Tuesday 9 March 2010

Birding Titchwell and Salthouse

Titchwell RSPB reserve on the north coast of Norfolk is one of the premier birding spots in the county.  It also has the plus side of some good hides to shelter in during nasty weather.  So, our last full birding day found us sitting in a comfy hide while the wind and rain raged around us.  Normally Titchwell is chock full of waders, but they seemed to have gone elsewhere while we were watching.  We were very lucky though, to have a small flock of Avocets frantically feeding in the choppy water quite close to the hide.  Again, the photos aren't the best (see Roy's last few posts to see some fantastic photos from Titchwell).
From what I could tell,, these graceful birds were picking up small wirey looking worms mostly.
There was some sychronised feeding going on sometimes! (-:
After a while they flew off to land and take a breather.  They look stunning in flight I think!
I did manage to take a brief video of these Avocets feeding which you can view by clicking on the following link .
The only other bird to get anywhere near close enough for a shot was this pair of Shoveler.  He looks none too pleased to have his photo taken!
Our last birding stop of this trip (we were completely rained out on the last day) was to a place called Salthouse further east along the coast from Titchwell.  There is a car park close to the beach where around 100 Snowbuntings had been reported.  We got there around lunchtime and debated whether to eat lunch first or look for the birds first.  The birds won out which was just as well.  Just as we'd all had our fill of watching and photographing these lovely Buntings, the heavens opened and that was the end of our birding in Norfolk!
We had a great time in Norfolk, one of the best birding areas in Britain. I will hope for better weather when I next get up there though! (-:


13 comments:

Chris said...

Hi Jenny,
For sure this place is a nice birding place and the last message just shows that!!! You got a multitude of good pictures of birds that a lot of birders would love to see ;-) Well done Jen, and I guess you pretty enjoyed this tour as we did with your posts! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Lovely Buntings Jen, I have never seen them yet. The weather will get better (I hope). I have been since and it was not good.

Eve said...

The buntings remind me of the flock hugh flock of Cedar Waxwings I found yesterday at the hardware store!!! They just all flew in and then took off. Heading north most likely. Love the Avocet and am loading the video as I type. I'm surprised you and Roy didn't bump into each other there!!! Thanks for taking us Jenny, even if we all had to get a little wet!!!

Rural Rambler said...

Well Jen you still got some great pictures and most important still had a great time even though the weather did not behave itself. It was/is a great birding trip that you shared!

Hope you are a very busy person right now and Poppy Cat is being a good girl :)

FAB said...

Hi Jenny. I've had numerous days at Titchwell when there appeared to be little around and others when I didn't know where to look first. Certainly a great location. Glad you found the Buntings. Salthouse is always worth a drop in unless you can't see through the car window! FAB.

Jenny said...

Hi Chris, yes it's definitely one of my fav places to bird in Britain. Always quality birds to see there.

Hi Roy, I'm glad you got that good sunny day in there. All the remedial work they're having to do can't help with bird sightings there. Hopefully, that will be finished maybe later this year.

Hi Evie, glad you enjoyed the video, I meant to apologise in my blog about the dodgy ending! (-: Next time I take you along, it will be sunnysideup! (-:

Hi Pix, yes, despite the rainy weather (had I ever mentioned that???) (-: we had a great time. We're doing ok and the Poppydom is behaving herself now! (-:

Hi Frank, yes, it can be a bit hit and miss, specially with the work they're doing there at the moment. I saw my first ever SEO at Salthouse! Happy memories! (-:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jen, I hope all this work they are doing is worth it.

Mary said...

Sychronised feeding and blying both :-) Great shots! I think their beaks look so funny. What a treat. Beautiful Buntings, too....glad you got shots before the rain.

Kelly said...

Love the Avocet photos and the video was fun. I've never seen an Avocet. When I make it to Florida for spring break, I hope I get to see one! The buntings are just adorable. I love those little birds. They always loos so sweet and refined.

John said...

Hi Jenny,

Great postlove birding in Norfolk, was birding in Scotland with some folk from that part of the world..Anyway I have awarded you the Sunshine Award for your blog. Please see my site on how to collect and pass on. Well done.
John

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Avocets! OMG! I've never seen more beautiful birds! Wow!

TonyC said...

Great series of posts on Norfolk Jen. probably the best winter birding in Britain!!

Quiet Paths said...

I am not sure what you mean about not great shots. I think they are! And, I so enjoy it when you can add some of the landscape in with the birding. I can see spring trying to bust out over there. Only two more days...