At 06:50, we had arrived in the dunes, ready for another exciting morning of sea watching.

This rainbow greeted us as we arrived in the dunes. We should have known what was coming next…..

Two minutes later, we were soaked, a heavy rain shower lasting 10 minutes ensured that our waterproofs were thoroughly put to the test. Not wanting to miss any birds, we stuck it out and were soon watching decent numbers of birds passing. There was a notable uptick in wildfowl passage this morning, with the highlight coming at 07:50 as a Balearic Shearwater shot through, giving a nice view of its dusky brown underparts as it stuck low to the sea heading west.

Final totals from between 07:05 and 09:30 –1 Balearic Shearwater, 5 Bonxie, 7 Arctic Skua, 7 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 9 Sandwich Tern, 21 Kittiwake, 150 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Eider, 149 Common Scoter, 145 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Shoveler, 5 Pintail, 234 Teal and 49 Wigeon. At 10.05, arguably the bird of the day, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew west, and a single Sooty Shearwater was also reported early afternoon.

I departed the small crowd gathered in the dunes to open some nets to see if the rain and wind had bought anything in. It was fairly quiet, but there was one species that was noticeably more numerous, on my last net round of the day: Goldcrest! 10, in one net, a noticeable increase in numbers, birds which had clearly arrived in the last few days. Final ringing totals were: 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blue Tit, 4 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 11 Goldcrest (one was a retrap). Otherwise, the usual birds were around the recording area, but at about 08:30 7 Mistle Thrush flew directly over the Obs/Pines calling noisily.

Male Goldcrest told by the bright orange feathers in the crown (females are all yellow)

The moth traps were quiet again with only 8 Large Yellow Underwing, 10 Lunar Underwing, 7 Square Spot, 1 Clancy’s Rustic, 1 Black Rustic, 1 Beaded Chestnut and 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing.

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk LESSER GREY SHRIKE Winterton South Dunes still 2.27pm opposite Hermanus tho mobile c52.7127,1.6964. Park at 52.7179,1.6982Norfolk LESSER GREY SHRIKE Winterton South Dunes on ridge opposite Hermanus tho mobile c52.7127,1.6964. Park at 52.7179,1.6982

Norfolk Sooty S’water flew west past Holme Dunes at 1.55pm c52.9755,0.5563

Norfolk Caspian Gull 1w Sheringham still on beach c52.9456,1.2141

Norfolk Pom Skua flew west past Sheringham at 10.14am 52.9473,1.2081: Park at 52.9455,1.2049; Viewed from 52.9458,1.2047

Norfolk Long-tailed Skua Cley NWT at Arnold’s Marsh flew west over bank at 12.50pm 52.9611,1.0709. Park at 52.9549,1.0646

Norfolk 1+Pec Sand Salthouse still 12.35pm west of Iron Road on Swan Pool 52.9569,1.0808. Park at 52.9534,1.0806. Viewed from 52.9562,1.0817

Norfolk Leach’s Petrel flew east past Sheringham at 10.40am 52.9473,1.2081: Park at 52.9455,1.2049; Viewed from 52.9458,1.2047

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew west over Burnham Overy Staithe at 9.50am 52.9751,0.7784

Norfolk Long-tailed Skua juv flew west past Holme Dunes c52.9755,0.5563

Norfolk 3.Glossy Ibises NW of Caister flew south over Ormesby St.Margaret at 7am c52.6756,1.6886

Norfolk 2.Glossy Ibises Cley NWT still at North Scrape in NW corner at 11.20am. 52.9619,1.0563 Park at 52.9653,1.0481

Norfolk 2.Sooty S’waters flew north past Hemsby 52.6948,1.7094

Norfolk Ruddy Shelduck Cley NWT at south end of Eye Field at at 10.30am c52.9609,1.0506

Norfolk 2.Pec Sands Salthouse still west of Iron Road on Swan Pool at south corner 52.9569,1.0808. Park at 52.9534,1.0806. Viewed from 52.9562,1.0817

Norfolk 3.Sooty S’waters flew NW past Waxham c52.7805,1.6207

Norfolk Balearic S’water flew west past Holme Dunes by 8.30am c52.9755,0.5563

Norfolk Black Guillemot Sheringham flew west past shelter at 7.40am +Sooty S’water flew past c52.9469,1.2070. Park at 52.9450,1.2067. Viewed from 52.9459,1.2069