2008 Sponsored Birdwatch

SPONSORED BIRDWATCH 2008

The NOA's 2008 Sponsored Bird watch took place on December 24th with Warden Jed Andrews, Assistant Warden Sophie Barker, and volunteer Connor Rand taking part. The birdwatch began at 7.30am at Redwell Marsh, where Mallard, Shoveler, Egyptian Goose and Lapwing were among the first recorded species.

Proceeding along to Gore Point for a short seawatch we were quickly rewarded with a Long-tailed Duck, drake Goldeneye and a single Velvet Scoter, despite poor visibility. Several species of wader were also on the beach including Dunlin, Turnstone and Grey Plover. Some large flocks of Woodpigeons were also passing overhead westwards, about 600 during the 3 hours spent in this part of the recording area. Having added some useful species to the day list we then progressed to the Observatory, with a superb Stonechat in brambles along the approach road. On the reserve the tit flock offered Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tit and Goldcrest. Several Fieldfares were also in the buckthorn feeding.

A half hour timed seawatch added a single Red-throated Diver, two Brent Geese and a single Eider to the species seen earlier off Gore Point. Returning from the dunes, a Little Grebe, and several Pochard and Tufted Ducks were also good additions. As we were walking off the reserve a Lapland Bunting flew over eastwards calling. We then left the Observatory to pursue some Bramblings which had been frequenting the feeders at Peddars Way for the last few days, but sadly they didn't put in an appearance, so we carried on to Thornham Orchards, where we were kindly permitted to walk around the orchards to look for birds. The area was teaming with Fieldfares, Redwings, Blackbirds, Chaffinches and many more. Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Redpoll, Goldfinch and Red-legged Partridge were an extra bonus.

Buoyed by these extra species we continued onto Thornham Harbour where several Rock Pipits were calling and a Spotted Redshank was seen briefly. A huge flock of Golden Plover was visible between Thornham and Titchwell. After a quick mince pie and cup of tea we walked westwards along the seawall looking for small birds. We soon heard more Lapland Buntings and on the field south of the bank, and there were 40 Skylarks feeding with at least 5 Lapland Buntings with them. We had some lovely views through the telescope with one particularly well marked male. A single Linnet came to drink at one of the puddles on the footpath, and a single Ruff was feeding on a pool on the further field.

Time was marching on so we continued on to Titchwell. While the others went for a toilet stop I managed to find two Bullfinches at the back of the car park, but they disappeared before the others could get to see them. We proceeded to the café for a bite, with the sound of dozens of House Sparrows and finches all around. After lunch, a quick walk round to the Fen Hide was sadly unproductive, but as we returned to the main footpath a Water Rail squealed from the distance. At the first hide we found Pintail, Gadwall, Avocets and even a single Black-tailed Godwit, while Marsh Harriers were prowling in the background from time to time. Some Pied Wagtails were beginning to drop onto the scrapes.

At Parrinder hide we weren't able to add any new species, so after ten minutes we carried on to the beach, where most of the sea was obscured by thick mist. Several Common and Herring Gulls were visible on the water and dozens of Oystercatchers were on the beach. After about half an hour Jed spotted a Peregrine to the east of the seawatch platform, which stooped and caught a Turnstone, and proceeded to pluck and eat it. We had hoped to add one or two key species here, including Ringed Plover, Great Northern Diver and Slavonian or Red-necked Grebe, but little was visible offshore. At last a single female Red-breasted Merganser flew through the murk, but it seemed we would be better off looking around the scrapes for other species. On the way back to the Parrinder hide we were directed to a pair of Bearded Tits in the reeds near the path, and then a member who had been seawatching came back to tell us that there were now Ringed Plovers on the beach. We returned as quickly as we could and saw three huddled on the shingle west of the platform, and the visibility had already improved, but we still couldn't add any other seabirds.

Returning to look over the scrapes and marsh before dusk we looked through the accumulating gull flocks and found two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, but could find no sign of the Black Brant which had been seen among the large flock of Brent Geese. Around 3,000 Golden Plover were also accumulating in front of the hides together with around 200 Black-headed Gulls but again a thorough search failed to produce the hoped-for Mediterranean Gull. More worryingly, we had failed to find any species of Owls during the day and there was no sign of any over the marshes to the west. We also failed to find Grey Heron or Mute Swan among a number of common species we might have hoped to find during the day. As the light began to fade, with all of us in the low 90s, the prospect of attaining 100 seemed to slip away into the gloom. In my desperation I began to imagine strange sound emanating from the reed bed, but with several Wrens calling and singing all around I thought I must be imagining – No! The bigger rounder trill of a Cetti's Warbler alarm rang out and Connor and I surged along the path to get closer – perhaps if we struck up a conversation in front of the elusive warbler it might break out in full song. But there was no further sound, and we returned to our vantage point beginning to doubt the bird was there at all. With the light now half gone we continued to scan continuously for harriers and owls but they did not appear, then suddenly the Cetti's Warbler sang out in the dark. Connor and I tried to direct Jed towards the sound but, as in previous frustrating sponsored birdwatches, he could not make out the noise. As we continued to listen a high-pitched, drawn out call announced a passing Kingfisher, which happily we could all hear clearly – a last-minute and unexpected addition to our day list. And so we finished, on 97, 96 and 95 species each, with a cursory look for Woodcock on the way back to the car park, again unsuccessful.

It just goes to show how lucky we have been in past years to break the 100 mark at this time of year, but with several very common species not recorded this time we can hope to do it again and more in the future. We look forward to another attempt next year.

A huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored or done their own bird-watches this year, your support is vital for the projects that the NOA needs help to fund – and every time you see our lovely new van, remember this is what you have helped us to achieve – something we could not have contemplated even just a few years ago.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!