Norfolk 20th -23rd October
This time of year is a fantastic time of the year to be in Norfolk, this year even more so as the winds have been from the east for a couple of weeks. I was there for 3 or so days most of it doing bits and pieces in the house, which means disappearing for hours isn't on, even my early morning joints are out of the equation as it doesn't get light enough to bird until 7.30ish. This meant I kept pretty much on the east coast of the county looking for migrants of my own. I did see quite a few recently arrived winter thrushes, skylarks coming in off the sea and in some cases birds flying parallel to the coast but deciding to stay out there rather head for the safety of the land. Something that I really didn't want to happen was a text message from my friend saying that an Isabelline Wheatear a scarce vagrant had been found on the other side of Norfolk. If I chose to get up early between late spring to early autumn the drive can be done in an hour and a half, followed by a 30 minute and hoping the bird is on show. If that all goes to plan it is a 5 hour jaunt. Did I see it? of course I did, that was the only bird that persuaded me to put the paint brush down.
Below are a few photos taken while away and I didn't take many
Isabelline Wheatear Burnham Overy Dunes
Common Buzzard over an old coastal watch point, great views unfortunately this lump
flushed 3 Lapland Buntings before I could get a photo.
These 2 Buzzards were mewing over theshouse
This Hedge Accentor came in off the sea but wasn't accompanied by a Siberian Accentor. It
is a shame that this species unseen in the UK until 3 weeks ago and now recorded 9 times
with all records north of Spurn Point has not been found in East Anglia.
Goldcrest and Continental Blackbird on the walk to the coastal watch point
Starlings leave their reed bed roost
These skeins of geese flew over the house daily
These Pink-footed, White-fronted, Barnacle and Brent Geese were in fields near the
Isabelline Wheatear
Guess who?
This time of year is a fantastic time of the year to be in Norfolk, this year even more so as the winds have been from the east for a couple of weeks. I was there for 3 or so days most of it doing bits and pieces in the house, which means disappearing for hours isn't on, even my early morning joints are out of the equation as it doesn't get light enough to bird until 7.30ish. This meant I kept pretty much on the east coast of the county looking for migrants of my own. I did see quite a few recently arrived winter thrushes, skylarks coming in off the sea and in some cases birds flying parallel to the coast but deciding to stay out there rather head for the safety of the land. Something that I really didn't want to happen was a text message from my friend saying that an Isabelline Wheatear a scarce vagrant had been found on the other side of Norfolk. If I chose to get up early between late spring to early autumn the drive can be done in an hour and a half, followed by a 30 minute and hoping the bird is on show. If that all goes to plan it is a 5 hour jaunt. Did I see it? of course I did, that was the only bird that persuaded me to put the paint brush down.
Below are a few photos taken while away and I didn't take many
flushed 3 Lapland Buntings before I could get a photo.
is a shame that this species unseen in the UK until 3 weeks ago and now recorded 9 times
with all records north of Spurn Point has not been found in East Anglia.
Isabelline Wheatear
Comments
On the Hyde Park and Kensignton Gardens blog it says that a wader with a downward curved beak, Whimbrel or Curlew, had been found injured in Regent's Park and been taken into a vet yesterday.
Did you know any other details about this?
Arjun
Hi Arjun. That is news to me, we picked up a dead Woodcock last week that had been partially eaten by a Fox. If it is supposed to have had a down curved beak then it was more than likely to have been a Curlew unless it was a smaller wader.
I saw the comment on Ralph Hancock's blog, but assumed you'd know.
Great pictures as always..!