Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve on North Norfolk Coast
With a little encouragement from Steve Ransome I am attempting my first photoblog. It could very well be my last one too. (Cheers from everyone)
Titchwell Marsh is an RSPB reserve just a few miles to the North East of Hunstanton and is accessed from the A149. Obviously, free to RSPB members but only £4 per day per car for non-members.
It’s the second time we have visited and it’s great to see that the RSPB have spent money (last year) in a very productive way to improve visibility for visitors and the construction of a very impressive new hide overlooking the lagoon. The footpath through the reserve leads out to the sea and this has been raised by a metre in height which enables much better visibility across the reserve. There are lots of benches to sit and enjoy the view.
Just a few more notes for anyone wishing to visit. Wheelchair access appears to be good and the hides have been set up to enable them. The west bank path is a public right of way to the beach and dogs are allowed along this route (on leads). The path (like the rest of Norfolk) is flat and well surfaced. Not sure exactly but its less than a mile from the entrance to the sea.
The day is Easter Saturday and is bright but very misty and it’s lovely and warm. Quite different to last years visit.
I warn you in advance that my bird identification skills are poor and I will probably annoy one or two of you by posting incorrect captions. You are welcome to correct me................
We are welcomed at the entrance by this colourful fellow and make our way into the reserve, passing the shop and cafe.
First encounter of the day was the little blue tit warming in the sun.
Followed by a little wren. Nothing very exciting yet but we have only gone a few yards.....
The reed beds are the first thing you come across and these are home for many species.
A greylag goose carefully protecting a new brood
Eat your greens and you'll grow big and strong
Another new brood getting a swimming lesson
Lots of coots scattered around
Also many moorhens
and mallards
This mallard had to take to the air to keep tabs on her ducklings
The ducklings were quite happy investigating their surroundings
This drake seemed quite happy to chase any passng female
An escaping female coming into land
This is one of the old hides which is still used
But this is the new hide which gives great visibility over the lagoon
A pair of shelduck (which Steve kindly identified for me)
Double splash down
It's good to see the avocets in greater numbers than previous years.
The avocet is the logo of the RSPB
An avocet in flight
and another coming in to land
Many gulls this close to the sea
Always squabbling amongst themselves
This shot I particularly like
Heard calls from behind and grabbed this quick shot. Shame they were backlit.
A grey heron out in the lagoon.
An advance party of brent geese heading for the lagoon
with the main party close behind
Their destination
Quite a few egrets around the lagoon
Finally the walkway brings you to the beach. Still quite misty as you can see, but at least the mist hides the windfarm. Hope the yatchsman knows they are there.
The walk back from the sea was equally rewarding. After a coffee and snack at the cafe our host was still there to bid us farewell.
It was a geat day out and I would recommend this to everyone.
Phew !!!!!!
These blogs are quite difficult......it's not what you put in.......but what you leave out
- Phil Turner's blog
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Crikey!! - if this is your first blog I can't wait to see what we will get when you have had a bit of practice!!
cracker! - loved the shot of the avocet coming in to land...
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Brilliant Phil! I don't often have time to look at the blogs but when I saw it was yours I had to see it and it was well worth while. Looking forward to the next.
Spread a little happiness.
.
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Great first blog Phil, lovely photo's and a great narrative, nice close ups and good detail too. Hope you enjoyed Norfolk, Norfolk is very flat unless you are riding a bike then all the hills appear. Lovely blog and great photo's, thanks for sharing.
Richard
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Top notch blog Phil, well put together with some stunning photography. What next I wonder............ can't wait!
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Thanks for positive feedback.
I have already learned something. I have put too much of the text in the introduction (which it seems you cannot format into more readable paragraphs) so its a little difficult to read. Also I should perhaps have resized the pictures myself as some of the sharpness has been lost.
I must admit I have found it great fun and might well do more in the future.
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love it I have trouble getting one bird in flight let alone flocks, you got a lot to live up to
Eddie
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Smashing blog Phil,and smashing pictures to go with it,can't wait for the next one
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It's possible Phil, though much more time consuming, to add your pics to the main body of your text. The first two have to be added as they are here, but the rest can be done in the same fashion as you would putting a pic in any other forum. This lets you link pics and gives people the chance to view them elsewhere on the web at much greater resolution. It's time consuming, but a great challenge and hopefully a something your viewers will enjoy.
Take a look at my blog 'Katitkati - Mural Town' for an example.
May make your next blog even more challenging and enjoyable!!
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Great first blog Phil. Particularly like the avocets pics. Mike
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Beautiful photos especially the avocets, now you have done one we will expect more please! Also great blog.
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Cracking blog Phil....glad you listened to Uncle Steve, but you're wrong, this won't be your last and we all look forward to the next.
Great photos, enough text and just about the right length.
Well done mate.
Jim
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fabulous images. Well done
Chris xx
http://www.myfinepix.com/gallery/283490
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great blog phil very good narrative
great images i must say i love the greylag goose images
well done you
paul.....................
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:) only dead fish go with the flow
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Great blog Phil, love the avocet in flight shots
trample a member since day one, (very active) prefer to remain in the background these days, use mainly Canon equipment for serious stuff but always use Fuji for work
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Thanks Gwalion for the very useful info. Much appreciated.
Also thanks to everyone for your kind remarks.......it does sort of make me want to do another one.
Competition Entry : http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/609454
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Excellent blog, what more can I say, looks like you had a fantastic day out.
Dave
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Well, well, well, what can I say. I knew you had it in you Phil, all you needed was a little push. Look at what we got back in return. Some absolutely fantastic shots, both in flight and on the water. Most of these have put mine to shame. I wish I had never suggested it now!!!! Ha ha. In all seriousness Phil, you must do some more. The photoblog section of this site is getting to look very professional now both in photos submitted and the narrative. The contributors are increasing too and overtaking the monobloggers we used to endure.
Brilliant for a first entry and, come on admit it, it was not too difficult was it? Just look at the quantity and quality of the shots in here, how many of those do you think would have been spotted in the gallery? This is a brilliant showcase for anyones work. Welcome to the club mate.
All the best to you and you deserve all the accolade you are getting on this fantastic entry.
Steve
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Very well said Steve.
Jim
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You said. "It could very well be my last one too."
"RUBBISH"
It better not be. I thought it was an excellent blog and enjoyed every shot. Well done you and looking forward to your next one.
Dave.
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I think photoblogs are the new galleries for serious photographers to show their stuff. Most enjoyable because we can see lots of shots, for which we can show our appreciation with one comprehensive comment. You've got lots of "ace" shots in this one outing, Phil, and very enjoyable it was to look around the reserve with you. I like the way you opened and closed with the pheasant. Neat. Like me, you'll have the bug now!
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Great Phil.
Quite a large variety of birds there. Been meaning to get up to Titchwell for years. You've just reminded me.
Well done,
Monty.
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T'riffic 1st blog Phil, well done! Look forward to the next one.
Liked.
Kev
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It was OK I suppose!
Jen xx
Don't run faster than your guardian angel can fly!
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I can't believe that's your 1st blog!
Great stuff mate, hope you get the bug, it's a great way of showing off a series of pics.
Well done and look forward to the next.
Ian
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Smashing colourful and informative blog Phil - like the framing too!!
Dave!!
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Brilliant blog, great narrative and fantastic pictures, this section of the site is becoming a star attraction for me. Some well deserved praise for this. I cant make up my mind on which is my favourite shot, I would be at it all day if I had to choose one over the others.
We dont have avocets or egrets up here in the frozen north so those really catch my attention.
Im glad you mentioned not being able to format the text, I found that very frustrating on my last blog. I wonder if the blogs become more popular, which looks likely, if the powers that be might add some text formatting to the features, even just being able to make paragraphs would nice.
So long and thanks for all the fish
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Well worth waiting for Phil
We have to vote the ducks as our favourites they always make us smile when they take off and come In to land. Hope it's the first of many.
Regards
Cesar and Dave
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Wonderful photographs Phil and a super commentary. I think you were born to the medium! Let's have lots more.
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A great first blog Phil, with some terrific images. It appears to have taken you four years to do your first blog - hopefully we won't have to wait four years for the next one!!
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Absolutely brilliant. I doff my hat to you, Phil, every picture a gem. Not sure about the ID of a wren, but who cares? This will be the first of many, I am sure.
Best regards, Steve
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Outstanding!! what a brilliant series of shots, well presented with a superb narrative. Nice to see the Avocets returning, well captured in flight shots,
A great first time blog Phil, which I have enjoyed reading immensley, Looking forward to more..Thank you for sharing.
Colin
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love all the bird shots ,but the one with the yacht's the best for me . well done
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nice blog and some lovely duklings and goslings. sleeping wren is cute, but i think the best bird shot is the goose guarding the brood.
you have great pictures and i think you shouldnt be afraid 'to put too many' in the blog. i would have loved to see more of your seascape shots
anyway- its a great blog!
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The birds in flight are exceptionally well taken. An excellent blog.
Lots of good information on location and access. Very thoughtful and useful.
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Bl....dy Hell guys. Been out all day and just came back to see this magnificent response. I feel very proud and humbled by how this has been received. I have got the blog bug for sure....but not sure how I can follow this..............
Many thanks to everyone for your comments.
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Wonderful photoblog Phil with super photography ~ Thanks for compiling and sharing.
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Cracking blog Phil made for a very good read and view. Most enjoyable.
All the best
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An excellent blog that clearly took a lot of thought and effort - its certainly appreciated, though. Look forward to seeing more from you in the future, Phil.
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Some amazingly nice shots in here Phil.
Looks like a great place.
Yes, you should do some more blogs.
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come on Phil you have got a lot to live up to now, looking forward to the next one. I went out today and wanted to try to get some flying birds not many about and I still have a lot to learn
Eddie
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great photos of birds in flight well done
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Great job, Phil! I'm nuts for bird and any wildlife shots in natural surroundings. The quality of your photos is excellent, the captures are awesome, you have a great future as a blogger ahead of you! Jocelyn
Photophile
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A brilliant first blog,loved all the pics and the narrative.Thankyou for taking the time to make this blog up and I cant wait for the nexted one.
Kathleen
Have fun, it shows in your photography.
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Hi Phil - superb blog especially for a first timer lol
Seriously, one of the best photoblogs on here. I loved it - great photography with interesting and informative narrative.
Very well done and thanks for sharing, Alison
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Great Blog Phil with a lot of superb photos and narrative cant wait for the next one
Gez
Gez
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Well Done A great first time Blog with Good wildlife photography too
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Top pics - well done
Please feel free to check out my pics/blogs and please comment as I love to hear from all over the world
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Great blog! Looks like a fantastic reserve. Lovely shots
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Hi Phil, I have just got back from my holiday and catching up on blogs I missed while I was away. Fabulous first Blog, you must be very happy to see all the lovely comments. It looks like a fabulous place to visit so much to see.
I have really enjoyed looking through this and reading all about. Your photos as usual are amazing. Thank you for compiling and sharing with us. Best wishes Pam
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