I
booked a rental car from 23rd April to 25th April 2022 for a
trip away from home to include visits to a number of sites in Essex, Cambridgeshire,
Suffolk and Norfolk.
This was my first spring trip by car away from home to primarily pick up newly arrived summer visitors (in addition to those already recorded at my local patch sites) or species where there is little or no prospect of seeing them locally to where I live.
My trip provided excellent birding opportunities, including 12
further additions to my UK year list for 2022 taking it to 152 species.
The 12 additions to my 2022 year list were as follows:
23rd April 2022 …. Essex and Cambridgeshire
After picking up my rental car, I drove up to EWT Abberton Reservoir just south of Colchester in north east Essex.
The huge expanse of EWT Abberton Reservoir is one of
Europe's top wetland sites. It is of international importance as a safe haven
for wild ducks, swans and other water birds, whether resident, passing through
on migration or over-wintering.
The highlights, amongst 41 species recorded during my visit, were as follows:
Nightingale (1 singing male seen), Common Whitethroat (3 singing males seen plus 3 others heard), Chiffchaff (2 singing males heard), Blackcap (1 singing male seen plus 2 others heard), Cetti’s Warbler (1 singing male heard), Swallow (6), Skylark (2 singing males seen plus 3 others heard), Reed Bunting (3), Linnet (4), Marsh Harrier (2), Stock Dove (2), Little Ringed Plover (3), Green Sandpiper (1), Lapwing (1), Common Tern (c.25), Grey Heron (c.10), Little Egret (c.15), Cormorant (c.100), Great Crested Grebe (c.30), Egyptian Goose (4), Mute Swan (c.50), Coot (c.10), Shoveler (++), Mallard (c.20), Gadwall (3), Teal (2), Tufted Duck (2), Shelduck (2)
Unfortunately, I was unable to see my first Yellow Wagtail of the year despite this species already having been recorded at the site.
After my visit to EWT Abberton Reservoir, it had been my intention to attend a booked event at the Cambridge Literary Festival but a huge traffic jam on the M11 led to a late arrival in Cambridge.
Therefore, I decided to visit RSPB Fowlmere which is situated 9 miles south of Cambridge. RSPB Fowlmere is a wildlife oasis surrounded by farmland and its habitats include reedbeds, fens, grassland, scrub as well as a chalk stream and former water cress beds. This was my first visit in many years.
The highlights, amongst 25 species recorded during my visit, were as follows:
House Martin (c.10), Blackcap (2 singing males heard), Chiffchaff (1 singing male seen and 4 others heard), Reed Warbler (3 singing males heard), Cetti’s Warbler (2 singing males heard), Corn Bunting (4 singing males on telegraph wires on the boundary road), Skylark (1), Marsh Harrier (2), Stock Dove (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 heard calling), Little Grebe (2), Greylag Goose (9 including a pair with goslings), Coot (5), Moorhen (2), Mallard (11)
In addition, I saw 2 male Orange Tips.
Returning south on the M11, I saw a single Red Kite.
After my visit to Danbury Common on 19th April 2022 which was extremely successful for hearing and seeing singing male Nightingales, I had another visit on the way home. However, this time, rather than an early morning visit, my hope was to hear Nightingales singing at dusk and after it had gone dark. I was not disappointed and I heard 7 singing males, a truly magical experience.
Photo: male Nightingale during my previous visit to Danbury Common on 19th April 2022
24th April 2022 …. Suffolk
I had an extremely early start at around 4 a.m. for my almost 2 hour drive to Westleton Heath in Suffolk.
Westleton Heath is part of the best remaining tract of heathland in Suffolk. In medieval times a large area of heath known as the Sandlings (on account of its dry sandy soils) stretched along the Suffolk coast. Today only about 20% of the heathland remains and the rest has been lost to modern farming and forestry. The site is particularly good for heathland and woodland species.
The highlights, amongst 24 species recorded during my visit, were as follows:
Dartford Warbler (3 singing males seen and 2 others heard), Woodlark (1 singing male seen and another heard), Nightingale (1 singing male seen and another heard), Common Whitethroat (1 singing male), Chiffchaff (2 singing males seen plus another silent bird and 5 other singing males heard), Blackcap (1 female seen and a singing male heard), Stonechat (4 males and 2 females), Linnet (2), Yellowhammer (1 singing male), Skylark (1 singing male heard), Goldcrest (2 singing males heard), Kestrel (1), Grey Heron (1 flew over)
After my visit to Westleton Heath, I drove to nearby RSPB Minsmere.
RSPB Minsmere is one of the oldest reserves owned and
managed by the RSPB and it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site. It is also 1 of only 5 European Council Diploma Protected Areas in the UK. Habitats at RSPB Minsmere include reedbeds, marshland, scrapes, grassland,
heathland and shingle beach and a huge number and diversity of species is
present at any time of the year.
The highlights, amongst 52 species recorded during my visit, were as follows:
Bearded Tit (1 seen and 2
others heard), Sand Martin (c.20), Swallow (2),
Lesser Whitethroat (1), Chiffchaff (2 singing males heard),
Blackcap (1 singing male heard), Reed Warbler (2 singing
males heard), Sedge Warbler (1 singing male seen and 2 others
heard), Cetti’s Warbler (1 singing male seen and 4 others heard),
Reed Bunting (1 singing male heard), Skylark (1 singing
male heard), Linnet (2), Marsh Harrier (3), Sandwich
Tern (c.200), Common Tern (c.20), Mediterranean
Gull (4), Kittiwake (2), Black-headed Gull (++++), Common Gull (c.10), Lesser
Black-backed Gull (c.10), Herring Gull (c.50), Black-tailed
Godwit (c.50), Avocet (c.50), Lapwing (c.10),
Common Redshank (c.10), Dunlin (6), Oystercatcher
(5), Bar-tailed Godwit (3), Ruff (3), Ringed
Plover (2), Common Snipe (1), Grey Plover (1),
Little Egret (1), Cormorant (2), Barnacle Goose
(c.20 presumed feral birds), Canada Goose (c.20), Mute
Swan (1), Shoveler (c.20), Gadwall (c.10),
Mallard (c.10), Shelduck (c.100), Teal
(c.20), Wigeon (2)
25th April 2022 …. Norfolk
I had an overnight stay at Travelodge Great Yarmouth Acle and woke up early to the sight of 2 Reeves’ Muntjacs foraging right outside my window. A short drive of 7 miles took me to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, a site that I visited by public transport on 9th April 2022.
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen is part of the Mid-Yare Valley along with Surlingham, Rockland, Buckenham and Cantley in the Norfolk Broads. The valley protects a mosaic of wetland habitats which is home to a wide range of important species.
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen has the designations Site of Special Scientific Interest , Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. It has the full range of broadland habitats including reedbeds, wet woodlands, wet grasslands, ponds and ditches and orchid-rich meadows.
The highlights, amongst 40 species recorded during my visit, were as follows:
Cuckoo (2 calling males heard), Bearded Tit (1 heard calling), Grasshopper Warbler (1 male heard reeling distantly and intermittently), Sedge Warbler (6 singing males seen and 7 others heard), Reed Warbler (3 singing males heard), Cetti’s Warbler (2 singing males seen and 4 others heard), Willow Warbler (1 singing male seen and 4 others heard), Chiffchaff (3 singing males seen plus 4 others heard), Blackcap (1 singing male seen and 5 others heard), Swallow (1), Reed Bunting (1 male), Marsh Harrier (4), Common Buzzard (1), Garganey (male and female), Gadwall (c.40), Teal (c.10), Shelduck (6), Mallard (5), Tufted Duck (2), Great Crested Grebe (1), Grey Heron (1), Cormorant (1), Mute Swan (11), Coot (c.5), Greylag Goose (c.50), Canada Goose (1)
In addition, I saw a single Stoat and a single Bank Vole.
As on my last visit to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, there was at least 1 pair of Garganey still present which on this occasion I managed to photograph, albeit in less than ideal light.
Photo: male and female Garganey
After my visit to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, I drove to Earlham Marsh just to the east of Norwich in the hope of seeing the Glossy Ibis that had been reported from there for several days. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful but did record the following:
Grey Heron (1), Lapwing (1), Gadwall (2), Mallard (4), Egyptian Goose (2), Canada Goose (2), Greylag Goose (19), Moorhen (1), Coot (1), Sedge Warbler (2 singing males heard)
The final visit of my trip was to Sculthorpe Moor 2 miles west of Fakenham.
Sculthorpe Moor is owned and managed by the Hawk and Owl Trust and is located in the valley of the River Wensum. Its habitats include a rich mosaic of woodland, fens and reedbeds and there are several hides and viewing platforms.
A number of bird feeders provide exceptional views and easy photo opportunities of common garden and woodland species, including some that are difficult to find and see well, especially Bullfinches and Marsh Tits. On previous winter visits, I have seen Arctic Redpoll and a flock of Bramblings.
The highlights, amongst 32 species recorded during my visit, were as follows:
Willow Warbler (1 singing male heard), Chiffchaff (4 singing males heard), Blackcap (3 singing males seen and 3 others heard), Sedge Warbler (1), Bullfinch (5 males and 1 female), Greenfinch (at least 2 males), Marsh Tit (1), Coal Tit (1), Nuthatch (2 seen and another heard calling), Treecreeper (2), Reed Bunting (3 males), Red Kite (1) , Common Buzzard (2), Marsh Harrier (1), Oystercatcher (2 flew over), Little Egret (1), Mute Swan (1), Mallard (8)
In addition, I saw 2 Reeves’ Muntjacs, at least 1 Brown Rat, at least 4 Orange Tips and a single Green-veined White.
Photo: male Bullfinch
Photo: male Greenfinch
Photo: male Greenfinch
Photo: male Chaffinch
Photo: Coal Tit
Photo: Coal Tit
Photo: Coal Tit
Photo: Nuthatch
Photo: Nuthatch
Photo: Treecreeper
Photo: Treecreeper
Photo: Jay
Photo: Jay
Photo: Dunnock
Photo: Dunnock
Photo: Dunnock
Photo: Blue Tit
Photo: Blue Tit
Photo: Blue Tit
Photo: male Reed Bunting
Photo: male Reed Bunting
Photo: male Reed Bunting
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Collared Dove
Photo: Mute Swan
Photo: Red Kite
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
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