Once more this year, the activities on the day took two forms. There was a traditional bird race where teams of up to 4 people birded around the Cley Square to see who could see the most species. For the less energetic we asked that people visit whatever areas they could and record all birds (and mammals) that they saw and, where possible, get counts.
The weather was dry but icy with some frozen pools and a cold westerly wind. As had been the case for the preceding few weeks, bird numbers were low.
A total of 119 species were recorded, well below last year’s record 129.
Thanks and congratulations to all who took part.
THE RACE
Only four teams (21 people) took part this year.
The results were:
1. Weynor Gardens Wanderers (Steve Stansfield, William Earp, Riley Woodhouse & Janice Darch) – 93 species
2. The North-easterners (Trevor & Jane Williams & Phil Hall) – 85 species
3. The Norvicensians Reserve team (Ben, Owen & OscarParker-Wright) – 62 species
4. The Whitstable Warblers (Kevin & Jill White) – 55 species
The members of the winning team were each awarded a voucher generously donated by Cley Spy.
THE REST
A further 10 groups of people did ‘casual’ birding around the Cley Square during the day, submitting data via the official casual birding checklists, adding to the list. They added some species not recorded by the racing teams.
WHAT WAS SEEN
The FULL LIST of all species recorded can be downloaded by clicking here.
The following birds were only seen by one team or group:
- Long-tailed Duck – Steve & Sue Gantlett – 1 off Kelling
- Grey Partridge – Kath & Mick Claydon – 3 at Langham
- Great Northern Diver – Weynor Gardens Wanderers
- Cattle Egret – David Griffiths – into N Foreland at dusk
- Gannet – David Griffiths
- Goshawk – Ann Gladwin, Nick Kimber & Tessa Rose – seen at Bayfield
- Hen Harrier – Andrew Cannon
- Coot – Whitstable Warblers – 2 were seen in the Catchwater Drain opposite Walsey
- Bar-tailed Godwit – David Griffiths – 12 Blakeney Harbour
- Sanderling – David Griffiths – 6 Blakeney Harbour
- Green Woodpecker – Whitstable Warblers on Salthouse Heath
- Peregrine – North-easterners
- Marsh tit – Jenny & Mark Johnson, Lynn & Barry Loader at Bayfield
- Blackcap – Tom Green in his Blakeney garden
- Goldcrest – Weynor Gardens Wanderers
- Brambling – Jenny & Mark Johnson, Lynn & Barry Loader at Glandford
- Twite – The North-easterners
Birds recorded this year but not on previous Big Bird Days:
- Goshawk
For comparison, these were the results from previous years:
2019 – 116 species
2020 – 124 species (choice of Saturday or Sunday due to bad weather)
2021 – cancelled due to Covid
2022 – 123 species
2023 – 115 species
2024 – 129 species.