More North Norfolk scenes. Plenty of Wildfowl & Waders along the coast, Red-breasted Mergansers, Goldeneye & Red-throated Divers in the harbours/Staithes, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk & Marsh Harriers keeping the birds alert, White-fronted Geese arriving, Cattle, Little & GW Egrets.
21st Oct: fantastic trip to the east Norfolk coast & Broads. The Isabelline Wheatear showed well at Winterton Dunes, as did the juv Rose-coloured Starling & Velvet Scoter at Happisburgh. At Rollesby Broad I found a fem Ring-necked Duck that swam past the drake Ferruginous Duck !!
Neil Burt retweeted
Tyler Atkinson has provided a lovely finders account on the discovery of the first American passerine for Northamptonshire. Head over to the blog to read more! #PWC2026
Click the link here: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.…
ALT American Buff-bellied Pipit taken by Tyler Atkinson.
Another fabulous week birding in Norfolk: 17th to 24th Oct. Several visits to Holme Dunes @NorfolkWT & the NOA bird observatory. 3 Shorelarks, Jack Snipe, Ring Ouzel, Eiders & C Scoters, 2 Mealy Redpolls & 2 hunting Barn Owls were clear highlights. Plenty of Pinkfeet nearby too.
@HolkhamEstate: Several visits to the fantastic Holkham Pines, Marshes, Beach & Dunes plus Wells Woods for a range of species too. Desert Wheatear, Arctic, Mealy & Lesser Redpolls, 2 very elusive Dusky Warblers, 3 Barn Owls hunting in the same field of view, 1000s of Pinkfeet.
Neil Burt retweeted
Over 2,500 Brent geese at Seasalter, it proved to be tough, they faced the wrong direction, hiding their distinguishing features. Patience won the day, and I successfully tracked down both a Black Brant & Pale-bellied Brent goose. Other notable were RT diver/Lt Gull/Arctic skua.
Neil Burt retweeted
KOS Weekly Highlights: the week offered some exciting sea-watching with Dungeness having a particularly good day on the 12th. Further highlights included a Shorelark and a Glossy Ibis. See kentos.org.uk for all details. #kentbirding
#Patchbirding... 4 Mandarins at the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir, flushed off the river by a fly fisherman & a dog walker. 2 pairs, they then flew to the waterfall lake. 1st here since late Spring. Also the Cetti’s Warbler singing at the Waterfall Lake. 3x time this yr.
Neil Burt retweeted
Big influx of brents today including pale bellied and black brant at seasalter @KentishPlover
#Patchbirding walk in better weather this evening. Not one but TWO BARN OWLS this evening hunting the same rural Godinton Park field. Not had that sight on the patch before. GC Grebe still in residence at Singleton Lake. @Godinton @SingletonLake
#Patchbirding after work. Was hoping for something new at the Hothfield waterbodies in the murky, damp weather but it was sadly a bit disappointing. Just 2 Little Grebes new in to the Waterfall Lake, plus Grey Wagtail & a Common Buzzard walking around a ploughed field.
The American Golden Plover was still in the usual field at Jury’s Gap, East Sussex this morning with 100s of Europeans but flock disturbed by a hunting Merlin chasing the Skylarks… 1 Ringed Plover & 1 Dunlin too. @RareBirdAlertUK @BirdGuides
#Patchbirding after work… Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, GC Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Green Sandpiper, Jays and the usual suspects around Singleton Lake & Rural Godinton Park.
#PatchBirding ups & downs this evening. Far too much human disturbance at the Hothfield water spots; Stonechat pair & Little Egret noted. Better on rural Godinton Park with a Barn Owl & calling Tawny Owl, Common Gull, Pied Wagtails & a nice flock of 50+ Goldfinches. Charming 👍
Neil Burt retweeted
KOS Weekly Highlights: an interesting Black Kite, a colour-ringed Hoopoe, owls in the hand and an increase in Chaffinches. See kentos.org.uk for all details. #kentbirding
#Patchbirding this evening. Was not expecting much as the evenings draw in, least of all a passerine. However a calling FIRECREST 🔥 on rural Godinton Park stopped me in my tracks, & then the little gem showed, feeding in the trees. Still a rare here (ave. 1 record a yr) ✅ #102.
Another great visit to the Kilnsea & @spurnbirdobs area between 25th Sep-2nd Oct. The Eyebrowed Thrush was the clear highlight but other sightings included American Golden Plover, a probable Pallid Swift & 5 Yellow-browed Warblers. Thanks to all staff & locals. Back in Oct-27 👍.
Yesterday was easily one of our most exciting days of the Autumn so far, with our first Eyebrowed Thrush caught and ringed in Church Field while our first Little Bunting of the season was mobile between The Warren and Pancho Pond. #Spurnbirds (1/3)
