29th March 2011

A single Swallow north along the dunes this morning, my first March sighting for many years.
Ted

Also this morning some signs of visible migration with approximately 50 each of Woodpigeon and Linnet and a few Meadow Pipits all heading south. On the sea 10 Red-throated Divers went north.
Peter

28th March 2011

One each of Redwing and Fieldfare and a Curlew heading south were the only signs of migration this morning.

27 March 2011

A couple of Black Redstarts in the valley still this afternoon, though Colin and I only saw one of them. Quiet otherwise.

Hooded Crow 2mls north of Winterton Tim.

23rd March 2011

Short-eared Owl, Wheatear and Common Snipe made up an interesting trio on the North Dunes this morning.

22nd March 2011

Colin found a different Black Redstart down the Valley this morning where there were also a few Goldcrests knocking about and a singing Chiffchaff.

21st March 2011

Colin and I had our otherwise uneventful walk down the South Dunes brightened by a gorgeous male Black Redstart cavorting briefly on the rooftops of the exquisite new housing development at the north end of the Valley.

Later in the day Colin also saw a Woodcock down the Valley.

20th March 2011

Approximately 1000 Starlings south was the most noticeable event on the North Dunes this morning.

19th March 2011

A Black Redstart down the Valley and a Chiffchaff in the garden were the highlights today.

17th March 2011

A half hour seawatch this morning produced 90 Common Scoters south, a Goldeneye north and a few Red-throated Divers north.

16th March 2011

A bit more action this morning with a lovely second winter Glaucous Gull on the beach briefly before flying north and a Black Redstart down Low Road. In addition there was either a genuine or "close hybrid" Hooded Crow drifting south, a Rock Pipit, a Shoveler south over the sea and a handfull of Redwings near the village.

14th March 2011

A first winter Med Gull on the farmland to the south west of the village.

10th March 2011

Just a couple of Great Crested Grebes on the sea during an otherwise quiet seawatch.

5 March 2011

Big excitement this morning when Pete found a Rough-legged Buzzard along the Pallid track.  I scrambled out of bed and cycled down to get there in the nick of time.  A great bird, with very distinctive jizz in flight, like a cross between a harrier and an eagle, and pretty classic plumage - pale headed, dark carpels, dark lower belly and flanks, dark banded white tail etc.

When I arrived I managed to get this remarkably intimate portrait before it flew off to the east.  Pete, who was by this time much further along the track, saw it land further along in the ploughed field to the south of the track but it flew out of sight from me behind a ridge in the field and I, along with Ted and John, who had by now joined me, were unable to find it again, despite cycling down the road to Hemsby and then back along the track and looking at the field from every angle. It must have made a getaway flying low along another of the ridges in this annoyingly humpy field. As we walked back a Common Buzzard flew over, occasioning a brief interrogation on the identity of the orignal bird from those who hadn't seen it, and Neil joined us to hear the bad news.

We have phoned the news out so perhaps some better birders will now arrive and relocate it for us!

And here is a painting of the bird by Seurat, the celebrated pointillist:

3rd March 2011

Just a couple of Pintail north this morning and a smattering of Red-throated Divers and Gannets.

2nd March 2011

Just four Eiders north on a brief seawatch this morning.

1st March 2011

A half hour seawatch this morning produced c 40 Gannets and c 130 Red-throated Divers heading north. Also three Teal.

24th February 2011

More Bewicks (or Whoopers) Swans heard this morning in the mist - seemed to be heading east.

22nd February 2011

Seven Bewicks (or Whooper) Swans flying south over the village this morning.