Norfolk Birders

2nd February

Today our group flew from Oahu Island northwards to the island of Kauai Island in the Hawaiian chain of islands. Here we saw Laysan Albatrosses sitting on nests in suburban gardens. Not quite as we expected!

On the golf course in Princeville we watched Nene geese as well as a vagrant Snow Goose. Along the coastline we watched Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, Great Frigatebird and more Laysan Albatrosses whilst Humpback Whales breached offshore. Mandy and I rescued an endangered Hawaiian duckling during the day and took it to a carer in Hanalei Wildlife Refuge. It was so young we do hope it will survive.

3rd February

Today was spent on trying to see some endemic birds to Kauai Island, Hawaii and to see the amazing Waimea Canyon. We set off early from our luxurious hotel (£450 a night, Hawaii is VERY expensive) and Mandy drove around the coast and up the Waimea Canyon Road climbing all the way up the volcanic island. We stopped to take some photos on the lookout over-looking the canyon. Whilst not as long as the Grand Canyon, Waimea Canyon was vegetated and very pretty. It was a shame that we were enveloped in low cloud spoiling the view. After taking some photos we continued our drive to the top of the road where we listened to the birds calling in the rain forest.

After much effort in the rain we added Kauai Elepaio, Apapane, Aniianiau and Kauai Amakihi to our life lists. It was difficult going as the rain hampered our sightings and photography virtually impossible. After lunch we travelled back down the road and added Erckel’s Spurfowl, Northern Mockingbird and African Silverbill to our lists. Hawaii reminds me of New Zealand where many of the birds are introduced from all over the world and the endemics are very sadly on the the endangered list, some of which are likely to go extinct within my lifetime.

We stopped at Bobby’s salt pan where we found a rarity for the island in the shape of a Grey-tailed Tattler which delighted John as it was a lifer for him. Our guide Jacob was also delighted as it was a lifer for him too!

4th February

As we were having dinner last night a terrible storm blew up and continued through the night bringing over 8 inches of rain and unheard of thunder and lightning for the Hawaiian islands. When we awoke we all had an emergency message on our phones across our screens warning us not to travel so our birding was temporarily suspended for the morning until the rain ceased. I decided to make the most of the hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub which was bliss.

At 11am the rain had stopped and we checked out of the hotel and headed for Poipu Beach where we had a delightful lunch watching a Brown Booby and a Hawaiian Green Turtle resting on the sand. It was soon joined by 5 others. After lunch we walked along the beach and saw 2 rare Monk Seals as well as another Hawaiian Green Turtle.

All too soon it was time to head for the airport where we flew to Hawaii (Big Island). On arrival we headed for a waterside restaurant and had a delicious Scallop and Crab meal before heading to our beds for the night.

6th February

We had an early start today and drove up to 9000 feet to see Mauna Kea, a volcano now a national park. After seeing Black Francolin along Old Saddle Road we drove back down to 6500 feet to Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge were we had special permission to enter it. We were in very low cloud and it was very wet and so sadly I decided to leave my camera in the van. We watched Oma’o, I’iwi, Akiapola’au,(yes the spellings are fun here!)  Hawaii Creeper, Hawaii Amakihi, Apapane, and Hawaii Akepa.

Later the sun emerged and I took a few photos using my iphone. It was a delightful reserve and we saw the endemic birds well but sadly they are in serious decline and I suspect several will go extinct in my lifetime. Later along the Mana Road we watched an  Io (Hawaiian Hawk) and a Short-eared Owl along the Old Saddle Road.

7th February

Today was booked as a pelagic day around Big Island, Hawaii and out to the Yellow Pacific Rim Tsunami Warning Buoy 32 miles offshore. Some of the group were a little apprehensive going so far offshore but I was looking forward to it. Most pelagics are rough and can be very cold. However Mandy assured us that it would be hot under the clear-blue tropical sun and Mauna Loa volcano at 15000 feet high would shelter us from the Trade Winds tearing across the Pacific. We took her at her word. It was hot but one’s idea of calm and another person’s idea of calm are two entirely different things, least to say two of our party re-saw their breakfasts!

I struggled with my camera and have hundreds of out-of-focus photos and hundreds of sea and sky pictures if anyone is wanting photos of some? I have a few of microscopic dots too!

We left Kailua-Kona harbour at 7am and almost immediately were watching Humpback Whales to our delight against a background of Mauna Loa. Seabirds were few but we saw Red-footed Booby and a Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Soon we had a Band-rumped Petrel flying not far off the boat which was a world tick for me. The Leach’s Petrel went by too quickly for my camera. Later a Laysan Albatross flew by along with a Brown Booby and more Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. A Black-winged Petrel was seen by a few of us, I was just lucky being in the right place at the right time as our expert guide on board called it out. Brown Noddys and a White Tern were added to the trip list as we reached the Yellow Pacific Rim Tsunami Warning Buoy 32 miles off shore.

I kept nibbling on the plentiful snacks provided and made myself comfortable at the back of the boat and missed the Masked Booby seen by a few at the front of the boat. Grrrr. I admired the flocks of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and more Humpback Whales. As we started the return journey a huge pod of Melon-headed Whales appeared around a pair of Humpback Whales that had a very young calf with them. The scene was stunning as we cut the engine and watched all the drama in front of us as several melon-headed Whales leapt out of the water. It was certainly a grand finale to our visit here.

Mandy took us to a smart restaurant where we had a lovely evening meal to thank our guide and bid the rest of our group goodbye. The sunset was just wonderful.

9th February

It was 27 degrees as we arrived in Hollywood today. Not bad for February! We drove through Beverly Hills and had asked where we could see the Hollywood sign from our air stewardess, after explaining to her that we were birdwatchers and wanted somewhere nice to go for a walk to see some birds as well. She recommended Griffith Park. What an excellent suggestion that was. The hike up to the Astronomical Observatory was fairly steep but what a lovely, beautiful walk it was in the sun with clear blue skies.

I made good use of the Merlin App on my phone to recognise all the different calls of the birds and saw Audubon's Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, California Thrasher, Wrentit, Purple Finch, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, California Scrub Jay, Oak Titmouse as well as Raven, Acorn Woodpecker, Oregon Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren, Hermit Thrush, Anna’s Hummingbird and Red-tailed Hawk.

11th February

John and I drove to the Ballona Wetlands this morning which is an ecological reserve near Playa Del Ray Beach, California. Once again the sun was shining, which made photography for us very difficult as we were staring into it. Here we watched Long-billed Dowitcher, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs and a flock of Least Sandpiper. Ducks were also present and included Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler and American Coot. Overhead White-throated Swifts were calling (thanks Merlin App)  as we watched and listened to Song Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows.

We crossed over the road (not easy in America...with lots of lanes) and watched a Common Yellowthroat flitting in the scrub.

14th February

19th February

21st February

As I left for work this morning a Brambling was sitting in a shrub next to my garden feeder. I have not seen one in the garden for quite sometime. Siskins were also present. There do seem to be quite a few around at the moment. I spent the day at work doing quiite a lot of periphery tasks at Titchwell today as well as filling in for absent staff. I love the variety of my job. I never know what I am going to be doing next! Such a wonderul place to work. I greeted many visitors today but it was lovely to see friends that I have not seen for quite sometime and catch up. I loved watching a Treecreeper too from the Welcome Hub as it investigated the bark for some food. Ringed Plovers are already mating on our Freshmarsh so the battle with dogs off leads on our beaches will soon begin as usual. If you know of anyone who can volunteer a few hours to speak to dog owners at Snettisham or Heacham please let me know and I can put you in touch with the project officer who would be glad of some help. Thank you.

22nd February

John and I spent the morning down at Trailfinders booking flights for our up-coming cruise. Luckily it was not as complicated as it was pre-Christmas so the advice we were given to wait a while was good. Our afternoon was spent booking hotels for a few visits on stop-overs en-route. Exciting times ahead! 

This evening John was giving a talk to NarVOS about our birding trip to Tanzania. It was good to see the hall packed. Our meeting was in the little room that we used to meet in years ago. So much better and friendlier. It was wonderful to re-live such an excellent birding trip. It was good to see one of my former birding pals from the days of West Norfolk RSPB group that I used to go birding with many years ago. The usual crew of members met in the pub afterwards for the usual banter where many birding trips were discussed.

23rd January

24th February

25th February

After a morning of chores I spent the late afternoon sorting out my database of my worldlist after the latest I.O.C splits and lumps. For years now I have used Wildlife Recorder 4 which sends through updates every 6 months. After the update has been installed it takes time to go through all the validations as many of the birds that I saw many years ago have been re-named or split. As I go through them one by one it brings back memories of the places that I have been and seen such wonderful birds. Some places I hope to revisit as there are some gaps that I would love to fill! As I love travelling I hope to have the health and fitness to continue! There is nothing like a new bird to keep the passion of birding and wildlife watching going!

26th February

The day started at Weybourne where after a bit of a search I managed to relocate the Lapland Bunting amongst the huge Linnet flock. I managed to get Ian and Paul onto it before it disappeared once again. I started searching once again and found it several times but the bird kept disappearing down into a furrow. A Redpoll and a Skylark wee also in the flock. I drove to Kelling Heath in hope of seeing a Woodlark but as usual dogs were off their leads and disturbing all the birds that were around. I returned to my car and drove to Leatheringsett where Pete Gluth and Neil Bostock enjoyed the Mealy Redpolls and Siskins as much as I did in the sun. 

28th February

Trevor and I watched a Treecreeper from the Welcome Hub today as we welcomed visitors on site. Chris had found two Tundra Bean Goose in amongst the flock of Canada Geese, Pink-footed Geese and Greyag Geese by the entrance track and Ray had kindly popped in to tell me. The birders amongst the staff popped out to see them, however it was not good views as the geese were semi hidden in the long grass and it wasn't long before some walkers stupidly decided to enter the field and flushed all the geese into flight before all the staff could see them. Later after work Ryan, Elizabeth, Louisa and I walked down the West Bank path and watched a few Tufted Ducks on the Reedbed pool.