Waxwings

During the week I dipped on the Carlton Colville Waxwings, did only stay 5 Minutes. I did however find a single bird on Sands Lane Oulton Broad.
Anyway today I visited Carlton Colville again and found the Waxwings this time. They showed well briefly.

Took a pic of a Blackbird and Starling too.

Cley Square

I was meeting up with friends from Derby at Cley today, so Rach n I got to Cley early to have a quick look at the nice Male Desert Wheatear that had been around off Iron Rd. I had to get a move on to see the bird and get back before meet our friends. Luckily a birder was on his way back and told me the bird was still present as it hadn't yet been reported. He also mentioned a few Water pipits in the pools closeby. Sure enough there were a minimum of 3 Water Pipits with many Meadows. I got to the Wheatear site by running but the bird was nowhere to be seen as it had hopped over the ridge!!!! I didn't have time for this..... Whilst searching I did find 2 Shorelark and a Snow Bunting which flew over. Eventually I had distant views of the Desert Wheatear.... Phew.

I was just about to hot tail it back to the car when it flew towards me.

and landed on the post quite close, so I took a dozen more shots and had to leave.

Met up with our friends and headed for all the hides at Cley. It was fairly quiet but it was nice to get good views of all the ducks and waders. A Peregrine made a couple of flybys, unfortunately it was the Tundra (type) that had been around. The Bearded tits were giving good flight views most of the day. Around at the Beach the sea hosted Slavonion Grebe, Red Throated Diver some good scope views of Common Scoter and a couple of Guillemots. A Merlin was sat on a post on the marsh.
In the group of Brent geese a single Pale Bellied Brent.
Finally on the way home a Little Owl in Great Yarmouth sat on a lamp post and then a free Firework display from Pleasurewood Hills :-)

Spurn

Sunday I was in need of a  break from the patch and Danny had invited me to Spurn. It was a long trek up there but it brought back some happy memories of years gone by and it was nice to meet up with some friends and fellow Digiscopers. Unfortunately the birds wernt playing ball and everything cleared out the night before. We did find a few bits though, Brent Geese, a Hooded Crow was a first of the year for Spurn. A Black Redstart, Snow Bunting and 4 Twite. The Redwing and Fieldfares were showing nicely.

So no birds but it was nice to be somewhere different with great Company. Thanks Danny and the gang.

local stuff

16 October
Swallows 5 over the patch. 3 Reed Bunting Corton dis Railtrack.
Seawatching produced a small Auk Sp South, Looked like a puffin. 14 Dunlin and a Knot together. Plenty of Red Throated Divers COSW

17th October
Out Running the patch when 3 Ring Ouzels still on the Service Rd to CNSW. Another Ring Ouzel COSW and a Mealy Redpoll.

18th October.
Running again, 2 Ring Ouzel (CNSW) and a Stonechat. (COSW)

20th October
Only Managed a Seawatch. Brent Geese, plenty of Guillimot and Auk Sp. Dunlins, Sanderlings and a Bar Tailed Godwit. Teal, Wigeon, and plenty of Red Throated Divers.

22nd October
Good start to the day with Yellow Browed Warbler and a Firecrest, went down hill from there.
Quick Seawatch. 3 Eider. Guillimot. 18 Wigeon. 6 Dunlin. Lots Gannets and Cormorant.

24th October
After work Swallow and Reed Bunting, Then Bingo PALLA'S Warbler Corton Dis railtrack. My first Self found and my first on the patch.
Luckily Brian Small was there where he managed these great pictures.

Whilst refinding the Palla's after it went missing it was found together with a Yellow Browed, it was heard to call and sounded good for Humes. Unfortunately I didn't hear it but would be a great record.

25th October
Tonight very quiet but a distant Yellow Browed Warbler calling from Corton Dis Railtrack.
A few pics from last couple weeks.

What a differnce a day makes.

The winds turned southerly over night so it wasn't surprising when the patch was much quieter than yesterday, an I mean MUCH quieter. However the morning started great as I was getting ready to slog the patch the back door was open whilst the dog was out and I heard the familiar call of the Yellow Browed Warbler, flipping close too, so close it was directly over my head when I went into the garden. It didn't stay long unfortunately although I did hear it call again a few gardens away.
As I walked down the garden to have a look see what else was around a Grey Heron flew out the area of the pond, so its found it, luckily there's no fish.
Other birds noted were Goldcrests, Long Tailed Tits, Meadow Pipits, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtail, Continental Blackbirds, Song Thrush and 7 Redpoll Sp, lastly a Siskin.

I felt I had to get back onto the patch, I was really trying to find that biggie, unfortunately like I said earlier things were much quieter. I did have a Firecrest and a Yellow Browed Warbler in Corton Dis Railtrack, unfortunately for the rest of the morning nothing. After lunch it was even harder and added nothing to the day.

So no sign of that biggie again!!! Must plod on though. One day!

Dawn to Dusk Birding

Got in a bit of a panic Friday Morning as James had found a Dusky Warbler at Cosw, best bird of the year so far. Bloody work was getting in the way again but luckily it was still there at 4pm that evening Phew. It was great that Geese were moving again. I only had 2 Whitefronts on the patch before this week and after the 26 or so from Thursday night it was great to see another flock of 26, and a small flock of 8 and a 12 that were probably Whitefronts. Bramblings were showing in the nearby trees too.

Back to today, I was out at first light and it was great to see the dusky Warbler was still around the OSW. Other birds on site were more Bramblings my first patch Fieldfares of the Autumn and my first Yellow Browed Warbler of the day.
The Dusky moved out of sight and I got a message of James saying he had another Probable Dusky Warbler now at the Dis Railtrack and could I check it out as he was in a hurry and had family stuff to do. It took a while to find but the call sounded spot on and eventually the bird gave great view and sure enough it was another Dusky Warbler, it was possible that we had a second individual. Whilst watching the Dusky another Yellow Browed Warbler was calling nearby and a Ringed Plover flew over.
A group of birders were now on site so the coverage was great and one chap spotted a Palla's Warbler but unfortunately it was too brief for anyone else. A Yellow Browed warbler gave good views and called over the next few hours.
A Male Marsh Harrier flew over.
I made my way slowly home for a quick bite to each, on the sea 11 Red Throated Divers and a Guillemot, also 11 Brent Geese South.

After lunch I walked through Furse wood and caught 2 birds flying towards me, they were large and had nicely marked wings, they called as they dropped into the trees, Hawfinch!!!! Bingo!.
Over at the NSW Pond my 3rd Yellow Browed Warbler of the day (or same one doing a circuit)
and then back in the Dis Railtrack a singing Firecrest. .
Again made my way to the OSW and back along the coast to home just before complete darkness.
So all in all a brilliant day although that Rare or Mega still evaded me.

Good Stuff

A great evening on the patch tonight after work, it was bloody windy but that didn't stop me finding a Shorlark on the path at COSW and whilst trying to find the bird again for another birder, 26 White-fronted Geese flew south over our heads. Never could find the Shorelark once in the long grass.
The strong wind didn't help. Over at furse wood and Woodcock flew over.  Excellent, what will tomorrow bring, Sib Accentor hopefully. ;-)

Great Grey Shrike and Slavonian Grebe

Started on the patch and Radar Lodge but it was surprisingly quiet. 2 Reed Bunting 8 Siskin 3 Red Throated divers and a Stonechat in off the sea was the best Danny and I could manage.
We nipped to North Denes to check see if the Great Grey Shrike was still about from yesterday and it was.

Next onto Mutford Lock where we again checked to see if the long staying Slavonian Grebe was still around. Danny picked it out first and it was showing really nicely.

Also here were Cormorant, a Ringed Black Headed Gull Kingfisher and a Common Sandpiper.

Went home for lunch then slogged the patch again but nothing new, lots of common migrants but no special one.
Disappointing weekend really as it held so much potential but lacked any real goodies.

Patch Migrants

On patch this week its been good with plenty of migrants.
Wednesday I had a nice Yellow Browed Warbler and Ring Ouzel in and around the NSW. Plenty of Redwing and Song Thrush now here, wonderful sound.

Thursday the Black Browed Albatross was in North Norfolk so me and the local birders sea watched from Corton bench's really really hoping it would pass us. Unfortunately our luck wasn't happening.

Friday was a good day for migrants, unfortunately it all kicked off whilst I was at work. It was hard work after work but I ploughed on and managed to find a Firecrest at the NSW pond.

Today was an excellent day, although should have been much better too. I was up at 6 and was listening to thrush's passing over the house and nicely a Brambling.
So off I went as soon as it came light, started on the Dis Rail track and found a cracking Ring Ouzel, more Bramblings to and plenty of Goldcrests and Thrush's also plenty of Chiffchaffs.
Stood in the gap in the hedge looking towards the coast I spotted a small falcon at first I thought it was going to be a Hobby but as it came close I could see it was a blue grey Merlin, a year tick and not common on the patch. It did seem to come of the sea.
Moved to the NSW where I stood on the hill with a good vantage point 50+ Pink footed geese flew over going west then another Ring Ouzel flew out with a couple of Redwing.
Continued towards the Sewage works access road and met another birder, it was great to then show him another nice young male Ring Ouzel then a second joined it. 2 nice ring ouzel in the same hedge and a well pleased birder.

My Leica 82 is poorly so I'm having to use my trusty Leica 62 for now so its a hand hold the camera up to my scope jobbie for now.

Carried on birding checking every bush but just usual suspects including a few Blackcaps. Finally made my way to the coast path COSW and it was getting time for lunch but not before a very nice Yellow browed warbler dropped out the sky into the grass in front of me and quickly move inland. Amazing migration at its best, a Goldcrest did something similar as did a few Meadow pipits. 7 Pink Footed geese flew OUT to sea. Headed home for lunch.

After lunch I was back out and started on the coast path COSW first bird I saw was a Goldcrest then a Stonechat, another uncommon bird on patch.

Started now to look on the sea 30+ Common Scoter in various small groups, 8 Sandwich Tern a few Red throated divers.

A guillemot was close inshore and didn't look well, shortly after spotting this bird a Greater Black Backed Gull killed and ate it.

Other species over the water were a Curlew and 3 Brent Geese. 8 Brambling flew in off as did more Meadow Pipts and another Goldcrest. 2 Reed Bunting and a chiffchaff were in the COSW compound.
I had another good look around the NSW and Dis Railtrack but I didn't find anything else new unfortunately. So the day could have gone worse but should have been so much better.
Maybe tomorrow.

Back on patch

Back on patch but it was a bit of a failure. Seawatching produce a few ducks, Pintail, Teal Common Scoter and Wigeon. 100s of Gannets 3 Dunlin and 2 Sandwich Tern. Plenty of Red Throated Divers too.
In the bush's were just a Reed Bunting, Song Thursh and a Pale Lesser Whitethroat. A dozen Goldcrest and Chiffchaffs made for a disappointing weekend.

Majorca September 2016 Species list

1	Common Shelduck	Tadorna tadorna
2	Gadwall	Anas strepera
3	Eurasian Teal	Anas crecca
4	Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos
5	Northern Pintail	Anas acuta
6	Garganey	Anas querquedula
7	Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata
8	Marbled Duck	Marmaronetta angustirostris
9	Common Pochard	Aythya ferina
10	Red-legged Partridge	Alectoris rufa
11	Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis
12	Black-necked Grebe	Podiceps nigricollis
13	Cory's Shearwater	Calonectris diomedea
14	Sooty Shearwater	Puffinus griseus
15	Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo
16	European Shag	Phalacrocorax aristotelis
17	Little Bittern	Ixobrychus minutus
18	Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax
19	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
20	Little Egret	Egretta garzetta
21	Great Egret	Egretta alba
22	Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea
23	Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea
24	Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus
25	Greater Flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus
26	Black Kite	Milvus migrans
27	Red Kite	Milvus milvus
28	Griffon Vulture	Gyps fulvus
29	Cinereous Vulture	Aegypius monachus
30	Western Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus
31	Booted Eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus
32	Osprey	Pandion haliaetus
33	Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus
34	Eleonora's Falcon	Falco eleonorae
35	Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus
36	Water Rail	Rallus aquaticus
37	Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
38	Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio martinicus
39	Eurasian Coot	Fulica atra
40	Red-knobbed Coot	Fulica cristata
41	Eurasian Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus
42	Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus
43	Pied Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta
44	Eurasian Stone-curlew	Burhinus oedicnemus
45	Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius
46	Common Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula
47	Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus
48	Little Stint	Calidris minuta
49	Curlew Sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea
50	Dunlin	Calidris alpina
51	Ruff	Philomachus pugnax
52	Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago
53	Eurasian Curlew	Numenius arquata
54	Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos
55	Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus
56	Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus
57	Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia
58	Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola
59	Common Redshank	Tringa totanus
60	Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
61	Black-headed Gull	Larus ridibundus
62	Audouin's Gull	Larus audouinii
63	Yellow-legged Gull	Larus michahellis
64	Common Wood Pigeon	Columba palumbus
65	Eurasian Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto
66	Common Swift	Apus apus
67	Pallid Swift	Apus pallidus
68	Alpine Swift	Apus melba
69	Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis
70	European Bee-eater	Merops apiaster
71	Hoopoe	Upupa epops
72	Eurasian Wryneck	Jynx torquilla
73	Thekla Lark	Galerida theklae
74	Sand Martin	Riparia riparia
75	Eurasian Crag Martin	Ptyonoprogne rupestris
76	Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica
77	Red-rumped Swallow	Hirundo daurica
78	Common House Martin	Delichon urbicum
79	Tawny Pipit	Anthus campestris
80	Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava
81	Common Nightingale	Luscinia megarhynchos
82	Common Redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus
83	Whinchat	Saxicola rubetra
84	European Stonechat	Saxicola rubicola
85	Northern Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe
86	Blue Rock Thrush	Monticola solitarius
87	Common Blackbird	Turdus merula
88	Cetti's Warbler	Cettia cetti
89	Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis
90	Eurasian Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus
91	Dartford Warbler	Sylvia undata
92	Sardinian Warbler	Sylvia melanocephala
93	Eurasian Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla
94	Common Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita
95	Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus
96	Common Firecrest	Regulus ignicapilla
97	Spotted Flycatcher	Muscicapa striata
98	European Pied Flycatcher	Ficedula hypoleuca
99	Coal Tit	Parus ater
100	Eurasian Blue Tit	Parus caeruleus
101	Great Tit	Parus major
102	Woodchat Shrike	Lanius senator
103	Eurasian Jay	Garrulus glandarius
104	Western Jackdaw	Corvus monedula
105	Northern Raven	Corvus corax
106	Common Starling	Sturnus vulgaris
107	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus
108	European Serin	Serinus serinus
109	European Greenfinch	Carduelis chloris
110	European Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis
111	Common Linnet	Carduelis cannabina
112	Red Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra