It's the First of the Month

 Thursday October 1

It may well be the only time we've birded on the first day of the month - when we start listing again - this year 

Sculthorpe Mill is a definite no go now. Large concrete blocks prevent even pedestrian entry to the river and mill race. Maybe the more mobile could scramble over. 

Hedgerows are still pretty birdless, adult birds are moulting and keeping quiet, young birds have dispersed. Our first Tree Sparrows for a couple of months at our usual spot and a year tick near Flitcham. The latter can usually be relied on to produce sightings of Grey Partridge. To-day was our first for 2020. Photo taken through our grotty front windscreen unfortunately. as they peeped out of dense cover before legging it across the road and into the hedge. 

 

No wader spectacular at Snettisham to-day. Althought it had been a high tide, it was half way out by the time we arrived, the thousands of birds well scattered. There are reported to be over 54,ooo present. WEBS count. Still our best place to see a variety of waders, ducks and geese from the comfort of the car. Whilst I was scoping the western shore, a juvenile Peregrine flew into view, landing on the mud. Pam's good at following my directions, but it took a while to get her binoculars in the right place using trees on the Lincolnshire shore as a marker. 

A small passerine flew past the front of the car emitting a call as it flew. A Yellow-browed Warbler. Excellent.

It is now forbidden for cars to enter in order for its occupants to pick samphire. About time. The plants are now a wonderful Autumn shade.

 

Bumping and lurching through the Chalet Park on the way out, we saw a grebe species on the centre pit. It was large with a black cap. Unmistakeably a juvenile Great Crested Grebe. It wasn't unmistakeable in our early Norfolk birding days when Tottenhill gravel pits was THE place to see Smew in winter. Viewing was always restricted and the birds distant. We tried hard to make one into a Red-necked Grebe.

Everywhere along the coast is still crowded with parked cars and tourists. Every day is like a Bank Holiday. Staycationers. Apparently Titchwell with its restricted parking, has been full of beach goers with few spaces for birders, unless one gets there very early.. The ''car park full'' sign was up to-day.

A Great White Egret looking like a yellow-handled walking stick, silhouetted againrt a deep brown cow at Holkham, feeding in a flock of grazing Pink-footed Geese. Two Grey Herons were also using the area to hunt.

There's a good crop of berries this year, this Hawthorn tree near Holkham caight the eye.

 

Adding a couple of Ruff, Wigeon and a Moorhen brought the day's total to an underwhelming 60+. Great Tit, Wren and most woodland birds missing from the list. Such an enjoyable day though.