With mostly south-westerly winds throughout October it was not surprisingly quite a quiet month for birds in East Anglia. During the last three days of the month the winds changed and the birds arrived. There were eight species of rarities; Red-flanked Bluetail, Wilson’s Phalarope, Lesser Grey Shrike, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, Marbled Duck, Olive-backed Pipit and Blyth’s Reed Warbler.

Norfolk

From a small bird viewpoint the highlights were a Red-flanked Bluetail at Muckleburgh Hill, Weybourne 31st at least. This follows one that was trapped and ringed there in 29th September last year. An annual Weybourne bird!? A Black-throated Thrush was east of Holme 31st, although it may be been glimpsed on the reserves 30th. Also briefly at Holme was an Olive-backed Pipit 31st.

A Marbled Duck was at Wissington sugar beet factory lagoons 25th. A first winter Wilson’s Phalarope at Cley NWT and Salthouse 7th- 17th attracted many birdwatchers, as the last one in Norfolk was in 1994. Not as rare but still engaging was a Grey Phalarope also at Cley NWT 25th-26th and then was at Kelling Water Meadows 27th-29th.

A juvenile American Golden Plover was found at East Harling Heath 28th-31st at least. American Golden Plover used to be incredibly rare in Norfolk, but since 1999 they have become almost annual. This may be a reflection of observers checking Eurasian Golden Plover flocks with greater diligence and expertise. As is so often the case visiting birdwatchers looking for the American Golden Plover located another species, which can often be ‘carried ‘ by Eurasian Golden Plover, a Dotterel 29th-31st at least.

The second Blyth’s Reed Warbler for the Autumn in Norfolk was at Wells Woods 5th-8th. Other scarce warblers included a Radde’s Warbler at Weybourne 6th and Yellow-browed Warblers at Cley (two), Holkham (up to three), Wells Woods (two), Glandford, Kelling, Happisburgh (two), Titchwell RSPB, Eccles-on-Sea, Weybourne, Burnham Deepdale and Burgh Castle. Pallas’s Warblers started to arrive on 30th with up to four at Holme 30th-31st, two at Wells Woods 30th-31st, one at Warham Greens 31st, one Great Yarmouth 31st and Sea Palling 31st. Holme also had a late Barred Warbler 30th.

Other scarce passerine migrants included a Richards’ Pipit at Salthouse, Thornham Point, two at Holme NWT and West Runton 30th. Great Grey Shrikes were at Choseley 2nd, Waxham & Hickling Broad NWT 11th & 25th, Burnham Overy Dunes, Heacham and Stiffkey 24th. A Red-backed Shrike was at Sea Palling 28th.

Early winter dates included the first Waxwing of the winter that flew over Cromer 28th, eight Shorelark flew past Salthouse 25th and a Rough-legged Buzzard was at Holkham NNR 16th.

From warmer climates a Red-rumped Swallow flew past Titchwell RSPB 17th and another flew east at Warham Greens 23rd. A Hoopoe was at Cromer 8th.

Away from the Broads two Common Cranes were at Welney WWT.

This article was written by Robin Chittenden from Birdline East Anglia.

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