Paxton Pits and Heacham, Norfolk - 11-16 October  2006

by Pam and Frank Bryant

Day 1 - 11th October 2006

We left home just after 9am, just as it was starting to spot with rain. As we travelled across the Cotswold landscape the mist covered the hills Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge and Crows were seen. The light got progressively worse and the rain poured down. As planned we stopped for a picnic lunch at Grafham Water albeit in the car!

We wondered if it was worth paying the £2 parking fee, we were near the water but all was very murky, it was just possible to make out a large gathering of Coot between the windscreen wiper movements. After deciding to stay the rain cleared after about an hour and we were able to go walkabouts. Besides the hundreds of Coots there were many Great Crested Grebes, at least twelve Mute Swans, a flock of Lapwings took to the air and thirty Greylags were busy feeding on the grass verge.

A gravel path meandered through the wildlife garden and into a wooded area, just before the hide four Great Tits were flitting through the bushes. The view from the hide afforded good views of the feeders here Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit and Dunnock was added to our list together with Gadwall, Teal and Pochard on the water. A flock of Starlings swirled across the fields. We then walked in the opposite direction past the visitors centre and as the water came into view Canada Geese gathered on the water, a Green Woodpecker flew in front of us and one Goldfinch was at the top of a tree. All the leaves on some trees had changed to a beautiful gold colour, the only glimmer of light on this dull day. Other birds seen here were Mallard, Magpie, Tufted Duck, Pied Wagtail, Cormorant, Robin, Blackbird, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Jackdaw, House Sparrow and Collared Dove. A total of 32 species here, certainly not too bad considering the weather conditions.

Our next stop was at Paxton Pits not far south east of Grafham Water (for those Dursley Birders who are reading this, perhaps you can remember the talk we had on the Paxton area last year). The visitor centre provided us with very welcome tea and coffee (a large mug and biscuit only 50p!), we sat overlooking the feeding station. Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches and Greenfinches being the benefactors of the seed clad table. After a brief chat to the very friendly staff  we set off towards the Hayden Hide where we spent a happy hour or so. Wigeon, Coot, Great Crested Grebes, Shovelers and Tufted Ducks were on the water, many Cormorants started to roost in the tall trees, two Grey Herons were on the island banks. A Great Spotted Woodpecker paid frequent visits to a nearby tree and a Robin flitted amongst the bushes skirting the banks. Otter had been seen from this hide the previous day but today we were out of luck. An excellent evening meal was had at The Anchor Inn on the same road as the reserve before we made our way to our accommodation at Fenstanton.

Day 2 - 12th October 2006

The day started clear and bright with a slight chill in the air, the dew on the grass sparkled in the sunlight. We made our way to Paxton Pits arriving just after 9am. Many of the pathways were lined with bushes covered in hips and haws, great bird food for the winter visitors.

Our first walk was to the Hayden Hide then the Kingfisher Hide, we saw much the same birdlife as yesterday with the addition of Kingfisher, Jay, Long-tailed Tit and Wren. The view from the bank of the Heron Lake was glorious on this fantastic autumn day. After several walks we made our way back to enjoy lunch on the picnic tables outside of the visitors centre. It was so warm we even took our jackets off, great for 12^th October! The staff here made us so welcome that we decided to stay for the afternoon. A Muntjac Deer was seen on the bank across the water carrying a Magpie on its’ back. Whilst we were in the Hayden Hide we met Trevor Gunton, a former speaker at Dursley Birdwatching Society and asked to be remembered to all. Once again we ate at The Anchor Inn before returning to our accommodation.

Day 3 - 13th October 2006

We left Fenstanton in thick fog but it soon cleared to reveal a bright sunny autumn day.

Our next three nights accommodation was booked at Heacham on the north Norfolk coast so we stopped at WWT Welney on the way. We were a little early though the centre does not open until 10am! The new visitor centre looked impressive as we walked through towards the hides. Several Whooper Swans were soon visible, they look very graceful after their long journey from the arctic. As we made our way towards the Buxton Hide further along the path, many dragonflies and a Peacock butterfly were enjoying the warm sunshine. Hundreds of Lapwings were at the pool in front of the hide, other birds of note were Shovelers, Snipe, Ruff and Golden Plovers. The Lyle Hide at the end of the pathway gave an excellent vantage point for viewing hundreds of Wigeon, many Teal, Pochard, Greylag, Grey Heron and six Black tailed Godwits. Lunch was taken at the Wigeon café, it was a treat to sit in the sunshine in the open air section. After dropping our luggage off at our accommodation mid afternoon we went to RSPB Titchwell just ten miles to the east. The car park was heaving with vehicles, on reaching the shop we were told of a rarity, hence the chaos. A Whiskered Tern we were told and sure enough it twisted and turned as it flew over the pools close enough to get a photo.

27 species were seen on the reserve, new ones for the holiday were Avocet, Curlew, Redshank, Pintail, Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Sedge Warbler and Cetti's Warbler.

Day 4 - 14th October 2006

The day started warm with bright sunshine. A short walk to the beach gave sightings of many waders out on the mud flats of the Wash area. Next we made our way to RSPB Snettisham which affords great views over the mud flats and some inland pools. The pools were 'alive' with hundreds of ducks and geese and several Little Grebes. A Kingfisher flew across the water just as we were about to leave the hide. On the shingle beach was a Wheatear, and on the mud Turnstone, Grey Plover, thousands of Knot, Golden Plovers and Lapwings, these often took flight as the tide came in. This was an amazing sight as they swirled across the clear blue sky. Also seen in the vicinity were Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Kestrel.

Titchwell was once again visited in the late afternoon but by this time the cloud had come over. Only one different bird was seen from yesterday, a Sparrowhawk. 

Day 5 - 15th October 2006

Cloudy but dry. With the autumn migration in action we decided to visit Holme Nature Reserve, its location perfect for migrants to land from Scandinavia. A Stonechat characteristically perched on the top of a bush was seen as we approached the entrance to the reserve. From the car park a flock of Fieldfares flew in from over the sea. After purchasing our day permit (£2.50) we made our way through the pine trees to view the sea from the edge of the beach. Feeding on the shoreline was Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling and in shallow water a Black-throated Diver. Also seen were the usual gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls. Several flocks of Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew over this magical landscape and seascape that seemed to go on forever. We made our way to the information map deciding where to walk when the reserve manager came over to chat. Hmm, I can hear a Brambling he said and sure enough it was perched near the top of a nearby tree, clearly visible. A Chiffchaff was found in the scrubland bordering the coast also a possible female Pied Flycatcher very briefly seen. Another birder had told us about it earlier but we didn’t get a good view. There was an influx of Blackbirds and many Greenfinches in the area.

Lunch was taken overlooking a pool, Little Grebe, Greylag Geese, Mute Swan and Little Egret kept us entertained and then a Jack Snipe flew over as we about to leave. Six Goldfinches fed from the nearby feeders. The first hide afforded views of Curlew, Lapwing, Shoveler and a fence made a very convenient resting place for a Kingfisher. The other two hides were almost birdless, just some Mallards then two Jays flew over, it was time to go back sea watching. A mist had brought some birds in towards land, Gannet, Arctic Skua, Eider and Turnstone with Coal Tit being found in the pine trees. Back near the car park a group of birders alerted our attention, they were studying a pine tree. Goldcrest and Firecrest very close to each other, what a good end to this special migration day. 43 species seen.

Day 6 - 16th October 2006

Time to head for home and reflect on the superb attractions of the east coast for a recommended  wildlife break.