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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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Wednesday 30th March 2016
Hunstanton Cliffs
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.
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