13th September 2011

A short stroll along the beach at dusk proved surprisingly productive with Hobby, Med Gull and juvenile Black Tern all seen in just ten minutes. Also still good numbers of Common Terns heading south. Peter

2 Whinchats, Redstart,Lesser Whitethroat Tim.

7th September 2011.

Hobby caught house martin over restaurant,5 Wheatears,Whinchat,Spotted Flycatcher,all in the south dunes Tim.

1st September 2011.

Red-Backed Shrike south dunes by chalet park on bank but very elusive Tim.

31st August 2011.

Red-Backed Shrike still south dunes on bank by chalet park+2 Yellow Wagtails Tim.

30th August 2011.

Red-Backed Shrike south dunes by chalet park on bank+Yellow Wagtail Tim.

24 August 2011

This Red-backed Shrike was in the valley today. Also a Greenshank flew past, and a Hobby was over the village.

Whinchat Garden Warbler Yellow Wagtail

3 Lesser Whitethroats also Tim.

21st August 2011

The Wryneck was seen again this morning (and yesterday) although fellow Collective members seem not to have had much luck so far.

19th August 2011

A lovely and very obliging Wryneck in the Valley this morning. The finders kindly allowed me to look through their scope allowing amazing close up views of the tongue disappearing into a crack in a branch then coming out with a spider on the end!

15th July 2011

An Arctic Tern flew north this evening.

19th June 2011.

Golden Oriole briefly at south end of chalet park in poplars Tim.

14 June 2011

Another trip out of the parish for five of us this evening, but this time just a quick trip over the border to Horsey to see the wonderfully showy and acrobatic 1st summer male Red-footed Falcon, which enthralled us with stunningly close fly-pasts and somersaulting raids on the poor local dragonflies. Another Marsh Warbler was nearby too, apparently, but we didn't get a chance to look for it, as the falcon was so spectacular.

12 June 2011

Four of us went on a collective trip to see the Golden Orioles at Lakenheath today, and were promptly rebuked for our profligate waste of fossil fuels when Tim called and said he had good news and bad news, and that the bad news was that we were at Lakenheath. We bravely slogged on through the day, racking up some decent birds (heard the Orioles, saw Stone Curlew) but eventually the drizzle, and the agonising thoughts of dipping out at Winterton forced us back to the parish and after about half an hour we managed to hear and see the Marsh Warbler Tim had found earlier. An excellent songster, it gave homages to Nightingale, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Linnet, lawn mower and Tommy Cooper in its versatile vocal performance, and at one point, after it had been hidden and silent for a while, a great tit called and it promptly mimicked it exactly, before launching off into another eclectic jumble of references. An excellent end to a comradely day.

30th May 2011.

South dunes,2 Cuckoo,1 Whinchat,1 Spotted Flycatcher,1 Reed Warbler, Tim.

13th May 2011

Friday 13th proved to be very lucky for myself as a charming and confiding Short-toed Lark was watched for five minutes in the hummocky dunes about 300m south of the Beach Cafe. Sadly, it must have soon slipped away as it was not seen again inspite of a couple of Collective members arriving within 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, although this news was phoned in as usual it did not seem to make it onto the various news services. Probably just as well though given its rapid disappearance.

Also a Hobby was seen over the village.

12th May 2011

Two Hobbys over the North Dunes in the morning. One definitely seemed to be chasing the other away so maybe it was trying to establish a territory. Also six Golden Plovers on farmland just inland from the dunes.

In the evening Colin found two Spotted Flycatchers in the Valley.

7th May 2011

They're Back ! Part 2

Yes, after an absence of several weeks it was good to see several Black-headed Gulls back in the Parish. In fact there were 28 altogether, all moving south but appearing to have initially arrived from more of a north-westerly inland direction so it is possible they may have been visiting from a nearby colony. However, as the majority were 1st Summers, I prefer to think they were genuine migrants but who can tell with this enigmatic species?

Hobby high barn farm this afternoon Tim.

6 May 2011

After an anxious week, the Swifts are here, four of them materialising this evening around the house and across the garden at the tip of a long scream, then settling higher in the sky to feed.

"They've made it again,
Which means the globe's still working..."

They are a week later than last year, when they arrived on 30th April. What brilliant birds!


Meanwhile, earlier today, another delightful annual Winterton ritual was played out as a Red-rumped Swallow passed briskly through heading south.

2 May 2011

A Whinchat was braving the gale next to Beach Road this morning.

From 2011-05-02

1 May 2011

Pete re-found the Hoopoe in the paddocks this morning, feeding contentedly in a far corner. Note that there is a new link on the right to Tim's Winterton migration counts, so for a fuller picture of what's about you should also check his blog.

From 2011-05-01

The Hoopoe. The broad, rounded 9th primary tip so obviously visible here clearly shows this bird is an adult.

30th April 2011

A charming female Whinchat provided some compensation for those of us who were still asleep when the elusive Hoopoe was making one of its brief appearance in the Valley.

29 April 2011

In common it seems with the entire rest of the country we had our own Bar-tailed Godwit today, feeding in the horse paddocks. As you can see it was dressed in its finest royalist celebration plumage, and was feeding in a field right next to an albino pheasant. Today's national Godwit Pageant has gone curiously unnoticed in the mainstream media, which seems to be far more concerned with some other pair of animals, one dressed up in flashy red and the other sporting full albino plumage.

From 2011-04-29

A Buzzard was also in the air, and Pete finally saw his first parish Yellow Wagtail of the year.

26th April 2011

A fairly routine April seawatch was finished off nicely when a Shorelark, expertly picked up by Andrew, dropped onto the beach.

25 April 2011

A White Wagtail was in the paddocks this morning.

22nd April 2011

The raptor rapture of recent weeks continued when a fine Osprey flew in from Somerton then, sadly for village based spotters, turned north and headed off strongly towards Horsey. A Common Buzzard and ringtail Hen Harrier were also present at the same time.

21st April 2011

Colin and John both independently refound the Wryneck in the South Dunes while in the North Dunes a Cuckoo spent a few moments sitting on top of the Totem Pole.

20th April 2011

Apart from all his other exploits Colin also saw two Little Terns last night - surely one of the earliest records ever at Winterton.

Three were present over the North Beach this morning and there were also two Ring Ouzels in the North Dunes.

Of course the main highlight of the day is still to come. Keep watching to find out what treasures Sean uncovered at Black Lark Hollow three years after The Day of Days.

19th April 2011

Fresh from his Goshawk triumph, Colin came up with the goods this morning too, with a fine Wryneck on the bank in the valley. Also present was a Lesser Whitethroat, and a Tree Pipit flew over calling. Here is the Wryneck, hideously over-sharpened:

17th April 2011

Much quieter today - a pair of Buzzards being the highlight.

16th April 2011

The first of the Ouzels today. Tim had three early on and I had one early afternoon. Also at least 15 Wheatears in the North Dunes.

10th April 2011

Tim saw a Rough-legged Buzzard over the North Dunes this morning.

9th April 2011

A couple of Common Buzzards anda nice male Brambling were the highlights today.

8th April 2011

Another Winterton mega this morning in the form of an Egyptian Goose that flew south over the sea only to return 5 minutes later heading north. Fairly quiet otherwise with about a dozen Swallows and four Sand Martins north and about 30 Linnets feeding on the dunes with a similar number heading north. Colin saw two Redwings in the Valley.

7th April 2011

At least 3 Wheatears on the North Dunes this morning.

6th April 2011

I was alerted by Peter at about 8 o'clock this morning and was in time to see a Red Kite before it headed inland towards East Somerton.

5th April 2011

A quiet seawatch this morning produced only four Eiders and five Curlews south and a single Gannet north. A sense of confusion and self-doubt was finally cleared up this evening when a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were eventually seen side by side in the garden. They had spent the previous 10 minutes mischievously swapping places!

4th April 2011

Today Colin saw a Buzzard over the North Dunes and Tim saw a Short-eared Owl and five Ruff, also on the North Dunes.

3rd April 2011 - the Mother's Day Eagle

Huge excitement this afternoon. We had noted that a White-tailed Eagle had been seen around Cromer but we held out little hope for down here. That all changed when Keith Dye called to say it had been seen at Stalham, which is pretty much along a straight line from Cromer to Winterton. We all shot up to the windmills just outside the parish and began scanning inland. Suddenly Pete shouted "What's that over the church?? It's the eagle!! I've got it!!" and sure enough there is was, flapping heavily past Winterton church, on the seaward side of us! We called various Spotters, including John, who walked out of his front door to see it flying over his head. It lumbered south to Hemsby then turned inland, seeming to go towards Ormesby, and then we lost it. Great record, especially considering that the last one in the parish was shot, I believe. Shame it didn't stay longer to annoy the "say no to sea eagles" folk who seem to be plentiful around here. Sean

Yes indeed , this is all very nice but the above account fails to mention the "Bird of the Day" - a slightly ragged Canada Goose heading north this morning. Also a nice smattering of Blackcaps and Willow Warblers now. Significantly, no Black-headed Gulls were seen in the Parish today. Pete

Bloody hell I was just looking at my Winterton list and fantasising about Canada Goose... and Coot. Bah! Commiserations to Colin on the Eagle but congrats on scoring the Low Road Bullfinch. Sean

Thanks for the commiserations but its worse than you think because I didn't see the Bullfinch. Colin (posted by Peter)

2nd April 2011

A Coal Tit in the garden this morning and a Blackcap in full song along Low Road.  Sean

Also this morning one each of Swallow and Sand Martin heading south along with approximately 200 Linnets, a Rock Pipit, three Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern. Also a flurry of Chiffchaffs down the Valley with up to six present and a Siskin in the garden. Of most interest though was a southerly movement of 15 Black-headed Gulls, no doubt heading back to their continental breeding grounds. Peter

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.

19th February 2011

Still no birds to report but a stunning "Garden Tick" in the form of a young Grass Snake found hibernating whilst planting my new Blueberry bush.

However, just outside the parish several Bramblings were seen down Low Road.

13 February 2011

We are still here and will be coming out of hibernation for Spring migration.  We are all slightly annoyed not to have seen a Waxwing in the parish.

19 January 2011

New species sighted in Winterton?

12 January 2011

Contrary to rumour we haven't all migrated, hibernated or frozen to death, but things have been quiet, but no doubt by the end of the month someone's 2011 Winterton list will reach double figures!

Meanwhile back to roosting

7 November 2010

We seem to be sadly devoid of Long-Tailed Tits, normal or northern, today, despite a solid east wind, but this rather nice Coal Tit - presumably a continental judging by its grey back - was sporting itself at the back of the Hermanus. A couple of Woodcock and a few Chiffchaffs were around too.

30th October 2010

A Chiffchaff in the trees beneath the Hermanus was not entirely unexpected but six Bearded Tits feeding deep down in a patch of dead Bracken further down the Valley certainly was. After a couple of minutes they gradually moved to the top of the Bracken before taking off and pinging merrily out of site high to the west.

28th October 2010.

Shore Larks 6 north dunes,Lapland Buntings 3 south dunes,Snow Buntings 5,

Rock pipit.

Snow Buntings 2 south dunes,Lapland Bunting north dunes,Rock pipit.

26th October 2010.

Lapland Bunting 2 south dunes,Snow Buntings 13,

25th October 2010.

Little Auk 2 north,Jack Snipe north dunes on north pool,Snow Buntings 12 south dunes,

Great Skua,Hen Harrier low road.

24th October 2010.

Snow Buntings 4 south dunes,Little Gulls 6,Rock pipits 2.

23 October 2010.

Snow Bunting 4 South dunes,Lesser Redpoll,Brambling.

22 October 2010.

Shore lark 1 north dunes,Brambling.

21st October 2010.

Woodcock 2,Bean Geese 6,Lapland Bunting 1 south dunes,Snow Buntings 5 north dunes.

20th October 2010.

G.N.Diver south,Brambling,Snow Bunting 2,Great Skua,Bean Geese 5.

19th October 2010.

Pallas's Warbler still below restaurant south dunes.

18th October 2010

With non-stop reports of Eastern goodies (not least from Terry, our Chitter Runner in Beijing http://birdingbeijing.wordpress.com/) it was satisfying to be able to join in at last as we appreciated a very obliging Pallas's Warbler in the trees in front of the Hermanus. It might be tricky to pin down in future though as it had already ranged widely from the south end of the Valley where Guy had found it on Sunday.

Other than that a quiet day with a Blackcap and Redwing in the garden and a Buzzard sp (almost certainly Common) over the North Dunes.

17th October 2010

The day started well with a couple of Fieldfares in the garden. However, the Valley proved fairly mundane (just one Brambling) until a shock encounter - a squealing Water Rail bursting out of the top half of a Holly tree on the bank. We were both equally surprised to see each other and it promtly did a U turn and plunged back into the Brambles!

16th October 2010

A couple of hours seawatching this morning produced lots of birds, the majority of which were well out and heading south very fast. For me the highlight was a relatively close in Manx Shearwater.

The only "little bird" of note was a Brambling in the village.

15th October 2010

A trip down the Valley this morning produced about 10 Chiffchaffs, a few Goldcrests and fantastic views of a roosting Tawny Owl. The other major feature was the northward passage of Chaffinches with well over 100 being seen in an hour. They were accompanied by a few Siskins and also 12 Lapland Buntings.

Duty done, and with a day off ahead of me, it was now time to set off for Waxham to finally see the Bluetail...

14th October 2010

My reward today for once more abstaining from the local Bluetail was about ten Reed Buntings on the North Dunes and two Blackcaps in the garden.

13th October 2010

Having briefly considered the shameful prospect of visiting Waxham to see the latest Bluetail a stern talking to from Parish Listing Purist Sean led to me going up the North Dunes again this morning. There was also Sean's news that he had met a birder on Tuesday evening who had seen a Red-breasted Flycatcher "somewhere on the dunes". Needless to say it could not be found this morning which wasn't surprising as nearly all the migrants from the last two or three days had moved on. However, there was some consolation in the form of a flyover Woodlark, a Jack Snipe and three Cranes landed about half a mile inland.

Finally, there was a female Blackcap in the garden.

9 October 2010

A long morning's birding in the North Dunes produced a nice selection of migrants.  Highlights were a Great Grey Shrike, a flyover Woodlark, definitely two but probably three ringtail Hen Harriers, lots of Bramblings, a very tame Common Redpoll, a male Ring Ouzel, a Bullfinch, hundreds of Meadow Pipits, dozens of Reed Buntings, a Grey Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail, several Redstarts, several Blackcaps, lots of Chiffchaffs and one Wheatear.  Here is a highly detailed and intimate portrait of the Shrike.

8 October 2010

A quick trip to the N Dunes after work demonstrated that the east wind is already working.  There were LOTS of birds about - at least one in every bush.  First up was a fine female Brambling sitting, appropriately, in the brambles, at the end of North Market Road.  Goldcrests were calling and flitting everywhere and it was obvious Song Thrushes and Redwings had arrived - and seemed to be still arriving - in numbers.  A nice male Ring Ouzel was near the totem pole bushes, which themselves held several Redstarts, one Willow Warbler, a load of Chiffchaffs and a male Blackcap.  There also seems to have been a fall of Reed Buntings, and lots of Meadow Pipits and Siskins were in the air as dusk fell into darkness.  Looks promising for tomorrow...

6 October 2010

The wind is looking good for the weekend:
http://magicseaweed.com/Holland-Germany-Denmark-MSW-Surf-Charts/10/wind/in/
There could be LOADS of good birds for us to miss...

3 October 2010

Tim's sightings - South Dunes

Hobby, Sooty Shearwater, 3 Wheatear

2 October 2010

Tim's sightings - North Dunes

Jack Snipe, Hen Harrier, Redstart

30 September 2010

An early morning decision to do the North Dunes led to sightings of two more Lapland Buntings, a Ring Ouzel, a Redstart and a ringtail Hen Harrier. Also six Wheatears and several Reed Buntings.

Later in the day I discovered that had I turned South in the morning I would have had a chance of seeing the Wryneck that had been found the day before. A quick return trip at lunchtime failed to produce the Wryneck but there was a Redstart, a Brambling and a very impressive flock of Med Gulls flycatching in amongst a larger group of gulls - there were at least six but there easily could have been twice that present.

Another trip down the Valley after work eventually produced the Wryneck but unfortunately it had slipped away into the gloom just before Colin arrived.

29 September 2010

The best bird on the North Dunes today was a Lapland Bunting and the best bird in Sean's garden was a male Siskin.

Also seen by Tim on the South Dunes, 2 Ring Ouzels and a Redstart (added by Ted pm Thursday)

28 September 2010

Early morning visit to the North Dunes revealed lesser numbers of Robins and a few Song Thrushes. Also two Ring Ouzels, ten Bramblings, lots of Siskins and Reed Buntings. A fine ringtail Hen Harrier also present. The only Common Redstart seen was in Sean's garden.

Peter

The evening produced two more Redstarts in the N Dunes but I spent most of my time on a wild bunting chase. It turned out to be a Reed.  The redstart in my garden hurts - I need to put up higher fences...
Sean

Tim's Sightings - South dunes

6 Med Gulls (4ad, 1stw, 2ndw), 6 Ring Ouzel, Pied Flycatcher, 4 Wheatear

North Dunes, Hen Harrier, Whinchat, Redstart, Lesser Redpoll, 3 Wheatear

I saw 2 Bramblings near the blocks.  

Ted

27 September 2010

A big fall of Robins has occurred, along with smaller numbers of Redstarts, Song Thrushes, Redwings and Siskins.  This evening at dusk Robins were zipping everywhere, and newly arrived Redstarts were sitting around on the grass as darkness fell... Could be good tomorrow - hopefully the Scandinavian source of the wind will keep away those pesky Empodinaxes - we don't want their sort round here...

26 September 2010

Another seawatch this morning produced a steady trickle of decent birds, although, in a cruel replay of yesterday's Puffin, the best of all, a juv Sabine's Gull, flew by ten minutes before I arrived (in fact there may have been two this morning as Tim saw one which, judging by the timings, couldn't have been the same bird).  Still, excellent views of Sooty Shearwater, Red-necked Grebe and Great Crested Grebe, plus various Little Gulls, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Gadwall and Bar-tailed Godwits, and a Grey Plover, was good enough for me.

26 September 2010

Sabine's Gull juv 7.00am,10 Sooty Shearwaters,2 Manx,1 Red-Breasted Merganser,Pom Skua on sea watch Tim.

25 September 2010

A sea watch this morning was not as good as hoped in such high northern winds, but just before I arrived a Puffin flew north, and 3 Sooty Shearwaters went in the same direction.  Some unknown blokes reckoned they might have had a Grey Phalarope, but it could not be refound on the choppy sea.  A few good ducks, including 6 Pintail and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers Sean.
9 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Red-Breasted Merganser,2 Red-necked Grebe,Med Gull 1st Winter,Rock Pipit,on sea watch Tim.

24 September 2010

A brief seawatch this evening produced two firsts for the Autumn - three Brent Geese going north and a Snow Bunting on the beach.  This morning near the Totem Pole bushes Pete caught a brief view of a rapid flyby Cuckoo, which changed into a Hobby before settling down as a small Kestrel which bombed through with a weird flight action, straight inland.  If a Lesser Kestrel is found tomorrow in the West Midlands he will certainly have it on his list...Sean.
Hobby by carpark, Wheatear Tim.

23 September 2010

Short-Eared Owl over sea,Hobby north beach,Pied Flycatcher south dunes below restaurant Tim.

22 September 2010

Lapland Bunting south beach, Yellow Wag Tim.

21 september 2010

Lapland Bunting north beach,Red-Backed Shrike still Tim.

20 September 2010

Red-Back Shrike still,Hobby 2,Greenshank,Swift,4 Med Gulls 2 ads,2nd winter,1st winter on south beach,Wheatear, Tim.

18 September 2010

5 Lapland Buntings on the dune tops today, as well as the Red-backed Shrike opposite Colin's, accompanied by several Reed Buntings.  Two Hobbies drifted north, and there was a Lesser Whitethroat on the bank.

16 September 2010

7 Lapland Buntings south beach showing well, 1 Bonxie, Hobby north beach, 5 Wheatears, Tim.

15 September 2010

Red-backed Shrike still beach road, 2 Lapland Buntings over beach carpark, Peregrine over chalet park south, 3 Arctic Skua, Greenshank, 7 Wheatears. Tim

14 September 2010

The Red-backed Shrike still in the bushes N of Beach Road today. Also a Swift over S Dunes.

Med Gull 1st winter chalet park,Wheatear 2,Swift 3,Tim.

12 September 2010

Red-Backed Shrike still beach road, 2 Med Gulls 1ad 1 1st winter chalet park, 4 common Redstarts.

9 September 2010

2 Common Redstarts, 2 Pied Flycatchers south dunes,Tim.

8 September 2010

A walk this evening with my Pete and my eldest son (who worked very well as a bush basher) produced a nice smattering of migrants.  The lovely male Red-backed Shrike which Pete found this morning was being mobbed by assorted tits at the start of the dunes from North Market Road, and the Totem Pole bushes held Whinchat, Redstart, a Black Redstart and a flypast Hobby.  A little further north there was a Pied Flycatcher and in the fading light a tantalisingly unclinched Barred Warbler.

7 September 2010

8 Common Redstarts, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Pied Flycachers, 4 Whinchats, 2 Yellow Wags,
2 Greenshank, Swift, 30 Wheatears Tim.

6 September 2010

Sooty Shearwater north, 3 Arctic Skuas, 3 Common Redstarts, 1 Whinchat, 27 Wheatears,Tim.

5 September 2010

Hobby south dunes, Spotted Flycatcher north dunes, 4 Common Redstarts Tim.

3 September 2010.

Sooty Shearwater 7.30pm,Spotted Flycatcher south dunes Tim.

30 August 2010

Sooty Shearwater 4 north, Manx Shearwater 2 north, Fulmar 2 north, Arctic Skua 13 south, Pied Flycatcher south dunes, Spotted Flycatcher, south dunes, 2 Wheatears.

28 August 2010

9 Ruddy Shelduck south, Spotted Flycatcher south dunes, Hobby.

22 August 2010

Southern Emerald Damselfly north dunes,Spotted Flycatcher south dunes, Yellow Wag, Wheatear 2.

21 August 2010

Arctic Skua 10, Great Skua 1, Yellow Wag juv, Wheatear 2,Velvet Scoter 2 juv.

18 August 2010

Common Redstart north dunes, 2 Greenshank.

15 August 2010

18 Arctic Skua, 6 Great Skua, 4 Fulmar.

14 August 2010

2 Pied Fly Flycatcher in pine plantation, 2 Wheatears, 44 Whimbrel.

16 August 2010

A Dotterel on the Beach Road Carpark for about half an hour. It was accompanied at all times by half a dozen nervous looking Ringed Plovers.

2 Manx Shearwater Tim.

9 August 2010

King Eider-1s drk 2mls north of Winterton.

1 August 10

2 Med Gulls 1st summer south beach, Razorbill.

25 July 2010

Hummingbird Hawkmoth-Kings corner.

17 July 2010

Hummingbird Hawk-moth in the garden this morning.
Sean

27th June 2010.

Spotted Redshank over chalet park south.

20th June 2010

1 Manx Shearwater north,R.T.Diver north 7.30 to 9.00am.

9th June 2010

This evening a Little Egret seen from the west end of Low Road flying over the village. Also a Barn Owl in this area.

29th May 2010

Up to four Yellow Wagtails along the "Pallid Track" and a very vocal Cuckoo down Low Road.

28 May 2010

A Sedge Warbler was chuntering in the hedge along Low Road this evening.

Sean

Two Nightjars churring just south of the concrete blocks.

Peter

25th May 2010

A tantalising female Red-footed Falcon flew through at about 08.50 this morning. Unfortunately after crossing the dunes it flew out to sea, gained height and eventually disappeared as a minute speck in the distance, heading north-east.

16 May 2010.

Turtle Dove,2 north dunes,Purple Sandpiper,2 on groynes north dunes.

15 May 2010.

Common Sandpiper,on groynes north dunes.

14 May 2010.

Red Kite,north dunes south,Hobby,2 north dunes,Purple Sandpiper,on groynes,north dunes,

Hobby,2 north dunes.

13 May 2010

Snow Goose,north dunes south west,Hobby, 2 north dunes.

15 May 2010

The Woodchat Shrike is STILL here.  Little else this morning - Cuckoo calling close to the village and a Lesser Whitethroat in the valley.

6 May 2010

Very little migration today in easterly winds. A trickle of Swallows and Linnets but very little else. The Ring Ouzel was still present and 2 Purple Sandpipers were on one of the rock reefs. Yesterday's Cuckoo was still present and was joined by a second which resulted in a territorial battle of "cuckooing".

5 May 2010

Much better conditions today (a light north-easterly wind, later turning easterly, and mostly clear skies). Good passage of hirundines between 0545 and 0900 including over 80 Swallows, a few Sand Martins and, later, a few House Martins and Swifts. Linnet passage was again notable and they were joined by a sprinkling of Goldfinches and two Yellow Wagtails. A Ring Ouzel was still in a field just north of the concrete blocks and a Hobby drifted inland. Out to sea a few Gannets moved south with a handful of Common Scoter, a few Guillemots, a Red-throated Diver, 4 Little Terns and at least 2 Common Terns. However, the highlight was a Cuckoo that gave excellent views as it headed south along the top of the dunes.

Th walk back produced at least 2 singing Garden Warblers along Holmes Road.

Terry and Tim

4 May 2010

Another early morning start for Terry and Tim in marginally better conditions (but still with a moderate north-easterly and the odd shower) produced 2 Hobby, 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Northern Wheatears, a Common Buzzard, 4 Common Cranes, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Terns, 2 Guillemots, a Jay, 3 Swallows, 2 Swifts and a Sand Martin. Linnets were on the move in large numbers - 392 were counted flying north - along with 24 Goldfinches. A singing Reed Warbler was in a ditch along Holmes Road.

Terry (and Tim)

3 May 2010

An early morning vigil at the north end of the parish (at one point involving a flock of 3 spotters) produced a single Ring Ouzel, 3 Wheatears, a few Whimbrel, 3 Gannets and a Kittiwake. Visible migration was very light in the strong north-north-easterly winds.
Terry

2 May 2010

The Woodchat Shrike showed well between 6pm and 7pm in the valley in between sheltering from squalls and dogs.

Terry

1 May 2010

The Woodchat Shrike is still present this morning. Here are some shots taken with my Fuji FZ18 and 1.5 converter. Sean

Other sightings - I met Tim at the northern boundary just in time to see the wing-tagged Montagu's Harrier make its way south from Horsey and later return northward. Tim also recorded 2 Garden Warblers and 1 Reed Warbler along the Holmes road as well as 9 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats and a Grey Wagtail on the north dunes. Posted by Ted 03 May

30 April 2010

Five Swifts hawking over the village this evening - looking very much like they have come home.

28 April 2010

A lovely Woodchat Shrike was found in the S Dunes this afternoon by person or persons unknown, and Collective members were out in force to see it this evening. Being in the middle of an OFSTED inspection at work, I only managed to hear about it because I bumped into Neil in Tescos! Ted's video below.

.

26 April 2010

Red-Rumped Swallow south (A Grieve),Hobby north dunes 2,Little Egret north dunes,

Ring Ouzel north dunes 2,Greenshank north dunes,Lesser redpoll 2,Tree Pipit 3,Tim.

25 April 2010

A more overcast day today, until late afternoon. Tim saw a Woodlark in the N Dunes this morning, and presumably the same one was later independently found again by Pete further south. Colin, Tim and I looked for it again but dipped. Evidently though there had been a fall of Wheatears, with about 20 flicking about in a small patch of the N Dunes just below the Warren. There was also a Sedge Warbler near the Chalet Park and Pete had a Hobby as he was digging up Rhododendrons. Tim saw the year's first Little Terns yesterday, and some Bar-tailed Godwits. Sean

Also seen today were single Black Redstarts in the South Dunes and the Village, a Ring Ouzel in the South Dunes and six Yellow Wagtails down Low Road. Tim also found a Tree Pipit on the N Dunes & 3 Lesser Whitethroats on the S Dunes bank. Peter

24 April 2010

A Ring Ouzel was on the playing field before flying to the paddocks this morning. Also several late Fieldfares in the paddocks, and a Yellow Wagtail. Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Swallows all singing on a lovely Spring morning. A Red Kite came through mid-morning.

20th April 2010

One Black Redstart in the South Dunes this morning and eight Wheatears in the North Dunes in the evening.

Peter.

1 Black Redstart Chalet park 6.00am, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Whimbrel N Dunes, 2 House Martins, 4 Wheatears N Dunes, 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Tim.

18 April 2010

Tim's sightings -1 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Fulmar, 2 Med Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 150 Golden plover. All North Dunes

1 Sedge Warbler, South Dunes pm.

17 April 2010

Tim's sightings -1 Red Kite, 9 Whimbrel, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Cranes, 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Yellow Wagtails. All North Dunes.

10 April 2010

Two Buzzards circling together seen on a couple of occasions. Also two Wheatears and a Swallow.

Peter.

5 Fulmars; 3 Wheatears north dunes; 1 Buzzard; 1 Kingfisher East Somerton.

Tim

6 April 2010

1 Redshank N dunes; Hooded crow N dunes; 1Rock Pipit N dunes; 2 Sand Martin; 2 Common Cranes.

7th April 2010

Male Blackcap in the garden this morning.

4 April 2010

Wheatear N dunes, Purple Sandpiper and Rock Pipit on groynes, Hooded Crow N dunes, Canada Goose, N Dunes.

3 April 2010

Tim's sightings. 1 Hooded Crow north dunes, 1 Black Redstart chalet park.

2 April 2010

One Black Redstart in the South Dunes this morning. The only other migrant was a male Reed Bunting in my garden briefly.

30 March 2010

3 Swallows south. 3 Chiffchaffs in the Valley.

29 March 2010

2 members TP & TH ventured not only out of parish but out of county, being unable to resist the lure of Lesser Kestrel. On arrival at Westleton we were greeted by several GY bird club members with the all too familiar greeting 'you should have been here 5 minutes ago', however after enduring rain, cold wind and mist blowing in from the sea, the skies cleared (well, just enough) to give reasonable though distant perched and flight views.

On the way home we failed to see the Pallid Swift at Kessingland, but were successful with the two Alpine Swifts at Lowestoft. One can only hope they find enough food to survive the poor weather that is forecast.

Ted.

Black Redstart-south dunes, Brambling-south dunes, 3 Blackcaps-Low road.

Tim.

28 March 2010

Black Redstart and Firecrest around today. Sean
Common Buzzard, north dunes, 2 Common Cranes, north dunes.

Tim.

27 March 2010

More sightings by Tim this morning. Black Redstart at the blocks, Firecrest in the pine plantation. 1 Swallow south yesterday pm. Also Hen Harrier north dunes, Common Buzzard, 2 Common Cranes.

26 March 2010

2 Black Redstarts and a Firecrest on the south dunes. Also a White Wagtail.

All seen by Tim within a couple of hours of his return!

24 March 2010

All spotters please note the "First to 100" Creme Egg Trophy has been reinstated this year, providing the winner claims his or her prize before Easter Sunday.  Please also note that if you are updating the year list with new species could you email me rather than do it yourself as we seem to have a bug which adds line spaces every time updates are added.  Well done Colin on the current bird of the year.  Who saw today's Kite?

23 March 2010

Wheatear in the South Dunes this morning.

22 March 2010

Colin had good views of an ALPINE SWIFT at 5.15 this evening in the South Dunes, for about ten seconds.  Unfortunately no-one else saw it despite his valiant phoning efforts.  This is his second solo sighting of the species in the parish.  Also today Black Redstart on the telephone building.

19th March

A thoroughbred Hooded Crow flew south accompanied by several Carrion Crows this morning.

18 March 2010

A Chiffchaff in the valley this morning. Colin.
Also one in the garden Friday am. Ted

13 March 2010

Tree Sparrow at the new private site, Stonechats in the North Dunes, and a pair of Gannets out to sea this evening.

13 March 2010

Flushed a Woodcock just north of beach road this morning. Also Rock Pipit on 7 March on sea wall at top end of North Dunes.

11 March 2010

Twelve yellow billed swans, which I thought looked like Whooper Swans, flew northwest over the North Dunes at 6pm this evening, then turned round and came back south along the coast.  I thought Pete would be able to confirm them by applying his new swan flight direction ID criteria, but he was not able to (due to the unexpected change of direction, I believe) so I'd better put them down as Bewpers (or Whoopwicks).

2nd March

Four Bewick's Swans flying out to sea this morning.

1 March 2010

Colin had a Red Kite today.

28th February 2010

A brief visit to a private site by a single Tree Sparrow. Apparently this bird had been seen at other nearby private sites on 26th and 27th Feb also.

27 February 2010

Colin's bid for the top married birder year list record (currently standing at 155) continued strongly when he found three Egyptian Geese along Low Road to add to his list.  A small male Sparrowhawk was also hunting very low along the very wet and muddy surface of Low Road.

21 February 2010

Well outside the parish, there was a flock of seven Waxwings in my guitar teacher's front garden in Gorleston on Monday.

20th February 2010

A Water rail at the usual site and a Tree Sparrow at a private site.

15 February 2010

Colin and I went on a crack mission this morning with two aims: 1. To see a Treecreeper. 2. To find Colin's keys which he lost yestderday, attempting to see a Treecreeper. We were successful in one of our aims - we saw a lovely, clean Treecreeper, shinning up the single Oak Tree in the field South of the Holmes Road woods. Also of note were three Cranes, a Brambling, a small flock of Skylarks, three Sparrowhawks displaying and, much to our relief, at least two Goldcrests; conclusive proof that they are not extinct. All definitely worth the near-death experience of hanging about in the cold, and the puncture I sustained on the way back. A large flock of Fieldfares was just outside of the parish. Sean

While I failed yet again to find a Treecreeper in the parish I did see a Short-eared Owl hunting in the area described in the mid afternoon. Ted.

And Colin found his keys this afternoon too.  Great day! Sean

31 January 2010

A good day. Highlights included a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull in a field just north of Low Road (just out of the parish but viewable from within it - does that count??), Peregrine, Common Buzzard, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 12 White-fronted Geese south, 3 Egyptian Geese, a Woodcock in off the sea and 3 Common Cranes. Stayed out til dusk but no owls seen.

29 January 2010

A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was the highlight of an afternoon walk over the dunes today. Bullfinch, Siskin and Treecreeper along Holmes Road.

24 January 2010

A Grey Plover has taken up residence on the beach opposite the cafe for the last few days.

14 Jan 2010

Winterton Holmes: 1 Common Buzzard; 1 Bullfinch.

13 Jan 2010

Woodcock in the garden this afternoon!

video through double glazing -

Ted

Also on 13 Jan: 1 Tree Sparrow, Empsons Loke, by feeders.
Tim.

12 Jan 2010

Winterton Holmes: 1 Hen Harrier.

10 Jan 2010

Hello all. I have managed to get on the blog. Saw 3 Woodcock - two sitting and one walking - in the paddocks, then another over the village. Tim saw 15 or so yesterday - why are they not in the woods??
Colin

Winterton Holmes: 1 Marsh Tit; 6 Woodcock.
Tim

9th Jan 2010

Winterton to East Somerton: 13 Woodcock, 15 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher.

2 January 2010

Great to see the entire residents crew out today to get a very obliging Water Rail on their year lists.

1 January 2010

First sighting of the New Year - Barn Owl hunting in the overgrown meadow on the south side of Low Road (0750-0800)

1 January 2010

My family's customary New Year's Day walk down the valley to the bright lights and chipfat aroma of Hemsby, in order to waste £1 per child on the shove 2p piece machines resulted in a selection of the commoner parish birds to get the year list of to a fair start.  A lovely male Eider flying north was the nicest sight.  A Red-legged Partridge standing on top of the shed this morning was a good garden year tick too.

21st December 2009

Snow everywhere for the last two days and the frozen ground is making Snipe appear in odd places everywhere.  This afternoon, for example, one walking about near the White House Nursery, and one flying through the children's playground; they are popping up all over the place in their search for some non-frozen ground to feed in.  Pete had loads on Sunday, as well as a Water Rail walk across the Holmes Road, presumably similarly on the search for accessible wet habitat.

5 December 2009

A Great Northern Diver flew south past the cafe at 2pm.  The private site held another Tree Sparrow.

27 November 2009

Two Tree Sparrows at a private site this morning. Also eight Linnets and about 15 Cormorants at a public site.

9 November 2009

Colin saw a Purple Sandpiper on the groynes about a mile north of the village.

8 November 2009

John saw a Lapland Bunting and a Snow Bunting flying over the dunes.

6 November 2009

One Gadwall flying south and four Snow Buntings on the South beach.

1 November 2009

One Tree Sparrow at a private site.

30 October 2009

1 Peregrine Falcon, Winterton Holmes.  9 Bean Geese, in off the sea. 1 Snow Bunting, North Beach.

30 October 2009

First of all todays news. A Redwing in the garden and a Lapland Bunting in the North Dunes. Now the revelation of Wednesday's garden tick mega - a Lesser Redpoll.

28 October 2009

Garden mega! The slim shape seen slipping briefly through the garden Sycamores this morning turned out to be a new bird for the garden. Tune in again tomorrow (or Friday) to discover its identity.

26 October 2009

Tim's sightings -

Black Redstart still present but elusive

Short-eared Owl over the warren
Brambling Holmes road

25 October 2009

Taiga or RBF?
Tim's flycatcher on 19-20 September has been suggested by some to have been a Taiga, rather than a Red-Breasted.  As we understand it the basics of IDing these is the eye ring (complete and all white in RB but not so clear above the eye in Taiga), the upper tail-coverts (all black in Taiga) and the bill (all darker in Taiga).  More detailed ID stuff can be found here.  Here's the bird again.  What do you think?  All comments welcome.

24 October 2009

We think Tim's Cetti's Warbler from yesterday is a parish first.  Who cares about South Shields?  Well done Tim.

23 October 2009

Black Redstart still present at the cable station am.

Tim's sightings -
36 Siskin
57 Redpoll
4 Redwing
Cetti's Warbler at the pine plantation.

22 October 2009

Tim's sightings today -
Yellow-browed Warbler near the oaks (with Terry B)

2 Firecrests south dunes

55 Redpolls south
Black Redstart on the cable station roof.

21 October 2009

1 Firecrest in Low Road, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler Holmes Road (seen by Tim).

2 Firecrests in PC's garden! (seen only by PC), plus one again this evening, seen by Sean too.

20 October 2009

Two Firecrests today (one in Mr Next Door's garden) and a Yellow Browed Warbler ruthlessly and unethically taped out behind the Hermanus by our very own walking hi-fi system, Tim.  Disciplinary proceedings on behalf of tired migrants are being set in motion.

19 October 2009

Black Redstart in the garden this morning at 0800 and briefly on a rooftop in Low Road but so far unable to relocate it.

18 October 2009

A pair of Buzzards were circling above the Warren this afternoon.

15 October 2009

"Brown" Chiffchaff seen by the Hermanus this morning. It did have a strong buff wash round the vent but also, when seen closely and in good light, there was an olive tinge to the upperparts so may not have been a classic tristis. I couldn't see any yellow or grey tones anywhere.

In the afternoon a Woodcock flushed off the North Dunes.

13 October 2009

Wow! It continues! The birding info services are reporting a tristis Chiffchaff below the "holiday park"! (We assume this is the Hermanus but it could be the Chalet Park). Again this has absolutely nothing to do with us, as far as I can ascertain (haven't spoken to all Spotters yet...).  It just goes to show what can be found around here when some decent birders turn up!

12 October 2009

Clearly fun and games were had here today whilst we were all at work.  First, according to a well know bird information service, there was a "possible Sardinian Warbler" which, ten minutes later became a "probable Subalpine Warbler" and finally transmogrified, several hours later, into a Dartford Warbler (probably more realistic).   All of this took place "in the dunes 1 km south of the church".   Unfortunately 1km south of the church would put the hapless observer/s smack bang in the middle of  the road to Hemsby, seriously inland, rather than anywhere near the dunes.  Also reported, presumably by the same personage, were two Lapland Buntings "in the South Dunes by the wire fence 800m south of the church".  We have no idea where that might be either.  Fear not, however, we will send a crack team to investigate tomorrow. 

10 October 2009

Hundreds of Redwings tumbled out of the grey sky and streamed inland this morning.  Robins seem to have arrived in fair numbers, and some Skylarks were moving.  Still a few Swallows about, and a Shoveller, a parish rarity which came in off the sea, did a u-turn and flew back out again, has proved once more that we are in the Year of the Rare Commons.  Later in the morning our friend Terry had two Firecrests and a Ring Ouzel, and a Grey Wagtail was present near the pub.


As part of the early testing of this blog I want to upload a picture, so what better than our undocumented Semi-collared Flycatcher from 16th September last year ;)

8th October 2009

One Redwing and one Chiffchaff down the Valley.

3 October 2009

Seawatch by Tim, 7.30 to10.00:  wind west.

Sooty Shearwater 1

Manx Shearwater 1

Snow Bunting 2

Eider 6

Bonxie 1

Common Scoter 6

Brent Goose 14

Sandwich Tern 2

Mediterranean Gull, 2ads,1 juv, 1 2nd winter.
(Tim, I have taken the liberty of bolding the birds to fit in with our 'house style'.  Sean)

TEST POST 11th June 1906

20 Pallas's Sandgrouse over the village this morning.

TEST POST 2 January

The Humpback Whale was still in Pete's pond, along with a flock of Spoon-billed Sandpipers and at least three icebergs. When will this cold snap end?

TEST POST 1 January

Amazingly there was a Great Shearwater past today, riding on the back of a Humpback Whale.  Ted grabbed some footage of the whale: