Bit of a Wag

Even with the lockdown we knew this morning was going to be busy up here on the coast. Swimmers, dog walkers and birders were all going to be out in numbers. They were. We thought we’d try and avoid the crowds and be back in inside before it all kicked off. As we walked down to the sea we heard of a Grey headed Wagtail that had been among the cattle. Several yellows but no Grey headed for us. A Whinchat that landed nearby as we were looking was a bonus. A fortuitous message from friend Ian atop Granborough Hill told us to look south. We did and there was a Black Kite circling high above the hill. A good patch tick for me and a Brit tick for Tania.

they’re back

With the recent warm weather the migrants came flooding in. I was walking on the clifftop here in Runton the other evening and a Whinchat and a Wheatear dropped in to rest for the evening. Swallows were flying purposely west … on there way to who knows where. This chap was resting at Minsmere on the migration day last weekend.

More goodies to come?

After the gift laden easterlies of early September we’ve now entered a phase of unpredictable South Westerly’s. The birds here on the hill and beyond that arrived on the easterlies have gradually dripped away to their wintering grounds. The confiding Whinchat below was the last to leave.

No doubt an easterly element to the wind in October will bring more goodies. I await them with anticipation.

 

 

 

Wheatchat

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A few early migrants on the hill at the beginning of September; a Wheatear and two Whinchats were scattered around the place, grounded due to a persistent Harr just inland. They were tired and no doubt hungry. As the sun broke through and warmed them they all took to feeding and moving on.

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Every dog …

Some years are better than others for some migrants. Every species has its moment. This year so far I’ve hardly seen any winter thrushes. Reports inland have been of decent numbers but any that arrived probably went over the coast here quite high up. Last year we were knee deep in them.

Early in the autumn we had a glut of Whinchat here on the Hill; seven and eight at a time in a small area. In previous years during our time at Falcon Cottage they have been quite scarce.

I wonder what will turn up to delight us this winter. There appears to be an influx of Hawk Owls on the continent. In fact there’s one in Holland less than 200 miles, as the Owl flies, from Northrepps. Now one of those would be something worth seeing. The last one was in 1986 on Shetland. One in Norfolk would really cause a stir. Maybe I could try a well worded tweet to Santa or maybe ones already loitering within a clearing in the Brecks somewhere