Lots of Leather, Lack of Birds

On Monday Gary and I headed out early to Gun Hill/Burnham Overy Dunes area and spent the next 6 hours migrant hunting. Starting early was vital as before 10am we connected with quite a few common migrants, but after 10am the wind picked up and birds became scarce.

Between 8.30am - 10am we had most of the days birds of note included, 4 Brambling, c15 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Male Blackcap, 1 juv Whitethroat, Golden Plover c30, c30 Linnet, 25+ Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch, 40+ Meadow Pipit, 2 juv Swallow, 2 Goldcrest, 50+ Starling and c30 Skylark. Most of these where in the hedgerows by the track or around the boardwalk.

Over the next 4 1/2 Hours we walked firstly Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes and the West end of Holkham Pines (while hiding from a rain shower). We added comparatively few birds, 2 Blackcap, 15+ Goldcrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Song Thrush, c10 Redwing, 2 Brambling and 50+ Meadow Pipit.

In search of a rarity for the day we headed down to Kelling Water Meadows to have a look at the Pectoral Sandpiper that has been around for a week or so. I've seen quite a few Pectoral Sandpiper but always at a distance, so it was nice to have such a confiding bird giving close views.