The first ten days of March brought the longest, most settled period of sunny weather for well over a year, and with it the chance to get out and about. With my health restored, I visited WWT Welney, from where Common Cranes had been reported on previous days, on the 4th. I couldn't find the Cranes, with the Lady Fen trail being closed, but did manage to see my first (distant) Spoonbills of the year and, as an added bonus, saw a Cetti's Warbler at the edge of the main car park just before I left. Huge numbers of Whooper Swans could be seen from the visitor centre and seven Bewick's Swans were seen (and heard) in flight over the reserve.
More warm, sunny weather on the 5th encouraged me to visit the Goshawk viewpoint near Cockley Cley (Norfolk). Calm, sunny weather in March is ideal for seeing displaying Goshawks and I wasn't disappointed, seeing at least four birds during a 40 minute stay. I moved on from there to Cley on the North Norfolk coast. I walked right round the reserve, seeing two more Spoonbills (close enough to photograph, unlike the Welney birds) and lots of wader species including Ruff. My target bird, however, was Twite, a flock of which had been reported between Cley and Salthouse. These were duly tracked down with the help of another bird watcher: the photos (against the light, into the wind and with a fairly distant flock of small birds - my excuses) aren't great but I've included one for your interest.
Two Spoonbills on Arnold's Marsh, Cley, 5 March
Twite (Birds on the left and Front Right), Cley NWT, 5 March
Male Wigeon, Cley NWT, 5 March
It is all too rarely nowadays that I have the chance to see a 'lifer' in the UK, but one such bird is Richard's Pipit. This pipit breeds in Siberia, and is often seen on migration in the autumn along the east coast. I've tried to connect with it on at least three occasions and failed, so a (very rare) wintering bird at Newport Pagnall (near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire) was always going to be a target, and I went across to see it on the 7th. Various road closures meant that it took far longer than anticipated to get there and then a good half hour searching in a large expanse of open parkland ('Bury Field') to see it, but eventually I did and spent another hour following it as it moved around a large area of grassland, often coming close to the numerous resident Meadow Pipits. The larger size, upright stance and lack of flank markings (see images below) separated it from the Meadow Pipits, but the most obvious field character was its call as it took flight - a short, House Sparrow like 'cheep'.
Richard's Pipit, Newport Pagnall, 7 March
Richard's Pipit, Newport Pagnall, 7 March
After a short break, during which time most of my bird watching was done locally, I went on three trips in a week. A glorious, sunny day on the 20th encouraged me to visit North Norfolk again, firstly to RSPB Titchwell where bird photography was uppermost in my mind. As usual, Sanderlings on the beach were a main focus of attention, but I also had good views of a Little Ringed Plover (my second in two days) and Marsh Harriers. Some very noisy Common Frogs were having a good time in pools near the Visitor Centre, whilst nearby I counted seven male Common Toads (which spawn later than Common Frogs), quietly waiting for the much larger females to arrive at the pond. I moved on to Stiffkey Fen where, at the third time of asking, I finally connected with the wintering Glossy Ibis.
Male Common Toad, RSPB Titchwell Marsh, 20 March
Little Ringed Plover, RSPB Titchwell Marsh, 20 March
Marsh Harrier (a young Male??) in Flight, RSPB Titchwell Marsh, 20 March
Glossy Ibis, Stiffkey, 20 March
On the 23rd I joined my RSPB Local Group for a coach trip to Attenborough NNR, situated by the River Trent on the outskirts of Nottingham. Highlights here included lots of newly arrived Sand Martins, Goosanders and a wintering male Scaup. A few of us were lucky to observe a very early Sandwich Tern that passed through, as did a Kittiwake (we all missed this). Yet another Little Ringed Plover was also seen here, although I missed out on this one. Between us we recorded 74 species (71 seen).
Male Scaup, Attenborough NNR, Nottingham, 23 March
Great Crested Grebe courting pair, Attenborough NNR, 23 March
On the 26th I made my first visit for nearly a year to RSPB Minsmere and Dunwich Heath in Suffolk. Dunwich Heath holds a good population of Dartford Warblers and I was lucky to see two pairs and hear another male bird. Photographing them is never easy, but I managed to get a few 'record shots' including one of a female holding what appeared to be part of a spider's web - perhaps to be used in nest building? As I was walking up on to the heath a couple of Swallows flew past - my first of the year.
Female Dartford Warbler with (?) Nesting Material, Dunwich Heath, 26 March
Back at Minsmere I heard, but did not see a Sandwich Tern. Another Little Ringed Plover was on the scrapes, as were several feral Barnacle Geese. However, the stars of the show were the two Bitterns that wandered about in front of the Bittern Hide, showing quite well for at least half an hour. Neither seemed aware of the other's presence, although they were probably separated by less than 100 metres. One bird ('Bittern 1') was quite showy, whereas the other ('Bittern 2') was more circumspect and often disappeared into the reeds. This was one of the highlights of the year so far for me, and of course I took lots of photos. A third Bittern was later seen in flight near the Island Mere hide. Apparently 14 male Bitterns were 'booming' on the reserve when I visited, with the potential for more to arrive.
'Bittern 1', RSPB Minsmere, 26 March
'Bittern 2', RSPB Minsmere, 26 March
I spent the following weekend in Buxton with my partner, meeting up with my brother and his family for an enjoyable walk (and seeing my first Dipper of the year) on the Saturday. Early morning walks in the park adjacent to our B&B provided good views of Mandarin Duck (at least three males) and amazing views of one of many Treecreepers, which flew on to a tree adjacent to me, at eye level, and spent the next couple of minutes digging away at the bark. I didn't have my preferred camera with me, but did manage a few photos of this very obliging bird with a 'back up' camera, one of which is shown below.
Male Mandarin Duck, Buxton, 29 March
Treecreeper, Buxton, 29 March
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