Missed the RFF again!

I have missed a lot of birds this spring and the Carlton Marshes RFF is no exception, despite being there, 9.30- 2.15pm, this was the first time the RFF wasn't seen during the 10-2pm period seen it first arrived. Around 20+ Hobbies flew over Peto's catching dragonflies and other insects. as I walked up to the Moorings hide, a Greenshank flew west over the river, calling as it went and appearing to settle on the western end of Peto's. A Painted Lady was also feeding on the clump of yellow flowers by the path. Bitterns were also seen in flight twice, one landing in reeds fairly close to us. 5 marsh harriers and 5 Buzzards seen too. Matthew D. joined us and when we left we saw first a male and the another Wall Brown in flight. The male was seen perched several times. Walking back 5 Sand Martins flew over the track.

A fine summer plumaged Knot

On Friday 8th May, immediately after work, a fine summer plumaged Knot was seen on the jetty/ finger at Ness Point in full brick reddish-brown summer plumage. Initially, it was right at the far end of the finger, in company with 2 Turnstone, 1 in full breeding plumage. but all 3 birds gradually worked there way closer being half way along, feeding all the time, it seemed they would come even close but before unfortunately, a Feral Pigeon flew in and spooked them causing them to fly back to the end of the finger again. Also up to 15 Kittiwake seen flying south, several close in.

First House Martin & evening dips

On Thursday 7th May retrieving my optical gear to go for the Bee-eaters, immediately after work, I saw a fine House Martin fly over the back garden, my first of the year, a frustrating evening followed with dipping all around (no Bee-eaters, BW Kite or RFF).

Swallow over front garden and visit to Carlton Marshes

On Tuesday 5th May, as I walked to the car at 8.05am and was greeted by the lovely song of a lovely Swallow was flying low and west over the front garden calling as it went. In the evening, I tried to see the RFF at Carlton, I saw Rob H. and a distant LGRE (who tweeted no sign of any Hobbies or RFF in a search between 1.30-7.30pm) it was a no show, but I did see a fine Hobby perched on a dead tree at the tea garden at Fisher Row. A Grey Heron flew in too. We saw Barry B. on the way back too.

Four Green-wings

On Monday 4th May, at a local location, I found 4 diminutive Green- winged Orchids just east of the bushes near the path.

When 4 became 2

On Sunday 3rd May, Rob H. had told me about the 4 BWS's at Carlton Marshes I went straight there (switching my heavy Canon lens for the much lighter Nikon one- too far to walk with it now!). As usual I was late to the party seeing Carl B, Paul & Jane F, Chris, M. Phil and even John H. as I walked up. My late ness meant I missed 2 of them as they had flown to an inaccessible part of Peto,s in. the north- west corner. 2 Black- winged Stilts remained and were busy walking around feeding by the waters edge. 2 Greenshank also seen stood at the edge together. As I walked around the river wall, the 2 Greenshank flew north but the Black- winged Stilts remained feeding the male had black smudges on his head and the female a pure white head. Whilst overhead, 8 Hobbies seen plus 2 Swift above them. With gavin, I checked the North Hide area, not much seen here. Walking back, we saw the 2 Stilts again, we were joined by Tony B. and we saw a fine summer plumaged Black- tailed Godwit along the closest edge of the water too. I saw a low flying Bittern fly right and then settle in the reeds. A close quartering male Marsh Harrier seen too. walking back we saw Douglas from Winterton but by the time the remaining pair had flown north.

Migrant waders

On Sunday 3rd May, I walked up to Broadland Sands Holiday Camp, Corton as soon as the rain stopped, as I was keen to get some pictures of the BTG flock, I could see Rob H. on his bike, initially no sign of the flock but a wader flock, 27 strong was flying around plus many holidaymakers so I ran as fast I was able. The flock settled was constantly on the move feeding on leatherjackets but the people disturbed them and they flew onto the ploughed field just west of the grassy area. They were a fine mixed plumage flock of 27 Bar- tailed Godwits, some in full summer plumage, some in partial plumage and some still in winter plumage. Eventually they flew back onto the grass again, again constantly feeding before sadly once again passers by flushed them back into the cropped field.