Holme can be good sometimes

Connor had kindly invited Simeon and I round for a sleepover with a spot of birding, so we got down to business on arrival spending 5mins outside the front door counting curlews. Continuing the productive theme we spent the rest of the evening on the PS2.

Generally when we have a birding sleep-over at Connor's we leave with about 27 lifers in the bag. However, Connor had already seen the Bluethroat so that wasn't on the menu, and Norfolk didn't have much else to offer. In view of the situation we therefore decided to go on a migrant finding mission!

The day began exceedingly early with a spot of visual migration at Hunstanton. Between 6:20 and 7:50 we managed to lock onto an incredible 708 Woodpigeons and 193 Meadow Pipits, together with good numbers of finches and Pied Wagtails, with a probable White Wagtail. A Redpoll, Grey Wagtail, 2 Reed Buntings and 11 Tree Sparrows added interest, together with 2 migrating Great Tits! Meanwhile there was a Red-throated Diver and Kittiwake on the sea with 30+ Eider, good numbers of Fulmars and a large flock of Brent Geese. A Black Redstart added a touch of class. Every single bird was moving South. Please see Connor's personal diary for full details.

We moved on to Holme, where the migration continued overhead. A Marsh Harrier and displaying Ruddy Duck were on the reserve, though sadly there was no sign of any Bluethroats lurking in the forestry, or even the elusive Great White Egret. Another Red-throated Diver flew past over the sea. Most of our time was spent tracking (shadows of) Firecrests through the pines, until Sophie saved the day when she located 3 showing brilliantly - most people on the reserve were treated to fantastic views.

There was nothing left to see at Holme, so naturally we decided to go to Minsmere to see the Bluethroat. We realised the foolishness of our plans around about Fakenham, so we ended up at Hempton Marsh where we saw a long-tailed tit with no tail - always good comedy value. As we were in the area we stopped off at an old favourite, Flitcham, which also produced very, very little.

Connor resigned, so we dropped him off in time for the Norwich match and went patchwatching. A call from Connor told of a summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe on the sea at Titchwell. We knew we wouldn't see it. We went anyway.

On the way back from Titchwell, where we had seen hordes of Red-breasted Mergansers, I finished patchwatching out of a sense of duty. And it delivered! A cracking Whimbrel made for an excellent early yearer, and put the day's rating from 5ish/10 back up to a solid 7.

James