Happy Halloween! A blustery southerly at the Observatory today so too windy for ringing, but a really good day for birding and a decent species count for the day! The Waxwing was still in the same area this morning, favouring a Poplar on Broadwater Road. This bird then briefly flew south and a Waxwing was seen between NOA and NWT car parks thought to be the same bird.

Waxwing in Poplar

On a seawatch a constant stream of Starling were passing with c20000 birds counted!! Both Peregrine and Merlin were showing well on the beach. At least two Water Pipit were seen today, one at Thornham and one in front of the NWT hide. A Black Redstart appeared on the Firs house and was later seen on the NOA car park hide and boardwalk. A Jack Snipe was still showing well at times from NWT Hide 1, and a Water Rail was showing well from Hide 2! A Goldeneye was on the Broadwater. At least two late Swallow were present today and a group of 11 Crossbill were still in the Pines. Two Firecrest were also in the pines still.

Peregrine on the beach!

Only a few species in the moth traps today with 1 Black Rustic, 1 Turnip, 1 Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Large Wainscot and 3 Rusty Dot Pearl.

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2.Y-br.Wblrs 1ml east of Cley south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA at 2.48pm. c52.9534,1.0673 Park at c52.9546,1.0667

Norfolk 4.Snow Buntings West Runton still at west end of Seaview car park in taped off area 52.9414,1.2485. Park at 52.9412,1.2499. Viewed from 52.9411,1.2488

Norfolk Grey Phal Cley NWT still 1.55pm east of East Bank on Pope’s Marsh c52.9579,1.0688

Norfolk Ruddy Shelduck fem Cley NWT still at Bull Marsh viewed from West Bank 52.9608,1.0489. Viewed from 52.9606,1.0473

MEGA Norfolk BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Cley NWT offshore at c12.40pm with Gannets then flew north c52.9651,1.0483

Norfolk Waxwing Holme Dunes NWT still 12.55pm in poplars south of Broadwater Road just beyond newly developed house with old tower c52.9678,0.5331

Norfolk 1+Snow Bunting West Runton still at west end of Seaview car park c52.9411,1.2481

Norfolk 2.Long-tailed Ducks (both juvs) Snettisham RSPB still on pit behind chalets 52.8606,0.4475. Viewed from 52.8602,0.4476

Norfolk Waxwing Holme Dunes NWT still late morning in poplars south of Broadwater Road just beyond newly developed house with old tower c52.9678,0.5331

Norfolk Long-tailed Duck juv Snettisham RSPB still on pit behind chalets 52.8633,0.4471

Norfolk Waxwing Holme Dunes NWT still in poplars south of Broadwater Road just beyond newly developed house with old tower c52.9678,0.5331

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr y’day Weybourne. Siberian Chiffchaff Weybourne Camp c52.9495,1.1293

Norfolk Caspian Gull y’day Titchwell RSPB c52.9672,0.6048. Park at c52.9629,0.6063

Norfolk Grey Phal Cley NWT still east of East Bank on Pope’s Marsh c52.9579,1.0688

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr y’day Wiveton still at Leatherpool Lane c150yds south of A149 c52.9515,1.0368

Norfolk Glaucous Gull reported y’day Cley NWT in flight at East Bank +2.Glossy Ibises c52.9579,1.0688

Norfolk Glossy Ibis y’day Strumpshaw Fen RSPB c52.6075,1.4498