Catching up with the drifters

A couple of days off, an easterly wind and a high all the way to Russia, needless to say I was out both days as much as I could be!

On thursday I walked up Blakeney Point. I had a very enjoyable day, its always a nice walk and quite a different setting to the fen that is more 'my' usual habitat! I managed to walk just about every inch of the place including yankee ridge, near, mid and as far as you can go on far point, I forgot how much further the real point was from the plantation, it was deserted too which was nice.
Totals for the day included
Wryneck-1
Pied Flycatcher- 6
Whinchat- 19 (probably many more!)
Wheatear- 12
Willow Warbler- 7
Redstart- 5
Spotted Flycatcher- 3
Garden Warbler- 2

Not a bad result of more regular drift migrants and plenty to keep the spirits and expectations high. I missed a Bared Warbler which was reported on the pager as 'in bush in dunes' I decided not to try too hard to find said bush and all bushes were thoroughly checked anyway, a better description may have helped!

Garden Warbler (David B you can see why I suggested GW for your bird photo?)

Friday I decided to head to the East coast and headed to my usual autumn spot- Waxham area. I walked south about a mile and then North to Sea Palling.
As is usual at Waxham it appeared quiet but sitting still, patience and a bit of local knowledge soon saw a few birds creep into the notebook.
Totals included
Pied flycatcher- 3
Whitethroat- 6
Blackcap- 3
Lesser whitethroat- 1
Whinchat- 2
Red Backed Shrike- 1 (1st winter)
Tree pipit -1 S
(hybrid?) hooded crow- 1
Adder- 5

I was particularly pleased to find the shrike- as far as I know it is a self found bird (at least I was not aware of it before I set out, but upon reporting the bird I have been told that there was a 1w at horsey a few days previously) There was a different bird seen at Happisbough at the same time as well as a few others down the coast. It is almost 2 years to the day since I found one at Winterton, so clearly a good time for shrike finding!
While watching the Shrike a Tree pipit flew south overhead, this was a bit surprising seeing as there was no other pipit passage during the time I was there, but no doubts as to the id!
I suspect I usually go to Waxham when it is cold windy and later in the season as I have never seen Adders in the dunes here before. It was a warm and partially sunny day (not my usual birding weather) so I was very pleased to see the Adders, although the 1st (large) one I disturbed as I sat down to look at the bushes reminded me to be careful!

probable hybrid Hooded Crow

All in all a pleasant couple of days with plenty of drift migrants to look through (but still no Icterine Warbler :(

Bertha roles on through

A day in the office was largely unremarkable, however upon checking the 'raintoday' website I realised that the ex hurricane Bertha was almost upon us. With that I grabbed my camera and headed to the reception.

The clouds were clearly of interesting persuasion and something was brewing. Within 5mins the line of angry looking clouds were overhead and with it came some strong winds and squally showers. It was quite an impressive scene and although the camera didn't quite capture the true feeling it gives an impression of the view, the oddest thing about the clouds were that all of a sudden they would just rise up really quickly in small pockets. Then as quickly as it came it disappeared and the sun came out. I'll let the photos do the talking as I'm guessing most people saw something similar today.

 

Recent sightings, a reserve tick too!

After the initial wader peak at Buckenham it appears to have physically and metaphorically dried up (at least the hide pool has anyway).
Signs of autumn are making themselves increasingly evident at the moment, not least made obvious by the fact that I'm back cutting and burning in the fen! The wildlife has also shown signs of changing times, a Garganey and plenty of Ruff from Tower Hide as well as second generation swallowtails emerging and thousands of swallows roosting in the reedbed each evening symbolise departures.

I decided to have an evening walk at Strumpshaw on Saturday evening, I knew that the water levels were looking particularly crakey and with pictures of Titchwells spotted crake all over the net I thought I'd try to find my own. I sat in the hide looked out for about 10 mins enjoying a busy broad when I turned to look at the sightings board- Spotted Crake today! Ok so I was pipped to the post, now to refind the thing. After a couple of hours and the onset of almost darkness I had 'only' seen a couple of water rails and plenty of Juv and adult Moorhens, I conceded defeat and headed home. On the way back I was amazed by the sheer number of Swallows, I estimate that at least 1200 but more likely 2500 must have roosted in the reedbed, a fantastic sight!

Swallows coming in to roost on Saturday night

On talking to a reception volunteer it sounds like the crake sighting could possibly be erroneous with a description of angle of walking rather than bare part or plumage details, they also saw some Sandwich Terns, which not impossible is highly unlikely. I'd love to be proven wrong but at the moment it has not passed the SBRC.

On Monday I was cutting the trails and nipped into Tower hide for lunch and found a Garganey feeding continuously in front of the hide. Its not been reported again but I wonder how many visitors would pick it out of the flocks of eclipse ducks on offer from the hide!

 Today I had a real bit of excitement, I had finished my burning for the day and thought I would follow up on yesterdays fritillary sighting. I walked past the reception to the buddlia and quite astonished to see a SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY nectering out in full view, I dropped my bag to the floor to get my camera out and just as about to push the shutter it flew off into the wood. Wow my first Frit for Strumpshaw, so glad I followed up the sighting, so often the turn out to be Commas, this was the real deal!

Second generation swallowtail

 Whilst watching the Garganey a Buzzard flew over, While I'm sure it is just a common Buzzard I couldn't help but think it looked a little different so I snapped a couple of shots. Structurally it does look a little odd to me or is it just the pale undertail coverts changing the structural impession, the face also looks as if its stripy , with a pale throat, the diffuse and in places thick trailing edge also appears slightly odd. I am aware of variation in C Buzzards so know it probably is one, but any thoughts would be good, could it be a juvenile?
 

Moths at Snetts and Strumpy

A great couple of nights mothing with dad at the weekend resulted with quite a few additions to my list, many of which are micros and in wait of being identified by a chop from dad. There were some macros to see but not that many of which were new.
A list will be passed on to the relevant authorities when all identified, but as always was pleasant, if a little shattering with several very early starts.
The extra bonus was that mum and dad helped out with some gardening and now its looking great- thanks guys!!

Here are just a few of the pics from weekend for all to ponder/enjoy

Sand/coast dart or something else??

Double Kidney- a Yare valley speciality

Marbled Clover- a new macro for me from Snettisham

This wee beasty was in the moth trap, I am not sure what it is called but it is a louse like insect that had some of its previous meals carried on its back. Any ideas on  an ID?