Titchwell

Covid has made 2020 an awkward year for all of us with a social conscience, seeking to adhere to the government guidelines and not driving to Tiree to ‘test our eye sight’. Theres no judgement - it's very British to make stupid decisions.

For me, each days birding post-lockdown is still really special, so I thought it would be timely to start a blog to celebrate those days in the field and also as a memento; to look back on during the next lockdown or cold expanse of nothingness that awaits us all all in the nuclear winter. 

Each day birding now seems really special, as was seeing my Dad for the first time in eleven months!

We met at Titchwell for a days birding, having travelled in separate cars, masks at the ready and completing the track and trace forms on entry. The new normal!

My Dad summarised it as; Best day birding ever.

A big accolade given our days birding in the highlands, islands and elsewhere over the years!

We encountered no less than seventy (70)! species on site from dawn to early afternoon. I cannot recall seeing that many species at one site and on one day before. As well as the sheer volume and variety, there was some real gems; Bearded Tit, Great White Egret, Hobby, Lapland Bunting, Pintail, Red-backed Shrike, Snow Bunting and Spoonbill.

Titchwell has definitely been kind to me over the years, hosting a number of lifers; Little Bittern and Snowy Owl spring to mind! I am sure there are many others I cannot recall right now. Whilst there was no lifers this day, the quality was undeniable. I walked the autumn trail at dawn with geese, gulls and waders piling over at first light. The rain soaked my aged jacket, but didn't dampen my spirits, I particularly enjoyed Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit and occasional Ruff heading inland to feed. 

Dad arrived before 08:00 and we gently made our way along the west bank path to the beach and then due west to Thornham Point, we stopped for a coffee over looking towards Holme, scanned the masses of waders and watched various ages of Gannet off-shore. We then walked round the crook of the point and bumped into not one - but two Lapland Bunting! A good opportunity to reacquaint myself with the call, ready for the upcoming autumn and winter period.

Lapland Bunting - Thornham Point - September 2020

We checked the abandoned building and scrub for any grounded massage migrants, no cigar but I did admire the one of the perches which hosted a Snowy Owl back in March 2018, I even pointed it out to Dad - who wasn't jealous - much. 

Snowy Owl - Thornham Point - March 2018

We ambled back towards the main part of the reserve and watched a Snow Bunting feeding with a Turnstone, clearly benefiting from the Turnstone scratting about in the tideline. Presumably the Snow Bunting was picking up stranded seeds or smaller insects of no interest to the Turnstone? Who knows. The coolest bit was that it took flight when disturbed by a dog walker, flying straight past us in a flock with the Turnstone and some Sanderling. It looked awesome back-grounded by the sea and as an honorary wader. 

As we approached the tidal marsh a fellow birder shared a rumour that there was a Red-backed Shrike on the reserve. Two scare buntings followed by a shrike chaser would be very nice indeed! We birded our way back along the West Bank path and bumped into a couple of wardens who confirmed there was indeed a Red-backed Shrike; fly-catching and perching on a fence line back towards the visitors centre. We arrived and enjoyed, albeit distant, views of the shrike as it made arcing flights to catch insects and commuted between the ground, a livestock fence and favoured bramble perches. A proper September bird and excellent pre-lunch highlight. 

We ate lunch in the car park and checked the sprawling tit flock for any scarcer crests or warblers, our efforts were rewarded with 'just' a couple of Chiffchaff, still great to see. There was also a Hobby hunting over head as well as commuting gulls. Plenty to keep us entertained. 

The weather forecast was dire, but aside from a few showers we'd had a perfectly enjoyable morning and decided to walk the autumn trail after lunch, all the way to the viewpoint overlooking the freshwater marsh. This proved an executive decision, providing killer views of two ultra smart reeves, Water Rail, no less than 12 Spoonbill! and ultra close Bearded Tit pinging away and evading my camera. 

Bearded Tit - Titchwell - September 2020

The walk back to the car proved equally fruitful giving great views of seals lounging around beyond the breach and an extremely active juvenile Hobby. I am going to blame the 04:00 start, but my photography skills were particularly lapse, not even managing a snap of the perched bird face or side on. Whatever.

Hobby - Titchwell - September 2020

It was at this stage of the day that the promised rain came, a fierce deluge that saw us arrive back at the cars utterly drenched. We didn't care though, a killer day in the field and a sound excuse to kick-start to my blogging career!

Let me know if you have a blogger blog and I will follow it right up. Also, feel free to comment - unless your name is Rob, Jonny, Yolo, Andy or Dave. Your kind are not welcome round here.