It was too windy for nets today however with a big early high tide we were in at dawn to see what was moving on the sea. Highlight of an hour first thing was a Little Gull which flew past reasonably close in west. Other highlights from various seawatches through the day included 44 Brent Geese, 2 Arctic Skua, 12 Red-throated Diver and nice numbers of wildfowl including 20 Shoveler, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (first of the autumn), 3 Eider, 226 Wigeon and 89 Teal.

Bit blurry, but you get the idea. Lovely Little Gull

It was also a good day for vismig with a very impressive count of 111 Jay, bearing in mind 1 out at the obs is unusual, 12 Grey Herons, 13 Great White Egrets, 2 Swallows and 12 Siskin all heading west

The Lapland Bunting was still around and showing best around high tide at the saltmarsh at Thornham Channel end, and amazingly it has been joined by a second bird! The Snow Bunting was still showing well on and off throughout the day.

It was feeling nice and birdy all day, with stuff to see wherever you looked, but to round it all off, the first returning Jack Snipe of the autumn was found from NWT hide 1 late on, and Seamus captured this stunning photo. Also thanks to AJ Roberts for sharing the photo below of a stunning male Hen Harrier from the evening of the 25th September from the NOA car park hide, what a bird!

Jack Snipe by Seamus Griffin and Hen Harrier by AJ Roberts

The moths were very similar to previous mornings this week however we had a species we’ve not seen for awhile with a lovely fresh Red-green Carpet. Otherwise we recorded 4 Feathered Ranunculus, 36 Lunar Underwing Underwing, 2 Deep Brown Dart, 3 Square Spot Rustic, 5 Large Yellow Underwing, 1 Rush Veneer, 5 Beet Moth, 3 Narrow-winged Grey, 1 Turnip, 2 Beaded Chestnut, 1 Small Mottled Willow, 2 Willow Beauty, 1 Rusty Dot Pearl and 1 Large Wainscot.

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Snow Bunting ad Holme Dunes NWT still on beach at 4pm c52.9754,0.5427

Norfolk Little Stint 2mls north of King’s Lynn at Lynn Point at 4pm c52.7985,0.3702

Norfolk Caspian Gull 1w flew west past Cley Marshes NWT c52.9552,1.0758

Norfolk Curlew Sand Titchwell RSPB from Parrinder Hide at 2.14pm 52.9691,0.6066 Viewed from c52.9693,0.6069

Norfolk Snow Bunting Holme Dunes NWT still on beach at 1.17pm c52.9754,0.5427

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew north Happisburgh at 12.11pm c52.8227,1.5376

Norfolk Y-br Wblr Cley NWT still 11.30am in willows at back of Walsey Hills tho elusive c52.9579,1.0688 NR25 7SA

Norfolk Snow Bunting flew east West Runton at 10.30am c52.9412,1.2504

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still SW of The Marrams viewed from double metal gates at 11.21am tho distant NR12 0AL 52.7911,1.5839: Park at 52.7894,1.6013; Viewed from 52.795,1.5892

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew west Cley Beach (+Black Guillemot still on sea east of wreck) c52.9668,1.0489

Norfolk Y-br Wblr Cley NWT at south end of of Walsey Hills at 9.40am tho elusive c52.9579,1.0688 NR25 7SA

Norfolk Snow Bunting flew over Hunstanton +Woodlark flew over c52.9630,0.5165

Norfolk 2.Lapland Buntings Holme Dunes NWT on saltmarsh near Thornham channel (+Snow Bunting still on beach) c52.9713,0.5713

Norfolk 2.Glossy Ibises flew west Burnham Norton c52.9637,0.7203

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Winterton North Dunes at 8.59am c 52.7290,1.6850

Norfolk Great S’water flew north Winterton-on-Sea at 8.30am c52.7201,1.7067