Links Hil, Car Park.

A slight change in the weather with a Northerly breeze but nothing to write home about when it comes to birding. Just two CORMORANT flying North with a single REDSHANK on the foreshore. A single CARRION CROW and GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL as well as a STOVK DOVE, but of interest was The odd bird however was an Argentilias HERRING GULL in 3rd cy. For what I know it is an odd bird because of it's bill and plumage traits which may lead one to conclude that it has Scandinavian influence. But with gulls its always a bit subjective.

Home

 Home:
This is the third day that I have glimpsed the SPARROWHAWK heading through the area of the garden. Other than that the only other interest from the home front was a hoverfly which was unusual in size and colouration. Striking though it was there was a time when it was restricted to London but now spreading North between the Wash and Rutland. This species is  Volucella inanis.



 

Hopton on Sea: 
While driving through on Dorking Road off Hall Road many ROOKS, CROWS and JACKDAWS feeding in a old maze field which was being ploughed. Amongst them a very strong coloured hybridized HOODED CROW. Very elusive and not able to get near at all.
Gorleston on Sea:  
While heading by car along the top cliff a flock of 40 HOUSE SPARROWS flew over the car.

Home and North Denes

Home:  Best bird in last two days was a adult SPARROWHAWK flying again along rail track West to East and well as a KESTREL flying close to house in opposite direction. Only one PIED WAGTAIL and two CORMORANT flying North. BLUE TITS in large tree but other than that no joy.

 

North Denes:  A fly over WHIMBREL heading high along Denes and then over Gunton Cliff, also two WHITETHROAT, 7 HOUSE SPARROW, SAND MARTIN 27 in flock heading South and at least 15 SWIFT around with 3 SWALLOW heading South. Also KITTYWAKE young bird with ring on Links Hill. TURNSTONE 2 flew North and then reversed and headed same way as Whimbrel. 

 

Also MIGRANT HAWKER in the garden as well as GATEWAY and RED ADMIRAL.

 

Home

Still stuck at home so birding will take a back seat for a while.

Best bird here at the moment is an occasional SPARROWHAWK that flies East parallel to the house along the river. The only other things of interest was that I had a pair of SWALLOW over today and three SWIFT heading the wrong way.

Home again.

The day in the garden saw a early fresh run WILLOW WARBLER which was intent on coming into the garden from the buddleia bush. Eventually he came as close as two meters but also in next doors diminutive apple tree. I  just like his yellow feet.
Also the best picture yet of a BLACK REDSTART which is a young bird but as you can see in the pictures adult was close by looking for food.

Home and North Dene's

After spending a couple of days in James Paget I'm back at it again. With some interesting shots of the BLACK REDSTART but I will share only the best one. But this bird has been hanging around for the last week, But a good surprise was a high flying group of SWIFTS which numbered 50+ birds. These birds were tight circling as a KESTREL was flying East to West. Which caused them to keep together.
North Denes:  Went to view the COMMON TERNS on the groynes. All as far as I can tell of the 40  birds were of the same species with 3 being rung.