Diary October 2007

October 4th Holkham, sunny warm light S

Having missed a fall of birds during my visit to Sweden, it was time to try and catch up with some of the birds still hanging around, this required an early start at work to eanble a late afternoon visit to Holkham. From Lady Anne's I was able to scope the first winter Lesser Grey Shrike, the bird was showing well but rather distantly. The bird being a first year lacked the black over the bill, but the long primaries were very noticeable, and the smaller size whilst subjective did appear noticeable - it was easy to se why the bird had initially not been identified.

A swift walk through the pines produced 2 calling Yellow-browed Warblers, and one showing very nicely - this wothout even trying to hunt one down! My quarry was beyond the pines and into the dunes, a small group of birders belied the position of the Subalpine Warbler, after a few minutes the Subalpine Warbler (putative "moltoni" race - based on call) showed very well slowly appearing as it fed on the blackberries. It was indeed a cracking bird with rich deep salmon pink underparts, rich brown/orange iris, white moustachials the underparts contrasting vividly with deep slate grey upperparts. The bird appeared to me like an adult?? I didn't hear the bird call, (but apparently others had heard a contact call similar to the trilling of Long-tailed Tit and this was the base for the "moltoni" race being suggested)

October 6th - Holme,

Had the morning at Holme, and had a reasonable morning. Vis mig produced 70 Redwing, 10 Brambling, 2 Song Thrush, 32 Snipe, 35 Siskin, 2 Fieldfare & 20 Skylark all these west.

Up at the Obs 2 Yellow Browed Warblers were showing, at least 1 unringed ( 4 ringed here in the last 10 days). Also Water Rail calling from the Broadwater & 3 Stonechat along the entrance track

October 9th Holkham,
Back to Holkham again after work, this time for another BB rarity!! Humes Yellow-browed Warbler, this was not only a new Norfolk bird, but a world tick for me.

On arrival the bird was showing very briefly allowing glimpses of “bits and pieces” of the bird, eventually the crown diminished and with the light fading and 4 pairs of bins trained -we had excellent views and also heard it call several times.

Overall the bird was much greyer than Yellow-browed lacking the bright yellow and rich green tones. The legs were dark as was the bill. The call was more upswept and delivered more quickly.

October 13th Sheringham

Reasonable visible migration this morning with; 1500 Pink-feet, 2 Snow Bunting, 150 Lapwing, 5000 Starling, 7 Redpoll, 20 Siskin, 300 Brent Goose & 10 Red-T -Diver all moving west.
Also 1 Lapland Bunting passed over heading east & a female Peregrine carrying a Magpie.

October 14th Sheringham

Really good visible migration this morning with the following all west; 155 Pink-feet, , 250 Lapwing, 20,000 Starling, 3 Redpoll, 18 Siskin, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Brambling, 120 Greenfinch, 200+ Chaffinch, 30+ Goldfinch, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail,

I also managed to find a new Yellow-browed Warbler feeding in “The Pit”, with a mixed Tit flock, also on the ground 30 Blackbird, 110 Redwing, 60+ Skyalrk, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Bullfinch & 6 Stonechat

300 Brent Goose & 10 Red-T -Diver all moving west.
Also 1 Lapland Bunting passed over heading east & a female Peregrine carrying a Magpie.

October 19th Sheringham 1530 - 1730

Brent Goose 75 west, 250 Wigeon west, 2 Red-throated Diver & 6 Razorbill close inshore.
100+ Redwing at Deadmans.

October 27th Wensum Valley - Costessey - Dry overcast,

Cetti’s Warbler 1 male singing, 1 Marsh Harrier east 0900 mobbed by Crows, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher & 1 Grey Wag.

October 27 -28th Themelthorpe, Lilac Cottage

Single Tree Sparrow at feeders, 100 Fieldfare over 20+ Redwing over & 1 Brambling plus small parties of Siskin over.

October 28th Sheringham 830 - 1000 - Mild & Wet with persistent showers

2 Red-throated Diver 1 very close inshore, 2-3 Razorbill & 4 Stonechat,