Hunstanton Cliffs
| Counting period: 06:30 - 08:00 Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only) Weather: wind WSW2, cloud-cover 8/8 Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd, Gary Elton
Please note the list above list follows the new species order. |
Wednesday 16th April 2016
Tuesday 5th April 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
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Counting period: 06:35 - 08:35 Weather: wind SW3, cloud-cover 2/8, temperature 7 ℃ Observers: Robert Smith, Frank Branch, Robert and Andy Brown
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Monday 4th April 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
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Counting period: 06:30 - 08:30 Weather: wind South2, cloud-cover 8/8 Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Elton, Gary Hibberd, Robert Smith
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Sunday 3rd April 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
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Saturday 2nd April 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
| Counting period: 06:30 - 09:00 Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only) Weather: wind SSE3, cloud-cover 8/8 Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Elton, Gary Hibberd and Robert Smith
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Friday 1st April 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
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Counting period: 06:25 - 08:25 Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only) Weather: wind SE3, cloud-cover 3/8, temperature 4 ℃ Observers: Robert SJ Smith and Andy Brown
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Wednesday 30th March 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
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Counting period: 06:42 - 08:42 Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only) Weather: wind WSW2, cloud-cover 0/8 Observers: Andy Brown, Greg Beeton, Gary Hibberd
Rook - imm (Gary Hibberd)
Rook - adult (Gary Hibberd)
Note the downward pointing and sharp point of bill in both images, carrion crows tend to hold bill on a horizontal carriage, tip always looks rounded in comparison. Immature rooks can take two calendar years before the distinctive grey colours emerge in the bill.
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Tuesday 29th March 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
| Counting period: 06:30 - 08:30 Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only) Weather: wind SW2, cloud-cover 0/8 Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd, Chris Mills and Robert Smith
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Sunday 27th March 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
| Counting period: 06:35 - 08:35 Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only) Weather: wind SW3, cloud-cover 0/8 Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd, Chris Mills and Robert Smith
Great Tits on the move - Robert Smith
Tree Sparrows - Robert Smith
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Rook - Robert Smith
Saturday 26th March 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
Counting period: 05:49 - 08:49
Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only)
Weather: wind SW5, cloud-cover 8/8, High cloud but gradually thickening as am went on.
Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd, Chris Mills and Robert Smith
Comments: A really nice morning with good variety and decent nos of
some species. The first three common hirundines on the same day is quite
likely a first for us. The tree sparrow count was the third biggest,
while the goldfinch total was decent for March. The phylloscpus warblers
was also very unusual, flying through strongly with no hope of
identifying them.
Counting period: 05:49 - 08:49
Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only)
Weather: wind SW5, cloud-cover 8/8, High cloud but gradually thickening as am went on.
Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd, Chris Mills and Robert Smith
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Totals: 2033 individuals, 30 species, 3:00 hours Bold = Remarkable observation (scarce or rare species or large number) |
Friday 25th March 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A clear and warm day, out of the westerly wind (later vering south-west) wind which still had an edge to it.
The best of a slow day;
Rook - two west
Sand Martin - two west and the first of the year (Andy & Sue Brown and Fiona Skinner)
Pied Wagtail - two west
Crossbill - one with goldfinches (NOA)
Around the reserve bittern in flight, three red kite, six marsh harrier, greenshank, merlin, peregrine, five fieldfare and two stonechat.
Tomorrow's strong south-west winds along with a clear Spain over night may well produce a decent day tomorrow, with the strength of the winds forecast a big redwing day may be on the cards, and possibly a few early overshoots could turn up in the UK.
A clear and warm day, out of the westerly wind (later vering south-west) wind which still had an edge to it.
The best of a slow day;
Rook - two west
Sand Martin - two west and the first of the year (Andy & Sue Brown and Fiona Skinner)
Pied Wagtail - two west
Crossbill - one with goldfinches (NOA)
Around the reserve bittern in flight, three red kite, six marsh harrier, greenshank, merlin, peregrine, five fieldfare and two stonechat.
Tomorrow's strong south-west winds along with a clear Spain over night may well produce a decent day tomorrow, with the strength of the winds forecast a big redwing day may be on the cards, and possibly a few early overshoots could turn up in the UK.
Thursday 24th March 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
Counting period: 05:50 - 09:20
Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only)
Weather: wind SW2, cloud-cover 8/8
Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd and Robert Smith
Comments: The first day of suitable SW winds.
Although the hoped for new migrants did not oblige there was a nice increase in numbers. Especially notable was the large nos of redwing moving south along the line of the A149 east of the pitch and putt course. I disturbed a flock of c40 on route to the cliffs from the hedge banks either side of the same road. We don't usually associate this species with such light winds, big counts tend to be forth coming with strong SW winds and along southern edge of the coastal marshes in Spring.
The red kite was our first Spring record but was not a surprise due to the good nos in NW Norfolk at the moment.
Red Kite - NWT Holme Dunes - 22nd March 2016 (Gary Hibberd)
Counting period: 05:50 - 09:20
Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only)
Weather: wind SW2, cloud-cover 8/8
Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd and Robert Smith
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Totals: 1531 individuals, 20 species, 3:30 hours Bold = Remarkable observation (scarce or rare species or large number) |
Although the hoped for new migrants did not oblige there was a nice increase in numbers. Especially notable was the large nos of redwing moving south along the line of the A149 east of the pitch and putt course. I disturbed a flock of c40 on route to the cliffs from the hedge banks either side of the same road. We don't usually associate this species with such light winds, big counts tend to be forth coming with strong SW winds and along southern edge of the coastal marshes in Spring.
The red kite was our first Spring record but was not a surprise due to the good nos in NW Norfolk at the moment.
Wednesday 23rd March 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A slightly earlier 30 minute watch (0705-0735hrs) produced a little more in the way of movement today. The light westerly breeze and high but dense cloud were the weather conditions. Totals of considered migrants were as follows;
Ringed Plover - one very high to the south-west
Woodpigeon - 30 west
Jackdaw - five west, three west
Rook - three east
Pied Wagtail - two west
Meadow Pipit - 27 west
Chaffinch - one west
Greenfinch - four west
Linnet - 8 west
Goldfinch - five west
Siskin - 8 west
Later it was also clear from a friend that a good number of redwing passed west today. As usual with this species they tend to track along the back edge of the marshes, often along the line of the A149, a flock of 400 passed over Redwell Marsh at around 0800hrs. As is usual in the Spring this passage would barely be noticed on the most northern coastal strip, as was also the case today.
Tomorrow looks reasonably certain to provide North-West Norfolk with a few birds on the move and some new returning summer migrants. Get out there early though, the first two hours of the day are often the best for largest numbers, though hirundines do pass throughout the day in season.
Sites to witness this spectacle are Snettisham Coastal Park (on coastal seawall), Hunstanton Cliffs (cliff top), Gore Point at NWT Holme Dunes (from public footpath) or RSPB Titchwell (at the northern end of the main path). Remember to set your alarm clocks dawn is at 0535 hrs!
A slightly earlier 30 minute watch (0705-0735hrs) produced a little more in the way of movement today. The light westerly breeze and high but dense cloud were the weather conditions. Totals of considered migrants were as follows;
Ringed Plover - one very high to the south-west
Woodpigeon - 30 west
Jackdaw - five west, three west
Rook - three east
Pied Wagtail - two west
Meadow Pipit - 27 west
Chaffinch - one west
Greenfinch - four west
Linnet - 8 west
Goldfinch - five west
Siskin - 8 west
Later it was also clear from a friend that a good number of redwing passed west today. As usual with this species they tend to track along the back edge of the marshes, often along the line of the A149, a flock of 400 passed over Redwell Marsh at around 0800hrs. As is usual in the Spring this passage would barely be noticed on the most northern coastal strip, as was also the case today.
Tomorrow looks reasonably certain to provide North-West Norfolk with a few birds on the move and some new returning summer migrants. Get out there early though, the first two hours of the day are often the best for largest numbers, though hirundines do pass throughout the day in season.
Sites to witness this spectacle are Snettisham Coastal Park (on coastal seawall), Hunstanton Cliffs (cliff top), Gore Point at NWT Holme Dunes (from public footpath) or RSPB Titchwell (at the northern end of the main path). Remember to set your alarm clocks dawn is at 0535 hrs!
22nd March 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A 30 minute watch (0824-0854hrs) from the dunes west of the pines produced another trickle of migrants. The wind was a light NW force 2, conditions bright.
Woodpigeon - 14 west
Tree sparrow - heard from my watch point but not seen. Later it was in The Firs car park.
Grey wagtail - west
Meadow Pipit - ten west
Linnet - six west
Goldfinch - five west
Siskin - two east
The other highlights today were three red kites for a good part of the morning and later a rossicus bean goose with the few remaining pink-feet on the grazing marshes opposite The Firs.
A 30 minute watch (0824-0854hrs) from the dunes west of the pines produced another trickle of migrants. The wind was a light NW force 2, conditions bright.
Woodpigeon - 14 west
Tree sparrow - heard from my watch point but not seen. Later it was in The Firs car park.
Grey wagtail - west
Meadow Pipit - ten west
Linnet - six west
Goldfinch - five west
Siskin - two east
The other highlights today were three red kites for a good part of the morning and later a rossicus bean goose with the few remaining pink-feet on the grazing marshes opposite The Firs.
21st March 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
After a very long spell of cold easterly airflows and high pressure there was a subtle change today with the wind coming from the north-west and with the sun shining it really felt like the first day of spring. There was still little on the move but it was a start with the following throughout the day:
Brent goose - 18 high north-east way off shore
Wigeon - a flock of 80 high north-east and also way off shore
Common scoter - a male with the above wigeon
Jackdaw - 9 east
Pied wagtail - 2 west
Meadow pipit - 7 west
Linnet - 3 west
After a very long spell of cold easterly airflows and high pressure there was a subtle change today with the wind coming from the north-west and with the sun shining it really felt like the first day of spring. There was still little on the move but it was a start with the following throughout the day:
Brent goose - 18 high north-east way off shore
Wigeon - a flock of 80 high north-east and also way off shore
Common scoter - a male with the above wigeon
Jackdaw - 9 east
Pied wagtail - 2 west
Meadow pipit - 7 west
Linnet - 3 west
Tuesday 15th March 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A bitterly cold day with thick cloud all day, with mist rolling in towards dusk. The only sign of migration was from a very lonely male crossbill who tried to leave the pines and move on several times during the day. Probably the same bird reported yesterday.
Elsewhere the cold wind kept the avocets in a tight flock and no marsh harriers were displaying today! A peregrine was reported, and the brambling and at least six siskins continued to enjoy the sunflower hearts. A fine summer plumaged great crested grebe graced Broadwater today.
A bitterly cold day with thick cloud all day, with mist rolling in towards dusk. The only sign of migration was from a very lonely male crossbill who tried to leave the pines and move on several times during the day. Probably the same bird reported yesterday.
Elsewhere the cold wind kept the avocets in a tight flock and no marsh harriers were displaying today! A peregrine was reported, and the brambling and at least six siskins continued to enjoy the sunflower hearts. A fine summer plumaged great crested grebe graced Broadwater today.
Monday 14th March 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
High pressure dominating proceedings with clear skies and a F3 easterly blowing for what looks like the coming week. A 30 minute watch from the dunes (0830-0900 hrs) produced a few potential migrants moving east into the wind:
Black-headed Gull - 5 east
Herring gull - 28 in small parties
Jackdaw - 16 east
Pied wagtail - 1 east
Also off shore three red-breasted mergansers east, and one on sea, 350 common scoter offshore, a red-throated diver on the sea, three great crested grebes east and a guillemot on the sea.
There was also a build-up of starlings on the grazing marshes with at least 1000 present, spending much of their time feeding in the ponies grazing area. At the feeders 3-4 siskin and a cock brambling were present all day.
High pressure dominating proceedings with clear skies and a F3 easterly blowing for what looks like the coming week. A 30 minute watch from the dunes (0830-0900 hrs) produced a few potential migrants moving east into the wind:
Black-headed Gull - 5 east
Herring gull - 28 in small parties
Jackdaw - 16 east
Pied wagtail - 1 east
Also off shore three red-breasted mergansers east, and one on sea, 350 common scoter offshore, a red-throated diver on the sea, three great crested grebes east and a guillemot on the sea.
There was also a build-up of starlings on the grazing marshes with at least 1000 present, spending much of their time feeding in the ponies grazing area. At the feeders 3-4 siskin and a cock brambling were present all day.
Saturday 27th February 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
It's been a while since the last blog, but in truth up to this week there has been very little in the way of migration. Earlier this week a party of 5 siskin flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs, and a few have been present here in the pines and on our feeders on the birch. The regular male to the sunflower hearts even bursts into it's sizzling song on sunny days.
The best birds on site today were the five crossbills that hung around just long enough for me to photograph, before heading south around mid-day.
It's been a while since the last blog, but in truth up to this week there has been very little in the way of migration. Earlier this week a party of 5 siskin flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs, and a few have been present here in the pines and on our feeders on the birch. The regular male to the sunflower hearts even bursts into it's sizzling song on sunny days.
The best birds on site today were the five crossbills that hung around just long enough for me to photograph, before heading south around mid-day.
Saturday 30th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
No obvious signs of any movement today.
Off shore;
Wigeon - c500 on sea, displaced from grazing marshes by wildfowlers.
Common scoter - at least 1200 off shore.
Long-tailed duck - a male on sea.
Fulmar - two west.
Red-throated diver - eight west and one on sea.
Great Crested Grebe - six west and two on sea.
The three shorelarks made a reappearance along at Thornham Beach but were later disturbed by photographers.
On the grazing marshes the windy weather got the raptors hunting with up to five marsh harriers accompanied by a huge imm female peregrine, the lapwings and wildfowl (after the early am wildfowling) had a torrid day.
No obvious signs of any movement today.
Off shore;
Wigeon - c500 on sea, displaced from grazing marshes by wildfowlers.
Common scoter - at least 1200 off shore.
Long-tailed duck - a male on sea.
Fulmar - two west.
Red-throated diver - eight west and one on sea.
Great Crested Grebe - six west and two on sea.
The three shorelarks made a reappearance along at Thornham Beach but were later disturbed by photographers.
On the grazing marshes the windy weather got the raptors hunting with up to five marsh harriers accompanied by a huge imm female peregrine, the lapwings and wildfowl (after the early am wildfowling) had a torrid day.
Thursday 28th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
Migrants included five very distant pink-footed geese east, two shelduck west and two wigeon also west.
Other birds during the fifteen minutes included;
Red-breasted merganser - west
Eider - two west
Fulmar - ten west
On the reserve two woodcock in the paddocks.
Migrants included five very distant pink-footed geese east, two shelduck west and two wigeon also west.
Other birds during the fifteen minutes included;
Red-breasted merganser - west
Eider - two west
Fulmar - ten west
On the reserve two woodcock in the paddocks.
Monday 25th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
Off shore 140 distant pink-footed geese and a shelduck also west were the only migrants today. Also on or over the sea;
Long-tailed duck - male west
Red-breasted merganser - six on the sea and one west.
Red-throated Diver - one on sea and two west.
Great Crested Grebe - one on sea and another west.
Cormorant - ten west.
Off shore 140 distant pink-footed geese and a shelduck also west were the only migrants today. Also on or over the sea;
Long-tailed duck - male west
Red-breasted merganser - six on the sea and one west.
Red-throated Diver - one on sea and two west.
Great Crested Grebe - one on sea and another west.
Cormorant - ten west.
Saturday 23rd January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A brief look at the sea produced a distant shelduck west.
Other 'local' species observed;
Goldeneye - two females on sea.
Red-breasted Merganser - 3 west, one on sea.
Fulmar - west
Red-throated Diver - four west.
Great Crested Grebe - one on sea.
Razorbill - east.
A brief look at the sea produced a distant shelduck west.
Other 'local' species observed;
Goldeneye - two females on sea.
Red-breasted Merganser - 3 west, one on sea.
Fulmar - west
Red-throated Diver - four west.
Great Crested Grebe - one on sea.
Razorbill - east.
17th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A short sea watch produced 15 red-throated divers west and a distant male goldeneye (also west), both species both likely to be "local" birds.
Amongst the distant scoter did manage a male velvet, while Tony Prater reported the five long-tailed ducks with them later.
The shorelarks showed on and off for most of the day.
Two siskins in poplar next to The Firs was a new bird for the year.
A short sea watch produced 15 red-throated divers west and a distant male goldeneye (also west), both species both likely to be "local" birds.
Amongst the distant scoter did manage a male velvet, while Tony Prater reported the five long-tailed ducks with them later.
The shorelarks showed on and off for most of the day.
Two siskins in poplar next to The Firs was a new bird for the year.
Tuesday 12th January 2016
The Leas, Sheringham
Off site, but some vis-mig! A half hour lunchtime watch produced very little other than a common scoter west ans three pintail west.
Otherwise red-throated divers (four west, five east), great crested grebe on sea, three guillemot (including summer plumaged bird again), razorbill and gannet east.
Off site, but some vis-mig! A half hour lunchtime watch produced very little other than a common scoter west ans three pintail west.
Otherwise red-throated divers (four west, five east), great crested grebe on sea, three guillemot (including summer plumaged bird again), razorbill and gannet east.
Sunday 10th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
No obvious signs of movement other than a shag west close in shore, this co-inciding with Andy Brown finding three at Hunstanton Cliffs, including a colour-ringed bird. These were certainly new arrivals to the area as I'd visited the cliffs twice this week, looking for the purple sandpiper, and both times at dusk. This being the best time to look for roosting birds on the ledges, but on both occasions no birds were present.
Off shore two long-tailed ducks were with the common scoters, but distant. A great northern diver was also reported. On the beach the three shorelarks were seen early, but disappeared by the afternoon.
No obvious signs of movement other than a shag west close in shore, this co-inciding with Andy Brown finding three at Hunstanton Cliffs, including a colour-ringed bird. These were certainly new arrivals to the area as I'd visited the cliffs twice this week, looking for the purple sandpiper, and both times at dusk. This being the best time to look for roosting birds on the ledges, but on both occasions no birds were present.
Off shore two long-tailed ducks were with the common scoters, but distant. A great northern diver was also reported. On the beach the three shorelarks were seen early, but disappeared by the afternoon.
Saturday 9th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A short seawatch (0830-0855hrs) produced little movement with six wigeon and a shelduck west the only migrants.
Also off shore close in were 12 red-breasted merganser west, along with a fulmar and a red-throated diver also west.
On the beach at Gore Point was a striking "northern" herring gull, not only the same grey as a common gull, but with striking deep pink legs. Elsewhere the shorelarks remained on Thornham Beach, and in the harbour 26 twite and a flock of 25 linnet close by.
A short seawatch (0830-0855hrs) produced little movement with six wigeon and a shelduck west the only migrants.
Also off shore close in were 12 red-breasted merganser west, along with a fulmar and a red-throated diver also west.
On the beach at Gore Point was a striking "northern" herring gull, not only the same grey as a common gull, but with striking deep pink legs. Elsewhere the shorelarks remained on Thornham Beach, and in the harbour 26 twite and a flock of 25 linnet close by.
Tuesday 5th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A brief 20 minute look at the sea proved to be rather dull, with three distant brent geese being the only migrants. Winds were very light and from the south-east.
On the sea four red-breasted mergansers, a red-throated diver and three fulmar flew west.
The shorelarks were still present on Thornham Beach, and the twite in Thornham Harbour.
A brief 20 minute look at the sea proved to be rather dull, with three distant brent geese being the only migrants. Winds were very light and from the south-east.
On the sea four red-breasted mergansers, a red-throated diver and three fulmar flew west.
The shorelarks were still present on Thornham Beach, and the twite in Thornham Harbour.
Monday 4th January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A seawatch (0830-1030hrs) produced very little compared with yesterday but included; six shelduck west, five pintail west, three wigeon west, 92 teal west, drake goosander east and a redwing in off the sea.
Also offshore velvet scoter, two long-tailed duck, two red-breasted merganser west, six fulmar west and a great crested grebe west.
Over or on the beach 150 brent geese, 123 bar-tailed godwit west and 80 dunlin west.
Sunday 3rd January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A great day looking at the sea, two sessions (0900-1000hrs) and (1030-1140hrs) produced a site record for a winter movement of teal with 1078 passing west. Other species were also part of the westerly movement but in much smaller numbers; 122 pink-footed geese (in from north-west), five shelduck, 127 wigeon, three mallard, a gadwall, 14 shoveler, 213 lapwing, bonxie and nine little gull (six east, three west). Later two drake goosander flew south-west high over Ragged Marsh.
Also off shore 1700 common scoter, six long-tailed duck, six red-breasted merganser, five red-throated diver and on the beach two greenshank. The shorelarks continued to please the year listers.
In the pines a chiffchaff was still present.
Saturday 2nd January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A look at the sea (0915-0940 hrs) produced four shelduck west and three drake eider west (probably local movement).
Also offshore over 1000 common scoter, three red-breasted merganser east, red-throated diver east and three great crested grebe on the sea. Along the beach the three shorelarks remained.
In the pines a chiffchaff just north of the public footpath.
Friday 1st January 2016
NWT Holme Dunes
A nice cold night and the first frost for ages, the hoped for cold weather movements simply did not happen, apart from a skein of 60 pink-feet coming in from the north-west.
Lots of walkers, dogs and birdwatchers in that order, and most interest centered on the shorelarks. Off shore my highlight today was watching six male red-breasted mergansers displaying furiously to a lone female and just beyond the breakers. Crests flaring and heads being thrown backwards, it was short-lived as they soon flew off west.
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