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Originally Posted by Fournier Hi everyone
I'm really keen to spot some Lady Amherst's and Golden Pheasants in the Easter holidays in East Anglia.
If anyone has any suggestions about places or times, or just general tips I'd be really grateful.
Thanks,
Ollie |
Hi Ollie
First of all let me wish you a warm welcome to WAB.
Regarding the Lady Am's, forget it. I think there are only about four left and they are not in Norfolk but are on a private site (which I will not divulge). They have also recently been taken off the lists due to their population are now considered to be none sustainable.
The goldies are a different matter as there are two well known populations.
1st site. Wolferton Triangle near Sandringham. here is a link to the site.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...=newsearch.srf
All you have to do is drive around that triangle. (Where the arrow points to the middle of). Don’t get out of the car to go into the wood as it is frowned upon. Every now and again stop and just watch (remembering to look through your rear mirror frequently). You can spend as little or as much time as you like. They may show straight away or not at all as they are frustrating birds. Early in the morning before the traffic builds up is probably the best time to go.
A little tip for the middle of May onwards. Look at the map I have given a link to. You will see a place called Cat’s Bottom. That is one of the best Nightjar sites in the country. All you do is instead of turning left (coming from Kings Llynn) into the Triangle you turn right. A few hundred yards on your right there is an obvious dirt car park (under some wires). Park here and walk along under the wires (in the direction of Kings Llynn) for a couple of hundred yards and you are there. About 45 minutes before dusk or at dawn are the times to go.
2nd site. Wayland Wood, near Watton. Here is a link to the site.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...Wood,+Norfolk+
Turn along the A1075 out of Watton towards Thetford and you will pass a Tesco’s on your left and after a few hundred yards you will pass a turn on your right to Thompson. After you pass this you will see Wayland Wood on your left. Approach slowly as the entrance is just past the start of the Wood. It only holds about 6 to 8 cars.
First place to look is the trees at the edge of the car park (looking away from Watton). Another tip is to not only look on the floor but up into the trees up to the height of 10 to 15 feet. A lot of people forget that goldies like perching in trees at around that height.
If that doesn’t produce, walk along the path and after a couple of hundred yards you will come to a cross path section. Stop here for a while and just watch. Keep very still and quiet. They can be very quick and will cross a path in a split second. Whilst you are looking for these birds listen out for the "Pitchay" call of the Marsh Tit. There are plenty in this wood and you will probably see a few once the call has been located.
If after a while the birds haven’t shown take the right hand path. This is only a couple of hundred yards long and goes to a ‘T’ junction. Turn right at this junction and keep your eye on floor and tree’s. This can be a good place for them. After about a 100 yards there is a turn to the right that goes to a small pool. This can also be an excellent area for them. If all this hasn’t worked you have possibly chosen a bad time but you could try further afield and just wander around this wood, depending on what time you have. When retracing your steps do it quietly Goldies are susceptible to noise so if you keep it quiet you could still be rewarded on your way back to the car.
Goldies can be very frustrating birds. I have been to these sites many times and have dipped out on them a few times. I never used to dip out at Wayland but about 5 years ago I think they coppiced the wood far too much and since then the site has become a bit unreliable. They are still there but not so showy.
I hope that has been of use to you.
Good luck when you do go.
John
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