GREATER SNOW GOOSE

On 12th and 22nd-27th February 2010 at least a white-morph 'Greater' Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticus) has been intermittently present on the grazing marsh south of the observatory with Pink-footed Geese (pictured above), having toured the north Norfolk coast since late 2009. This is the 3rd record for the observatory recording area, with the previous records detailed below:

5th January 2007 - 1 white-morph 'Lesser' Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) was present on only one afternoon having toured various other north coast sites, sometimes in company with an intermediate-morph bird, both with Pink-footed Geese.

26th February-2nd March 2005 - 1 first-winter white-morph 'Greater' Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticus) seen on the grazing marsh south of the observatory on several occasions.

Words and picture by Connor D. Rand

Water Rail videos - honest !!!

For technical reasons currently beyond me the usual method of uploading/sharing videos for the blog that I have first uploaded to Youtube is not working. To get round this, click on the links below and the correct video should appear as uploaded to Youtube. Don't you just love technology !!!!!!!!

Water rail video 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiSTOIJkv54

Water rail video 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q8ZkchTZxM

Water Rail 20 Feb

With recent weather giving birds a hard time it has also drawn the local Water Rails into the open - this particular individual has been ringed and spent much of the late morning and early afternoon foraging in front of the dell Hide, providing excelent and prolonged views.

Barn Owl and few extras

Barn Owl perched up by the track near Redwell 13 Feb. Barn Owls hunting regularly in daylight at the moment with up to 7 recorded over the marsh from the Obs.

Stoat with its kill along the approack track to the obs. 11 Feb

Rock Pipit Thornham Harbour 19 January

Red Kite

Recently 2 Red Kites has been frequenting the Holme area and both birds are pictured above (© Jed Andrews). One is still present 1st January 2010 at least and has shown very well on occasions, although it can range quite a distance, having been seen west of the golfcourse towards Old Hunstanton and east of Thornham coal barn towards Thornham point and Titchwell RSPB, while the tatty bird was only seen on one day.

Woodlark

The above Woodlark was found and photographed in the carpark by Eric Yeomans on Saturday 19th December. This species is certainly a Holme rarity - it is the 15th known record in 9 years and the first known winter record:

2000 - 4 June 17th-August 25th decreasing to 2 August 26th-October 5th
- 1 present October 16th
- 3 west October 17th
2001 - 1 April 30th
2002 - 1 May 12th
2003 - 1 October 15th

2004 - 1 in off sea then west March 8th

- 1 east October 10th

2005 - 1 April 12th
2009 - 1 December 19th

This record was part of an exceptional winter movement of Woodlarks as a result of severe weather and heavy snowfall here and on the continent. On Sunday 20th 18 flew south at Hunstanton in 2.5 hours (11:00-14:00), a county record for a winter movement, and the same day 'several' flew west over Thornham and 1 flew west at Titchwell RSPB. This coincided with a good movement of Skylarks, Snipe and Woodcocks, some of which were arriving in of the sea, although many of the Woodlarks were low to the ground, much lower than in the autumn and as was the case with the one at Holme, were clearly looking for places to land and feed. It is interesting to speculate where these birds may have come from, was this just a search for food from inland or were they from the near-continent?

Kestrel Taken from the now, much improved Broadwater hide!

Peregrine With prey on the beach at Gore point

Rainbow over Thornham point

Brent Geese Two confiding birds in Thornham Harbour

Tawny Owl Roosting in the forestry in the NWT dunes

Grey plover Thornham Harbour

Curlew Thornham Harbour