North Norfolk weekend 24th - 26th October

Pink-footed Geese

The annual visit to Norfolk was once again a great weekend, in total the group saw 115 species, and I got another lifer with a Surf Scoter off Holkham gap putting me to 299 for UK, plus a year tick for Rough-legged Buzzard.

Despite looking species we were hoping for like Snow Buntings, Shore Lark, Twite, and Lapland Bunting were not there probably due to the mild weather.

Red Kite

Grey Phalarope

Common Seal pup

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Beachy Head another Lifer

 A call from PJ sent me straight to Beachy Head to see the Red-breasted Flycatcher found earlier in the morning. Little did we know he was to stay for a week. On arriving at the old trapping area found easily by the 30 birders watching the bushes. Within 5 minutes it appeared and what a stunning bird.

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White-winged Black Tern another lifer! Sat 18th October




Despite a look at Castle Water Hide at first light on Saturday I couldn't find the Tern, but after hearing it was still around at lunchtime I took another look in the afternoon, although not close was quite impressive - an adult moulting. 

 

 

Whit-winged Black Tern

White-winged Black Tern

 On the Sunday we went to Dunge and I finally managed to get a Ring ouzel on my year list in fact there were nine.


Ring Ouzel -female I guess

Another visit to Caste Water in the afternoon where the Tern performed well in front of the hide but no better pics.

Twitching a Steppe Grey Shrike Saturday 11th October

 

A 5.30 start meeting Paul at Sundridge by 6.30 we arrived at Burnham Norton at 9.00am.

A10 minute walk towards the sea was where we met 50 or more birders looking at the

 Steppe Grey Shrike

 

Steppe Grey Shrike

 

Walking back to the car had great views of Bearded Tits

 

 

Male Beardie

Female



Female Bearded Tit

A walk around Titchwell and a look out to sea 1 Red and 2 Black-throated Divers, 2 Slavonion Grebes, On the reserve 4 Avocet, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, at least a dozen Ruff. Couldn't find the Yellow Browed Warbler reported. 2.15 pm we headed for home.