Cley NWT - 28.8.11

The juv Red-Backed Shrike, the juv Red-Necked Phalarope, the 8 sleeping Spoonbills and 3 of the Curlew Sandpipers (honestly!)

It was a toss up where to go with birds at Cley and Cromer but we decided on Cley first. We pulled up into the car park infront of the new reserve centre and from there we could see the 8 Spoonbills but there were other birds I wanted to see so we payed our money and went for a wander. First stop was Bishop's hide where we eventually got a seat and started to scan the birds infront of us. The 8 Spoonbills hadn't moved an inch and were doing what they do best and sleeping! The year ticks started falling with a very impressive 25+ Curlew Sandpipers, 5 juv Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper and only my 3rd ever Red-Necked Phalarope but my 1st juv. Other notable birds were a Marsh Harrier a Hobby which spooked all the waders and at least 20 Ruff. We left after a while and headed towards the East bank but rather than walk up it we carried on towards Walsey Hills NOA where after a short walk we found our quarry, a lovely juv Red-Backed Shrike that was busy catching and eating Wasps! This was my 8th in the UK! We then walked up the East bank where I saw 2 Greenshank and then added Spotted Redshank to the year list. We finally arrived at the beach car park where Barbara had a rest and I did a brief seawatch. Sandwich and Common Terns and a few Gannets was about it until I had my last scan of the water and to my delight I picked up a Sooty Shearwater about half way out and watched it as it flew West. A Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear were added to the notebook on the way back to the car. A quick stop off for an ice cream in Salthouse produced 33 Egyptian Geese in the fields and the lonely Greylag Goose who is a favourite of one my friends was still there! After a 20 minute journey we arrived in Cromer and had a spot of late lunch before I had another quick seawatch which was even more quiet than Cley (apart from the sooty!) but that was soon broken when a lone Puffin flew East just off of the end of the pier! We stopped off for 30 minutes at the nearby Warren Wood but there was no sign of the Western Bonelli's Warbler (should have gone there first and seen it in the morning!) 8 year ticks though so I can't complain!

Up To Norfolk - 27.8.11

A week off work finally arrived so myself and Barbara decided to go up and stay at my dads caravan in Hemsby until Tuesday (my birthday!). The journey up was uneventful bird wise with a Swallow over just before the M1 junction 6 and whilst stuck in the inevitable traffic before Elveden 3 Buzzards were soaring over the trees. After arrival we chilled out for a bit before deciding where to go but then the heavens open with 3 large thunderstorms in a row which left the area of grass where I parked under an inch of water! So we stayed put and watched Dr Who!!

Oh My God-wit - 26.8.11

The day in Cassiobury Park started off dry so first point of call was the paddling pool area which needed a quick tidy up. Whilst litter picking I heard a RN Parakeet calling so I looked up but immediately my gaze shifted to a huge flock of waders flying overhead in a Westerly direction! There was a large messy clump of birds at the front with a long thin line of single birds trailing behind. First thing I did was ID them as Godwits and because of the feet projecting beyond the tail and the fact they had black tails I safely ID'd them as Black-Tailed Godwits! These were the first record for the park and I had a quick attempt at counting them and estimated the flock to be around 150 strong! I can only imagine what I miss flying over when most of my time is spent looking at the ground! A little later a Sparrowhawk dive bombed into gardens backing onto the park.

Cassiobury Park - 25.8.11

A brief spell of sun this morning encouraged c.20 House Martins to swarm together looking for insects but soon the rain arrived and stayed for over 3 hours! Around 10 RN Parakeets were seen and heard and the long staying Chiffchaff called away by the river. However the strangest sight was of 2 adult Green Woodpeckers that were on the ground about 3 feet apart and they were swaying their heads from side to side and slowly getting closer and closer until they were infront of each other. They then threw their heads back and forth gently touching the tips of their bills together. It was like watching the display of White Storks and Gannets and I don't know if it's display, aggression or pair bonding? Anyone ever seen anything like this before?!

Cassiobury Park - 24.8.11

RN Parakeets today rose to 17. Included in that total was a group of 13 over the meadow. But shortly after seeing them the highlight of the day infact the last few days was my first ever sighting of Yellow Wagtail in the park. I initially heard them as they flew in from the North and eventually I picked them up and noted 4 birds but then I found another 2 closely behind. I hoped that they would like the look of the park and drop down but they obviously wanted to get to the heat of Africa! This occurence was only the 4th sighting of this species for the park. A single Swallow also headed South and a juv Cormorant flew over the paddling pools so low that I could hear the noise made by it's wings!

Cassiobury Park - 22.8.11

A gathering of RN Parakeets around the council yard this morning held 13+ birds before the dispersed and a Chiffchaff responded to the warm weather by singing for a few minutes in the afternoon!

Leavsden CP - 21.8.11

A kickabout with my boy was ruined after about 20 minutes due to a rain shower but a Chiffchaff was heard calling by the tennis courts as was a Bullfinch.

Stockers - 20.8 .11

A brief visit this morning saw 53 Canada Geese in the field at Stockers Farm and 50+ Swallows around the lock keepers house. The only notable birds around the lake were Chiffchaffs with at least 10 birds between the hides and 8 RN Parakeets flying over.

KGVPF - 19.8.11

Just before lunch a Hobby flew in and joined 2 Carrion Crows in mobbing a Buzzard.

Cassiobury Park - 18.8.11

Before the rain arrived 3 fresh juv Herring Gulls were sat in the paddling pools calling out for their parents. Eventually the adults arrived and after some pestering they regurgitated some food for them. Surely they have been born in Watford town centre? I must try harder to prove it next year!