In addition to our regular winter indoor meetings the Club organises occasional other events including social events and, for the last few years, Big Bird Days.
Past events – Reviews
Big Bird Day – Saturday 4th January 2025
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
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.
Blakeney Point Plant Walk – Saturday 20th July 2024
A decent number of would-be plant spotters game for a trudge across the shingle gathered at the Cley Beach car park in near perfect weather – warm but not too hot, sunny but with enough high cloud to take the edge off, and a light breeze. We were ably let by Richard Porter, whose enthusiasm for the subject is matched by his detailed knowledge and familiarity with the Point. There were many species to see that it is hard to find elsewhere, and it was fascinating to hear how some of these plants survive the rigours of the harsh environment.
We were fortunate also to have Andy Clarke with us: Andy is a marine wildlife expert who interpreted the flotsam of the tideline for us. We also kept an eye out for birds, butterflies and other animals, but there was not much about. The highlights were a flock of five Whimbrels that came in off the sea, and a Roesel’s Bush-cricket which posed nicely on a fence post for photographs.
There’s a full list of the plants we saw, and a summary of the other wildlife, here.
Big Bird Day – Saturday 6th January 2024
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 better than the last few years, generally dry, around 3-6°C but with a cold NW wind.
A total of 129 species were recorded – the highest yet.
Thanks and congratulations to all who took part.
THE RACE
Six teams (21 people) took part this year.
The results were:
- The Dippers (Ed Betteridge, Ollie King, Kate Fox & Riley Woodhouse) – 105 species
- Weynor Gardens Wanderers (Steve Stansfield, William Earp & Janice Darch) – 99 species
- Happy Birders (Lin Pateman, Phil Borley & Julia Peters) – 97 species
- The Flight Club (Mark Boyd, Chris Tucker, John Swallow, Seán Dempster) – 95 species
- The Norvicensians (Tim Hill, John Fisher & Ben Parker-Wright) – 80 species
- The Bulldogs (Mike Harcup, Ian & Sue Griffin, George Baldock) – 78 species
The members of the winning team were each awarded a voucher generously donated by Cley Spy.
THE REST
A further 7 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 an dthey aded some species not recorded by the racing teams.
WHAT WAS SEEN
The FULL LIST of all species recorded can be downloaded by clicking here.
Interesting information about species seen and omitted.
The following birds were only seen by one person or team
- Tufted Duck – Ann Gladwin, Nick Kimber & Tessa Rose
- Great Crested Grebe – The Dippers
- Black-tailed Godwit – Ann Gladwin, Nick Kimber & Tessa Rose
- Iceland Gull – David Griffith
- Green Woodpecker – The Flights
- Raven – David Griffiths
- Blackcap – Steve & Sue Gantlett
- Lapland Bunting – The Dippers
Birds recorded this year but not on previous Big Bird Days
- Mandarin Duck
- Little Gull
- Cattle Egret
- Raven
- Lapland Bunting