Well, my Jack Snipe prediction was right! Two birds back at hide 3 today! However, there was a single bird at hide 1 late afternoon! The three bird theory will be tested tomorrow.

Out on the sea, there was a noticeable reduction in movement from yesterday, with a strong westerly wind blowing. We still had 16 Snipe through, two loose flocks of Kittiwakes and singles of Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater. There were 3 more Skua, but all very distant through the wind farms. Arguably, the show was once again stolen by a flyover passerine. This time, a soft-toned, Bullfinch-esq “ee-oo” had us looking up to see a cracking Shore Lark flying right over us. We also had a surprise Mute Swan past west.

Mute Swan on the seawatch

There were also a couple of Siskin over, and three late Swallows. There were good numbers of Knot around (c.550), some moving and some on the beach, but mixed in with them was a rather lovely leucistic bird (terrible photo below). Leucism is a genetic condition that causes a partial loss or reduction in pigmentation in feathers in birds. It was in the company of a couple of Mediterranean Gulls, one of which was sporting a darvic ring just too far away to read.

A bit of a Where’s Wally but with a leucistic Knot….

There were 16 species in the moth trap so not bad for the time of year and weather conditions. Highlights included another stunning Merveille du Jour, 1 Feathered Ranunculus, 1 Clancy’s Rustic and 8 Small Mottled Willow.

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr 1ml east of Cley still 3pm south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in willows at SW corner 52.9536,1.0675: Park at 52.9546,1.0669

Norfolk Curlew Sand Titchwell RSPB still on freshmarsh from Parrinder Hide c52.9684,0.6109 PE31 8BB

Norfolk 2.Glossy Ibises Welney WWT still c52.5288,0.2763

Norfolk 2.Hawfinches flew SE Snettisham RSPB c52.8640,0.4447

Norfolk Little Stint Snettisham RSPB on Pit.4 c52.8502,0.4468. Park at c52.8685,0.4526. Viewed from 52.8502,0.4458

Norfolk Y-br Wblr West Runton in woodland north of Calves Well Lane at 11.29am c52.9331,1.2385

Norfolk Black-throated Diver Burnham Overy Dunes close inshore off point at 11.22am c52.9885,0.7717

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Titchwell RSPB on freshmarsh from Parrinder Hide at 10.57am c52.9684,0.6109 PE31 8BB

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still SW of The Marrams viewed from double metal gates at 10.41am 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 south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in willows at SW corner at 9.56am 52.9536,1.0675: Park at 52.9546,1.0669

Norfolk Shorelark Holme NOA flew west over dunes at 9.57am c52.9746,0.5562

Norfolk Caspian Gull East Runton at beach car park at 9.45am c52.9366,1.2728

Norfolk Y-br Wblr Wells Woods in sycamores opposite beach steps at 9.32am c52.9737,0.8433

Norfolk Little Auk Bacton at East Mundesley on sea off caravan park at 9.03am 52.8577,1.4728: Viewed from 52.8573,1.472

Norfolk 4.Glossy Ibises Blakeney Freshmarsh again on freshmarsh at 7.07am c52.96,1.0327