Arrived at Titchwell at 08:30 to sunny blue skies and a couple of cars in the car park. A new reserve for us and also a lifetime goal to visit.
The 2 sets of feeders near the info centre were brimming with birds including Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue & Great Tits, Brambling and Pheasant feeding below the feeders.
Walking on down to the first hide where we had great views of Avocets, Shovelers, Teal and Brent Geese. Love the way the path has the marshlands on one side and the lagoons on the other, you have to keep looking and scanning everywhere! . We saw our first Grey Plover on the marsh side as well as good numbers of grazing Wigeon and Brent Geese.
Our path took us straight down to the sea where we planned to do our first ever sea watching as we had our telescope with us. On our way both Bar tailed & Black tailed Godwits were feeding in the lagoons as well as plenty of Teal. As we reached the dunes and shoreline there were already a few people lined up with their scopes. We set ourselves up and stayed for a very pleasant hour scanning the beach and sea. Out to sea were Velvet Scoter, Long tailed Duck, Red breasted Merganser and Slavonian Grebe. Along the shoreline and beach Bar tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Oystercatchers, Knot, Sanderling and Turnstones. Didn't realise how therapeutic sea watching is!
Walking back to the main hide we had a great flyover of 2 Red Kite. The main hide itself is brilliant giving two different views over 2 lagoons. Great views of hundreds of Golden Plover from here and also feeding Knot, Dunlin, Redshank.
After a visit to the main hide our path took us around through woodland and reeds to the east side where we were lucky to see a Bittern. At the pool were Tufted Duck & Pochard and coming back through the woods along the boardwalk good views of Siskin & Bullfinches.
A brilliant day at Tichwell with friendly staff and fellow birders. A record day for us with 72 species seen in a beautiful location. We will definitely return.
Kestrel in blue skies
Coming into land
Bar tailed Godwit
Dunlin racing by
A return visit on the morning of the impending Storm Doris. We stayed for a few hours before the winds got too strong. Not too many birds around, probably hunkered down in the marsh area. We read later that they closed Tichwell early that afternoon.
Knot feeding
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