Today was all about the vis-mig, and whilst there weren’t huge volumes of birds moving, there was quality to be found wherever we looked. Small numbers of Meadow Pipits were on the move and with them two Rock Pipits, three Brambling and a handful of Siskin went west early on, as did a single Lapland Bunting. Jay passage continued with nine west, two Jack Snipe flew west, and our first Whooper Swans (ten) arrived, settled on the sea for a short time then made their way inland. Two Woodlark flew west, one during the timed count and one when we were re-doing the obs sightings board! Then, whilst emptying the moth traps, a Hawfinch called and flew low over the pines.

The sea was a bit quieter than it has been in recent days, but there was a cracking flurry of activity mid-morning when three Pomarine Skuas (two adults and a juv) flew west, followed not long after by two Grey Phalarope. Down at the eastern end of the beach, the single Snow Bunting was still around, as were three Lapland Bunting. A report of a single Shore Lark also came through on the news services, hopefully that one sticks around.

And, I’m delighted to say, we confirmed the three Jack Snipe theory, with one from hide one and two from hide two (and no, there weren’t three from hide three! Only a single Common Snipe). On our way out, two Barn Owls were hunting the dunes and grazing marsh, and using the van as a hide I managed to get some lovely photos. Although not easy from photos, looking at the wear and moult on the primaries, we think this bird is probably at least two years old, as there are three generations of feathers present (the outer primary being very old and worn).

All in all, a lovely day of autumn birding.

Moths were once again pretty standard for this time of year:

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Lapland Bunting north of Happisburgh still mid a’noon towards Ostend in ploughed field +2.Shorelarks c52.8358,1.5154

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still 2.52pm SW of The Marrams viewed from double metal gates NR12 0AL 52.7914,1.5816 Viewed from c52.7950,1.5892 Park at c52.7894,1.6013

Norfolk Black Guillemot 1w Salthouse north of Iron Road on sea at 2.30pm tho distant c52.9600,1.0838 Park at c52.9534,1.0806

Norfolk Snow Bunting male Holme Dunes at 2.39pm +showing well 52.9757,0.5627: Viewed from 52.9758,0.5627

Norfolk Shorelark Holme Dunes at east end on saltmarsh at 2.18pm 52.9725,0.5651: Viewed from 52.9721,0.5704

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

Norfolk 3.Curlew Sands Titchwell RSPB on freshmarsh at 1.50pm 52.968,0.6095

Norfolk Lapland Bunting north of Happisburgh towards Ostend in ploughed field at 1.35pm c52.8358,1.5154

Norfolk Shorelark Burnham Overy Dunes along coast path c52.9772,0.7587

Norfolk Pom Skua ad flew west past Sheringham c52.9449,1.2139

Norfolk 2.Pom Skuas flew past Cley beach car park c52.9669,1.0483 Park at c52.9653,1.0479

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Muckleburgh Hill c52.9491,1.1298

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Titchwell RSPB flew towards saltmarsh at 11.15am (+4.Snow Buntings in off sea) 52.9742,0.5994: Viewed from 52.9747,0.5997

Norfolk 2.Grey Phals Holme Dunes NWT flew west past Gore Point at 11.01am +3.Pom Skuas flew west 52.9741,0.5501

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

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr 1ml east of Cley still 7.45am south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in willows at SW corner 52.9536,1.0675: Park at 52.9546,1.0669

Norfolk 4.Shorelarks Winterton Dunes between beach +dunes just south of toilet block at 10.29am c52.7290,1.6850

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Holme NOA flew west over dunes at 10.02am c52.9746,0.5562

Norfolk Y-br Wblr Kelling Heath 52.9329,1.121