A day of strong westerlies, and a good day for seawatching and Manx Shearwater at Holme! We seawatched from 0730-1130 and recorded 28 Manx Shearwater, 2 Eider (a male and female), 21 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar, 104 Gannet, 32 Cormorant, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier (in off), 2 Pink-footed Geese (in off), 5 Grey Plover, 1 Pom Skua (which flew in then sat on the sea before flying west and giving great views!), 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie (past west very close in, almost too close for scope views), 34 Sandwich Tern and 9 Common Tern. An additional 10 Manx Shearwater were seen in an afternoon seawatch giving a total of 38 birds. Many birds were passing close in, giving great views which is always lovely to see! Most birds recorded were singles, but we had a couple of occasions where two birds passed together.

One of the close in Manx Shearwater past Holme today

Otherwise, the reserve was quiet with the main highlight being 9 Cattle Egret over the grazing marsh in the afternoon, and a Great Egret on the Broadwater.

No moths today as we have had the traps off due to the windy conditions and the reserve being shut on Monday!

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Honey Buzzard Sheringham at The Leas flew inland then west at 10.25am c52.9458,1.2069

Norfolk 4.Black Terns past Winterton c52.7179,1.6982

Norfolk Red-necked Phal juv Titchwell RSPB still on Freshmarsh c52.9682,0.6076. Park at c52.9629,0.6063

Norfolk Honey Buzzard juv Sheringham flew in off sea then flew east over Beeston Bump c52.9435,1.2244

Norfolk Scaup South Wootton still at Wootton Grange Flood Lagoon 52.7754,0.4222. Park at 52.7741,0.4236. Viewed from 52.7747,0.4227

Norfolk Black Tern flew west past Holme c52.9741,0.5401

Norfolk 2.Glossy Ibises flew south over Welney WWT c52.5268,0.2786

Norfolk Pom Skua ad pale morph y’day Sheringham flew west past shelter in morning (+5.Black Terns) c52.9469,1.2070. Park at 52.9450,1.2067. Viewed from 52.9459,1.2069