Sponsored Birdwatch 2005

SPONSORED BIRDWATCH, DECEMBER 22ND 2005

The intrepid warden and assistant set out early to try and get over 80 species. The day began at Redwell Marsh where a Barn Owl was hunting around the paddock and a Sparrowhawk was perched on the bridge. On the marsh were a number of common waterfowl species including Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler. House Sparrows were in the hedge nearby.
Moving on to the Observatory, four female Goosanders flew west high over the marsh as we arrived, a very scarce species here. A Goldcrest was singing in the hawthorn bush at the top of the steps and two Tufted Ducks were on the Broadwater. Seawatching produced Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Black-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe, and a single Guillemot on the beach which was returned to the waves where it seemed much happier! After an hour we came back along Broadwater road where mixed flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings were feeding. Three Song Thrushes had also come up from the dunes.
We proceeded to Holme Marsh where two Bullfinches were very confiding. A Woodcock was flushed from one of the hedges and a Yellowhammer was calling in the treetops. A mixed tit flock added Long-tailed Tit to the day list and an obliging Stock Dove flew past the hide. A Grey Heron and a Jay were also added.
On arrival at Titchwell, Siskins were chattering in the alders above. A Coal Tit was added at the feeding station and several Redpolls flew over calling, one stopping in the top of a bush long enough to be seen well. At the platform on route to the Fen hide two Bearded Tits were close by in the reeds, ‘pinging’ to each other occasionally. Sadly there was no sign of Bittern at the hide but as we came out a helpful birder pointed out a Peregrine on one of the dead trees across the marsh. We returned to the main path and were immediately rewarded with a female Reed Bunting. The main scrape held a good variety of additions for the day; two Black Brants were preening near one of the islands, a very impressive flock of Golden Plover carpeted the area and further towards the back of the scrape were Pintail, Ruff, Avocet and Snipe. As we stood watching over both sides of the bank, a shrill call alerted us to a single Waxwing flying over west – an excellent addition. Other more common species to add included Canada and Greylag Goose, Pochard, Little Grebe, Lapwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Water Rail called from the reed bed on several occasions.
Further along the main path a Rock Pipit flew west calling. Two Black-tailed Godwits and a Spotted Redshank were feeding and five Linnets were in the swader. Another seawatch produced Goldeneye, a huge raft of Scoter, and more than one possible glimpse of a white wing-patch tempted the claim of Velvet Scoter but in the failing light it wasn’t possible to get good enough views. An immature drake Eider close in was a bonus, and Knot, Ringed Plover and Turnstone were abundant. As the light got worse it was decided to concentrate on looking for Harriers and Owls. Little Egrets became more visible as it got close to their roosting time, and Pied Wagtails dropped into the reeds in small groups. Despite regular checks of the Black-headed Gulls on the water, no Med Gull came to join them and there was no sign of any Owls or Harriers either. It was getting very cold but with nearly 100 species apiece there was much at stake! While commiserating with other birders about the lack of raptors, and the closeness to a three figure number, a Cetti’s burst into angry song just as the light had gone. It proved to be the last bird of the day, however, and I finished on 100 species, Jed on 98.

The full list is as follows:

Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Black Brant, Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Pheasant, Black-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Fulmar, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Peregrine, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Woodcock, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Waxwing, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Goldcrest, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.

With sincere thanks to everyone who sponsored for this event, 2005 has seen an unprecedented level of support with £1484.60 raised in total. Well done!

Dave Nock - 121 Species on the 15th October 2005 raising £300.00
Mr & Mrs P Roberson - 48 Species seen on 17th April 2005 raising £110.00
Mrs Irene Boston - 132 Species seen in June 2005 raising £39.60
David Roche - 101 species seen, raising £40.00

And a special mention for Chris Creedy who ran the Great North Run in September, raising £233.50 - well done!

If any members would like to report on their sponsored birdwatch - please e-mail your story to info@noa.org.uk and we will include it on this page.

Sincere thanks to all participants