Surfbirds News

The first appeared on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 20th August, followed shortly by a wonderfully confiding individual at Skaw, Unst (Shetland) on 21st-22nd. That same day, a further juvenile reached the Farne Islands, showing well on Inner Farne (Northumberland) throughout the 21st.

Greenish Warbler, Shetland, Skaw, Unst 22/08/07 © Dougie Preston

The first to make landfall in Norfolk was on Blakeney Point, where before darkness fell on 21st, some FIVE birds had been located (with singles at Far Point, the Plantation and 3 in the vicinity of the Watch House). All five remained in attrocious conditions on 22nd, with none showing for more than a few seconds in the near gale force northerly winds. In fact, there was no real improvement in the weather until the Saturday, so it was not surprising to find that all 5 birds were still being located on 24th, with three congregating and occasionally showing well in the Plantation and an additional bird being seen at The Hood, with two remaining in sueda by the Watch House. In all, an absolute bare minimum of 6 birds occurred on the Point between 21st and 25th.

On 22nd August, one was discovered midway along the Straight Lonnen on Holy Island (Northumberland), whilst in better weather conditions on 23rd, a further three were discovered in Norfolk: at the west end of Holkham Pines, trapped and ringed in Martin Preston's garden at Denmark House, Weybourne and in the vicinity of the middle track at Warham Greens.

Further discoveries were made on 24th August, with singles in Norfolk at Wells Woods Drinking Pool, Holme NWT, Stiffkey Fen, Thornham Point at Titchwell, Sidestrand Hall School and Castle Farm at Sea Palling. Further south, one reached East Kent, visiting a clifftop garden at Cliff House, Kingsdown, whilst another showed intermittently at Warrenhouse Wood, Gunton (Suffolk). Further north, one was identified near Old Fall Hedgerow at Flamborough Head (East Yorkshire).

By far the most obliging individual was that in the bushes at Thornham Point, 800 yards west of Titchwell boardwalk. This bird performed at regular intervals for upwards of 450 visitors in the warm sunshine of 25th and was still present at dusk. Much more elusive were the 16 other birds located along the Norfolk coast that day, including 'new' birds at Stiffkey Campsite Wood, Horsey Bramble Hill, near California Campsite, Happisburgh, Cley Marshes NWT car park, Walsey Hills NOA, Muckleburgh Hill, Caister-on-Sea Second Avenue and Waxham Pipe Dump and remaining birds at Stiffkey Fen, Warham Greens (with an additional bird), Holme NWT and at least 3 on Blakeney Point.


Greenish Warbler, Blakeney Point, Norfolk, August 2007 © Glyn Sellors

With clear, calm and moonlit skies overnight on 25th, just two birds remained in Norfolk on 26th - singles at Walsey Hills NOA and in the hedgerow north of Second Avenue, Caister. Both birds showed occasionally throughout the day.

The final bird of the influx to be found was that at Rockland Broad (Norfolk) on 27th August, showing in scrub beyond the first gate until 0805 hours only. The Walsey Hills bird remained in Sallows at the SW end of the reserve until 27th, interestingly one of four birds during the influx to partake in subsinging.

Of 33 birds, just 7 were discovered outside of Norfolk!

Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association
UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/)
Email Address: LGREUK400@aol.com
Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_
(http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/)