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.