Swarming Swallows

Can't believe I'm over a month behind updating this.  Anyway, 16th September, Burnham Overy, starting from the staithe early morning.  The tide was already well across the staithe parking area despite being some time off its peak.  It was calm and beautiful - one of those days that it was a joy to be out regardless of whether there were birds to see or not.  But there were birds - hundreds of them - Swallows covering the staithe lining the rigging of many of the boats in the harbour.

Swallows, Burnham Overy, 16th September

Some of them gave this Sparrowhawk some hassle as it sped through.

Sparrowhawk and Swallow, Burnham Overy, 16th September

Redshank, Burnham Overy, 16th September

3 Cetti's Warblers were singing at the reedy pool and a Garden Warbler was nearby.  I kept seeing a Kingfisher as I walked down and at one point it seemed to be being pursued by a Swallow.

Swallow and Kingfisher, Burnham Overy, 16th September

high tide at Burnham Overy, 16th September

The bushes by the boardwalk were alive!  A Redstart stared back at me from deep within the apple tree while another Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Goldcrests and several tits filled the bushes and Turtle Dove and Grey Wagtail flew over.

Whitethroat, Burnham Overy, 16th September

Among the tits out here were 2 Coal Tits.  Although they regularly stray from Holkham Pines into the very east of the dunes I don't often see them at the boardwalk, so I wondered if they might be Continental birds, given that we're supposed to be having an influx of them.  But when I eventually got a decent look at them they looked pretty unContintental to me.

 Coal Tits, Burnham Overy, 16th September

 Coal Tit and Whitethroat, Burnham Overy, 16th September

 

Linnet, Burnham Overy, 16th September

House Martin, Burnham Overy, 16th September

2 Wheatears were between here and Gun Hill but after that promising start with all those birds around the boardwalk, suddenly it all dried up.

Meadow Pipit, Burnham Overy, 16th September

Kestrel and Grey Partridges, Burnham Overy, 16th September

Several hours later all I had to add to the day's migrant list were 3-4 elusive Redstarts at the east end and a few Siskins over.  A Spotted Redshank called twice - a surprisingly good bird here.  Finally as I returned to the staithe a Mediterranean Gull was in the channel and a Spotted Flycatcher in the bushes by the dyke.

Spotted Flycatcher, Burnham Overy, 16th September

Starling, Burnham Overy, 16th September

Mediterranean Gull, Burnham Overy, 16th September