NENBC Newsletter Feb-20

The Pied Flyer

February 2020 - Edition 20/02 The NENBC Monthly e-Newsletter

Contents - if something is underlined, you can Ctrl-click / press on it to jump to an external website link or that point in the newsletter

President's Piece 2 RSPB Big Garden BirdWatch 2020 13
Editorial 2 Cley Bird Club Winter Big Bird Day 14
Membership News & Statistics 3 Camera Dilemma Part 1 17
Club Notices 4 Data, Records, Posts & Tweets 20
Check This Out ... 4 Contemplating Conservation: APEP4 23
What's On This Month? 5 Bird of the Month: Skylark 24
Advance Notice 7 Ficedula Fun 25
Cromer Peregrine Project - Volunteers 7 NENBC Bird Highlights 26
Last Month's Walks 8 January 2020 26
8 What to Watch for in February 31
Stiffkey 9 Project Updates 31
Felbrigg 9 Birds in Culture - Poetry Corner 32
Last Month's Talk: Bardsey Observatory 10 Ficedula Fun Solutions 32
Nick & Val Explore the NENBC Area 33
12 Back Page Club Info
Member Highs, Lows & Ponderings

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Page 1

President’s Piece Conservation Foundation and over the next 22 years was
responsible for many major conservation initiatives
By Moss Taylor throughout the whole of Nigeria. In 2000, Phil was
awarded an OBE by the British Government in recognition
First of all, I would like to give a of his services to conservation in Nigeria. Despite being
massive thanks to the NENBC officially retired, Phil still visits Nigeria several times each
Committee for proposing me as the year, primarily to oversee the Ornithological Research
next President, and to the Centre at Jos, as well as co-ordinating the activities of the
membership for voting me in. I A.P.Laventis Foundation. We have indeed been highly
really do consider it a great honour honoured to have him as our President for the last five
to be President of such a years.
prestigious club, surely one of the
best local bird clubs, not only in My own rise to becoming the new Club President is far
Norfolk but in the whole of the more lowly. My first official role was as a Second in the
country. During the five years since Starlings patrol in the Scout Troop at school, followed by
its formation, the NENBC has developed into a club that is Lance Corporal in the school Combined Cadet Force. It took
the envy of many others some of which have been going me 50 more years before I became a Captain, but not I
for far longer. Much of this has been due to the very hard hasten to add in the army, but at Sheringham Golf Club,
work of the committee and officers of the Club, none more and now I have reached the dizzy heights of a President!
so than our Chairman, Trevor Williams, and my
predecessor Phil Hall, whose joint plans resulted in the As I said earlier, I moved to Sheringham in 1972, and since
formation of the Club. It will be no easy task to follow Phil then I have seen some really dramatic changes in the local
as the Club’s President, but I can assure you that I will do bird populations in north Norfolk. It is probably for that
all I can to serve the Club to the best of my ability. reason that I have been keen to promote projects within
the NENBC that attempt to monitor the declines of many
As most members will be unaware of the great of our commoner birds. As a Club we have so much to offer
contribution that Phil has made, and is still making, to as far as the collection of important data is concerned,
conservation in Nigeria, I would like briefly to give a which can then be used in future conservation plans. It is
resume of his work in West Africa. He arrived in Nigeria in most opportune that the NENBC is planning a One-day
1972, the same year that I moved to Sheringham, where he Conference for July on the effects of climate change on
took up an appointment as an ecologist for the North- birds. But more of that in one of my future President’s
eastern State Government, becoming Chief Ecologist three Pieces.
years later for the Borno State Government. During this
time, Phil was responsible for drawing up a conservation
policy, an environmental education programme and the
establishment of one of the most important wetland
reserves in West Africa. In 1987, he was appointed Chief
Technical Officer with the newly formed Nigerian

Editorial

By Carol Thornton

I hope you like the photos on the front page of
Brambling, last month’s “Through a Lens”
species. Sadly, there was just the one photo
taken during January 2020 and the lack of
sightings is mirrored in the England Bird Track
reporting rates for the period. This month I am
selecting Starling as the challenge to
photograph so let’s see how you get on.
Fortunately a bit more likely that we’ll get
some pics this time! Don’t forget you’ll be
generating photographs for others to see on
our Gallery plus images for use in our
newsletters and Annual Bird Reports.

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Page 2

I am including two Editor’s Pic of the Month images today as I completely forgot to add Russell’s Guillemot into last month’s
Editorial – sorry!
Earlier in the week I sent out an email to you all about a potential venue change for our evening talks. To enable us to make
the best decision for the whole club going forward, we would really appreciate your feedback to the specific questions asked
regardless of whether you attended the trial event. Many thanks
We are still on the hunt for volunteers for this year’s Peregrine Watchpoint so please have a look at the info on page 7 about a
volunteer training session and get in touch with out coordinator Ann Cleall as soon as you can.

Membership News & Statistics
Welcome to Our New Members

* Tom, Godelieve & Harvey Hill*
Look forward to seeing you at one of our events soon!

Club Statistics

267 individual members 14,579 bird records 355 photo uploads to our 142 bird species reported
across 164 households logged on our website in website in 2020 on our website in 2020

so far in 2020 2020

Please keep adding all your sightings to our website at www.nenbc.co.uk. Let us know if you have forgotten your password
and need it resetting or need assistance on how to upload your records. More information from our website records,
Twitterings and social media presence in Data, Records, Posts & Tweets on page 20.

Star Status Awards

CONGRATULATIONS to Nick Stubbs who has achieved his Number of species recorded
BRONZE STAR status since the last newsletter. in NENBC area:
BRONZE [100]
Currently, 7 members have been peer reviewed and awarded SILVER [200]
SILVER STAR status. Additionally, a fabulous 39 members (46 in GOLD [250]
total) hold the self-certified BRONZE STAR status. PLATINUM [300]

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Page 3

Club Notices

Membership Renewals for 2020

Subscriptions for 2020 are now due. There are two rates this year per household - £15 for calendar year membership plus a copy of the
NENBC Annual Bird Report 2019 once it is published in the spring or £12 without the Bird Report. The rationale for the change is that it
will enable us to better judge our print runs for our Annual Reports. Don’t forget to notify your bank ASAP of the change in price if you
pay by Standing Order so that the correct Membership Fee is paid to NENBC for 2020. Many thanks.

Contributions to the Newsletter ..... Second Hand Book / Equipment Sales .....

The copy deadline for the March issue is 29th February but it Don’t forget that we have a second hand ‘bird and other
would be good to know in advance if you are planning to submit wildlife’ book stall at each of our evening talks. If you have any
an article. The newsletter is reliant on input from others, and texts you can donate to the club it would be much appreciated.
certainly much richer from having a wide range of articles You can bring them along on the night or contact any of the
included. Please have a think about whether there is anything committee members over the summer if you want to drop them
you could write about for a future publication.... your holiday, off or if you need them to be collected.
your favourite bird-watching site, any anecdotes you want to
share, any citizen science projects you’ve been involved in, book Also, if you have any unused bird watching equipment that you
reviews ... etc etc. There is so much knowledge and activity out no longer want, we would be happy to advertise it for sale in this
there that would be great to hear about. Get your thinking caps newsletter or put on a stall at our evening talks in return for a
on!! 10% contribution of sale price to the club. See advert below ...

Leica APO Televid 77 Straight body with a
20 x 60 zoom lens.
£435.00
Please ring Clive if interested on:
01263 823567 / 07738 803852

Check This Out .....

A few recent stories of interest this month that you may have missed, some a little weirder than others:

 “Suffolk Little Owl 'too fat to fly'” from the BirdGuides website [29-Jan-20]
 “Australian fires may force 80 birds onto Threatened list” from the BirdGuides website [28-Jan-20]
 “Hooded Merganser rescued from Ipswich cosmetics shop” from the BirdGuides website [30-Jan-20]
 “Wild Justice pursues DEFRA over gamebird releases” from the BirdGuides website [21-Jan-20]
 “New maps reveal hotspots of seabird activity during breeding season” from the RSPB website [17-Jan-20]
 “Rehabilitated King Eider breaks age record” from the BirdGuides website [16-Jan-20]
 “Two new taxa added to BOU's British list” from the BirdGuides website [14-Jan-20]

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Page 4

 “Police investigate deaths of three kestrels” from the Rare Bird Alert website [28-Jan-20]
 “Solitary lyrebirds band together to save themselves in 'incredible' show of unity under bushfire threat” from

the ABC News website [30-Jan-20]
 “The cost of HS2 to nature is too high a price to pay, claims report by The Wildlife Trusts” from the i news

website [15-Jan-20]
 “Giant Ocean Heatwave Called 'The Blob' Has Caused The Biggest Seabird Die-Off on Record” from the

Science Alert website [17-Jan-20]
 “Man arrested in Peru airport with 20 birds in suitcase” from the BBC website [16-Jan-20]
 “National Trust plans massive woodland expansion” from the PA Media website [09-Jan-20]
 “Hendrix? Hepburn? Study busts myths about origins of UK's parakeets” from The Guardian website [12-Dec-

19]
 “Norfolk seal colony has another record breaking year” from the North Norfolk News website [27-Jan-20]
 “Environmental bodies set joint vision to tackle climate change” from the gov.uk website [23-Jan-20]
 “The little auks that lived in the Pacific - Fossil from Japan reveals unexpected distribution of 'Atlantic'

seabirds” from the Science Daily website [Kyoto University: 21-Jan-20]
 “Male sparrows are less intimidated by the songs of aging rivals - The same singing that marks a male as 'the

guy to beat' at age two signals that he's 'obsolete' by age 10” from the Science Daily website [Duke
University: 17-Jan-20]
 “Not-so-dirty birds? Not enough evidence to link wild birds to food-borne illness” from the Science Daily
website [Washington State University: 31-Jan-20]
 “Male songbirds can't survive on good looks alone” from the Science Daily website [University of Nottingham:
15-Jan-20]
 “Birds: First come, first bred - Arriving early in the breeding area is crucial for successful reproduction also in
non-migratory birds” from the Science Daily website [Max Planck Institute for Ornithology: 13-Jan-20]
 “Global database of all bird species shows how body shape predicts lifestyle” from the Science Daily website
[Imperial College London: 13-Jan-20]
 “Hummingbirds' rainbow colors come from pancake-shaped structures in their feathers” from the Science
Daily website [Field Museum: 10-Jan-20]

What’s on This Month?

As usual, full and last minute details are available on our Club website. Please do check before coming on the walks as the
climatic conditions may mean we need to make late alterations to route or start points. Children are always welcome if
accompanied by well-behaved adults, but we regret no dogs.

Felbrigg Park Walk with Colin Blaxill and Nick Kimber
Wednesday 19th February
9:00am to 11:00am

This walk caters for all levels of ability. We will take a leisurely walk around the Park & Lake, route dependent on the local bird
and other wildlife likely to be present on the day. Please wear clothing appropriate to the weather - footpaths in Felbrigg can be
muddy at any time of the year. Meet at Sexton's Lodge car park, off Lion's Mouth, NR11 8PS at the western end of the estate.
To keep the club's carbon footprint small, please consider car sharing. As usual, children are welcome if accompanied by well-
behaved adults, but we regret no dogs.
Children are welcome if accompanied by well-behaved adults, but we regret no dogs. To keep the club's carbon footprint small,
please consider car sharing.

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Page 5

Santon Downham & Lynford Arboretum Walk with Janice Darch
Saturday 8th February
9:30pm to 3:30pm

Meeting Point: Meet in St Helens Car Park (this is about one mile east of Santon Downham village along a track
which parallels the Little Ouse River), IP27 0TT, OS Explorer 229: TL826 874. At the time of writing the car park is
free. Our second site is Lynford Arboretum where we will park in the free car park on the left hand side, opposite
the entrance to the Arboretum, OS Explorer 229: TL822 943. These sites are about an hour's drive from north
Norfolk. Take the A148 to Holt and Fakenham, A1065 via Swaffham to Mundford. At Mundford roundabout take
the A134 towards Thetford and then take the second turning on the right to Santon Downham. After the rail
level crossing and the humped-backed river bridge St Helen's Car Park tuning is tucked in on the left. The car
park is on the left after about a mile. We can proceed in convoy to Lynford Arboretum.
Note: The path along the Little Ouse River can be muddy and slippery so wear good walking boots . Telescopes
will be useful.
Distance: Approximately 4 miles, 3 at Santon Downham and 1 at Lynford
Description: This two centre excursion will make the best of a winter's day in Breckland. The St Helens Car park
area and the habitat along the Little Ouse River is known as being one of the very few sites in the UK where
Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are regularly seen in the early months of the year. Other species that we will try for
are Firecrest around St Helen's Church or along the river banks, Mandarin Duck on the river and Crossbills in the
conifers. In some years a Great Grey Shrike winters in the area, and if it is there we will look for it but this may
mean a detour on our drive over to Lynford Arboretum. Otters are present on the River as well. The walk at St
Helens could be up to 3 miles depending on where the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been seen. At Lynford
Arboretum we will first go to look at the gravel pits that border the River Wissey as these often host wintering
Goosander along with Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Great -Crested Grebe and Cormorants. We will
then go to the Arboretum keeping our eyes and ear on alert for Crossbills in the conifers. The trees are also good
for Siskin, Gold and Firecrest. All three species of woodpecker can occur in the Arboretum along with Nuthatch,
Treecreeper, Brambling, Chaffinch, tit flocks and our prime objective, Hawfinch. These special birds are
frequently seen on top of the trees in the meadow at dusk or at a small drinking pool near the entrance to the
Arboretum. There are often good opportunities for photographing passerines in the Arboretum as seed is left on
gate post pillars. Our time here will be a stroll of about a mile.
Children are welcome if accompanied by well-behaved adults, but we regret no dogs. To keep the club's carbon
footprint small, please consider car sharing.

“The Year at Cape May” – a talk with Mike Crewe
Thursday 27th February
7:30pm to 9:30pm

Many places lay claim to being the No1 birding hotspot in the world – and Cape May has one of the strongest
claims! Famous as one of North America’s most spectacular migration traps, it bristles with birds during autumn,
but what’s it like to live there year round? This talk looks at the Cape May year – from winter Harlequin Ducks to the
heady days of summer and back to winter, via magical spring and autumn migration. Prepare for an exciting trip!
Venue - Aylmerton Village Hall, NR11 8PX. Please park along Church Road or in the overflow car park at the church
(coming into Aylmerton from the A148, turn left immediately after the church and left into the car park but bring a
torch for the 150m walk along the road to the hall). Please ensure that local residents can still access their
driveways and there is sufficient clearance for agricultural vehicles to use the road. A torch might also be helpful, as
the village has no street lighting. To keep the club's carbon footprint small, please consider car sharing

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Page 6

Advance Notice of Upcoming Events .....

... and don’t forget that this year’s Bird and Wildlife Fair is at Pensthorpe on 16th
and 17th of May and tickets are now available online. NENBC will be there.

Cromer Peregrine Project
Call for Volunteers

The Cromer Peregrine Project will be starting again at the beginning of
April and we would like to hear from anyone who wishes to be involved with the Peregrine Watchpoint and who
hasn't already been in touch with Ann Cleall. We are looking for more people to join us, as the more we have the
more we can spread the load. Even if you can only do the occasional stint it would still be a great help. We are
planning a volunteer training session on March 10th at the Community Centre, Garden Street, Cromer from 7pm to
9pm for those who are interested in assisting. This will set our volunteers up with more information on the ecology
of the birds as well as iron out the logistics of running the project itself. We learned a lot last year and have looked
at how best to manage things this year. Please contact Ann on [email protected] for further info and to book a
place on the training.

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Page 7

Last Month's Club Walks

Stiffkey Raptor Roost – 19th January

By Janice Darch 38 species of

As Andy and I drove into the Green Way Car Park at Stiffkey we were met by a sea of cars and lots birds seen

of people standing around waiting in what seemed like

anticipation. Goodness, how many of these people were waiting

for us? We weren't late... and then more cars arrived! It was

great to see 29 club members, and to welcome both new

members and others who had not been out on a weekend walk

before. After an introduction we began by scanning the

saltmarshes from the car park and eastwards along the coastal

foot path. Birds common in this area were Brent Geese, Curlew,

Redshank, Lapwing and Little Egret, Dunnock and Wren. It was

also lovely to see several Hares running around. Scanning the

marshes with a telescope located a small flock of Golden Plover

and in the distance a few Teal and Mallard. The tide was out and

we could see waves breaking in the tidal race around the end of
Blakeney Point. Out in that direction we could see Great Black-

backed Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Herring Gulls

and with a telescope it was possible to see Oystercatcher,

Shelduck, Wigeon, a Shoveler and someone had Red-breasted

Merganser. A Little Grebe showed for some but it kept diving.

From the coastal footpath we turned inland along a track to see

what we could find on the fields to the south of the coast.
Amongst the Woodpigeons a Stock Dove was found. Brent Geese

were flying over. We walked back to the car park through the

small deciduous copse which overlooks the sea and the fields.

Although quiet on Sunday, with just a Great Tit, this is a good

migrant trap in autumn. We kept our eyes peeled over the fields
and the bird of the trip was sighted, a Barn Owl patrolling the

ditches and field. We had lovely prolonged views. It was difficult
to work out how many Barn Owls there were as one also flew

along the coastal side of the copse. I personally had four

excellent sightings and we thought there were at least two birds.

Other bird species here and in the hedges around the car park

were a Song Thrush, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tits, Greenfinch and

Goldfinch. After returning to the car park we moved into Raptor

Roost mode taking up places a little way along the coastal

footpath to the west of the car park. Following a recce the day

before I decided that as the path was very wet and slippery we

wouldn't go too far towards Warham. Most of the activity was

westwards towards East Hills. Birds spotted were Marsh Harriers,

Hen Harrier (ring tailed), Buzzard, Short-eared Owl and a distant

raptor which sat on the ground with its back to us only giving

very short flight views. The jury is still out on whether it was a peregrine or a female Merlin. As with raptor watching not

everyone saw every bird and those with scopes faired best. It was a very clear night and so the activity and daylight continued

until well past 4.30pm. The cold eventually started to penetrate and we left at about 4.45pm with several people saying they

would be returning with their telescopes for more. During the afternoon we saw 36 species and two heard only (Red-legged

and Grey Partridge). My thanks to Andy for co-leading and to Francis Farrow for providing the photos.

Photo Plea! I would be very grateful to receive any photos taken on our weekend walks to put in the
newsletter alongside the write–up as Janice doesn’t carry a camera. Shots of birds, the site and
especially the attendees appreciated! [email protected]

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Page 8

Felbrigg Park – 15th January 38 species of
bird seen
By Colin Blaxill
Owl. Once there I identified
Roughly twenty members attended this first walk of the the right tree but it was Anne
year. Overnight a storm had blown through which had left Sims who found it. With a
all paths wet and muddy. Nick had seen a Barn Owl couple of telescopes set up
heading towards the wet meadow as he walked down from we ensured that everyone
the hall so this was the first target. We used the shelter saw it.
belt path rather than the western boundary but the whole
area was filled with calling Jackdaw. At the south end most As is normal of late, gunfire
people had a brief view of the Barn Owl as it headed back had moved all the gull flocks
towards the hall. that we intended to scan for something different, so we
made for the lake. As we approached I found a Green
Feeling that luck was on our side, we headed through the Woodpecker perched in the dead tree below the dam, it
wood behind the hall hoping for Firecrest but as usual was happy to stay there so we had good views from the
nothing was found. The Walled Garden added the usual dam before it finally took flight.
pigeons and doves but a Stock Dove on the barn roofs
behind the gardens was a nice find. From here we headed The lake still held good numbers of Gadwall and Mallard, a
towards the church where Carol had recently found Little few Tufted Duck plus a few Moorhen. The swans were split
between the lake and the flood. The west bank added
Nuthatch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker but nothing
else despite putting out feed. The route round to the
bridge over the beck was very muddy but a few of us did
see a couple of probable Song Thrush disappear into a
patch of Bramble. The beck was in full flood but Teal and
Grey Heron were added quite quickly. A couple of brief
calls gave a Water Rail from the reedbed. A lone Wigeon
proved much more difficult to find but was the final bird of
the walk bringing us to 38 species for the walk.

Last Month’s Events

“Bardsey Bird Observatory”
with Steve Stansfield

By Alan Stevens

Our 2019 season of speakers closed with four club Bardsey, the ‘Island of 20,00 Saints’ is both a spiritual
members taking to the floor and our new year began in a mecca for Christians and birders alike. A little over a mile in
similar vein with Steve Stansfield talking to the 80 plus length and slightly less than that at its narrowest point is
members at our ‘trial’ venue in Sheringham. has an amazing record of birds the majority of which are
just passing through on passage. The island has seen some
Steve has spent his career at Bird Observatories and for the 330 species recorded, the majority making landfall, and
last 22 years he has been based on Bardsey Island off the that’s 30 more than an NENBC Platinum Badge! Add to this
coast of Anglesey. A lifetime with birds and as Chairman of the sheer number and variety of species seen at any one
the British and Irish Bird Observatories and chair of the time and it soon awakens a realisation of how important
Welsh Rarities Committee he comes well qualified and Bardsey is and its magnetic attraction of birders. Then
gave us a both entertaining and informative evening. consider the rare and scarce birds recorded there.

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Page 9

Greenish, Subalpine and Orphean Warblers and it up the list of ‘places I really must go soon’ for many
Cretzschmar’s Bunting to pull but a few examples and we members.
begin to understand why Steve has been drawn to stay
there for so long overseeing the conservation of the island
and recording the birds including ringing and the count of
10,000’s Manx Shearwater nest holes.

Steve’s professional presentation (including sound effects) Steve now spends the winter in North Norfolk and we are
also included a broad oversight of the island’s fauna and lucky to have him as a club member. He packs his bags and
flora and the management of the varying habitats. returns to Bardsey in March and who knows he may come
across the ‘Manxy’ ringed in 1957 and when last seen was
Information about getting to and staying on Bardsey and perhaps close to 60 years old.
the most favourable time of the year to go was enhanced
by quality images of the island and its birds surely moving Link to the Bardsey Bird Observatory
website plus the excellent Bird
Observatories Council Newsletter

Nick & Val Explore the NENBC Area – January

By Nick & Val Stubbs

For 2020 we have set ourselves the challenge of visiting all 114 of the sites listed on
the Locations page of the website, most of which are completely new to us.

BODHAM (4/1/20) – We had met Di and Richard Farrow at Selbrigg Pond and they
took us to Bodham Church, promising us Bullfinches – and we weren’t
disappointed. A Kestrel flew from the church roof and put on a splendid display. At
the fishing ponds later we found a sole fisherman, a Cormorant, and a Greylag
Goose.
Highlight – 3 male Bullfinches and one leucistic variant with yellow beak, feeding
on buds in the hedgerows by the church – it would have been tricky to identify
without its normal plumaged companions. Photo courtesy of Richard Farrow

FELBRIGG PARK & LAKE (6/1/20) – We used the main carpark and made our way west down the metalled track before turning
into the woods on the left where calling Bullfinches attracted our attention. In the meadows we had a splendid view of a
Green Woodpecker on the trunk of a dead tree joined by a second one a few minutes later. As we headed towards the lake we
bumped into Moss Taylor and Robina Churchyard. Benefiting from their experience we were able to spot a female Wigeon
among the Teal and a Lesser Black-backed Gull overhead. On the lake were Gadwall, Moorhen, Cormorant, Mute Swan,
Mallard and Black-Headed Gull. In the woods to the west Marsh Tits and Siskins were calling, and a Water Rail squealed from
the reeds.
Highlight – The female Red-crested Pochard that had been acting as a magnet to NENBC members over the previous couple of
days! She may not have been as splendid as the drake, but a very pretty thing that showed herself off from every angle

SUSTEAD COMMON (6/1/20) – A lovely wander through the delightful woodland of Spurrell’s Wood. The bird feeders by the
hide (accessible only to Friends/volunteers of the Felbeck Trust – www.felbecktrust.org.uk) were bustling with Blue Tits, Great
Tits and Marsh Tits, with Robins and Blackbirds coming in to pick up the bits from the ground.

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Highlight – a Goldcrest darting among the brambles near the composting loo (again accessible only to Friends/volunteers of
the Felbeck Trust)

LETHERINGSETT & FORD (14/1/20) – On an incredibly windy day we parked by the ford and followed the public footpath sign
which took us up across some turnip fields, struggling against the gale. After a short walk through a path with hedges we
turned left and into the woods. This takes you along the former railway line and we were amazed at how sheltered it was. We
followed this path as far as Holt and then returned the same way. Bird sightings were restricted on that day to a Jay, Pheasants
and Wood Pigeons, with all the smaller birds hunkered down, but in better weather we have seen Chaffinch, Blue Tit and
Great Tit at the Holt end, and Long-Tailed Tit, Buzzard and Grey Heron in the marshes by the ford.
Highlight – a fox that trotted across the path in front of us, bold as brass

ITTERINGHAM (15/1/20) – We parked behind the Community Centre and headed off west, down the track before turning right
into the meadow beside the stream. It was very wet underfoot so we headed west on a waymarked track to find better
terrain. There were miles of really good walking, although some of the paths through Mossymere woods were closed until
February for pheasant shooting , so we struggled to do a circular walk (though it would have helped if we had remembered
the map!). Lovely views of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Fieldfares, and mixed tit flocks including Marsh Tit.
Highlight – two graceful Red Kites soaring and whistling to each other

WEST RUNTON (18/1/20) – We parked in the free carpark next to the Bowls Club on the A149 and walked down Water Lane
towards the beach. The recent heavy rain had turned the fields to the east of the road into water meadows, and they were
alive with Starlings, Jackdaws and Lapwings, while Skylarks soared and trilled overhead. As the tide was in there was little to
see on the beach apart from a Cormorant on the end of one of the groynes.
Highlight – a pair of Redshank in the flooded fields, looking as though they were meant to be there

EAST RUNTON (22/1/20) – We spent just 30 minutes here (60p parking fee), but were delighted by the lovely beach which
featured a number of Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls as well as space for our deerhound to run. On the walk back up to
the carpark we heard a Robin singing and House sparrows chirping in a bush.
Highlight – half a dozen very smart Oystercatchers by the rock pools

OVERSTRAND (22/1/20) – We found an on-street parking place and wandered through the village, spotting a variety of species
on the rooftops and in the trees: Collared Dove and Wood Pigeon, Blue and Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Jackdaw and
Magpie.
Highlight – the interesting architecture, including buildings by Lutyens

TRIMINGHAM (22/1/20) – We missed the turning to the woods mentioned on the NENBC website (another trip required!), but
pulled in a bit further south. A quick look over the cliffs revealed nothing but as we were about to drive back out onto the road
a flock of small birds on the fields opposite caught our eye. Nick was quick off the mark with his binoculars and called out
Yellowhammer - the seeded field was alive with the little darlings.
Highlight – two reed buntings sitting in a tree at the back (and of
course the little canary-yellow fellows)

WITTON BRIDGE (22/1/20) – After parking next to the Village Hall
we got chatting to the couple living in the house next to the hall,
who told us about a little owl that calls from the ivy covered tree
opposite their house and a tawny owl that calls from a tree behind
their house – of course we didn’t see either. We followed the road
round to where it crosses a small stream, with a mixed tit flock
flitting through the trees and views over fields and ditches with a
Grey Heron flying over. Returning to the carpark, we took a walk
around the unhedged fields but they were like a wasteland. Photo
courtesy of Nick Stubbs
Highlight – fabulous views of a flock of Fieldfares and Redwings
hopping around in the fields close to the road heading towards
North Walsham

For those of you thinking that this image doesn’t match the one seen previously on our website, well you’d be
correct. For the past few years we have had a lovely photo of Witton Bridge, County Durham on our website and
Nick & Val were the first to spot our ‘deliberate’ mistake – congratulations to them!

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Page 11

Monthly Member Highs, Lows and Ponderings ...

Greylag Goose: “Initially on pond but driven onto the land on the far side of the pond by the swans” Valerie Stubbs, 04-
Jan-20, Selbrigg Pond
Greylag Goose: “24, Including a Greylag x Canada goose hybrid” Moss Taylor, 19-Jan-20, Wolterton Park
Pink-footed Goose: “heard calling from fields but unable to locate them, which was disappointing as I was to learn
subsequently that the flock held Tundra Bean and Russian White-fronted Geese” Moss Taylor, 01-Jan-20, Weybourne
Camp
Pink-footed Goose: “2000 spooked by the jets that were dive-bombing Weybourne” Valerie Stubbs, 27-Jan-20, Weybourne
Mute Swan: “pair & 5 young. The cob beginning to get aggressive towards its young, one in particular, perhaps a young
male” Moss Taylor, 03-Jan-20, Selbrigg Pond
Red-crested Pochard: “female on west side of lake. Although its tameness suggests that it may have escaped from a
collection, the Gadwall are just as tame and they are all genuinely wild birds.” Moss Taylor, 06-Jan-20, Felbrigg Park &
Lake
Great Northern Diver: “fair way out but nice scope views. Rubbish record shot but hey it's a GND get over it.” Mark
Clements, 17-Jan-20, Sheringham
Fulmar: “cliffs between Cromer and East Runton, mostly in pairs with some unattached hanging around the couples” Chris
Rahner, 02-Jan-20, Cromer
Little Grebe: “happily swimming around together on edge of reeds. Could they be the breeding pair & their three young?”
Moss Taylor, 03-Jan-20, Selbrigg Pond
Goshawk: “FLYING SE OVER COMMON - PROB MALE, ANOTHER ONE, ARE THEY CHASING ME? REPORT BEING SENT>”
Michael Colman, 11-Jan-20, Hanworth
Ruff: “Pig Fields viewed from road. As the light was fading simply could not find any ruff until they all decided to fly off to
Cley before circling!” John Hurst, 01-Jan-20, Edgefield
Woodcock: “Twilight walk from rush meadow to large wood gate. Both woodcock were flying over the woodland,
emerging to feed. Enchanting on a still evening.” John Hurst, 12-Jan-20, Felbrigg Park & Lake
Black-headed Gull: “100's if not 1000,s on the see from East end of the prom as far as could be seen to the east” Di &
Richard Farrow, 02-Jan-20, Sheringham
Black-headed Gull: “including ringed bird white ring TTLT a Polish ringed bird” Mark Clements, 06-Jan-20, Sheringham
Black-headed Gull: “Loafing about” Pauline Walton, 06-Jan-20, Briston
Great Black-backed Gull: “Attracted by dead seal on the beach below the cliffs.” Di & Richard Farrow, 11-Jan-20, Beeston
Regis
Caspian Gull: “On the sea by the Mo. Not certain of the ID so took notes and checked these with the recent photos - thank
you to all who have provided these!” Julia Peters, 02-Jan-20, Sheringham
Collared Dove: “The first of the year for us - in the garden or anywhere!” Carol & Ken Thornton, 31-Jan-20, Gresham
Kingfisher: “Male - put in a wonderful performance on shrubs and reeds to the left of the pond - dived and caught a fish”
Valerie Stubbs, 05-Jan-20, Selbrigg Pond
Great Spotted Woodpecker: “calling in woods, yet another species that we missed on January 1st.” Moss Taylor, 03-Jan-
20, Selbrigg Pond
Peregrine Falcon: “female zooming around the church tower. Viewed from Morrison's car park (now I take my bins
everywhere!)” John Hurst, 05-Jan-20, Cromer
Peregrine Falcon: “08:50-10:50 swooped over a field of curlew and meadow pipits putting them all up but not catching
anything” Carol & Ken Thornton, 10-Jan-20, Weybourne
Peregrine Falcon: “one banking 5 metres above my garden, then sitting on tower. the other following a group (+-10) of
feral pigeons” Chris Rahner, 31-Jan-20, Cromer
Rook: “On field behind the garage only one but not a Raven !!!” Anne Sims, 25-Jan-20, Alby
Carrion Crow: “21 spread across fields to the east of the mill. The largest gathering I have seen away from a roost.” John
Hurst, 16-Jan-20, Weybourne
Blue Tit: “Flitting around in apple tree and trying out new home-made seed feeder (result!!); a couple were prospecting
the nest box” Valerie Stubbs, 25-Jan-20, Weybourne
Blackcap: “resident winter male in the garden. Attacking all who comes to his fatballs!” John Hurst, 09-Jan-20, Sheringham

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Page 12

Firecrest: “Feeding midway up the reedbed sallows at the south end before flying over to Denmark House garden.
Obviously feeds here very intermittently as this was my third attempt to locate it.” John Hurst, 04-Jan-20, Weybourne

Treecreeper: “Good views for a long time as it foraged in the trees outside our kitchen window” Stephen Green & Clare
Wilson, 11-Jan-20, Erpingham

Blackbird: “creating a rumpus in garden, I think there's one of our tawnies nearby” Lin Pateman, 20-Jan-20, Edgefield

Fieldfare: “West over the garden. Having tried to no avail to see this species on New Year's Day, despite going to the
suitable pasture habitats, to have one fly over the garden whilst at breakfast just sums up the joy of birding!” John Hurst,
06-Jan-20, Sheringham

Fieldfare: “40 on field to west of cottages on Sheringham Road, bobbing about and not as obvious as numbers suggest”
Julia Peters, 13-Jan-20, West Beckham

Rock Pipit: “By seawatching shelter at the Leas, hopping around in the grass. A very welcome spot as we had failed
dismally to find the fulmars, caspian gull and purple sandpipers and were about to head back to the car despondent!”
Valerie Stubbs, 07-Jan-20, Sheringham

Goldfinch: “Briefly 28, the first time I've had big numbers this winter. Max species count in the garden. 0810-0910.” Di &
Richard Farrow, 18-Jan-20, Sheringham

RSPB Big Garden BirdWatch 2020

By Carol Thornton

This year’s RSPB Big Garden BirdWatch ran for three days from
Saturday 25th January to Monday 27th January. Many thanks to the 15

of you who loaded their records on to the NENBC website as well as

feeding back to the RSPB for their stats. It will be some time before
the full national results will be published but as of 6th February, there

have been 6,358,793 birds counted so far with House Sparrow at the

top of the leader board. Here is a summary of the sightings we had

logged in our area:

 Initially I thought Nik Borrow had recorded the most species with
a fantastic 24, but on closer inspection I belatedly spotted he had
undertaken a bird watch on both the Saturday and the Sunday
repeating some of the species so it was Christopher Mason who
recorded the most species in his Beeston Regis garden with 18.

 Blue Tit and Robin were recorded in all 15 gardens, with 14 being
the largest size of Blue Tit flock and Robin predictably 2.

 Brambling, Buzzard, Feral Pigeon, Goldcrest, Jay, Rook and 13
Sparrowhawk were recorded in just one garden (not all the same
one though). The Buzzard was in our Gresham garden and
unusually did land in a tree so we were able to count it for the first
time.

 Pauline Walton had the largest flock, with 28 House Sparrows in her Briston garden, but there were flocks of 20 Wood
Pigeon and Black-headed Gull in the Sheringham garden of Nik Borrow and 21 House Sparrow also in Sheringham at Di &
Richard Farrow’s place.

 Areas represented this year were Beeston Regis, Briston, Cromer, Edgefield, Gresham, High Kelling, Northrepps,
Sheringham, West Runton and Weybourne.

The full list of species recorded is shown below, in the order of number of gardens the species were recorded in:

Blue Tit, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Great Tit, Goldfinch,
Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Wren, Carrion Crow, Stock
Dove, Blackcap, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Moorhen, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Brambling, Buzzard, Feral Pigeon,
Goldcrest, Jay, Rook, Sparrowhawk

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Page 13

Cley Bird Club Winter Big Bird Day

By Janice Darch

Full details on the results available on the Cley Bird Club website. The day was mainly dry and sunny with temperatures
around 7-11°C but a strong force 5-6 south-westerly wind with gusts up to 49mph (force 9) in the afternoon made hard
work and finding some passerines very difficult. 124 species recorded in the Square on the day.

The second Cley Bird Club Bird (CBC) Race took place on Saturday 11 January 2020. The race was focussed on the Cley
"Square". Participants could either enter as a part of a traditional bird race in teams of 2, 3 or 4 people focussed on seeing as
many species as possible during the day or as casual birders. CBC wanted to make the day accessible to everyone so in the
"casual birders category" one or more people could bird together for as much or little time as they want in part(s) of the
Square on the day. The aim of the day, as well, as having fun was to help the club's efforts to get as much information on birds
in the Square as possible. On the day 8 teams took part, totalling 25 people plus a further 28 as casual birders. What was
amazing was that in the bird race category, first, second and third places went to teams who were all NENBC members! In
total, of the 53 participants at least 22 were NENBC members. Many thanks to the NENBC members who took time out to
provide the accounts below:

The Happy Birders: Phil Borley, Mark Clements and Lin Pateman [92 species]
Phil and I picked Mark up in the dark, so that we could start at Natural
Surroundings woodland area by 07:00. Here we were certain of tawny
owl calling, which delivered and as I closed the car door a woodcock put
up and flew off in silhouette as Mark and I cheered, Phil missed it. We
had song thrush and robin singing, blackbirds flitting with wood pigeon,
carrion crow, jackdaw and pheasant calling, then 7 greylags over to add
to our dawn chorus! I was keeper of the list and second watcher, with
Mark as chief watcher and Phil, driving watcher, when we landed at
“Coastguards” or the beach hotel, as we know it by 07:40. Here we
added 43 species in quick succession, there being only one other team at
first. Soon we were joined by The Hot Birders Penny Eddy with their very
entertaining banter! Happy with a decent list we headed on to Blakeney Harbour and out on the coastal path. The strong wind
was behind us and several birders battling their way back said don’t bother! It was great out there, we added 23 species; the
highlights being a merlin bombing through at 10:00, 50 golden plover and bearded tits calling in the reedbed. On the middle
path back through the Freshes, we were privileged to see a mother and two otter cubs running through the path, under the
fence and across the grass in front of us. On to Morston Quay for the nailed-on greenshank and another seven species
including a perched up sparrowhawk. When we searched Wiveton Downs there were only 3 species to add and a quick stop
off at Cley Spy added the same number. Through Glandford Ford and another 3, which were siskins, long-tailed tits and a
common buzzard! Bayfield Lake only held 2 species, so we wandered up to the feeders at Natural Surroundings to add marsh
tit, coal tit, nuthatch, wren and grey heron. Here Mark heard a grey wagtail call and I saw it fly off the wall and into the stream,
giving us all excellent views in the shallow water. We had to stop off at Salthouse Pond for the only coot in the area and then a
scan over Pope’s Marsh gave us 12 ruff and a dunnock. Saving the best ‘til last, there was a rather large gathering of teams at
the Reserve hides. We were delighted to add lesser black-backed gull, 2w. Caspian gull, yellow-legged gull and avocet. Phil said
we would need to hold out for a kingfisher as one was virtually guaranteed in front of Dauke’s hide. I popped next door into
Teal hide, to see a few friends and exchange inflated team scores and sure enough not one, but two kingfishers flew round
Pat’s Pool! Of course, neither Phil nor Mark had seen them when I rather guilty crept back, never mind we all agreed we

hadn’t missed anything else all day and it was time to get the papers up
to HQ. Hold on, crossing the bridge Mark heard a water rail but with all
the chattering teams heading up, Phil and I missed it. We never count up
our totals on any day’s birding, so the guys had to check my notebook
and record sheets whilst I enjoyed the facilities at the Visitors Centre. It
was a great day’s birding in “the Square” and a genuine shock to be
pronounced the winning team at the end. Our sincere thanks to all at
NWT Cley, CBC for organising and to Cley Spy for our unexpected prizes.

NENBC Grashers: Janice Darch, Phil Hall, Andy Clarke and Steve Chapman [85 species]
Firstly, what or who are the NENBC Grashers? The name was coined by Phil at our planning meeting. We're all members of
NENBC, hence the first part of our name. Grashers is made up from the first few letters in the names of the places the team
members come from - Janice and Andy from Sheringham, Steve, who couldn't make the meeting, but we thought he lived in
Aylsham (we were wrong, but never mind) and Phil from Gresham. Our strategy was to gather for a 7.30am start at the

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Page 14

Morston Tower so we could catch the receding tide. It was just getting light when we started and in an hour we racked up 25
species for the list. Waders were sparse this year but we did see Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew and Knot. Red-breasted Mergansers
were spotted and it was good to see Rock Pipit, which can be hard to find in the Cley Square. Leaving Morston we headed for
Blakeney Harbour while it still had some water. Here we added Cormorant, Snipe, Oystercatchers, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover,
Turnstone, Mallard and Wigeon before walking back through the Freshes to Friary Hills. More duck, geese and passerines were
seen bringing our total up to 51. We were lacking on the wader front and we knew that the Cley scrapes did not have many
waders either. From Blakeney we went to Cley and started with a sea watch at the Beach Car Park and at another spot near to
North Hide. This added Guillemot, Eider, Common Scoter, Golden Eye, Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe. Birding
North Scrape was by GIS as we were looking directly into the sun but Shoveler, Pintail, and Gadwall were obvious. We then
headed to the Snow Buntings and back along East Bank scoping a Peregrine en route to Walsey Hills for more passerines,
including Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Red-legged Partridge. Then it was inland via the Cley Spy Feeders which
were quiet, to the Natural Surroundings area. There was a Pheasant shoot in progress so inland birds were scarce and not
even the Natural Surroundings' feeders would provide us with Nuthatch. However, suitably refreshed with cake and hot drinks
we added Egyptian Geese and Red Kite to the list before heading back to the Cley Hides as the light was beginning to fade.
Here two Kingfishers were added plus Caspian, Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Avocets. As a finale we did a
swift drive inland to see if we could find a Barn Owl, but sadly none were showing. So ended a very enjoyable day with a final
score of 85 birds. We came second out of the eight competing teams! Our welcome back at the Cley Visitor Centre was great
and the lovely refreshments were very much appreciated. The main downsides to the day were the wind and the shooting,
both of which disturbed the birds and made birding harder than it would
otherwise have been. Personal gains were boosts to our year lists and a
great day of friendly competition and camaraderie.

Duck, Duck, Goose: Ben & Sally Clark and Ptolemy
McKinnon [81 species]
Starting by parking at CleySpy at 6:45am, Sally and Ben drove up from the
Coltishall area, and Ptolemy drove from Massingham way. Our plan of
action was to try for tawny owl and hopefully barn at Natural
Surroundings which in the end was partly successful with tawny owl being heard at roughly 6:50. After that we headed up to
Kelling Heath, hoping for woodcock but unfortunately in the end the only bird of note was a common buzzard. Looking back
we were quite lucky, as we were not to see one the rest of the day. Deciding we were time wasting at Kelling, we got in the car
and drove off toward Salthouse, down Beach Road, and to Gramborough Hill, which in the end was a great decision resulting
in a lifer for 2 team members, red-necked grebe. Other birds of note at this location included golden plover and wigeon. Hot-
footing it to Blakeney Harbour we picked up more waders including grey plover and bar-tailed godwit, unfortunately dipping
rarer birds like red-breasted merganser and bearded tit. Hoping for 2nd chances at Morston we rushed off there, and although
not managing pintail, goldeneye or red-breasted merganser, we still snapped up knot, ringed plover, and dunnock. Thinking a
good yellowhammer spot would be Wiveton Downs we headed there. Highlights included reed bunting, skylark, and goldcrest.
A kestrel was sighted soon afterward. Thinking we could get white-fronted and tundra bean goose, we travelled down toward
Langham, though on the way stopping in some woodland hoping for woodland birds. One bird we did not think we would get
was a tawny owl. Apparently they call in the day, who knew? As it was dark when we headed to Bayfield in the morning, we
went there again, a decent decision, hearing Nuthatch, which was another day tick for us. We had great views of long-tailed
tits, goldfinch and bullfinch on the feeders. The best views of these birds we had all day. Leaving Bayfield to think about other
birds, we quickly popped out heads into Cley Spy. Not much was in the feeders and the now infamous yellowhammer still
eluded us. While in Glandford, we sat by the River Glaven for a lunch spot in the hope of grey wagtail. No such luck but we
discovered a sewage works by accident a little further north. Here we saw red kite flying over head and plenty pied wagtails,
but none grey. Twenty minutes passed and finally one bird flew overhead. The yellow belly and grey head gave us the signal to
move onto the Salthouse and Cley area. Salthouse Heath brought us little, so we decided to briefly stop in the woodland. A
quick walk gave us great views of three red deer. No birds were added to our list here, but it was a fantastic mammal
encounter. Being mid-afternoon it was time for the main event… NWT Cley. Starting at East Bank, there really was not much to
see along Arnolds Marsh. However Ben spotted a peregrine falcon on the ground. Things were to improve though as we got to
the sea. A quick seawatch rewarded us with some cracking birds including shag, cormorant, common scoter and razorbill.
Ptolemy finally saw red-throated diver here having missed a bird fly past at Gramborough Hill which Ben had picked up. To
finish the day, we headed to the hides. Here we heard ruff and pintail had been seen but both eluded us, just like great
spotted woodpecker and yellowhammer had done for the team. However we were treated to Caspian and yellow-legged gull,
lifers for Ben and Sally. Still with time remaining, Ben thought we would quickly check Cley beach car park, but by then it was
very dark, so back to NWT centre we went. As by 5pm all checklists must be handed in. Luckily we narrowly made that
deadline, and whilst they figured out who won we started talking to other teams, and found we hadn't done quite as badly as
we first thought! Anxiously awaiting the results… And in 3rd place, with 81 bird species seen, is team Duck, Duck, Goose! Ben

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Page 15

was also awarded a £10 Cley Spy gift voucher for being the youngest Birder in the room. Overall a fantastic day and thankyou
to Cley Bird Club for hosting it!

The Briston and Cley Bulldogs: Mike Harcup and Sue & Ian Griffin [75 species]
Mike, Sue & Ian kicked off the race at the Beach Hotel, Cley. Our plan was to work west from there and then head inland
looking for small birds before working our way back to Walsey Hills. We would then assess next steps before a key visit to
Daukes hide and the gull roost. Our sea watch was unproductive compared to last year but we did have a small flock of
Common Scoter flypast. We did see the roosting Tawny Owl en route to Morston and we did well there from the National
Trust tower although we did miss out on hoped for Rock Pipit and Greenshank. This story of missing out on some of the
scarcer species was to be a theme of our race. On our inland foray for small birds we dipped on Treecreeper, Marsh Tit and
Brambling at Natural Surroundings and at our other "hot site" for small stuff, Walsey Hills was surprisingly quiet although
Greenfinch fell there. The grapevine mentioned Snow Buntings behind Arnolds Marsh so after a bit of a slog down the East
Bank we nailed the Snow Buntings hunkered down in the gravel out of the wind plus a pair of confiding Stonechats. We really
caught the headwind going back but did see a perched Peregrine. Our penultimate site was Daukes Hide and the gull roost.
Although we clinched the 2nd W Caspian Gull we missed out on Water Rail and Kingfisher. Back at the visitor centre we felt we
had done well considering the wind with our total of 75 species but soon discovered we had fallen behind, like last year. So we
finished 8th team out of 8 and next year we are entering as The Wooden Spooners!

From Nick Kimber with Ann Gladwin and Tessa Rose
Although we were only participating in the Cley Bird Club race on the “casual” basis, I had a great day's birding with Ann and
Tessa. We started at Blakeney Harbour (having noted some species at Cley and Salthouse as we drove through) and were
pleased to meet many of the competing teams and other casual birders, despite the weather. We headed inland to Bayfield
Hall & Natural Surroundings, where we met yet more participants. Kelling Heath was deserted, so we plumped for Kelling
Water meadow, before heading to the Beach car park at Cley. The highlight of the day for us was the warm welcome at the
Cley Visitor Centre and the chance to share with the other birders what was a most sociable and fun day. Hats off to the
intrepid racers!

From Jenny Johnson with Mark Johnson and Jamie [50 species]
Mark and I, together with our friend Jamie, decided to enter into the spirit of the CBC Big Bird Day by taking part as casual
birders. We did not want to enter the bird race as we thought that would be very competitive and mean us having a very early
start and rushing around instead of enjoying the places we chose to visit. As casual birders we listed species and numbers of
birds we saw in the areas we visited.We met at Cley Visitor Centre at 10am and then walked down East Bank. We expected to
see lots of frenzied competitors running up and down but all seemed normal. The NWT reserve guide we met tipped us off
that the snow buntings were on the eastern side of the shingle beach with a stone chat nearby so that was a good start! We
duly saw them as well as the usual suspects in the pools along the way. Whilst sea watching we were just debating whether
we were looking at a great crested grebe or a red throated diver when Andy Clarke and Janice Darch happened along and put
us out of our misery- it was a great crested grebe! As a quid pro quo we told them where we had last seen the snow buntings.
Next, our team went to Glandford Ford and did the short walk to Natural Surroundings. En route we saw red kites, mute
swans, teal and gadwalls as well as long tailed tits. At the café we had lunch whilst monitoring the feeders and were rewarded
by the sight of a great spotted woodpecker. Finally we went back to Cley and visited the central hides. People we passed said
there was standing room only in the hides as there was a bird race on (!) and surely enough Dauke’s Hide was very busy. One
lone avocet little realised how important his contribution to the event was. The object of most excitement was a Caspian gull
which a very experienced birder showed us through his scope - one of those moments where we just had to accept what we
were being told as it was difficult to identify. There was reputed to be a yellow legged gull but that was a bit ambitious for us
and we did not include that on our list! After that we returned to the Visitor Centre for tea and cake and exchanged stories
with other participants. We submitted our list of 50 bird species .We were very interested to hear what others had been up to
– one team had started at 7am and seen a woodcock! All in all, a very enjoyable day. Roll on the next Big Bird Day!

From Sue & Peter Morrison [67 species]
We were amongst the Casual Birders on the day and finished with a list of 67 species. Last year we stuck locally to Holt with
Kelling Heath and nearby spots. This year the wind was too strong so we opted for the areas round Blakeney Harbour, Natural
Surroundings and the Cley central hides. A Sparrowhawk at dawn flying along in front of our car at Salthouse Heath was going
to be one of our best birds only to find another one flashed past the Morston lookout tower in front of us and the NENBC
Grashers! Later in the day a Goldcrest and the Marsh Tit were singing briefly at Natural Surroundings and the Caspian Gulls
were showing very well on Simmond's Scape.

Conclusion
So there we have it, several summaries of the Cley Bird Club Winter Big Bird Day from both "Racers" and "Casual" birders. By
all accounts everyone enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to taking part again next year.

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Page 16

Camera Dilemma Pt 1 – What Would Work for Me?

By Carol Thornton

On the Felbrigg club walk in November I was asked by a member whether we could provide any information on types of
camera that would be good for taking pictures of birds. There really are so many different types and makes on the market
these days it can be completely overwhelming if you are looking to get started or improve your current kit. I wrote out to
everyone who had uploaded photos to our website in 2019 asking them for their opinions on the camera equipment they used
and I was astonished by the huge response, so thank you one and all. What I thought would be an article this month is going to
probably run through the next couple of newsletters as I am still getting reports in. I have asked for info on the whole range of
cameras, compact, bridge, digital SLR and phonescoping, so hopefully you’ll find something of interest in upcoming
newsletters whatever your level of interaction with photography. I have included the current new cost of the equipment that I
have seen online but don’t forget there are plenty of outlets where you can purchase second hand and when a new model
comes out, you can often get an ‘old’ model new at discounted price. I am happy to send out a separate document containing
all the responses to date to anyone who can’t wait! Photos of equipment included are mostly from the internet but the
wildlife photos were taken by club members with their specified cameras.

The views expressed below are from the point of view of the individual members. Should you wish, there are plenty of
comparison sites online to look at for cameras suitable for bird photography that go into a lot more detail on what you may
want to consider when selecting a camera and also debunking some of the technical terms used, including the following sites:
Birdwatchingdaily.com, Outsidepursuits.com, Theadventurejunkies.com, Justbirding.com. In addition there are plenty of
‘How To’ video guides available on YouTube to watch once you have selected your camera, or why not have a chat with one of
our members direct on the camera they use for some further Top Tips?

Let’s have a look at a couple of compact cameras first....

Canon SX720 HS Powershot
CAMERA COST ≈ £200 new

Alan Jones: I use a Canon SX720 HS Powershot, which I have
owned for a couple of years. It is a standard digital camera size,
but with an integrated zoom lens giving up to 40 x magnification. It
is very lightweight and small, (takes up less space than a
Smartphone) and is easy to carry in the pocket. The zoom facility
allows you to focus in on static birds, garden birds etc. and obtain
some good close-ups. You can then use either WI-FI or a USB
connection to upload onto other devices. On the negative side, the
zoom does takes a couple of seconds to focus, so for birds in flight,
it isn’t any good. Also, on full magnification, you have to be careful
to maintain a tight hold of the camera as any vibration when
depressing the shutter will blur the images.

Phil Cartlidge: Until a few years ago I used a digital SLR camera for
bird photography with a 300mm zoom lens. I found I was rarely
close enough for a good full frame photo of a bird and also
because of weight and size, I didn't always carry the camera. And
missed good photo opportunities! So I bought a compact camera,
small and lightweight enough to always have handy in a pocket.
The camera is a Canon SX720 HS. This comes with a 40x zoom lens
which makes getting a full frame photos of birds much easier. Yes
you lose some quality at full magnification but with some tweaking
on a computer you can get excellent results. You can also video
too. Again with excellent results. It is also relatively cheap. I think
that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and I would
certainly recommend this camera for bird photography.

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Page 17

Sony Cybershot DSC HX60
CAMERA COST ≈ £180 new

Stephen Green: I used to have a ‘bridge’ camera but have changed
to a compact Sony Cybershot DSC HX60. I love it! The advantages
are that it weighs hardly anything, fits in a pocket, has a 60x zoom
(30x optical) all the settings that my bigger camera had, and takes
good photos in all weathers. I even got shots of Lammergeiers in Catalunya. The disadvantages
are that it only has a screen, no viewfinder, which makes it more awkward in bright sun and for
moving targets, and that my fingers are too fat for one of the controls. It is Wi-Fi enabled but
I’ve not managed to get that to work which I think is down to my technical incompetence
rather than the camera.

Moving on to a selection of bridging cameras ....

Nikon Coolpix P900
CAMERA COST ≈ £460 new

Nick Kimber: I use a Nikon Coolpix P900
bridge camera. I do not consider myself a
photographer, and the beauty of this type of camera is that it is all
automatic. I just point and click. I do not have to adjust for light or focus, as
this is automatic (although you can do this manually if you wish). There is a
very good zoom, which is very easy to use and enables me to take pictures at
quite a long distance, e.g. Peregrine on Cromer tower or birds at sea. There is
also a good bird watching programme, which takes a continuous burst of
pictures, ideal as birds that won’t keep still. It does mean I have to sort and
delete a lot of pictures, but there is usually a good one in there. This type of
camera is not too heavy or big, and I would suggest good for a beginner or
someone like me, who mainly uses the camera for identification and
recording what I see, and I am very happy with the quality of pictures I
achieve.

Doug Cullern: I have used this Nikon Coolpix P900 bridge camera for 3 years
and have been very happy with the performance. Unlike an SLR, it has a fixed
lens which means you can instantly focus on long distance or close subjects.
This is particularly useful when you need to take a very quick photo of a
moving target. It has an optical zoom of 83x which is also helpful for ID
purposes. I have often been able to identify a bird with a quick photo more
easily than with binoculars. Once the shot is taken, you then have the option
to magnify it further on the camera. It is not a "professional" camera but a
simple "point and shoot" with a great zoom. It has now been superseded by
the P1000.

Canon PowerShot
SX50HS CAMERA COST model superseded but available ≈ £45 to £175 used

Pauline Walton: I have an interest in all
wildlife but my main focus is birds and I try
to take photos where possible with varying
results! Weight was the main consideration
in my choice of camera so I go down the bridge camera route rather than
DSLR although the latter probably produces better quality images. My main
camera, a Canon PowerShot SX50HS was purchased in May 2013 and
weighs c. 551g (I think the current model is SX70HS). It has a 50x zoom lens
equivalent to a focal length of 24-1200mm and offers a range of shooting
modes including options for manual control and video. Due to the rather
mobile behaviour of most birds my default setting is either ‘auto’ or ‘high

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Page 18

speed burst’ (takes 10 images in quick succession) and on the whole these cope with most situations. A macro setting allows
close up images of more static objects such as flowers. For distant subjects the 50x zoom is very useful but on full zoom in
poor light the images are rather grainy resulting in the wonderfully named ‘record shot’. However many of these evoke
wonderful memories such as the Little Bustard earlier this year. For those who carry a telescope it is possible to purchase an
attachment for the camera that allows digiscoping. One area I personally find difficult with this camera is flight shots, the view
finder is small, made worse as I wear glasses, so I use the screen for finding birds. If I’m lucky enough to find one I struggle to
follow it and keep it in focus. My best effort this year was a hovering kestrel on a sunny day and my worst a strange black blob
which was a White-tailed Eagle over Burnham Overy Dunes – honestly!

SX60HS CAMERA COST ≈ £400 new / SX70HS CAMERA COST ≈ £500 new

Roger Lougher: My camera is a Canon PowerShot SX60 HS (now
superseded by the SX70 HS). As a newcomer to birdwatching I needed a
camera to help with identification. I wanted to carry it with me most of
the time when out and also be able to use it as cheaper and more
portable alternative to a scope, so it had to be both light and have a zoom
lens. After 4 year’s use I can say that it has helped enormously. I know
little about cameras so I always use AUTO mode. When taking individual
shots, I tend to use the viewfinder rather than the display and often use
video to help identify waders etc. Pros :- Lightweight and good zoom
Cons :- Can be slow focusing particularly in poor light and when using the
zoom. Tech. Spec. :- Lens Zoom x65 optical – equivalent to focal range 21-
1365mm, CMOS sensor 16.1mp 1/2.3 inch, 922k dot electronic
viewfinder, Flip out 3” LCD display, Built in Wifi with NFC pairing.

And a quick look at some of the Digital SLRs available, focusing
on Nikon this month ....

Nikon D5100
CAMERA COST ≈ £300 new / £100+ used
LENS COST ≈ £1200 new / £300+ used

Adam Jones: My Nikon D5100 is what I use for all my
birdwatching, in the garden, out in the field and in hides on a daily
basis. It’s best with static birds, but can also have decent results
with in-flight shots when there is favourable light. This is an entry
level DSLR camera. This means it doesn’t have all the features of
the larger more expensive cameras, but it does still do enough to
deliver good quality pictures. It also means that you are not going
to be bamboozled by lots of dials and features that you’re unlikely
to use. It does have a good LCD screen that can be rotated. It also
allows you to record video in HD quality. This camera has
16.2Megapixels. The higher the amount of pixels the better the
quality of photo when cropped (zoomed in). For example, as most
birds are distant, unless you have a super telephoto lens you will
probably find yourself cropping the picture to bring the bird closer.
With a high amount of pixels your picture with have more detail
within it. Better quality picture with 24.2 than 16.2. My lens, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED, is what’s known as a
prime lens. (There is no ability to zoom in or out with it.) It is a good quality lens with ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and it
does deliver good quality pictures, with good colour. It does have a couple of downsides though. It is on the heavy side and
not that easy to carry about around the neck. It also does not have VR (vibration control) built in. This means I have to use a
monopod or tripod at all times to counter the shaking that would blur all pictures. That said, it is great when in use with these,
but if carrying these around would be a pain or uncomfortable there are some good lenses that have VR built in to them, that
may be lighter, but also more expensive.

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Page 19

Nikon D7200
CAMERA COST ≈ £650+ new / £450+ used
LENS COST ≈ £1600+ new / £1300+ used
TELECONVERTER COST: ≈ £500 new / £300 used

Moss Taylor: For as long as I can remember, I have used
Nikon cameras for my bird photography, and I really
can’t see me changing in the future, despite the recent
developments in camera bodies and lenses. My current set up is a Nikon D7200 (this replaced a D7100, which I still use for
scenic shots and close ups of flowers and insects with a Nikon 18–105mm lens), with a Nikon 300mm f4E PF ED VR AF-S lens
(whatever all these abbreviations mean!) and a Nikon 1.4 Teleconverter. With the built in optional 1.3 cropping factor in the

D7200 (which I always keep on), it turns the 300mm lens
into the equivalent of a 545mm lens. As the lens has built in
Vibration Reduction it means that hand holding is perfectly
possible and I really believe that photographing birds in
flight is one area where Nikon definitely scores over Canon.
Several years ago I did briefly use a Sigma 170-500mm lens
with a Nikon body but the results were most disappointing,
although I understand that the lens worked perfectly well
with Canon bodies. Apparently the Nikon body needed to
be calibrated to the lens, but that meant Nikon lenses
didn’t perform as well. I also have a Nikon 200-500mm
f5.6E ED VR AF-S lens that was purchased while my 300mm
lens was being repaired and eventually replaced, but it is
really too heavy to hand hold. That to my mind is one of the
great advantages of the D7200 and 300mm lens: it is
surprisingly light in weight. I also use a McoPlus Quick
Release Professional Shoulder Sling Strap that fixes to the camera’s tripod socket. It is so much easier to use than a normal
camera strap. Finally, I cannot recommend highly enough the service provided by Wex in Norwich, especially if problems
develop with either the camera body or lens.

Data, Records, Posts and Tweets ...

The NENBC Website

By Carol Thornton

We are only just into February and already we have records on the website from 80 members – excellent!
The Prolific Posters League Table from 6th February is shown below. Already we have 6 members who have

recorded over 100 species in the NENBC area this year, and a further 14 with over 80 species logged. Keep it

up as every record is important to us!

User Species Records Points
1 Moss Taylor 116 2203 153,960
2 Mark Clements 121 1898 126,930
3 Di & Richard Farrow 90 1284 118,180
4 Phil Borley 121 1111 101,910
5 Lin Pateman 108 597 56,900
6 Tony Forster 113 705 54,460
7 John Hurst 123 660 54,120
8 Michael Harcup 84 650 46,010
9 Valerie Stubbs 81 519 43,520
10 Ann Gladwin 89 714 40,040

Here are some of the stats from January:

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Page 20

Top 10 Locations – Number of Records Uploaded Top 10 Locations – Number of Species Reported

Sheringham 1,939 Weybourne 94

Felbrigg Park & Lake 1,466 Weybourne Camp 85

Weybourne 1,297 Sheringham 76

Bodham 819 Felbrigg Park & Lake 72

Beeston Common 810 Letheringsett & Ford 64

Selbrigg Pond 738 Bodham 61

Letheringsett & Ford 639 Thornage 58

Weybourne Camp 604 Beeston Common 55

West Runton 483 Blickling Park NT 55

Blickling Park NT 390 Selbrigg Pond 54

Top 10 Species – Number of Records Uploaded Top 10 Species – Number of Locations Species Are Present

Wood Pigeon 531 Robin 81

Black-headed Gull 528 Wood Pigeon 80

Blackbird 527 Blue Tit 79

Blue Tit 496 Blackbird 78

Robin 488 Chaffinch 72

Chaffinch 410 Carrion Crow 71

Herring Gull 384 Buzzard 70

Carrion Crow 375 Black-headed Gull 69

Jackdaw 374 Great Tit 68

Great Tit 344 Jackdaw 67

Moving the Location Arrow to Improve Location Details ...

Just a quick plea from some of our members who have been scrabbling around over the past month to
get some of the less easy to spot species on their year list for the area. When you Add Records to the
website and choose the Location, a map appears for the locality. If you are adding multiple records from
a visit to Felbrigg for example, then it is fine to ignore the map for your logging purposes and if you spot
something unusual, you can write in the comments section exactly where you saw the bird so others
have a chance to locate it. However, what you may not know is that you can also identify the exact location you spotted the
bird on the map. Just drag the blue indicator arrow on the map to the appropriate position before you submit your records. It
will record this location for all the records that you submit at that time so if you just want the indicator arrow to be moved for
one sighting, it is worth uploading that record on its own rather than with all the records from your birdwatching visit. One
thing to note though, please don’t give the exact location of nesting birds in this way because of the Schedule 1 requirements.

NENBC Twitterings about Twitter – January

By Jane Crossen

We now have 884 followers. A little
more activity this month, but not
expecting it to ‘take off’, so to
speak, until end February/March –
unless we get a nice rarity in!

Don’t forget you can catch up on all
the club Twitter news without
having to have a Twitter account
yourself simply by looking at our Twitter Feed Web Page on your
computer / laptop / phone etc: www.twitter.com/NENBC_Info

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Page 21

We are a local bird club and as such our Twitter reports are reliant on information we receive via bird records uploaded to
our website by our members, Twitter reports from those following us and those we follow plus local word of mouth. We
always endeavour to get reports out on Twitter as quickly as we can but it is not always feasible for us to do this
immediately a bird is seen so please bear with us. Reports on NENBC Twitter are mostly unchecked - please refer to our
website for more details about recent sightings. We welcome users tagging us @NENBC_info as this gets sightings out to
more people more quickly, but please refrain from posting any discussion that could be construed as abusive, derogatory or
inflammatory to or by other users. As a reminder from The Twitter Rules: “Twitter's purpose is to serve the public
conversation. Violence, harassment and other similar types of behaviour discourage people from expressing themselves,
and ultimately diminish the value of global public conversation. Our rules are to ensure all people can participate in the
public conversation freely and safely.”

Other Social Media - January

There is often a bit of negative press associated with social
media and reluctance by some (myself included) to engage
with it but there really is a lot of good stuff out there in the
ether. Not always local, but here are a couple of bits of
interest that caught my eye over the past month...

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Page 22

Contemplating Conservation: APEP 4

This week sees the publication of the current assessments of the size of breeding and wintering bird
populations in the UK and in Great Britain made by the Avian Population Estimates Panel (APEP).

The BTO say “Estimates of population size are a key tool, used alongside population trend information and
that on other aspects of bird ecology (such as survival and productivity rates) to assess conservation
status.” The fourth assessment ‘APEP 4’ is published in the journal British Birds, and outlined below. A pdf
summarising the report is available from the BTO website:

Population estimates of birds
have many applications in
conservation and ecological
research, as well as being of
significant public interest.
This is the fourth report by
the Avian Population
Estimates Panel, following
those in 1997, 2006 and
2013, presenting population
estimates of birds in Great
Britain and the United
Kingdom. Overall, there are
thought to be about 84
million breeding pairs of birds
in the UK, similar to the total
in APEP 3. The Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes
continues to be the most
common species, with a
current estimate of 11 million
pairs, which has increased
since APEP 3. There are more
than one million pairs of 20
species (23 in APEP 3) and
these 20 species contribute
77% of the total (58% of the
total is accounted for by the
ten commonest species
alone). Population estimates
originate from a wide variety
of sources, many involving
extrapolation of previous
estimates by recognised
trend measures. Despite the
often exceptionally detailed
information available on bird
numbers, there remain many
gaps in our knowledge.
Recommendations are made
to improve our
understanding of bird
numbers nationally.”

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Page 23

Bird of the Month – Skylark

Each month we select one of the common song bird species Audio clip of song & sonograms from the Xeno-Canto website:
and provide a member photo, a sonogram image and a link Xeno-Canto: Skylark
through to video and audio guides to aid with song
recognition, sign-posting to more detailed information and Video ID Guides from BTO:
research on that species. There’s also some local information Skylark & Woodlark and Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit & Skylark
on the species distribution and behaviour in the NENBC area
from the records logged by members on our website. Detailed bird profiles from the BTO & RSPB websites:
BTO Bird Facts: Skylark & RSPB Bird A to Z: Skylark

ID Tips from the NWT website:
NWT Skylark

Monthly Records Photo courtesy of Alan Stevens

Yearly Records

Top Reporters Sonogram courtesy of Fraser Simpson from his excellent website
fssbirding.org.uk
Top Locations
Histogram of song periods as reported by club members in 2018

The song of the Skylark epitomises summer and must be one of the most
recognised and loved songs by birdwatchers and non-birders alike. Skylarks are
one of the few birds that sing regularly in February, depending on the weather,
and by March are in full song, which is maintained all the way through the
summer until late July. The cessation of singing in August and September
coincides with the period of complete moult in adult Skylarks, and is then
followed by a brief period of reduced singing activity in October.

[Source: NENBC Bird Song Periods Project – see chart left]

% of NENBC locations where Skylark were reported increased from
68% in 2018 to 71% in 2019 during the summer period of Apr to Jun
following a decrease from 59% to 54% during the winter period of

Dec to Feb from 2017 to 2018 [Source: NENBC IoRA Project]

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Page 24

Ficedula Fun
What's That Song?

Many of us find it difficult learning or remembering bird song whilst others seem to have a natural knack for it, a bit like a
foreign language or music skill. Can you recognise a bird from the description of its voice though? The descriptions come from
three different books but they all refer to the same bird – no wonder it is so confusing! As you can see, some books go into
more detail than others. Answers are on the last page of this newsletter, along with a link through to a website where you can
listen to an audio excerpt and decide which description resonates best with you!

“Dry, cackling calls from feeding groups. Noisy at colonies with growls, especially when greeting mates at the nest.”

from RSPB Handbook of British Birds by Holden and Cleeves

“Calls at colony have strange, repetitive, mechanical effect in constant guttural chorus.”

from WILDGuides BRITAIN’S BIRDS - An identification guide to the birds of Britain and Ireland by Hume, Still, Swash, Harrop and Tipling

“Loud, grating sounds at colonies.”

from Collin’s BIRD GUIDE 2nd Edition by Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant

Wordsearch

This month, test your skills with the 16 species from February last year that begin with F-E-B. For the purposes of this puzzle,
ignore any hyphens, apostrophes and spaces. Number of records generated also shown. Solution is at the end of this
newsletter.

Feral Pigeon [66]
Fieldfare [34]
Firecrest [7]
Fulmar [44]
Egyptian Goose [49]
European Stonechat [61]
Barn Owl [33]
Barnacle Goose [1]
Blackbird [296]
Blackcap [3]
Black-headed Gull [271]
Blue Tit [265]
Brambling [50]
Brent Goose [18]
Bullfinch [73]
Buzzard [232]

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Page 25

NENBC Bird Highlights ≈ 14577 individual records covering ≈ 142
bird species were added in January
January 2020

By Carol Thornton

All records are from the NENBC website and submitted by members. Key to the bird records list below:

BIRD NAME IN BOLD BIRD NAME IN Bird name in bold & Bird name without Bird name in pink
& CAPITALS CAPITALS lowercase embellishment
Bird species selected
Bird species a rarity Bird species unusual Bird species interesting Bird species as an NENBC 2020
in the NENBC area in the NENBC area but common in the common in the survey subject
NENBC area
NENBC area

There were over 14,500 records submitted during January, nearly double what was submitted for the same period
last year and a whopping 8,000 records more than last month. The total number of species seen was 142, which
was three more than was seen in the same period last year and the same as last month’s total. There were two
rarities this month – BLACK-THROATED DIVER and RAVEN – and unusual species were BARNACLE, TUNDRA BEAN &
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, RED-CRESTED POCHARD, GOOSANDER, GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, SLAVONIAN GREBE,
GREAT WHITE EGRET, GOSHAWK, PURPLE SANDPIPER, JACK SNIPE, LITTLE, MEDITERRANEAN, CASPIAN & YELLOW-
LEGGED GULL, RAZORBILL, MERLIN, WAXWING, CETTI’S & DARTFORD WARBLERS, FIRECREST, BLACK REDSTART,
TREE SPARROW, ROCK PIPIT, COMMON REDPOLL plus LAPLAND & SNOWY BUNTING. Full details are shown below:

Brent Goose There were 35 records in January, mostly from the coastal locations of Happisburgh, Sheringham, West
Runton, Weybourne and Weybourne Camp but with a slightly inland record of two birds over Gresham’s School at
Holt on 14th. Highest number was 50 east at Weybourne on 31st.

BARNACLE GOOSE Seven records were from Weybourne on the 1st, 3rd, 18th and 19th, Weybourne Camp on 1st and
18th, Cromer Pier on 19th and an unusual record of a single bird of unknown origin inland at Hunworth on 28th with
Greylags. With the exception of the Cromer record of 3 birds, the other coastal records were of 8-16 birds.

TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE All records were between
the 1st and 19th of the month, predominantly in
the fields with the other geese at Weybourne but
with one fly-over record of 5 birds from
Weybourne Camp on the 16th. The maximum
count was on the 3rd when 8 birds were
reported. Photo courtesy of Julian Thomas

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE There were 65 records
of this unusual species during January. A skein of
48 were seen flying SE at Hanworth on 1st (and
seen earlier at Cley and later at Hopton). Most
records were of less than 10 birds and were in
fields at Weybourne, Letheringsett & Ford and
also near Saxlingham with fly-overs at Edgefield,
West Runton, Weybourne and Sheringham. Nine of the records included reports of at least one juvenile.

Egyptian Goose Ninety records from 20 locations throughout the area for the whole month. Most records were of
1-4 birds but there was an unusual high-count of 15 flying west parallel to A149 at Bodham on the 5th. Reports
towards the end of the month from Blickling Park were of an Egyptian Goose paired with a Ruddy Shelduck, hybrid
or escapee.

Pintail A male and female flew west at Weybourne Camp on 28th.

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Page 26

RED-CRESTED POCHARD A pair was initially
reported at Felbrigg Park & Lake on 5th but by the
6th only the female was present and was last
recorded on the 9th. The fate of the male is
unknown but it is unlikely it would have left
without the female so may have been predated.
Photo courtesy of Nick Kimber

Common Eider There were 9 records of this
species withone at Sheringham and 6 at
Overstrand on 1st, 6 at Weybourne and Cromer
Pier on 19th, 2 at Weybourne Camp on 21st
followed by 4 on 28th plus 1 at Beeston Bump on
24th.

GOOSANDER Two redheads west at Sheringham
on 10th and a pair west at Weybourne Cam on
28th. All other records were from Blickling Park,
with up to 6 birds on the 1st and 4 on the 4th, 15th and 18th. Only one of the birds at Blickling was reported as a
drake.

Red-breasted Merganser One report of a pair east at West Runton on the 21st.

Grey Partridge Twenty two reports throughout the month from Bale, Bodham, Gresham, Sheringham Cemetery,
Sustead, Weybourne and Weybourne Camp. The maximum count was of 12 on the 2nd in a harvested beet field east
of Weybourne.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Two records of this rarity, a single bird at Weybourne on the 1st.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Five records of single birds offshore at Sheringham on 12th and 17th and Weybourne on
18th.

Fulmar There were 45 records from 8 coastal
locations throughout the month. Most records
were of 1-5 birds but high counts of 13 at
Cromer on 2nd, mostly in pairs with some
unattached hanging around the couples, and 12
there on 31st.

SLAVONIAN GREBE One feeding close in at
Sheringham on 10th, seen very briefly before it
dived then not re-located.

GREAT WHITE EGRET Two records, both on the
3rd of single birds. One flew in from the south
and into the reedy NE corner of Baconsthorpe
Castle mere before flying off north a few minutes
later. A further sighting was with Little Egrets in
rough grazing south of the dam at Felbrigg Park
& Lake.

Little Egret This NENBC Survey Species generated 55 records from 15 locations throughout the month. Hanworth
and Letheringsett & Ford generated the most sightings.

Shag Just one record of a single bird drifting east and outwards past east end of prom at Sheringham on 30th.

GOSHAWK Four records of this unusual species – one over Hanworth on 11th, a male flying over Mundesley on 13th
plus at Swanton Novers a male and female seen from the Raptor Watchpoint on the 29th and two displaying over
the conifers on 30th.

Marsh Harrier Eighteen records of single birds predominantly over Weybourne throughout the month. Other
records came from High Kelling, where a probable female flew south on the 2nd, Felbrigg Park 7 Lake on 6th, with the

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Page 27

initial report of a lone female followed by two birds flying over the flooded meadow, and Sheringham , where a
juvenile was west offshore on 7th.

Red Kite A fantastic 74 records from the 1st through to the 31st from 27 locations. The majority of records were of
single birds but with 2 or 3 also common. However, there were 4 reported at Little Barningham on the 10th,
Letheringsett & Ford on 11th and Barningham Hall Lake on 31st. An amazing 9 were reported at Mannington Hall
Park on 11th.

Water Rail Records came from Weybourne, Weybourne Camp, Felbrigg Park & Lake and Buxton Heath. Most of the
records were of single birds, but 2 were reported at Weybourne on 1st and 8th. None of the records report seeing
the birds, just hearing their chipping and calling.

Grey Plover All of the 32 records came from West
Runton. There was only one report of a single bird
with records regularly being in double figures,
with 17 birds recorded on 2nd, 18 on 27th and 21
on 31st. Photo courtesy of Alan Stevens

Knot A single bird reported west at Weybourne
on 4th was the only record this month.

Ruff Edgefield was again the only place you could
spot this species, where there were reports of up
to 30 birds on pig fields from 1st to 9th.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Unsurprisingly, a high number
of records generally of 1-2 birds at either
Sheringham or West Runton throughout the
month, but there was one report of 3 birds
together on groyne below The Crown at Sheringham on 18th.

Woodcock Just eight records of this elusive bird from Sustead Common, Weybourne Camp, Kelling Heath,
Mannington Hall Park, Felbrigg Park & Lake [2 birds] and Swafield plus 5 flushed from woodland during a pheasant
drive at Bale, where fortunately they are not shot due to farm policy.

JACK SNIPE A single bird was flushed by a dog below dam at Felbrigg Park & Lake in very wet boggy area on the 10th.

Green Sandpiper The mill pool at Burgh-next Aylsham & Oxnead was the most reliable spot, with 9 of the 11
records being reported from here. The maximum count was of 4 on the 20th with other records coming from Brinton
on 2nd [2 birds] and Baconsthorpe on 3rd [1].

Kittiwake Two east at Weybourne on 4th, 4
offshore at Beeston Regis on 9th, 9 east at
Sheringham during a seawatch on 10th and a
further single there on 11th.

LITTLE GULL One east at Sheringham on 10th.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Virtually all records were
of single birds from the 3rd onwards at
Sheringham, Beeston Common, Walcott, West
Runton, Edgefield and Weybourne Camp with 2
birds reported at Cromer on 26th.

CASPIAN GULL There have been 59 records of the
same first winter bird at Sheringham throughout
the month. Photo courtesy of Tony Forster

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Just two reports of a
single bird on the pig fields at Edgefield on the
25th.

Great Skua Three east during a seawatch at Sheringham on the 10th.

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RAZORBILL Reports of a single bird at Sheringham on
11th, 8 there on 26th and a single bird on the sea at
Weybourne on 30th.

Barn Owl It was good to see 40 records of single birds
from 15 locations throughout the month. Felbrigg Park
& Lake and Aylmerton were the most reliable spots
with 9 and 8 records respectively. Photo courtesy of
Alan Stevens

Tawny Owl This NENBC Survey Species produced 56
records from 19 locations throughout the month.
Gresham and Felbrigg Park & Lake generated the most
sightings.

Little Owl Felbrigg Park & Lake was the best place to
see this owl with 19 records throughout the month.
Other sightings were from Barningham Hall Lake,
Bodham, Letheringsett & Ford and Sheringham
Cemetery. Just one record was of two birds, with one
calling around church and one south east corner of the
lake at Felbrigg Park & Lake on the 23rd.

Kingfisher There were 25 reports of single birds this
month with 11 from Letheringsett & Ford and 12 from
Selbrigg Pond. Other sites were Corpusty & Saxthorpe
on the 1st and Baconsthorpe on the 20th. Photo courtesy
of Tony Forster

MERLIN There were 7 records of single birds this
month, with most reports being of female or first
winter birds – Weybourne / Weybourne Camp on 17th,
19th, 25th and 31st plus Letheringsett & Ford on 19th and Sheringham on 27th.

Peregrine Falcon Sixteen of this month’s records were at Cromer of 1-2 birds, mostly on or around the church
tower. Other records came from Blickling Park, Corpusty & Saxthorpe, Gresham, Little Barningham, Sheringham,
Thornage, Weybourne, Weybourne Camp and Wolterton Park.

HOODED CROW [HYBRID] One reported at Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Beeston Regis on the 1st.

RAVEN Two reports of this rarity during January – one seen calling and seen well in flight near the Mill Lane car park
at Blickling Park on the 18th and one in flight, picked up by call initially, flying towards Alby from Hanworth on the
24th. Keep your eyes peeled during February for this
description species.

WAXWING A single bird picked up at Weybourne, first
seen in top of tree behind Station Cottages on 25th and
then flew into hedgerow by allotments and then onto
the telegraph wires before taking off and flying north-
east out of the village

Marsh Tit A fantastic 102 records covering the whole
month from 22 locations. The top spot was Selbrigg
Pond generating 38 records, followed by Felbrigg Park
& Lake with 20 and Beeston Common with 15. Most
records were of 1-2 birds but 4 were reported at
Beeston Common on 16th and Felbrigg Park & Lake on
23rd. Photo courtesy of Richard Farrow

CETTI’S WARBLER Most of the 17 records of singing

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Page 29

single birds came from Weybourne Hope reedbed. There were also reports at Selbrigg Pond on 4th and Pigney’s
Wood on 13th and 17th.

DARTFORD WARBLER a single report at Kelling Heath on the 10th.

FIRECREST Most records came from Weybourne and
Weybourne Camp from 1st to 8th but there were
additional records from Aylmerton on 3rd, Beeston
Common on 20th and 31st, High Kelling on 22nd, Pretty
Corner Wood on 10th [2 birds] and 17th and
Sheringham Park on 15th.

Treecreeper This species was seen at 18 locations
throughout the month. The top spots were Felbrigg
Park & Lake with 15 sightings from various locations
across the grounds, and Beeston Common with 13
mostly along the south path with a high count of 4
birds on the 28th.

BLACK REDSTART Three records of a single bird at
Cromer on 6th, 9th and 18th. Photo courtesy of Chris
Rahner

European Stonechat Thirty two records over the whole month of 1-2 birds from 6 locations – Buxton Heath,
Felbrigg Park & Lake, Kelling Heath, Trimingham, Weybourne and Weybourne Camp.

House Sparrow This NENBC Survey Species produced a fantastic 292 records from 52 locations throughout the
month. Sheringham generated the most sightings, with the largest flock of 40 recorded there on the 12th.

TREE SPARROW A single bird has been hanging around
the Letheringsett & Ford / Thornage area all month. It
has mainly been observed on garden feeders. Photo
courtesy of Nick Kimber

Grey Wagtail Thirty three records from 11 locations,
all of single bird except a report of an adult and first
winter bird at Selbrigg Pond on 3rd. Other locations
with several sightings were Burgh-next-Aylsham &
Oxnead, Gresham Sewage Works, Holt and Thornage.

ROCK PIPIT Plenty of records of a single bird on the
beach rocks at Sheringham during the first week of the
month, but then just 4 records from there on 13th, 14th
and 30th. The only record of two birds was at the base
of the wooden steps on Beeston Bump on 24th

Brambling Just 33 records of our ‘Through a Lens’
species this month. Maximum counts were of 5 birds at Happisburgh on 26th, and 4 at Weybourne / Weybourne
Camp on 1st, 21st and 23rd.

COMMON (MEALY) REDPOLL One record at Letheringsett & Ford on 24th with a flock of Goldfinch.

Lesser Redpoll Between 4 and 6 reported at Letheringsett & Ford on the 5th, 6 at Beeston Common on 7th and a
single bird on 14th, another at Letheringsett & Ford on 24th and two back at Beeston Common on 31st.

Siskin Sixty one records from 22 locations throughout the month. Beeston Common was the top spot with 12
records but the highest count, and exceptional this year, was of a flock of 100 at Oulton on the 5th.

LAPLAND BUNTING Just one record of a single bird at Weybourne on the 1st. It was flushed by a Kestrel from a
roadside field with Skylarks, landed on harvested beet field by coastguards lane but could not be re-located.

SNOW BUNTING One record of a flock of 25 flying low over waves c.300yards offshore in front of 3 Cormorants at
Weybourne Camp on the 18th.

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Page 30

What to Watch for in February

February could still bring severe, cold weather conditions. If so, then this could see the continued influx of birds
from the continent. Check out the flocks of wildfowl on freshwater lakes for more unusual ducks, such as the Smew.
The males are very distinctive being mostly bright white with a black eye mask but the females are more likely to
turn up. The females are brown-grey with a chestnut crown and black eye mask. Don’t overlook the possibility of
wintering Whooper Swan or the scarcer Bewick’s Swan amongst our Mute Swans. They can be told from the Mute
Swan by their yellow rather than orange red bills and from
each other by the patterning of the yellow on the bill, the
Whooper having less yellow on its bill.

NENBC Project Updates

Below is a roundup of the current raw data for the projects the club
is running this year. Fuller write ups and analysis of some of these
will appear in future editions of this newsletter. Photo of foxes
courtesy of Tony Forster

2019 Survey Species Project Index of Relative Abundance (IoRA) Project

To participate in this club project ..... Upload a record every time To participate in this club project ..... Choose as many locations
you see or hear any of the three nominated species for this year – that you feel you would be able to visit twice during each of the
Little Egret, Tawny Owl and House Sparrow. two periods: December to February and April to June. On each
visit try to cover as much of the area as possible or at least visit
Aim ..... To better map their distribution and numbers in the each of the habitats present. Record all the species seen and/or
NENBC area and as a bit of fun for members to locate them and heard on the website in the usual way.
generate extra points in the Contributor Points Scheme.
Aim ..... To compile annual indexes of the Relative Abundance of
all the common species in the NENBC area from the results of
these regular visits and enable comparisons with historical data.

Bird Song Period Project

Last Month .....

To participate in this club project ..... Whenever you hear a bird Thirty two members uploaded 554 records featuring 27
singing during the year, please add the record to the club website singing bird species last month across 34 locations so many
in the usual way and include the word SINGING in the Notes
column. thanks to all of you! Don’t forget to review the full 2018
Bird Song Period Report in the NENBC Annual Bird Report
Aim ..... To provide a database from which current song bird 2018 – see Back Page Club Info for details – and the 2019
periods can be estimated for the NENBC area.
report will be in the March Newsletter.
Other Wildlife
Last Month .....

To see your records feature here next month ..... Simply add any There were just 24 records from 14 locations by 9
records to the website under ‘Other Wildlife’ in the usual way but observers during January - Muntjac, Red & Roe Deer,
make sure you enter the common name of species you have seen.
Upload a photo too if you have one. plenty of Grey Squirrels, mating Hares & Rabbits,
Hedgehog, two foxes on the beach at Weybourne, Bank

Vole and sadly an RTA Badger

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Page 31

Birds in Culture Written in 1968 by Norman McCaig, The Sparrow uses the
(as it was then) common sparrow as a metaphor for the class
The Sparrow structure of the period: presumably because the “cockney
sparrow” has always been used to describe London’s working
By Jane Crossen class people (like me! Born within the sound of Bow Bells
dontcha know!)
He’s no artist
His taste in clothes is more It is evocative and descriptive, as the sparrow fits perfectly
dowdy than gaudy. into its place in the pecking order (pardon the pun) of the
And his nest – that blackbird, writing social strata of the poem and of the time.
pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,
would call it a slum. Photo courtesy of Richard Farrow
To stalk solitary on lawns,
to sing solitary in midnight trees, This Month's Wordsearch Solution:
to glide solitary over grey Atlantics – BIRDS RECORDED IN THE NENBC AREA
not for him: he’d rather
a punch up in a gutter. IN FEBRUARY 2019
He carries what learning he has
lightly – it is, in fact, based only
on the usefulness whose result
is survival. A proletarian bird.
No scholar.
But when winter soft-shoes in
and these other birds –
ballet dancers, musicians, architects –
die in the snow
and freeze to branches
watch him happily flying
on the O-levels and A-levels
of the air.

Ficedula Fun Solutions

What's That Song?
The bird voice variously described was that of a
Gannet. Click on the bird name to take you
through to the xeno-canto website where, if you
click on any of the play arrows on the left of the
page, you will be able to hear the song. Don't
forget to have your sound turned on and the
volume up! Photo courtesy of Moss Taylor

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Page 32

Back Page Club Info .....

NENBC Annual Bird Reports are available for £5 members or £7.50 non-
members. Compiled from the records and photographs added to the club

website by members since were established in January 2015, and
complemented by articles on club activities. Please contact Carol via
[email protected] to arrange for payment and collection or postage (a

further £1.30).

The Birds of Felbrigg Park is a systematic review of the records of all 220 species seen in and around the park over
the past 50 years, indicating their current status and highlighting, for the rarer species, every recorded sighting. The

publication includes photographs and artwork from local artists. The book is £9.95 and you can get a copy from
Felbrigg Hall reception during opening hours or contact Carol on [email protected] to arrange collection or postage

to your address (an additional £1.30). All profits from the sale of this book go to Felbeck Trust, our local wildlife
conservation charity: www.felbecktrust.org.uk

Wings over Weybourne is a book by club member Moss Taylor. It is an account of the history and birdlife of
Weybourne Camp, one of NENBC’s listed Locations, largely based on his observations and ringing there over the last
46 years. The price is £15 and all profits are going to Moss’s charity ‘Love for Leo’ that assists children with cerebral

palsy living in Norfolk and Suffolk. If you would like to purchase a copy, please contact Moss on
[email protected] or if you are out that way, you can get hold of a copy at the Muckleburgh Collection

shop.

Rare and Scarce Birds in North-east Norfolk This book by Moss Taylor presents all the records of rare and scarce
birds that have been recorded in the NENBC area up to the formation of the Club in 2014. There is a Classified List
and a chapter on the historic habitats and birding activities in the area plus all additional rarity records from 2015 to
2018. It is also illustrated with 78 colour photographs and runs to 104 pages. All profits from the sale of the book will
be going to the charity Love for Leo set up by Moss Taylor & Robina Churchyard, which helps to finance equipment
and treatment that is not available under the NHS for Norfolk and Suffolk children with cerebral palsy. The book
retails at £12 and copies are available from the author, Moss Taylor, at 4 Heath Road, Sheringham, NR26 8JH, phone

01263-823637 or email [email protected]

Recent Annual Reports for Weybourne Camp, emailable summaries of the bird life at the camp, are available from Moss Taylor on
[email protected] so please get in touch if you would like the document sent to you.

Club Sponsor: Club Supporter:

A 5% discount on Bird Ventures branded wild bird A reduced ‘day-time’ parking fee of £1 during the
food is available to NENBC members at their shop ‘charging’ season at the Seaview Car Park in West
in Holt all year on production of a current NENBC Runton, courtesy of club members Louise and Martin
Membership Card. Have a look at the Bird O’Shea, owners of the Seaview Beach Café, on
Ventures website as they also supply feeders and production of a current NENBC Membership Card. Full
much more with good advice and help for garden fees payable at other times. There is a 'current
bird enthusiasts. Bird Ventures, The Wildlife sightings' book in the café which members are
Shop, 9B Chapel Yard, Albert Street, Holt, Norfolk encouraged to contribute to. The café opens for the
NR25 6HG, Telephone 01263 710203 Email summer season from mid March to October but please note that the member discount does
[email protected] not apply to the café itself. Link to Seaview Beach Café

The NENBC objectives:

 Encourage and share the enjoyment of birdwatching in North East Norfolk with people of all abilities and experience.
 Promote diversity and inclusion in all its activities.
 Gather and collate data on birds in the recording area.
 Share information between members.
 Participate in regional and national surveys incorporating the recording area.
 Administer the Club in an environmentally sensitive manner.
 Promote the conservation of birds and wildlife within Norfolk.
 Liaise with other conservation groups within the local area and more widely.
 Hold regular indoor and field meetings and social events throughout the year.
 Put the interests of birds first and respect other people, whether or not they are interested in birds, in line with the birdwatchers' code.

Monthly mid-week bird walks around Felbrigg Park on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from September to July / Varied monthly weekend bird walks to a range of local birding hotspots from
September to July / Occasional evening walks in the spring and summer / Monthly evening talks on the last Thursday of the month from September to November and January to April -

refreshments provided / An annual Big Sit birding event at a number of locations across the club area in May, recording the total number of species seen from one spot between dawn and dusk
/ Annual Coordinated Seawatch event along the coast in October recording visible migration / Annual Spring Skywatch event to record raptor activity / A Birds and Climate Change Summer
Conference in July / A Birding for Beginners workshop series combining practical and theoretical elements of birdwatching / Occasional master-classes, lectures and workshops to develop

Twitter: @nenbc_infobettWer sekbillssiatned:uwndwerswtan.ndiengnobf cth.ecobi.rudikng wEomrlda/iAl cCohmabiinre:[email protected] EEvmenianiglinSeDeccreemtbaerry: [email protected]
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