by Colin Wilson
18th - 20th February 2005
Following the usual busy schedule we all set off at about 6 a.m. to beat the M25 traffic and get birding as soon as possible. Contrary to past years meeting point at Abberton, the first stop this time, for 10 a.m., was Minsmere and the early start enabled us to stop at Tescos, Ipswich for a magnificent 8 item breakfast, including coffee, for under £3 – this is a must for the future as Little Chef is more than double the price and half the quality! Despite setting off from different places at different times, three car loads arrived here at exactly the same time. Of course the leader claimed responsibility for this quality of planning!
The list attached to this account will show the full range of species (137 excluding Ross’s Goose) seen by one or members of the Group and below are the site by site highlights over the three days. Our thanks go to Robert Godden for the diligent listing and site highlights and, of course to Ted Rogers for taking on the role of leader, otherwise ‘scapegoat’ for things that usually go wrong, but on this occasion he seemed to get off very lightly! All went according to plan, all targeted birds were found and the hotel was up to its usual excellent standard.
Ted has already seen to next years booking and all I can say is if you haven’t been before book as soon as the programme is announced next September as the hotel is small and it’s first come first served!
| Friday | |
| Minsmere RSPB | 2 Avocet, Bearded tit, 4+ Red-throated Diver, 2 Bittern, Marsh tit, Stonechat |
| Kessingland | Dusky Warbler, c.50 Snow Bunting |
| Ness Point | 9 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull |
| Halvergate Marshes | Taiga Bean Goose, White-fronted Goose, 9 Bewick's Swan, 6 Whooper Swan, juv Marsh Harrier |
| Stubb Mill | 16 Bewick's Swan, 19 Whooper Swan, 4 Crane, 2-3 Barn Owl, ringtail Hen Harrier, 3m 2f 8 juv Marsh Harrier, Merlin, c.500 Pink-footed Goose, Woodcock |
| Saturday | |
| Hunstanton Sea Front | Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Fulmar, Grey Plover, Brent Goose |
| Holkham | Pink-footed Goose, 17 Tundra Bean Goose, 3+ Barnacle Goose, juv Spoonbill, White-fronted Goose, 17 Shore Lark, c.100 Snow Bunting, Rock Pipit, juv Snow Goose, c.100 Brambling |
| Stiffkey | Male Hen Harrier, juv Lesser Yellowlegs |
| Titchwell RSPB | Black-winged Stilt, 12 Avocet, Ruddy Duck, Goldeneye, 2 Mediterranean Gull, Arctic Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll, Chiffchaff, Knot, Ruff, Spotted Redshank |
| Sunday | |
| Holme | Snow and wind |
| Wolferton Triangle | Golden Pheasant |
| Harpley | Tree Sparrow, Great Grey Shrike, Black Redstart |
| Blackborough Tip | 2 1st w Glaucous Gull, 1st w Iceland Gull, Little Grebe |
| Lyndford Arboretum | Treecreeper, Marsh Tit, Siskin, Crossbill, 2 Hawfinch, Nuthatch, Woodcock |