Birdline East Anglia

With south-westerly winds throughout most of August, it was not surprising that passerine migrants were thin on the ground. Despite that fact a few did get through, although it looked for most of the month there were going to be more Pied Flycatchers in Cambridgeshire than Norfolk!

In the last few days of August the situation changed and the winds moved to a more favourable quarter. This resulted in a few more migrants arriving including a ‘fall’ of twelve Redstarts on Blakeney Point and several Pied Flycatchers along the Norfolk coast.

The second half of September had a run of several days of easterly winds for migrants from the continent to arrive in East Anglia. A few rain showers and murky conditions resulted in a major influx of Honey Buzzards and Redstarts followed a week later by another wave of migrants.

One of the rarest birds in September in Norfolk was seen by only a small number of observers; a Black Stork flew over Caister-on-Sea and Great Yarmouth 3rd. It was probably the same bird that had spent some time previously in Yorkshire. A Glossy Ibis was seen to fly south over Salthouse 1st.

The Lesser Yellowlegs found in June stayed at Cley NWT until 7th when it was seen to fly off east with Redshank in the evening. Could it be the same bird discovered a few days later at Southwold? Nearby a Stone-curlew was at Weybourne 9th-16th. An adult White-rumped Sandpiper was at Cley NWT 22nd-27th. There was a small arrival of Pectoral Sandpipers to East Anglia including one at Cley NWT 18th-24th and seen nearby in Blakeney Harbour 23rd and one at Titchwell RSPB 28th-31st at least.

The summering Red-backed Shrike remained at Sea Palling until 24th at least and a Hoopoe was seen in flight at Great Yarmouth 28th.

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

There was a multiple arrival of scarce birds, found just after the weather improved following a few days of rainy easterlies. The rarest was a first summer male or female Trumpeter Finch on Blakeney Point 31st. This was the first ever to be seen in Norfolk. The second most rare was a female Citrine Wagtail at Titchwell RSPB 27th-28th. Other scarce birds included a Red-throated Pipit on Blakeney Point 27th and a Greenish Warbler at East Hills 30th.

Norfolk bird news for April 2008 by Robin Chittenden

Birdline East Anglia bird news for March 2008 by Robin Chittenden

There was a small influx of three White-spotted Bluethroat, many Black Redstarts and several Firecrests. A passage of Common Scoter over the region resulted in many resting on inland waterbodies.

The White-crowned Sparrow left Cley. Most of the rare winter geese from North America have left with just one Ross’s Goose and one Lesser Snow Goose left by the end of the month.

Norfolk

One of the highlights of the early spring migration was a male White-spotted Bluethroat found between Winterton-on-Sea and East Somerton 26th-27th. The White-crowned Sparrow remained at Cley until 11th.

The adult White-crowned Sparrow at Cley was still associating with House Sparrows until 29th at least. A Dark-breasted Barn Owl was found wintering at Wacton Common, Norfolk until 29th at least.

Lesser Snow Geese was relocated at Heigham Holmes, Waxham and Horsey 9th-29th at least. Two Ross’s Geese were relocated at Halvergate Marshes 3rd-4th and one flew over Martham 7th. Then up to two were at Horsey Gap 22nd-25th. One was back again at Holkham Freshmarsh 28th-29th at least. In Norfolk up to three Tundra Bean Geese were still at Welney WWT. There were still ten Taiga Bean Geese at Cantley Marshes RSPB until 22nd but the rest have left the country.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for January 2008

by Robin Chittenden

An adult White-crowned Sparrow was discovered feeding in a back garden in Cley on 3rd. Not recognising the ‘humbug’ headed critter the finders carried out some research and mentioned it to a local birdwatcher. The bird was quickly identified and an action plan was hatched. The various bird tables and feeding stations in the immediate area were repositioned to a driveway that could be viewed from the verge. Helpfully the bird complied, followed the food and showed regularth-31st at least. During its stay it was initially rather secretive furtively popping out for food every now and then, but it soon joined up with the local gang of House Sparrows, so was just as likely to be seen perched up with them in nearby hedges. A collection bucket raised over £5000.00 for a local charitable cause. So if you find a rarity let us know and get your collection box out.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for December 2007

 by Robin Chittenden

The first winter male Desert Wheatear remained at Horsey until 10th. Despite the succession of photographers leaving titbits for this bird to consume, it was not enough to tempt it to over-winter, unlike the one still present in Yorkshire. To view photographs enter ‘Desert Wheatear 2007′ into the quick search box at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk Perhaps it was taken by a bird of prey. Nearby a drake Green-winged Teal was at Hickling Broad NWT until 7^th and a Rough-legged Buzzard flew over there 8^th.