Seasons change

There was a definite feel of autumn in the air on recent trips to North Norfolk (27 August) and Dungeness (4 September), the latter with friends from Beds Bird Club.

Our first stop in North Norfolk was Warren Woods near Cromer, hoping to catch a glimpse of a Western Bonelli’s Warbler and/or a Greenish Warbler that had been reported there. As we wandered round the woodland looking for them in a very chilly wind, I was glad that I’d remembered to pick up my fleece before leaving. The birds obviously had more sense than we did and stayed tucked away, out of sight. Thankfully the weather improved as we made our way to Cley later. After catching up with a Red-necked Phalarope there, we went a little way down the road to Walsey Hills NOA reserve where, by the time we were standing watching this juvenile Red-backed Shrike hunting along a hedgerow, the midday sun was bright and warm...

At Dungeness last Sunday, a walk round the reserve and hides produced plenty of good birds, notably Great White Egret, Cattle Egret, Whinchats, and Wheatears. The highlight of the day, however, was the afternoon sea watch, with Arctic Skuas, Black Terns, Little Gulls, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Common and Sandwich Terns all seen, plus several Harbour Porpoises. For me, the stars of the show were the Arctic Skuas - harassing Terns carrying food in an attempt to steal themselves a meal. It was thrilling to watch the aerial acrobatics of the two birds trying to out-manoeuvre each other. Occasionally a Tern would give in and disgorge its catch, and in a split second the Skua swooped in to claim its prize - wildlife action at its best.

Quieter moments were spent appreciating this Glaucous Gull on the shingle behind us...