Black-winged Pratincole

As has been mentioned in the previous post a superb, although mobile and elusive, BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE has been ranging between fields just south of Holme village (north-east of Ringstead village), the reservoir south-west of Thornham village and Titchwell RSPB, often just outside the official observatory recording area, from 31st May to 6th June at least.

This is the 34th British record (it looks to be the same bird as the Kent one) and the 4th Norfolk record (the first for a decade.)

All Norfolk records are listed below:

1999 Cley, adult, 17th to 18th July, 3rd intermittently to 30th August, photo.; same, Titchwell, 19th to 27th July, photo.; same, Terrington Marsh, 31st July. Birding World 12 (7): 261, 265, photos; Birding World 12 (8): 303, photo; British Birds 92: plates 184 & 222; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 93: 529, pate 222

1974 Salthouse Heath and Cley, 25th to 28th August. F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 68: 320

1966 Cley, adult, 3rd to 5th July. F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 60: 320

Pictures and words © Connor D. Rand

Tawnies and Spoonbills but no Pratincole yet .....

With an extremely smart looking Black-winged Pratincole gracing the cereal fields north of Ringstead for its second day - 31 May/ 1st June - will it make it on to redwell or Holme Marsh? Pictured below are this year's 2 young Tawnies from the nest box in the pines, ringed on 23rd May and looking as laid back as only young Tawnies can! Seeing these birds being ringed was a particular delight for a visiting party of birders from Northern Ireland, where of course Tawnies are absent. An added bonus came later in the day with a group of 5 Spoonbills flying slowly east past the Observatory.

Drinker Moth caterpillar taken at Redwell Marsh NOA.

Spring catch-up

A small selection of recent birds from Holme. With much work being done recently to improve access arrangements the birds haven't been forgotten - they just haven't posed for the camera! Recent personal highlights have included 2 spring Arctic Skuas and Iceland Gull past the Dunes, 2 Cranes circling almost over the Obs and Ring Ouzels and the Grasshopper Warbler pictured below reeling and posing in the dunes. Words and Pictures Ray Roche.

10th April Black Tailed Godwit - 1 of a flock of over 50 that wheeled over Redwell Marsh in afternoon sunlight.


Gadwalll 10th April Redwell Marsh

Grasshopper Warbler at Holme Dunes

Collar-ringed Pink Footed Goose at Holme Marsh

15th February. 1 of 2 collar-ringed Pink Feet on Holme Marsh amongst a mixed flock of several hundred Brent and Pink Feet. Collar reading LBI. Also present collar-ringed bird TUB. 2 different collar-ringed Pink Feet located at Abbey Farm, Flitcham later in the week. Photo Ray Roche.

Waxwings Holme 6th December

With attention focused on the sea in the morning, finding Waxwings around the car park was a pleasant surprise for the afternoon. 1 individual posed on the wires briefly, before flying off in the direction of the Firs and the Obs and being joined by a further individual in flight. 5 minutes later either another Waxwing, or 1 of the original 2 birds, landed on the same stretch of wires before flying off in the same direction. At least 6 Waxwings seen in Snettisham Coastal Park the following morning so all part of a fresh influx?

Photo Ray Roche

Firecrest retrapped Holme NOA 28th November

Surprising what you find when you open the nets , not expecting to catch too much ........

Photo Ray Roche

Great Grey Shrike and Stonechats 7th to 11th November

Pair of Stonechats. Pictures taken in the dunes immediately behind the Observatory.

Great Grey Shrike. 7th-8th November. Last seen heading out to the saltmarsh and Thornham Harbour. Pictures taken in very dull and windy conditions.

Pictures Ray Roche