Another New Moth plus Pink Footed Geese



Ran the moth trap tonight and another single moth only but a new one a November Moth.

 

Whilst outside some Pink-footed Geese flew over.

At the patch, another Waxwing, more Little Auks and extra Ring Ouzel

Spent a few hours this morning up at Trimingham undoubted highlight was the Waxwing that came in off and flew west.

Walking around the wood and scrub there was some vis mig with birds still coming in off, but highlights were 2 Ring Ouzel, 10 Brambling and a single flock of Long-tailed Tits containing 23 individuals was also seen.

On the sea 3 Little Auk's flew west, 46 Scoter flew west and 1 at least of which was a Velvet which was great to see. Two Red-throated Diver were on the sea and a Great Northern Diver flew west also.

On the beach 4 Shag were with the roosting flock of 71 Cormorants and 3 Dunlin were on the beach also.

Here are all the birds seen today and in no particular order (IO - this will mean In Off)

Jay 2, Chaffinch (IO) 13, Siskin (IO) 3, Redwing (IO) 19, Brambling (IO) 10, Long-tailed Tit 35, Blue Tit 2, Blackbird (IO) 15, Robin 6, Song Thrush (IO) 1, Skylark (IO) 38 plus 15 around fieldsPink-footed Goose 110, Meadow Pipit (IO) 8, Wren 3, Goldcrest 5, Ring Ouzel (IO) 2, Fieldfare (IO) 1, Chiffchaff 1, Linnet 1, Kestrel 1, Waxwing (IO) 1, Starling (IO) 22, Cormorant 71, Shag 4, Gannet 2, Little Auk 3, Common Scoter 45, Velvet Scoter 1, Great Northern Diver 1, Red-throated Diver 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Yellowhammer 1.

Swallow, Waxwing, Little Auk, Black Redstart and the Arctic Warbler

Filling the bird feeders this morning in the hail a Swallow flew over.

Whilst working at Bacton I heard a trill, and straight away new it was Waxwing, I looked at the skies and couldn't see it, I then heard it again and realised it was in the tree above me.

It sat there for 2mins top before flying east.

After work I had 10mins spare so I went to Walcott to have a look at the sea, a few Brents flew past and a Little Auk! also.

On the drive back a Black Redstart was by the layby in Bacton.

On Wednesday I headed out early and went to the patch again, it was clearly quieter than the day before with fewer birds around, although still a few Hundred Thrushes around with four Ring Ouzel in amongst them.

A few Brambling also filtered through the wood.

I then set off for Holkham before news of the Arctic Warlber at Brancaster Staithe had me heading there instead.

I made a detour to get around a slow tanker and camper van through the heath at Kelling and on a field up the hill was a flock of around 300 finches which look like they were all Brambling.

I then got to Brancaster Staithe and went and saw the Arctic Warbler.

 

It was a nice bird to see although mobile and hard at times, one disapointment was when birders ignored a dog walker forcing her off the board walk.

 

After this I headed for Holkham to look for the Olive-backed Pipit I arrived at meals house meeting David and Jullian who then took me to where the first bird had been seen. We all walked through with no luck, David and Jullian headed off to try the second bird and I continued to look.

 

Walking through the dunes and pines more Thrushes arrived in off the sea, a Short-eared Owl also flew in off. I was lucky enough to see a Yellow-browed Warbler also.

 

I then got news of the second OBP being seen again so I wondered over through the dunes, I arrived to the sight of more Ring Ouzels and 15 Swallows flying around, I scanned the field it was reported to fly into but with no luck, light was fading to I headed home.

 

A few of the swallows at Burnham Overy Dunes/West end of Holkham Pines

 

 

Edit:

 

Just ran the moth trap tonight and had only 1 moth, but a new for my list a Beaded Chestnut.

 

 





More Thrushes but this time at the patch

Spent the whole day on the patch at Trimingham, around the cliff top wood area and the surrounding area. Started at about 9.45am and finishing at 4pm.

The start was really hard with very thick fog even making the tree tops hardly visable.

But nevermind the fog its all about the birds, less than yesterday I felt seeing only 2300 Redwing and 450 Fieldfare. Still large numbers of Robins (65) and Goldcrests (80) moving though. Also lots of Brambling (80) including the bird below.

Other counts were Song Thrush 37, Siskin 2,  Chiffchaff 12, Woodcock 2 and also 11 Ring Ouzel.

We also got lucky and saw this Short-eared Owl also.

I really felt there would be something else out there but nevermind maybe tomorrow.

Did hear a Yellow-browed Warbler twice but could not see it.

Got Thrush? Norfolk has!

Well most people will of heard how the day went but here is our account of events, Adam and I headed to Burnham Overy Dunes the fog look like it was going to be a menace.

It was fantastic - thrushes galore every field, every tree and every bush. Highlights of the migrant hunt though has to be the Long-eared Owl that we flushed from brambles (we had been watching the brambles for 10mins before it flew and had not seen it we did not intentially flush it).

But here is our count for the day after arriving at 9am and leaving about 2pm there is no way these are lower and can only be higher. Redwing 5500, Fieldfare 3300, Blackbird 340, Robin 155, Song Thrush 63, Brambling 79, Goldcrest 75, Ring Ouzel 26, Chiffchaff 10, Meadow Pipit 10, Mistle Thrush 2, Crossbill 2, Woodcock 2, Snipe 2, Common Redstart 1, Blackcap 1.

 

Oh and I found this Osprey.

We then headed for Stiffkey to see the Red-flanked Bluetail which was nice also.

 

 

 

 

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Yesterday I went on a 24 hour, 960 mile round trip to Fife Ness, it was well worth it!

Seeing the Eastern Olvaceous Warbler and a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Fife Ness, then seeing 15! Black Grouse and a few Red Grouse on the way home!

Here are the pictures and videos from yesterday and my 421st British Bird.

Also popped to Cley on Thursday where the White-rumped Sandpiper was showing really well (if you were in the opposite hide). Here is a distant shot.

On Wednesday after turning around from the Egyptian Vulture chase we stopped to look through these Golden Plover

This one got more then a second look, but we are sure its European.

Alot of Migrants (Common Only)

Some movement today (if you were out before 10am), Adam and I headed for Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes and West end of Holkham Pines, we spent 6 hours searching and the best time was in the first two hours.

We saw in no particular order and all before 10am and in one and half hours, Brambling 4, Chaffinch 30, Linnet 20, Goldfinch 20, Song Thrush 5, Redwing 15, Blackbird 10, Blackcap 1, Reed Bunting 5, Whitethroat 1, Meadow Pipit 45, Golden Plover 30, Jay 9 (in off the sea), Starling 50, Skylark 30, Swallow 2, Goldcrest 2 and a handful of Blue Tits, Greenfinch and other common bits.

After 10am in the other four and half hours we had Blackcap 2, Goldcrest 15, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Song Thrush 6, Redwing 7, Meadow Pipit 50, Brambling 2 and Blackbird 20.

It generally got quiet after 10am as the wind picked up, all of the birds headed off that we saw in the morning.

We also popped to Kelling on the way home and saw the Pectoral Sandpiper.

 

 

Migrant Hunt

First Day of my holiday on Friday and with the over night rain and some East winds the day before I really wanted to head out.

First stop was Cley, I pulled into the car park and could see that pats pool was full of birds so I thought I would take a closer look.

Three Spoonbills were the highlight amoungst the many ducks and handfull of waders.

 

From Cley I headed for Burnham Overy Dunes, parking on the A149 I wondered down the track.

 

All was quiet until I reach the are where only a few weeks ago was the Booted Warbler but this time two newly arrived Brambling were there instead.

 

 

I wondered around the dunes and bushes for about 4 hours, seeing only 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush and a handfull of Meadow Pipits. I think the combination of wind and light rain was keeping everything out of sight.

 

There was a moment of excitment though when I could hear a sparrow like call from the top of a dune. I rushed up to see what it was, only to find it was a Sparrow.

 

A brief look in Holkham Bay and I saw Short-eared Owl come in off and a Pom Skua flew past. Whilst scanning two House Martins flew over as did two Crossbills.

 

On the walk back this Red Kite flew over the fields and dunes.

 



 

After this I went to Salthouse for a sea watch and saw Tons of Gannets, loads of Kittiwakes, lots of Guillemots, around about 200 Common Scoter, 20 Skylark came in off, 1 Lapwing also came in off and a few Starlings.

Also saw 15 or so Red-throated Diver including this on which looked craking even though the picture isn't.

 

Rough-legged Buzzard

Was lucky enough to be stopped as a Rough-legged Buzzard flew over at Sheringham yesterday, three Common Buzzards flew over ten minutes later.

Dorset and Wells Woods

Not and actual birding holiday but had time to fit some in we first popped to Lodmoor to take another look at the Short-billed Dowitcher. Saw these others also.

 

One evening at Portland allowed us to see Raven and a Balearic Shearwater.

Also found a Wryneck at the caravan site. And we went to Abbotsbury were we saw lots of Swans and Firecrests also.

Also got to see this Red Underwing.

Did a little moth traping (only 2hrs worth) got one Frosted Orange,

Two Lunar Underwing.

Two Flounced Rustic , and Uncertian and two Setaceous Hebrew Character.

On Sunday I went to Wells with my little girl, was hard work getting around but was rewarded with two Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest. Also saw the Sacred Ibis and Salthouse.