More seawatching off West Runton on the 13th revealed a steady passage of Kittiwakes moving east, plus the first Red-breasted Merganser (101) and Brent Geese (102) of the year, along with the usual Red-throated Divers and Guillemots offshore.
A visit to Felbrigg produced a Pochard (103) new in on the lake along with the lingering Whooper Swan. A male Peregrine made a brief visit trying to land in the cormorant trees but was immediately seen off by the local crows, a pair of Common Buzzards were over the park and a few Redpolls, Siskins and Bramblings were evident there too.
More seawatching from West Runton on the 14th produced a Great Skua heading west, harassing a few GBB Gulls whilst on its way, with 2 drake Eiders (104), and a single Common Scoter amongst the other notable birds.
Another check of Felbrigg Lake finally produced Water Rail (105) with two or three birds seen briefly along the edge of the reedbed. No sign of the Pochard or any Mandarins today but the Whooper Swan seems happily settled in there now, and 4 Cormorants were squabbling over perches on the island and looking positively prehistoric as they spread out their wings to dry.
A check of various areas of suitable habitat finally paid dividends when a Woodcock (106) was found on East Runton Common, as it exploded from the undergrowth at point blank range as is the usual encounter with the species.
A bit more seawatching today produced a single Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Brent Geese and 2 Eider west, Red-throated Divers and a few Guillemots were as usual offshore, and the first Lesser Black-backed Gull (107) of the year headed east along the beach.
