Patch and Surf Scoter

Friday 25th Oct I got to Trimingham at around dawn, a few Goldcrest were in the cliff top wood, and a notable increase of Robin numbers were around.

Walking around the loop and the Church I added Bullfinch (my first in Trimingham for a while) and a couple of Chiffchaff,

A Red Kite flew over the road.

Walking the cliffs a flock of 16 Skylark came in off the sea and 3 Yellowhammers shortly after.

Scanning the fields a Short-eared Owl flew through.

Today I popped to Holkham.

I parked up on Lady Ann's Drive and walked along the track towards Washington Hide, about 300 yards west two Firecrests were in the Holm oaks.

I carried on walking and the rest of the wood seemed quiet, I followed the boardwalk along and headed for the sea.

It was a matter of seconds before I located the Surf Scoter, the White patch on the back of the head was very striking in the sunshine even though the bird was very distant.

Lol Record Shots

The bird remained distant with 4/5 Velvet Scoter, a couple of Common Scoter, Red-throated Divers and Great Crested Grebe were also on the sea.

After this I walked back to the main track through the saltmarsh. Nearly at the boardwalk I watched as a dog chased away the very confiding Grey Phalarope. I was nice to see a Phalarope in a high flight (I felt it looked a bit like a Bat) but it wasn't so good to watch it flyoff over the trees.

After Holkham I had a look at Burnham Overy and saw the Great White Egret and then headed home with a stop a Salthouse to see my second Grey Phalarope of the day.