Bawdsey – 9th August 2008

A good morning walk around the water here, whilst not producing any surprises was non the less productive. Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe (with young) were all on the water. Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail were in the margins. Off the fields there were numerous Linnets, Greenfinches and a Sparrowhawk. Whilst over we saw Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Swallow and Sand Martin. Life bird count: 372 Year bird count: 229 Month bird count: 79

Titchwell – 2nd August 2008

Hot summer days are not always contusive to the most exciting birding; with the breeding season all but over, sites can go through a quiet period. However the return of waders from their northern breeding sites opens up a great vista of birds hanging on to their summer plumage and there are few sites better than Titchwell to view these retuning birds in August. There was the spectacle of tens of Ruff in various plumages from almost all white to speckled brown juveniles, a number of Curlew Sandpipers, Dunlin with their black breast plate, Golden Plover and Grey Plover in full summer dress and a collection of returning Sanderling and Turnstones on the beach. A Pectoral Sandpiper was showing well on the fresh marsh as were six Eider just off shore. A Water Rail and Bearded Tits graced the edges of the read bed and there were many a Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, red head and necks clearly showing. Off shore there were fishing Common and Sandwich Terns, plus Common Gull. The only disappointment was a after trip to Cley was rained off, but hey this is England and summers are like that!

Life bird count: 372 Year bird count: 229 Month bird count: 71