Trip reports

July Norfolk Break

Barn Owl RSPB

Monday, 13 July 2009

Eight members went on the summer trip to Norfolk doing our own thing on the first day, then guided by Ashley Saunders of Oriole Adventures on days two and three. On day one we started at Foxholes Common for stone curlew then moved on to Abbey Farm Flitcham for turtle dove. On our way to Titchwell we had lunch at Chooseley barns where we picked up corn bunting and yellow hammmer. At Titchwell we picked up most of the usual waders including knot, ruff and spotted redshank then on to East Barsham to meet Ashley, check in and have our dinner. After dinner we were went with Ashley to Sandringham Warren for nightjar. Onthe way there we saw little owl perched on a road sign and on the way back barn owl again perched on a road sign. On day two we went to Swanton Novers for honey buzzard which we saw being mobbed by a hobby. On to Cley, lots of marsh harriers, six spoonbills, lots of spotted redshanks, sandwich and common terns and four bearded tits grouped together. Following lunch we watch a pair of Montagu's
harriers in a field near Burnham Overy. Rain then stopped play. Final day and we went to Lakenheath and had one great view of a male golden oriole following which we watched a pair of common cranes with
one chick for some twenty minutes. We finished at Lynford and had a nice walk but not many birds. The group total for the three days was 108 with all the target birds being seen. Great birding and great
company.