30th Sept - mostly cloudy, light, fresher at times, WNW, 13C

Willey; Delightd to see 2 Swallows flying around home and the central village area about mid-day, last seen previously on Monday.  Will this be the last record here I wonder.

Churchover; I had a look this morning to see if I could find the Golden Plover that we saw yesterday going down on the fields near the A5 Gibbet cross.  There were none on those fields nor on any other cultivated fields towards Churchover, which is where they often are too.  About 100 Lapwing with plenty of Gulls and a good number of Pied Wagtails on the sown fields.

Shawell Lagoons; a look here next.  More Lapwings, 110, on the shore which mean we have at least 200 in this area currently.  A Litle Grebe and Great-Crested Grebe, a Kestrel in a small Ash sapling spying the ground, a Green Woodpecker and 4 Goldfinch.

Stanford Reservoir; fairly quiet this afternoon, but some interesting sightings. With the Long-tailed and Blue Tit flock at least 10 Chiffchaffs, with other seen around the reservoir too.  Two Stonechat on the game cover again, this time the Male was showing well, so we definitely have 3 in this area. A Jay, Grey Heron, Green Sandpiper,  4 Grey Wagtails and 3 Red Kites were present.  All the usual ducks were seen.

29th Sept - mostly sunny, light WSW, 16C

Willey; about 1245h a Raven was circling high in the blue sky, calling occasionally as it was mildly hassled by 2 Jackdaw.

Cotesbach Landfill; viewing here this afternoon was interesting.  Carl Baggott had, this morning, found a Mediterranean Gull which I missed, but by the afternoon he had already seen several Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls, which is great and helps me keep learning their identification.  Good numbers of LBBG, GBBG, Herring and Black-headed Gulls were in today, plus a single Common Gull, so plenty of opportunity to look for colour rings.

Also, seen were 3 Red Kite, a Raven, at least 12 PIed Wagtails and c150 Golden Plover flying before they landed on a field near the A5 Gibbet Cross area.

I did read a colour ringed Lesser Black-Backed Gull the other day (27th) Tdot38A was ringed as a chick on Loch Leven, Scotland on the 14th July 2012, which is 442 Km away. This makes it 6.2 years old and surprisingly is the first record since being ringed.

28th Sept - mostly sunny, light northerly, 16C

Willey, a surprise this morning when a Ring-necked Parakeet flew over me calling loudly, to the west of village, it disappeared over the long spinney.  First area record.

Most mornings Goldcrest and Nuthatch are around the Church area.  Green Woodpecker heard too and Chiffchaff.

Stanford Reservoir; Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen.  A Green Sandpiper was in the out flow pool area.  A Tit flock with at least 6 Chiffchaffs.  On the game cover of the adjacent field 2 Stonechats, a female and immature.  Yesterday, a male was also photographed with a female, so at least one new bird today as the male was not found.

Also, c45 Shoveler, Wigeon c25, Tufted Duck c150, Teal and Gadwall too.  Hopefully Goosander will be appearing here soon.

27th Sept - sunny, 22C, light WNW

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning 3 Red Kite, plenty of Gulls around. I managed to see a colour ring on a Lesser black-back Gull yellow/black Tdot38A, hopefully I'll get some info about its history.
6 Mute Swans, a few Mallard and single Wigeon were on the water. Long-tailed Tits were working down the hedgerow, at least 8.  A Jay was near the derelict house garden area. Due to the warm weather making various insects rise up so quite a few Starlings hawking to catch them.

26th Sept - sunny, light WSW, 21C

A busy day, a late afternoon visit to Stanford reservoir.  The highlight was a Curlew calling and flying over the dam before leaving westward.  Near the dam a Little Grebe too and a Grey Heron on the overflow wall., plus the usual mix of duck species. 6 Red-legged Partridge were close by.

25th Sept - sunny, 18C, mod SSW breeze

Willey; a Chiffchaff and Mistle Thrush were in the Church area today.

Stanford reservoir; this afternoon a Hobby was hawking over the area and adjacent wood.  a mixed flock of Tits and Chiffchaff were in the bushes but moved off quickly.  On the dam a single Shelduck, adult, c20 Shoveler, Teal numbers were up at 31, also 4 Pochard (3 males), Wigeon slowly increasing with about 10 today.  In the conifers 5 Siskin had been spotted by Chris Hubbard, when I got there I was able to count 10, so some more had come in. Plenty of Black-headed Gulls, a few Lesser black-backed Gulls and my first autumn site Common Gull.

24th Sept - sunny, light-mod WNW, 16C,

Willey; early morning 2 Swallows were around the village and 12 over pasture to the west, feeding and sitting on wires. Included juveniles which were sometimes fed by adults.

Cotesbach landfill; 4 Red Kite, a Kestrel, c40 Linnets, 2 Grey and 2+ Pied Wagtails, several Meadow Pipits over.  A couple of Jays inn the adjacent derelict house grounds.  All the usual Gulls, but quiet and mostly resting as no dumping was going on.

Daventry reservoir; popped down here after lunch to see the juv Grey Phalarope which had been reported for a couple of days, it was still present.  Mid- distancer, but good views, sometimes on the shore and water, Coots definitely thought it was different and often chased it, which meant flight views were had.
Also, present was a Goosander, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Ringed Plover, 3 :Little Egret, c60 Lapwing plus a selection of Gull and Duck.

23rd Sept - rain am, brighter later, 14C, fresh SW

Welney WWT;  heading back from Norfolk I wanted to drop in here in the hope of seeing a Pallid Harrier which had been frequenting the reserve a few days. Arriving in rain things good only get better as brighter weather could be seen in the distance and arrived.  Sure enough the Pallid Harrier, a juvenile, flew on to a post before giving some flight views and then settling back on the ground in view, so lucky to see it, some quick record photos.

I like this reserve anyhow, always interesting things to see. At least 7 Whopper Swans were present, apparently the first winter returning birds occurred yesterday.  The usual ducks, Snipe, Swallows, a Sand Martin or two, several Kestrels and unexpectedly a Green Woodpecker added to the interest today.

22nd Sept - cloudy, moderate SW, 13C

Old Hunstanton; a pre-breakfast sea watch produced Gannet and Common Scoter moving.  A party of 5 Great Skua moved west against the wind.  Five Spoonbills flew over westward to the ‘Wash’, as did a couple of Red-breasted Merganser.  A selection of usual waders were feeding a,OMG the waters edge.

Burnham Overy;  a Red Kite flew low over the road near the village.

Burnham Staithe;
A Great Black-Backed Gull caught a ‘flat’ fish in the shallows and began to kill and eat it.

Titchwell; late morning I had a look here, I particularly spent most time around the trees and bushes hoping for migrants, especially scare Warblers.  The wind was still blowing steadily which was clearly keeping birds in cover and quiet.  So, I only managed to find Blackcap and Chiffchaff.  The marsh areas were also quiet, good number of Ruff but not too much else out of the ordinary.
Overhead Skeins of Pink-footed Geese were flying in after feeding on the farmland last night.

21st Setp - strong SW, mostly cloud, showers, 12C

Kelling Water Meadow; mid-day and the wind was still blowing, even here was not sheltered. A flock of c40 Linnet was feeding on weeds, but they were the only passerines of note.  A large mixed flock of Rook and Jackdaws noisily circled overhead as they were tossed about in the wind.
On the pool Teal, Shelduck, a couple of Eygtian Geese, Gadwall were all sheltering..

Cley; after looking at a few places earlier in the day and having not found too much due to the wind I dcidided a bit more sea-watching mid-afternoon was a good idea, and the brick shelter was handy.

Gannets were moving all the time,  but other things seemed not to be.  Then a Manx Shearwater was picked up, mid-distance, then a Guillimot got up off the sea.  An Arctic Skua, low over the sea, direct flight, aiming for the Sandwich Terns.  Next the shout of Osprey, one was heading east close in-shore giving great views as it carried on.

20th Sept - light rain/mist until mid-day, then sunny spells, mild 20C, light mod southerly

Old Hunstanton; despite the rain and poor visibility I went to look of the sea and shore.  Not too much, unsurprisingly, at least 15 Sandwich Terns were visible just off shore.  along the shore line a small selection of usual waders. Swallows, 25+, moved over westward.
in dunes a couple of Muntjac deer.

Cley; mid-day a visit to the beach area, again the weather was not ideal.  Off-shore some Gannets were moving west, a single Guillemot was fishing and a single Red-throated Diver flew eastward. Sandwich Terns were seen frequently.
On the reserve area there was not much either.  Curlew were feeding on the Eye pasture area, From the screen a Little Grebe, Teal, Ringed Plover, Redshank and other common species were seen.  Achinese Water Deer was feeding in the mid-distance at the marsh edge.

19th Sept - strong gusty wind at times, 30-40 mph, mostly cloudy, but very warm, 22C

A busy day, then headed off to Norfolk mid afternoon.

In the evening while travelling back from the Gin Trap inn in Ringstead - after a very pleasant meal - to my hotel in Old Hunstanton a Barn Owl was hunting along the lane verge.

Tomorrow’s weather does not sound too good - we shall see.

18th Sept - pretty breezy, up to 20mph at times, southerly, 20C, mostly cloudy

Cotesbach Landfill; a quick look this afternoon in the windy conditions did not produce too much.  A couple of Common Gulls, adult Caspian - same bird as the other day, a Red Kite, plus all the usual Gulls. The wind made reading colour rings impossible.  A flock of Linnets was again on the far weed area and a couple of Raven kept showing.

Stanford reservoir; Earlier 8 Red-crested Pochard were reported by Chris Hubbard, so this evening I popped to have a look, they were still roosting at the dam.  Although getting dark I took a few record shots.

The Ruddy Shelduck was also present and 32 Shoveler, along with a few Gadwell and Teal.

At least 100 House Martins were hawking over the reservoir too.

17th Sept - mostly cloudy am, very early shower, brighter pm, breezy 15mph, southerly, warm pm 22C

Stanford Reservoir; a look this afternoon produced 5 Swallows, a single Sand Martin, a Hobby, 28 Shoveler again, 12 Teal, a few Gadwall, only 2 Wigeon, 20 Cormorants and single Grey Heron.  Warblers included a Blackcap, Whitethroat, Cetti’s and 2 Chiffchaff.  A single Jay today.

A Comma butterfly, several Dragonfly and Damselfly, including this migrant Hawker.

16th Sept - mostly cloudy, quite breezy 15-20 mph SSW, 20C

Willey; a single Yellow Wagtail with cattle first thing.

Stanford Reservoir; late morning c150 House Martins and 20 Swallows were hawking insects, 2 Hobby joined them and drifted off north.  28 Shoveler were mostly roosting on the dam, 5 Teal and single Pochard with Tufted Duck were on the rough water.  A Red Kite was to the SW drifting by.
A couple of noisy Jay in the bushes, but few passerines were showing. A roving Tit flock and Treecreeper was heard in two places.  5 Starling flew passed westerly.

With the mild temperature plenty of insects were around despite the wind, including Dragonfly, Small Copper, Painted Lady and Hornet.

Kimcote; a Grass Snake was reported swimming across a pond.

15th Sept - sunny periods, light SW, 18C

Willey; a single Swallow around mid-morning.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look this afternoon at this area, especially the Gulls.  A good number had been around during the morning but many had moved off.  Quite a few Yellow-legged Gulls had already been found by Carl, he estimated at least 20 minimum. At least 23 Great-black backed Gulls were present and a single Common Gull.  Carl spotted an adult Caspian Gull that looked really good.  I managed to digiscope some record photos despite the light and distance.

Six Red Kites were present and a Raven was seen.

Norfolk 14th Sept - high cloud, light- increasing SW-westerly, 18C

Holme Bird Observatory; I spent the morning in this area and sea watching. There was not too much around the observatory grounds, a roving Tit flock with a single Chiffchaff, a few Goldfinch were in the Dell and Conifers. A Weasel ran quickly across the path towards the dunes.

Over the grazing marsh a Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and several parties of Snipe.  A Spoonbill flew along the Broad Water.

Sea-watching proved interesting with a steady flow of Gannet westward.  Red-Throated Divers, a Guillemot and at least 8 Great-crested Grebe were on the sea.  A drake Red-breasted Merganser flew west. A close in-shore Manx Shearwater flew passed eastward. Several Sandwich Tern and a single Common Tern flew by.  A flock of Bar-tailed Godwits and several flocks of Oystercatcher passed.  Common Scoter were seen on the sea, one flock of at least 150 were distant, with others seen closer.

A Grey Seal was occasional seen messing around just off shore

Norfolk 13th Sept - sunny, 20C, light westerly

A full day birding at 3 locations.

Snettisham/Wash; early morning rise for the high 'Spring' tide to watch the waders being driven off the Wash, spectacular sights.

Nice to see 4 Spoonbills, 8+ Spotted Redshanks any many more species.  Thousands of Waders, Knot, Oystercatcher, Dunlins, Golden Plover, Curlew, Godwits, Common and Sandwich Terns, etc.

If you have never seen the waders on the Wash as the tide comes in, then you are missing a wonderful natural spectacle - plan a visit.

Titchwell; Next here for lunch and a look around.  The best sighting was as we left the car park when we noticed others looking and on checking a pair of Turtle Doves were showing well, now increasingly rare to see.  On the reserve plenty of Ruff, Grey Plover, Godwits, Golden Plover and other waders, including 2 Common Sandpiper.  Bearded Tits were seen, Water Rail, and many other expected species, no scarce migrants though.

 Ruff

 Ruff

 Black-tailed Godwit

 Dunlin

 Turtle Doves

Beach View

Holme Bird Observatory; late pm visit, from the dunes on the shore/sea all the usual waders and Sandwich Tern, an immature Gannet flew eastward.  Nothing else on the sea only  a few Great-crested Grebe.  On the Broadwater, small numbers of Gadwall, Wigeon and Shoveler, a Snipe, several Little Grebe.    Two Tawny Owls called from the conifers.

12th Sept - high cloud, light -very light SW, 18C

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning fairly quiet, 3 Red Kite, a small flock of Linnets, 8 House martins overhead, plus usual Gulls, Corvids.

I made my way across to Norfolk during the afternoon stopping at a location near Langham to check for Little Owl, 2 were sitting on the shed roof where I seen them previously,

Cley; late afternoon-early evening I made it to Cley next the Sea, first to the beach car park then to Bishops hide. The weather was lovely, calm sea, but too settled really.  Little was happening off shore, 4 Sandwich Tern flew passed.  from the beach screen on the reserve lots of Teal, Shelduck, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Snipe and a Ruff were seen.  A Buzzard was perched on a gate post.

On the shingle a large Toadstool was fruiting and bright yellow flowers were blooming.

photos to be added

From Bishops hide a nice number of Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail ran on to the mud, then back into cover. a juv Marsh Harrier and Grey Heron flew over.

11th Sept - cloudy, light showers, short, at times, 16C, SW breeze light-mod

Willey, in the breezy condition this morning a few Swallows were battling over the village.
A busy day getting better broadband fixed and weather kept me from seeing much today.

10th Sept - mostly cloudy, breezy SW, 19C

WIlley; 37 Swallows on the wires first thing.  A Kestrel to the west about 1215h, sitting on wires over the pasture field.

Croft Hill; this morning about 50 House Martins, single Swallow and Meadow Pipit over, 2 Peregrine, 3 Buzzard, Kestrel, a Raven.  In the bushes a Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap.

Cotesbach Landfill; about 50 House Martins overhead and a Swift with them.  3 Ravens were messing about the area, a couple of Red Kite and Buzzards as usual.  A Little Egret landed in the pool area and spent some time feeding and preening.

9th Sept - sunny spells, 21C, light SW

Stanford reservoir; a look here this afternoon was rather quiet, however among the flock of Canada (145) and Grey Lag (2356) Geese sat the Ruddy Shelduck that was first seen on Saturday.  Of course the origin of this female, non-ringed, is in known.

Otherwise the usual mix of birds here, plenty of Dragonfly on the wing and a few common butterflies too.

8th Sept - low cloud base, breezy SW, 13mph, 16C

Willey; 5 Swallows on wires this morning, a family I suspect.

Cotesbach landfill;  I managed to look here in the afternoon, Carl had already spent the morning in the area and had found several Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls amongst the other usual Gull species.  Overhead were c100 House Matins hawking, I spotted a Swift with them, getting late for these now, but not unprecedented.  Several Red Kite and Buzzards were around the landfill area as usual and a Raven was again seen.  c150 Starling were on the landfill, the numbers having increased recently.  Over the far side about 25 Linnet were feeding on the weeds.
On the water in the sandpit area the single Wigeon and Little Grebe, plus Canada Geese, Mallard, Tufted Duck, a Shoveler flew in, a Snipe was feeding at one pool (both new ticks for this site).  On the far pool next to the filling area Carl spotted 3 Green Sandpipers.  I spotted a Pied Wagtail chasing a Yellow Wagtail along the shore line, they disappeared from view.

7th Sept - mostly cloudy, 16C, breezy at times, WNW

Willey; 21 Swallows on the wires this morning.

Cotesbach landfill; a Raven was around and 3 Red Kite late afternoon.  Otherwise the usual Gulls, Mallard, Tufted Duck, single Wigeon and Little Grebe, Canada Geese, single Grey Lag Goose.

6th Sept - sunny spells am, cloudy showers pm, 16C, light westerly

Willey; 6 Swallows this afternoon, Flying in the rain and some sheltering in a shed.  A couple of Cormorants flew west very low over the village late afternoon.

Stanford Reservoir; about 20Swallows and a Sand Martin were overhead. Plenty of Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers in the bushes, also Whitethroat and Blackcap, a Cetti’s, Warbler was vocal.  A roving flock of Long-tailed Tits, with Great and Blue Tits, Treecreepers too. A Hobby was ported in a tree top, then flew off.  Shoveler numbers now up to 14, but only 1 Wigeon seen.  A couple of Little Grebe and Grey Heron were present.

5th Sept - cloudy pm, sunny spells pm, light NE, 20C

Willey; this morning a Mistle Thrush was visiting the Church Yew tree area, perhaps marking out it's ownership for the winter as they love the berries.   A Grey Heron flew over and dropped down towards one of the filed ponds.
This evening, a clear sky and warm was ideal to count Swallows hawking over the village before they go to roost, I managed to count 22.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here late afternoon hoping to read some Gull colour rings.  When I got there Gull, several hundred Gulls in the sandpit area ideal place, the a Buzzard flew low over them and caused mayhem, with most leaving for the landfill area.  If a Red Kite flies over them they take no notice, but they don't like the Buzzards much at all.  I could see 5 Red Kites and probably as many Buzzards in the area.  Apart from the Little Grebe nothing else out of the ordinary.

4th Sept - low cloud base, some haze, light NE, 16C

Willey;  Not sure what's happening with the Swallows this year, we've not had the numbers building up on the telegraph wires like usual, now is the peak time.  I do wonder whether the very hot summer has had a detrimental effect on their insect food available and they are having to go further, maybe some having left permanently   Today, the most I saw today was 6.

Croft Hill; a look here this Afternoon, not ideal weather for migrants, but you have to give it a go.  A couple of Ravens, and Peregrines were around and Kestrel hunting again.  House Martins were hawking over Huncote and Croft, 24 in total.  4 Blackcaps were eating Elder berries in the bushes.

3rd Sept - sunny and warm, 22C, freshening NE with short showers late pm

Willey; just after lunch a Hobby was circling slowly overhead and catching insect prey.

Cotesbach landfill; late afternoon and the sandpit and landfill area were full of Gulls, but something spooked them and there was a mass exodus.  On the water were Tufted Duck and Mallard and a Wigeon, my first record for here.  a Green Sandpiper was feeding at one pool.  Only a single Red Kite was seen.

2 Sept - sunny, very light southerly, 24C

Willey; this morning 35 Swallows on the wires.  A Green Woodpecker and Nuthatch in the Long Spinney near Muswell Leys, with a Raven calling from the field behind.

Cotesbach Landfill; fairly quite here this morning, only 1 Red Kite seen, a Sparrow Hawk, Kestrel and 3 Buzzard too.

Stanford reservoir; a walk around here this afternoon was interesting.  On the water ducks were increasing, with 5 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler,4 Pochard,  6 Teal, plus Tufties, Mallard and Gadwall.  Grey Lag Geese, c150, and a few Canada' Geese were on the dam.  Also, on the dam a Common Sandpiper. Little Grebe was heard in the reeds near the hide.
The scarcest bird was a Whinchat feeding from the adjacent hedgerow, a record shot in the bright light and heat haze.  A Whitethroat and Blackcap were in the hedge too, and often chased it.

On the Leices inlet side 2 Spotted Flycatchers were atop the thorn bushes, a Willow Tit along with a good number of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

A good number of Dragonflies and some Butterflies - Speckled Wood, Green-veined White,  Common Blue and Small Copper.

1st Sept - sunny, very warm, 25C, very light SW

Willey; 31 Swallows on telegraph wires this morning.

A quick listen for Bats this evening produced Common Pipestelle and Noctule.