Birdline East Anglia Bird News June 2008
Birdline East Anglia bird news for June 2008
by Robin Chittenden
Throughout the month Common Crossbills arrived in small to medium sized parties. Several were seen at the regular well-known locations for the species such as Holkham Woods. Many reports were received though from random spots, mainly around the coast. Some did filter inland, particularly to Bedfordshire. The only three-figure count was from Upper Hollesley Common where there was one hundred and twenty 10th.
Norfolk
The Trumpeter Finch remained on Blakeney Point from 31st May -4th June and particularly rare in spring was a Dusky Warbler there 4th. Also attracting a lot of local interest was a female Lesser Grey Shrike found just east of Hickling 20th-24th. The finder, to whom visiting birdwatchers should be immensely grateful, arranged special access to see the bird.
Unusual to have sitting around for several hours in one location was a Bee-eater at Northrepps 7th-8th. No doubt the drizzly overcast conditions discouraged it from moving on. Fitting the normal records for Bee-eater were singles seen to fly north at Winterton 16th and another north over Belton Common 22nd.
The Tawny Pipit stayed at Waxham until 2nd. Late spring migrants included a Hoopoe at Stiffkey 1st-5th and another was seen briefly three miles south of Corpusty 4th, two Common Rosefinches at Burnham Norton 4th and Cromer 5th, a Serin at Weybourne briefly 9th. A Marsh Warbler was at Sea Palling 10th-22nd at least and another was kept quiet for a few days at Gimmingham. A Rose-coloured Starling was at West Lynn 14th-17th. Also kept quiet until after the bird left. Another was at Earsham 29th.
A female Red-footed Falcon was at Upton Fen NWT 9th. Surprisingly none though so far at Hickling Broad NWT where it is normally seen every year. A male Red-backed Shrike was at Hickling Broad NWT 10th and nearby another was seen near Potter Heigham 10th. Another male was found at Waxham 15th and another or the same the next day at Sea Palling all month.
At Cley NWT there was a male Montagu’s Harrier Cley NWT 5th & 29th and a male Red-backed Shrike was at Cley 6th. A female Montagu’s Harrier was also seen at Titchwell RSPB 15th, a female was at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB 15th and a male was at Burnham Overy Dunes 27th. Away from the Wensum Valley and Swanton Novers raptor watchpoints the only Honey Buzzard was over Ringstead Common 2nd.
A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Stiffkey 8th and an adult Lesser Yellowlegs was at Cley NWT 24th-30th at least. A Night Heron flew south at Wells 5th. A Great White Egret flew in off the sea and landed on the marsh 14th. A Dotterel was at Great Yarmouth North Denes 12th.
A drake American Wigeon was at Pensthorpe 27th. Up to five Roseate Terns were at Cley NWT and another was at Breydon Water. The Wood Warbler was on territory at Bodham Common. Late Redwings were at Weybourne 7th and Cromer 10th.
The winds went round to the north on 12th and produced a Black Guillemot and Balearic Shearwater past Mundesley. An unseasonal Glaucous Gull flew past Bacton 16th.
This article was written & compiled by Robin Chittenden from Birdline East Anglia. Anyone can listen to the latest bird sightings by phoning 09068 700 245He is available for private bird, wildlife or photography tours. For more information please look at the news page at www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk and view his photographs at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk
Contact t 01603 633326 m 07941333970 e robin@harlequinpictures.co.uk
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