Sunday 10 May 2015

Twitch of a Life Time - Citril Finch, Burnham Overy Dunes, Norfolk


The plan was North Yorkshire for the Dotterel which required an early start, my last words to Dave before bed was make sure you wake me straightaway when that alarm goes off lol
So when my eyes opened and Dave said babe we've over slept I was not impressed to say the least, it was too late to go to Yorkshire as it was a long way.
  So I went downstairs and made tea while Dave thought of a back up plan, five minutes later he said let's go Norfolk there's Dotterel there too, and hopefully should pick up other stuff too.
A very smooth Journey down there and we arrived at Choseley, Norfolk, couldn't see the Dotterel but then Dave got them on scope beautiful birds and the Female just stunning, I was very happy to have seen them, but a little disappointed that they were not closer, as I had been looking forward to taking photos of them but I know it's not all about the photo, and always happy to have the chance to just see the birds and i'm sure I will get the chance for closer views and photos in the future, so whilst looking at the many Dotterel in Dave's scope, Dave was looking at his phone when he looked at me and said have you seen this, seen what ??? there's a Citril Finch Burnham Overy.....  Nooooo I haven't lol
Followed by me saying where's Burnham Overy, with the amazing reply back about Ten minutes down the road lol, Couldn't believe we were that close to a Twitch and not only a Twitch a once in a life time twitch, there had only ever been one other record of Citril Finch in Britain and that was in the Fair Isles which is off Northern Scotland, so this would be the first for England.
The walk up to the dunes seemed like a mission well it was a mission over all the Sand Dunes, we had only been there a few minutes when the bird flew over and called, but a few people was saying it was the call of a Siskin, but Dave being brilliant with his calls knew it was the Citril Finch, it flew back towards the tree's, we waited awhile, then decided to have a wonder, as we went into further into the tree's and dunes the bird flew up calling, by the time we got back up the Dunes all the Twitchers had circled round the area where it dropped, we stood there and waited, then all of a sudden the Citril Finch flew up, the brightness of the bird was just awesome, stunning Male Citril Finch it flew and landed in the tree just amazing views of this rare and beautiful bird couldn't believe my eyes, it then flew out of sight but not for long, to are amazement it then flew to the ground and stayed there longer enough for some lovely views and for Dave to get a record shot :) Then flew out of view again, we were just so excited that we had just had such great views felt like a dream, once in a lifetime bird :)
This is what I love about Bird Watching, you never know what's around the corner, and those butterfly's when driving and walking to see a bird hoping and praying it will still be there, then that adrenaline when the bird shows, love every second of it.  
Also picked up Little Tern and Turtle Dove and as we were walking back up had stunning views of a Barn owl, photo's didn't come out the light was making it just look like a ghost lol but always great to see, beautiful Owls and had lovely views of a presumed Greenland Wheatear.


Citril Finch Photo taken by Dave Hutton


We then headed to Titchwell RSPB, where we had stunning views of Avocet my best views and got some photo's, also had lovely views of Little Tern and Sandwich Tern through the scope both such cute terns. Also nice views of Little Stint.       
It had been a fabulous day, and defiantly the best choice to go to Norfolk, Dave admitted he switched the alarm of because he didn't fancy driving all the way to North Yorkshire and had a feeling about Norfolk, his a sneaky devil but he certainly redeemed himself, his got such a wise brain but don't tell him I said that ;) lol 
Also we had a lovely day on Saturday at the Wyre Forest had superb views of Wood Warbler beautiful warblers so bright and colorful really stand out and had great views of Pied Flycatcher love them, love every bird. :) such a lucky girl to be seeing all these wonderful birds.








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