a Juvenile at Minsmere in August 02, that flew over the reeds and perched in a Birch tree! Misses, include one at Cley and another at Welney, and so far, one at Titchwell! The longer I stood, the more this felt like another dip... Heron 2 (I have missed this bird twice) Roche 0 (I have yet to see the bird!) Though the Little Gulls did their best to entertain the spectators, the Heron failed to make an appearance within 2 hours of waiting... better luck next time. A quick stop at Holkham failed to locate any Spoonbills, but the morning was saved by the local Montys which gave great views en route to Stiffkey. A search of Stiffkey Fen revealed a single Common Sandpiper, whilst the flooded field just beyond the village revealed even less... Whilst realising that the day wasn't getting much better, our luck was seemingly reversed, with news of Wood Warbler, Firecrest, and Golden Oriole on Blakeney point. After a short moments pondering we were continuing along the coast and starting the trudge along the point.
Reaching the point it was soon clear that our luck had not been reversed, nor improved, but made rather worse... The birds had all departed. Out of the 3, it was the Wood Warbler that I was after. The last (and first) one I saw was in the Lake District in 01.
Day 2
We know day one was a disaster... what of day 2? It would be only fair that this was better. Then again, it wouldn't have to be particularly great to be better than day one. Better?! Of course it was better! what a crap weekend that would have been... The Purple Heron finally gave itself up at Titchwell, with a smart Temminck's Stint on the freshmarsh and my 1st ever Grey-headed Wagtail. Thats more like it.
posted by David's Birding Diary at 8:48 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home