Holme & Titchwell Friday 7th September

A nice weather day was promised & as I was not working I decided to get out early & have a few hours of birds & wildlife to myself!

Arrived at at Hunstanton cliffs 6.15am but there was absolutely nothing moving! I headed for Holme. Highlights were a Common Sandpiper at Redwell, a perched juvenile Peregrine at Gore Pt, 4 Arctic Skuas pursuing Sandwich terns, an adult pale phase close inshore on several occasions. A Greenshank was on Lavendar marsh, 140 Golden Plover went over as did 6 Snipe (4 & 2) plus a single Whimbrel. A juv Marsh harrier & Barn owl were out hunting the freshmarsh.

The forestry held a small number of warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroat,1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4+ Blackcap, 1 Chiff-chaff & 1 Willow warbler but nothing to get the pulse racing.

The shore held a good mix of shorebirds, 20+ Grey Plover most notable.

As the morning warmed 150 House Martin & 100 Swallow were good counts over the reserve, although bigger numbers of Swallow have been roosting. 

It wasn't a bad mornings haul, nothing exceptional but 70 species recorded.

I lunched at Titchwell, & took a quick walk out on the new trail - great views of 19 Spoonbill, plus Greenshank, Spotted Redshank & the usual mix of waders at this time of the year.

Finished the day off with a nice circular 20 mile cycle ride!