July 2010 birdwatching & wildlife tours in Norfolk

2nd & 3rd July - Norfolk 2 Day Birdwatching & Wildlfie Tour

Day one
This was a 2 day tailored Birdwatching Tour for a lady from France, but whom had spent a lot of time in the UK, but only previously done a small amount of birdwatching.

After collection from the Train station around midday, we spent the afternoon in the Wensum valley, looking at many of the regular species, plus a some dragonflies & butterflies in the very hot afternoon sun.

We did see a few nice things -with a Spotted Flycatcher showing very well & male Cuckoo calling away, with full scope views as it perched on the wires. We also had nice views of Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit plus 100's of damsel & dragonflies - Banded Damesoilles, Azure Blue, Blue-tailed, Common Blue, Brown hawker.

After an early evening meal we headed off to a local heathland area, we firstly had nice perched views of a Little Owl & later we eventually had great views of the Nightjars & lots of churring! We finsished off with Tawny Owl although we had to be satisfied with birds flying over as they seemed reluctant to sit out in the open!

Day Two 3rd July - Norfolk 2 Day Birdwatching Tour

We started off at a ringing session in North Norfolk as the client had requested an opportunity to witness birds being ringed. We were able to watch a nice array of birds being ringed & processed, including Whitethroat & Jay which were great to see in the hand

We then headed off to Holme in the dunes & had a good look at a beautiful array of orchids - we also managed to hear Grasshopper Warbler. We stopped at one of the hides & there was a nice mix of commoner waders, including 20 Black-tailed Godwit

At Titchwell there was yet again a good mass of waders & shorebirds, 3000+ Knot. 150 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Spotted Redshank, 70 Black-tailed Godwit & also 2 Little Gulls. Really nice also was the Bearded Tit coming down on to the mud to feed affording excellent views.

We finished the day off with nice views of a female Montagu's harrier, plus 2 Turtle Dove, Corn Bunting & Tree Sparrow.

4th July - Macro Photography Workshop

Today I ran a Photography workshop on macro photography. These workshops consist of 2 hours classroom tutorial on technique & equipment followed by a practical session of taking images out in the field.

The conditions were a bit windy & too hot, but nonetheless all of the group came away with some new knowledge to apply & 1-2 nice images. Below are a selection of images.

11th July - One to One Photography

Today was spent with a photographer from Norfolk, Paul Clarke whom wished to further his knowledge & understanding to benefit the full use of the equipment he has. We spent 2-3 hours discussing principles & technique & then set about putting these into place. His favourite image of the day is shown below.

12th & 13th July - One to One Photography

These two days were spent with a photographer from Cambs, Sandy Jardine whom wished to learn use her camera in aperture priority & move away from using the Program modes. Over the 2 days Sandy made fantastic progress & went away vowing never to use the camera in Auto again!

We spent the first day discussing principles & technique & then set about putting these into place on the 2nd day - we chose to work on Macro subjects.

Her favourite images of the day are shown below.

15th July - One to One Photography

Today was spent with a photographer from Norfolk, Julie peachmant whom again wished to further her knowledge & understanding to benefit the full use of the equipment she has. We spent 2-3 hours discussing principles & technique & then set about putting these into place. Her favourite image is shown below.

9th July - Norfolk Brecklands Tailored Day Birdwatching Tour

Today I met up with 2 birders in the Brecklands 7.30am , we started off with a steady walk around Breckland woodland & we saw a Marsh Tit, Firecrest briefly, Goldcrest, Treecreeper & a mixture of commoner birds.

As it was very hot, we had lunch and then we visited a drinking pool in the shade of the trees, where we were able to watch Yellowhammer, Chaffinch & Jay at very close quarters coming down to drink.

We then headed off to Lakenheath where, as the temperature cooled Whitethroat, Reed, Sedge Warbler Cuckoo, several Marsh Harrier, Hobby & Crane all showed very well We got exceptional views of a family of Bearded Tit, as they sat right out in the open on some dead branches. The walk back produced 4 Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover & Greenshank

We & finished off with nice views of 3-4 Nightjars plus several Glow worms.

18th July - One to One Photography

Today was spent with a photographer from Norfolk, Tony Richardson whom wished to further his knowledge & understanding, plus to also evaluate future lens purchases.

We spent 2-3 hours discussing on technique & then set about putting these into place shooting some birds up on the coast, it was pretty tough actually in very bright light, plus there seemed to be people everywhere on a bright summers days. However, Tony came away with a better understanding of composition & fieldcraft, plus an idea of what long lens he would need to purchase.
A couple of images are shown below.

19th July - Norfolk 1/2 Day Birdwatching Tour

I met up with 2 ladies at Titchwell whom wanted to do a half day introductory day to waders & coastal birds.

There was yet again a good mass of waders & shorebirds, 150+ Knot, 100 Avocet, 14 Spotted Redshank, 70 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Ruff, 25 Dunlin, Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper plus we located a Spoonbill.

Really nice was the Bearded Tits coming down on to the mud to feed affording excellent views. Plus good views of Chiff-Chaff, Reed Warbler & Sedge warbler.

Also nice views of juvenile Marsh Harrier, Common Tern, Little Tern, Sandwich tern plus 20 Eider on the shoreline.

Lots of Gadwall, Teal, Mallard but all in eclipse plumage, 30 juv Shelduck in a creche were quite a site.

We were also able to study a nice range of moths at the Centre including 4 species of hawk moth.

24th July - Macro Photography Workshop

Today I ran a Photography workshop on macro photography. These workshops consist of 2 hours classroom tutorial on technique & equipment followed by a practical session of taking images out in the field.

The conditions were good , & the group came away with new knowledge to apply & some good images. Below are a selection of images.