A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Birds Of Britain 2024
(with Scotland Extension to May 18)
May 4-13, 2024 with Willy Perez guiding
As we mention in our information, Britain is a very populated island and very busy, but at the same time it has amazing established reserves run by local organizations with fantastic facilities. Aside from reserves there are a lot of other places like big estates that are open to the public and they are great places to watch birds and observe the local culture. England also has a lot of birders, too, which we come across along the way.
As usual we started in London but headed straight to East Anglia, where a lot of the hot spots for birding in Britain are located. We stayed 3 nights in the charming town of Westleton in Suffolk, followed by 3 nights in the seaside town of Cromer in Norfolk, with one day at the town of Munford on our way back to London.
From those places we did days trips, and sometimes we didn't need to go too far to find nice birds. We had fantastic encounters with common birds like Great and Eurasian Blue tits, Eurasian Wren, European Goldfinch, and European Greenfinch. Near Westleton, we managed to see and, more importantly, hear the stunning Common Nightingale, the colorful Yellowhammer, and the secretive Dartford Warbler. A full day in Minsmere was full of action, with Common Cuckoo, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Hobby, and superb views of Bearded Reedling. The most impressive sights here were the Great Bitterns flying by. The Hickling Broads were also busy, with Common Cranes, Eurasian Oystercatchers, and many Northern Lapwings. When we were in Norfolk, places like Clay Marshes were full of activity, and here we even managed to twitch for the rare Purple Heron with great success. The Titchwell Marshes Reserve had wonderful birds too, but everyone seemed to enjoy the Ruff's display more than anything. The Lynford Arboretum forest was nice for Common Firecrest and even a nest of a Eurasian Treecreeper.
The extension to Scotland was also a success. We explored the pine forest, some of the moors, and several lakes. Birds here were great, and the most impressive ones were Willow Ptarmigan, White-throated Dipper, Black Grouse lekking, and even a Common Kingfisher showed up nicely.
There were 13 days of full birding, including great visits to some of the unique old estates and houses, and one of the most iconic burial sites in the UK, the Sutton Hoo. I have to say that the weather was on our side the whole time, and we had fantastic sunny days most of the time, which is not the usual weather in Britain.
To conclude, I would like to say thanks to all of you who came to visit England and Scotland to see this part of the world. As the British say, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON… BIRDING!
Un abrazo,
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
GRAYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser)
The most common geese that we saw along the way
BRANT (Branta bernicla)
A nice group of them were at Tichwell
BARNACLE GOOSE (Branta leucopsis) [I]
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) [I]
MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor)
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) [I]
COMMON SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna)
MANDARIN DUCK (Aix galericulata) [I]
It was nice to see this colorful duck that has a very established population in Britain. We saw a female with chicks and a male who was near by the female and the young.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)
GADWALL (Mareca strepera)
EURASIAN WIGEON (Mareca penelope)
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Anas crecca crecca)
COMMON POCHARD (Aythya ferina)
TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula)
COMMON EIDER (Somateria mollissima)
Gardentown in Northern Scotland was the place where we saw several males sitting on the rocky coastline.
COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula)
COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WILLOW PTARMIGAN (RED GROUSE) (Lagopus lagopus scotica) [E]
We had a nice encounter with a male spotted by Becky in the Cairngorms National Park. This individual was hiding very well among the heather using his perfect camouflage.
BLACK GROUSE (Lyrurus tetrix)
One of the highlights of the tour was to see several males displaying at the lek.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) [I]
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa) [I]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
This small and secretive bird was spotted by Liz and Becky during their exploration at Holkham Estate. It was a great find because this tiny grebe is very secretive.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
STOCK DOVE (Columba oenas)
Smaller than the Common Wood-pigeon with a very green neck; it was seen several times along our trip.
COMMON WOOD-PIGEON (Columba palumbus)
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto)
One of the most successful colonizers in the UK. Since the first nest was found in Norfolk in 1955 they have spread all over the UK and they were our alarm clock every morning during the trip.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
COMMON CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus)
Most of the time you hear a Cuckoo, but to see it is another story; this time we heard them but also we saw them a couple of times.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
EURASIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus europaeus)
With the brave and energetic people who ventured out at Westleton, we had great views of a bird that came near us at night.
Apodidae (Swifts)
COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus)
We could see them many times and they were always calling and showing off.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)
Gruidae (Cranes)
COMMON CRANE (Grus grus)
Not an easy bird to see but we managed to see a pair a couple of times when we we at Hickling Broads.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
EURASIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus oedicnemus)
Minsmere has always been a reliable place and that is were we saw this rare bird in Britain.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)
Smaller than the previous one and always show a yellow orange eyering.
NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata)
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)
Very few of them were still at Minsmere.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa)
The most numerous of the two godwits at this time of the year, that we saw several times.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
RED KNOT (Calidris canutus)
Several of these migrants were present at Minsmere.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
The bird of the trip for several people; we saw a group of four in Tichwell, but two males were displaying and showing the ruff. It was cool to see it.
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
RAZORBILL (Alca torda)
At Troup Head RSPB Reserve they were nesting on a cliff.
COMMON MURRE (Uria aalge)
A lot of them were at Troup Head in Scotland.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridactyla)
BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
The most common gull in the trip that we found everywhere.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)
Very few at Minsmere.
COMMON GULL (EUROPEAN) (Larus canus canus)
As the name suggests they were very common, especially in Scotland.
HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus)
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus)
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)
Smaller than the previous one and the adults showed the bright yellow legs.
LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons)
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
NORTHERN FULMAR (Fulmarus glacialis)
Some of them seen at the cliff in Cromer, but a lot of them seen at Troup Head Reserve in Scotland.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
NORTHERN GANNET (Morus bassanus)
In their thousands at Troup Head in Scotland.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Wide spread and seen mostly in East Anglia.
EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis)
Smaller than the Great Cormorant, with thinner bill and thinner neck. We saw one in Troup Head that also showed the nice crest, and another one at the Lighthouse in Fraserburgh.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BITTERN (Botaurus stellaris)
I have never seen so many of them in one visit; they were very active flying and we saw at least 5 of them at Minsmere.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
GREAT EGRET (ALBA) (Ardea alba alba)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
This one was a rare encounter and we did some twitching for it at Cley Marshes; it was nice to see a rare bird.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WESTERN MARSH HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus)
Very common in East Anglia.
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus)
RED KITE (Milvus milvus)
I have to say that this raptor is one of the most stunning ones on the trip and more importantly, we saw them well.
COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo)
Strigidae (Owls)
TAWNY OWL (Strix aluco)
We were surprised by a pair that were calling during the day and they came close to us followed by a lot of Jackdaws.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis)
After chasing them all the way in England, we managed to get wonderful looks at one in Scotland. What a beautiful bird.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos major)
After seeing them flying but not actually sitting, I thought that we will never see them until the Tawny Owl showed up and with him, even this woodpecker came to check it out.
EURASIAN GREEN WOODPECKER (Picus viridis)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)
EURASIAN HOBBY (Falco subbuteo)
The Hobbies really were good fun to watch, as a few of them were hunting at Minsmere but also at Hickling Broads.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
We had to go to a church in Cromer to see the famous Peregrine Falcons that nest on the tower.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
EURASIAN JAY (Garrulus glandarius)
EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)
EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula)
ROOK (Corvus frugilegus)
CARRION CROW (WESTERN) (Corvus corone corone)
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
A bird that sometimes is difficult to see and we had to wait until Scotland where we saw a nice one in flight.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
COAL TIT (Periparus ater)
MARSH TIT (Poecile palustris)
EURASIAN BLUE TIT (Cyanistes caeruleus)
GREAT TIT (Parus major)
Alaudidae (Larks)
WOOD LARK (Lullula arborea)
Great looks at this chunky short-tailed bird that showed nicely at Westleton Heath.
EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis)
Panuridae (Bearded Reedling)
BEARDED REEDLING (Panurus biarmicus)
We were lucky this year with this species, they were very active and we managed to see them really well twice on the trip.
Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)
SEDGE WARBLER (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
Several individuals were actively singing on top of the foliage where we could see a very nice eyestripe.
COMMON REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
We saw several in England but in Scotland they were very common.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
WESTERN HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum)
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus)
The most common warbler the whole way on the tour.
COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)
Scotocercidae (Bush Warblers and Allies)
CETTI'S WARBLER (Cettia cetti)
We saw at least one, but we could hear their explosive sounds in the bushes.
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
LONG-TAILED TIT (Aegithalos caudatus)
Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers and Allies)
EURASIAN BLACKCAP (Sylvia atricapilla)
We saw males with black caps, and some females with reddish caps.
GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia borin)
GREATER WHITETHROAT (Curruca communis)
DARTFORD WARBLER (Curruca undata)
A handsome warbler that showed nicely, especially a male that was looking for food.
Regulidae (Kinglets)
GOLDCREST (Regulus regulus)
Quite similar to the next one but less colorful, never the less it was a handsome looking bird that we saw well.
COMMON FIRECREST (Regulus ignicapilla)
We were lucky enough with one at Lynford Arboretum, were one was very playful and we had great looks.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
EURASIAN NUTHATCH (Sitta europaea)
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
EURASIAN TREECREEPER (Certhia familiaris)
This tiny cryptic woodcreeper was seen a few times along the way.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
EURASIAN WREN (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-THROATED DIPPER (Cinclus cinclus)
The one that we saw the first day in Scotland was fantastic; we could see even the membrane when he opened and closed his eyes, great sight.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus)
A big thrush that we saw most of the time on the ground, looking for food.
SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos)
We saw this bird, but also we heard them singing a beautiful repertory of sounds.
EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula)
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)
EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)
The national bird of England that is very common everywhere.
COMMON NIGHTINGALE (Luscinia megarhynchos)
After listening to the amazing sound of this bird, the challenge was to find one. It took a while, but eventually we scoped one to see him singing his heart out.
COMMON REDSTART (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola rubicola)
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Prunellidae (Accentors)
DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)
This very elegant bird that is always related to water was seen several times, but the best one were along the Little Ouse River.
WHITE WAGTAIL (BRITISH) (Motacilla alba yarrellii)
MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis)
TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis)
We had nice studies of one through the scope.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
COMMON CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs)
EURASIAN BULLFINCH (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
We saw a fantastic male of this species in Scotland.
EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris)
EURASIAN LINNET (Linaria cannabina)
LESSER REDPOLL (Acanthis cabaret)
RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra)
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)
EURASIAN SISKIN (Spinus spinus)
Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)
CORN BUNTING (Emberiza calandra)
YELLOWHAMMER (Emberiza citrinella)
REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus)
MAMMALS
OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) [I]
EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus) [I]
EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus carolinensis) [I]
GRAY SEAL (Halichoerus grypus)
We saw one of these at Yarmouth.
FALLOW DEER (Dama dama)
RED DEER (Cervus elaphus)
REINDEER (Rangifer tarandus sibiricus)
ROE DEER (Capreolus capreolus)
HERPS
VIVIPAROUS LIZARD (Zootoca vivipara)
Also known as Common Lizard, this is the one that we saw at Hickling Broads.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Also we saw several butterflies:
Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Green Hairstreak. A day flying moth, Six Spot Burnet.
Shrew sp.
Totals for the tour: 144 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa