SPRING! About time too.

Chiff Chaff, Snettisham

 

Well Spring finally seems to be here (or closer). A week of fine weather has brought a shed load of migrants from the continent. Visits to the coast recently have produced some good visual migration with flocks of Siskins, some Redpolls, Ring Ouzel, Yellow Wagtails, various warblers and raptors including Common Buzzard, Marsh Harriers and Red Kites.

A visit to Snettisham Coastal Park produced 6 Ring Ouzels, 4 Sedge Warblers, 12 Willow Warblers and several Blackcaps. Titchwell also produced some nice sightings including a juvenile Spoonbill...

Juvenile Spoonbill, Titchwell

 

...Bittern, 10+ Red-crested Pochard, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, hirundines, Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear and 3+ Little Ringed Plovers. I'm sure there's a lot more to follow.

Little Ringed Plover, Titchwell

 

There have also been a few Garganey present along the North Coast. The picture below is of the long staying male at Weybourne beach pool.

Garganey, male, Weybourne

 

Also in evidence have been Cetti's Warbler. These normally shy birds that shout at you from deep cover are now protecting territories and attracting mates. This means that they do tend to show themselves more for a short while.

Cetti's Warbler, Titchwell

 

Some birds are difficult to see all of the time but patience, a keen eye and the right habitat has produced a good haul of Stone Curlew recently.

Stone Curlew, Norfolk

 

On the earlier subject of mates, I found two male Pheasants lekking with a female in attendance. These two Pheasants fought, beak & claw, for 30 minutes. Unbeknown to them, the female had got bored 20 minutes earlier and walked off!

Pheasants lekking, Swaffham

 

Some mammals have also become more apparent with the advent of Spring. Brown Hares, for example, seem to be in every field. One field at Choseley had 27 Brown Hares all chasing each other ragged.

Brown Hare, Cockley Cley, it was totally ignorant that I was standing in the path. Even when it finally clocked me it didn't seem all that bothered. A bit of a poser actually.