As seems to be the main theme of late, the wind was back in the south-west this morning, but with a force 5-6 forecast, and the possibility of a few things moving after a few days of strong northerlies, an early morning seawatch was once again on the cards. It turned out to be the right choice, for several reasons. There was clearly a bit of wildfowl movement on, and in just a few hours we logged 36 Pintail (an impressive seawatching count), 135 Brent Geese and our first Slavonian Grebe of the year, a juvenile which briefly alighted on the sea before continuing west.

There was also a surprise movement of Snipe, and we logged 71, including a lovely flock of 28 (!) birds. They all did the same thing, flying low across the sea before nearing land and suddenly gaining height. A late Whimbrel was also a nice surprise. Throw in a juvenile Marsh Harrier arriving in-off and heading west, it was a really nice morning for some vig-mig. However, the star bird was quite unexpected, a vocal Richard’s Pipit which nearly deafened us as it flew low west right over our heads. That really was the icing on the cake of a thoroughly enjoyable morning.

Snipe on the move!… plus a few Sanderling – photo by S. Clifford

Elsewhere, there were 3 Jays around the pines, which no matter how hard I looked at them would not turn into Nutcrackers. One Jack Snipe was still delighting people from NWT hide 1. It seems to be moving to a different hide each day, so back to hide 3 tomorrow?  A single White Wagtail was also at hide one, along with three Common Snipe. A notable lack of migrants otherwise, with a single Blackbird the only thrush I could find on the deck to go with the handful of Redwings that flew over early on.

We had 13 species in the moth traps today with 9 Narrow-winged Grey, 4 Large Wainscot, 7 Small Mottled Willow, 2 Square Spot Rustic, 15 Lunar Underwing, 4 Beaded Chestnut, 2 Black Rustic, 1 Rusty Dot Pearl, 2 Feathered Ranunculus, 1 Dark Chestnut, 3 Large Yellow Underwing and 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character. A late Common Blue was nice to see, and apparently a warm autumn can result in an extended season with a third brood into late October. So, perhaps there a few more to be had before winter sets in.

A pristine Dark Chestnut – photo by S. Clifford

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Black Guillemot flew past Cromer +2.Long-tailed Ducks 52.9339,1.3014

Norfolk Hooded Crow south of Weybourne in field opposite Breck Farm at 12.45pm c52.9256,1.1494

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr 1ml east of Cley still south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in willows at south end early a’noon 52.9536,1.0675: Park at 52.9546,1.0669

Norfolk Short-toed Lark Warham Greens just east of Garden Drove flew over field at 12.40pm c52.9563,0.8905 Park at c52.9520,0.8920

Norfolk 2.Long-tailed Skuas flew north past Waxham at 12.15pm 52.7832,1.6261

Norfolk Slav Grebe Titchwell RSPB still on sea at 12.16pm 52.9759,0.6063: Viewed from 52.9747,0.6062

Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still from main observatory at 11.40am c52.5312,0.2813

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Wells Woods still at The Dell at 11.37am c52.9728,0.8429

Norfolk 2.Glossy Ibises Welney WWT still from Lyle Hide at 11.21am 52.5332,0.2814

Norfolk Scaup fem/juv.drk Rollesby Broad c52.676,1.6388

Norfolk 2.FERRUGINOUS DUCKS Filby Broad 52.662,1.6391

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still SW of The Marrams viewed from double metal gates at 9.58am NR12 0AL 52.7911,1.5839: Park at 52.7894,1.6013; Viewed from 52.795,1.5892

Norfolk Richard’s Pipit flew west over Holme Dunes NOA at 9.49am c52.9743,0.5553

Norfolk no sign of ad.Grey-headed Swamphen Great Yarmouth at South Denes east of South Denes Road south of Hartmann Road junction c52.5827,1.7321

Norfolk Slav Grebe y’day flew west past Holme Dunes NWT at 8.44am c52.9799,0.5528. Viewed from 52.9753,0.5518

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Blakeney at Friary Hills NT in hedge near 1st gate c52.9562,1.0243

Norfolk 3.Long-tailed Skuas y’day Sheringham flew west past seawatching shelter in a’noon c52.9473,1.2073 Viewed from c52.9458,1.2069 Park at c52.9451,1.2067

Norfolk 2.Caspian Gulls (ad +3w) y’day Titchwell RSPB late a’noon c52.9684,0.6109 PE31 8BB