A fine few days walking and birding based in Thornham, with some old friends from the hospital. We’ve done these trips sporadically over the years, in a group christened irreverently years ago as ‘Dodo Tours’ by one of our wives…
Barn Owl in evening light, Holme.
Once again we engaged the expert guiding services of Marcus Nash of the Bird ID Company, and for the first of 2 days we had stunning winter weather - the temperature peaked at a heady 2 centigrade, but the sun was warming and beautiful and the winds light, so it felt a lot warmer.
Flight of Wigeon over Titchwell Freshmarsh.
See the end of this blog page for Marcus’ contact details and a link to his own blog on the two days - he comes strongly recommended. His local knowledge is unrivalled, his enthusiasm and passion for birds infectious, and his involvement transforms any trip for our group (who share a love of the natural world, but our birding expertise ranges between very basic (me) to quite experienced, and Marcus brings a lot to us all).
Redshank, Titchwell.
On the first day we started off in RSPB Titchwell, then after lunch we moved west to Thornham Harbour and then Holme Beach before the light faded. What a great day!
Frosty Robin Take-off, RSPB Titchwell Car Park.
Curlew, Titchwell Volunteer Marsh.
Redshank with Catch.
Pochards in the sun.
Dunlin Takeoff.
Egret in the shadows.
Further Wigeon Arrivals.
Low-Flying Wigeon.
Then the move to Thornham…
What beautiful birds Lapwings are in this sort of light.
Finally the move to Holme. A Barn Owl was perched on the old brick building on the golf course, and it swooped then appeared to be covering a catch (but we don’t think it had actually caught anything), before taking off and finally making its way to a post near the west edge of the course.
Barn Owl appearing to be covering a catch from other raptors.
Barn Owl Takeoff.
Approaching Barn Owl.
Hunting Barn Owl.
Family moment on Holme Beach
Marcus’ blog on the two days is here: https://norfolkbirdtours.wordpress.com/2023/01/28/24th-25th-jan-2023-two-days-on-the-coast/ and his main website is here: http://www.birdtour.co.uk/Default.aspx