An early start with a night of northeasterlies and some rain. We were hoping to do some ringing but the first few net rounds were very quiet with seemingly little migrants around (only caught 1 Dunnock, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler). A few heavy showers later meant we ended up having to shut the nets, but it did drop in some migrants! No big numbers but a really nice selection of birds. At least 3 Redstart, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Brambling, 1 Ring Ouzel (in the dunes), 3 Redwing, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (one of which was strikingly pale but quickly disappeared and wasn’t seen again), 2 Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Crossbill in the pines around the Obs. Our surprise bird of the day was a drake Mandarin duck which dropped in with some Mallard and gave great, but brief views on the Broadwater!

Mandarin attempting to blend in with the Mallard

There was more duck movement today with birds being seen on seawatches and over the reserve with 225 Wigeon, 470 Teal, 1 Eider and 297 Common Scoter. A Pom Skua also passed east on a seawatch.

Just as I was locking the Obs up before going home, we had a noisy Mistle Thrush land in the pines, making it a 5 thrush day (with Mistle Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Song Thrush & Redwing), so only Fieldfare missing, but it’s starting to feel very autumnal!

A good mix of moth species today with 1 Mallow, 5 Square Spot Rustic, 11 Large Yellow Underwing, 1 Black Rustic, 1 Brown-spot Pinion, 1 Acleris variegana, 2 Turnip, 1 Beaded Chestnut, 1 White Point, 1 Mouse Moth, 2 Feathered Ranunculus, 1 Rush Veneer, 1 Shuttle Shaped Dart and a whopping 71 Lunar Underwing!

Mallow

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Holme Dunes NWT at 10am +2.Pied Flys c52.9755,0.5563

Norfolk Y.br.Wblr Wells Woods just west of steps to beach cabins in trees at 3.19pm c52.9729,0.8469

Norfolk Y-b.Wblr Holkham Pines between Meals House +Joe Jordan Hide at 2.27pm c52.9701,0.7912

Norfolk Little Stint Strumpshaw Fen RSPB viewed from river bank path 52.6038,1.4472

Norfolk LESSER GREY SHRIKE ad Winterton North Dunes still 12.30pm north of toad ponds +showing well c52.7285,1.6851. Park at 52.7179,1.6982

Norfolk Ruddy Shelduck fem Cley NWT still on Bull Marsh at 12.26pm with Pink-footed Geese c52.9611,1.0518 Viewed from c52.9609,1.0475

Norfolk Snow Bunting Burnham Overy Staithe at 11.59am 52.9782,0.7602

Norfolk 2.Garganey Cley NWT still on Pat’s Pool from Bishop’s Hide at 11.20am c52.9566,1.0576. Viewed from 52.9561,1.0582. Park at 52.9544,1.0567

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Kelling north of A149 in small copse 200yds south of Kelling Water Meadow at 11.13am tho elusive c52.9470,1.1171

Norfolk LESSER GREY SHRIKE ad Winterton North Dunes still 11.30am north of toad ponds c52.7285,1.6851. Park at 52.7179,1.6982

Norfolk Y.br.Wblr Wells Woods NE of The Dell at 10.54am c52.9735,0.8443

Norfolk LESSER GREY SHRIKE ad Winterton North Dunes still near toad ponds at 9.17am c52.7270,1.6863. Park at 52.7179,1.6982

Norfolk Pom Skua flew west past Holme Dunes at 8am 52.9753,0.5563