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

S N S N S N Cormorant    1    -    Redwing    834    -    Chaffinch    3    -    Red Kite    1    -    Great Tit    14    -    Greenfinch    16    -    Lapwing    2    -    Magpie    9    -    Goldfinch    57    -    Woodpigeon    67    -    Jackdaw    5    -    Siskin    181    -    Collared Dove    5    -    Rook    14    -    Linnet    44    -    Meadow Pipit    200    -    Starling    22    -    redpoll sp.    1    -    alba wagtail sp.    46    -    Tree Sparrow    9    -

Totals: 1531 individuals, 20 species, 3:30 hours Bold = Remarkable observation (scarce or rare species or large number)

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)