A very quiet September day on the north Norfolk coast with Cris Freddi. Highlights were very brief views of a Firecrest at Holkham along with tens of Goldcrests; and good numbers of waders at Titchwell, including Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Stint, and Curlew Sandpiper.
A visit last thing produced a two bevies of Grey Partridges in the fields between Manor Farm and the A505, each containing an adult and four or five young birds. At Fowlmere, a Barn Owl was present and a couple of Snipe, as well as the partially leucistic Water Rail.
Spent some time at Therfield Heath in the morning. A flock of over one hundred Pied Wagtails was impressive. There were also a similar number of mostly in flight Meadow Pipits in various flocks. A very quick spin around Fowlmere last thing produced little.
On the train to Cambridge first thing, where I noticed a female-type Marsh Harrier hawking fields just south of Harston.
In the evening I went to Fowlmere for a short while before dusk, where there were two Marsh Harriers: A female (probably juvenile) type and a Male, which appeared to roost.
There was also a very strange looking Water Rail, with pure white upper parts and a bright orange (I think – it was getting very dark bill). Very strange looking indeed.
Fowlmere had a very autumnal feeling during a quick walk around on a chilly evening. The feeling was enhanced by ten Meadow Pipits over west, a Water Rail, a Cetti’s Warbler calling, and Rooks gathering in the fields pre-roost.
One went over the garden calling. Unfortunately I couldn’t see it so it will have to remain missing from the list.
At least two Yellow Wagtails in the fields between home and the station were seen whilst walking to get the train. There were also about two-hundred Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and smaller numbers of Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull there last night as the fields were being ploughed.
The Botanic Gardens in Cambridge held a Treecreeper; the first I’ve seen there.
Apart from an early morning stroll on the beach by myself where I saw Anna’s Hummingbird and Caspian Terns, and added the final new bird, Spotted Sandpiper, today was a relaxing day on the beach. We watched QPR v Man. City over breakfast, lazed about, swam, and went home!
