October 23rd 2008

On the principle that if we did not go for anything specific then Dave could not dip for the third time in a row we headed for Norfolk on spec. Breakfast at Kings Lynn at first light showed that there was some migration going in land with Whooper Swan 5 and many passerines despite the south west wind.
Arrived at Hunstanton and spent an hour watching migrants hugging the coast line as they came in and many passed just feet away from us. Counted Starling 9500, Chaffinch 2500, Redwing 98, Fieldfare 40, Meadow Pipit 32, Skylark 17, Greenfinch 10, Siskin 7, Snow Bunting 5 and a Robin. There were thousands of Wood Pigeon in the fields between Kings Lynn and Hunstanton so we never counted those still arriving.
Next stop was Titchwell but the 5000 Pink-footed Geese in a roadside field near Thornham were worth a stop and some feeble attempts to photograph them. By the time we arrived at Titchwell only Starlings continued coming in with another 7000 counted, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill, Avocet 5 and Water Pipit were the best birds on the marsh while the coast has 20 Snow Bunting giving excellent views, a Jack Snipe coming in off the sea and 50 Common Scoter off shore. On returning to the car a Firecrest was calling but difficult to find in the high winds.

Sanderling

Richard