Norfolk – Cley – 17th July 2010

Heading on around the coast, we draw into the NWT reserve at Cley, always a good stalking ground this time of year and we were not to be disappointed. Managing to time our arrival impeccably, so that we were at the most exposed point en route to the hides whilst a freak thunder storm let rip, we stumbled in like two drowned rats. Out on the scrapes there were tens of Black-tailed Godwits, several Avocets, Redshanks, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers. Over were three Marsh Harriers, which put up four Whimbrels, and a couple of Little Egrets. In the deeper northern lagoons were Shellduck, Gadwall and a lone Curlew Sandpiper.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 211 Month bird count: 75

Photo: Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta); Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Norfolk – Titchwell – 17th July 2010

Bit of a twitch today, let me explain. There had been a Buff-breasted Sandpiper reported on the fresh marsh for some days and this is one of the regular North American migrants that has eluded me over the years. So off we jolly well went! It wasn’t exactly a turn up and see scenario but it was close, to its credit the bird moved slowly through some cover, but the tiniest bit of patience and a bit of opportunists positioning and there it was, in the scope and text book looking. So what else was there to see; several Knot still in Red summer plumage, Golden Plover, Grey Plover and Dunlin equally summery. Out at sea there were a number of Eider, Great-crested Grebe and a Fulmar flying through.

Life bird count: 396 Year bird count: 211 Month bird count: 75

Photo: Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

France – Paris – 2nd – 5th July 2010

We recently had a very extravagant long weekend in Paris, whilst most of the time was taken up with culture and eating, I can report on a few bird observations. Huge numbers of Swifts are very noticeable in the skies all over the city, Gulls, Cormorants and the occasional Pied Wagtail are common place up and down the river Seine. We then spent a morning in the “Le Bois de Boulogne”. I genuinely thought this would be quite productive, alas we can only report breeding Kestrel, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Coot & Moorhen. But hey! Who goes to Paris to bird watch?

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 209 Month bird count: 32

Photo: Coot (Fulica atra)