Order Passeriformes
Family Alaudidae
Lullula arborea (Woodlark)
The first of the year was singing on heathland at Walberswick on 5/2.
Other non-Brecks records were one seen at a drinking puddle on Ambersham
Common on 6/5 and one singing at Buxton Heath on 3/6 (my first record
here). In the Brecks, noted from Thetford Warren (up to four) from
28/2 to 23/6, Parsonage Heath on 15/3, Brettenham Heath from 3/3 to
27/9 (peak of six over on 21/9) and Barnhamcross Common where a male
singing on 3/4, a family party of five seen on 4/5, then one singing
again from 16/5 and 31/5 and a later record on 14/8. Many at the regular
sites probably were unrecorded.
Alauda arvensis (Skylark)
Common and widespread. An apparent arrival at Parsonage Heath on 15/3
with eight present where none had been recorded previously. No large
flocks noted.
Eremophila alpestris (Shore Lark)
A flock of 40 were present at Holkham Gap on 1/1.
Family Hirundinidae
Riparia riparia (Sand Martin)
The first were two at Rockland Broad on 17/3, with four at Whitlingham
on 26/3 the only other March records. In April, noted from the Nunnery
Lakes, Winterton, Whitlingham, Lindley, Rockland and Stoke Holy Cross,
where three over the garden on 23/4 were the first here. Few others
recorded, though 30 around Corton Cliffs on 13/5 were notable. No
late dates were recorded.
Hirundo rustica (Swallow)
One at the Nunnery Lakes on 3/4 was the first, with one over the garden
on 9/4. Few other records of note during the summer, but late-staying
birds around Sizewell in the autumn, with two seen there on 3/12 being
my latest ever and first December record.
Delichon urbica (House Martin)
My earliest ever was one at the Nunnery Lakes on 3/4, with no others
until 20/4 at Rockland Broad. No others of note during the summer
with the last two at Minsmere on 24/10.
Family Motacillidae
Anthus trivialis (Tree Pipit)
First noted on 6/5 on the BUBO bird race in Sussex, with singles at
West Dean Woods, Selsey Bill (migrant over) and Ambersham Common.
Further records were from Thetford Warren on 9/5, 20/5 and 9/6 (two),
on the Quantocks on 25/5, West Harling Woods on 15/6 and then none
until an autumn migrant over Barnhamcross Common on 29/9.
Anthus pratensis (Meadow Pipit)
Few records of note; migration over garden noted on 14/9.
Anthus petrosus (Rock Pipit)
Five at Titchwell on 1/1 and also noted at Seahouses on 25/7 and Wain's
Hill on 11/11.
Anthus spinoletta (Water Pipit)
The only record was of two at Buckenham on 11/3.
Motacilla flava (Yellow Wagtail)
One over at Walberswick on 1/4 was my earliest ever record. None then
until three over at Selsey Bill on 6/5 and one at Corton on 13/5.
Other records from Berney Marshes on 18/6 (2), near Hickling on 22/6,
near Malham on 28/7 (2), at Buckenham on 18/8, 8/9 (4), 13/9 and 17/9
and four over Horsey on 30/9.
Motacilla cinerea (Grey Wagtail)
Mostly went unrecorded, with the only noted localities being Whitlingham,
Stoke Holy Cross (although not commonly observed around mill during
the summer and presumably didn't breed) and at Thorney Island on the
BUBO bird race.
Motacilla alba (Pied Wagtail)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Family Bombycillidae
Bombycilla garrulus (Waxwing)
An invasion began around Christmas and I managed to find a flock of
seven on 31/12 by the Q8 garage in St Olaves.
Family Cinclidae
Cinclus cinclus (Dipper)
Singles were noted at Washbattle Bridge, nr Waterrow, on 25/5 and
at the Linn of Dee on 2/9.
Family Troglodytidae
Troglodytes troglodytes (Wren)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Family Prunellidae
Prunella modularis (Dunnock)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Prunella collaris (Alpine Accentor)
Good views of my first UK record in coastal fields at Corton on 13/5,
successfully twitched with Tom!
Family Turdidae
Erithacus rubecula (Robin)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Luscinia megarhynchos (Nightingale)
The only Norfolk records were singles singing on Barnhamcross Common
on 28/4 (west side) and at Whitlingham on 14/5 (north of the river,
heard from near the Little Broad). This latter record was the last
of the year! The only others were during the BUBO bird race on 6/5,
with an excellent set of records from Cissbury Ring (1), Amberley
Wild Brooks (5), Waltham Brooks (2) and Pulborough Brooks (3).
Phoenicurus ochruros (Black Redstart)
A female was recorded at Winterton on 8/4.
Phoenicurus phoenicurus (Redstart)
The only record was of two singing males at East Wretham Heath on
2/5.
Saxicola rubetra (Whinchat)
One was seen at the Nunnery Lakes on 21/9.
Saxicola torquata (Stonechat)
Norfolk records from Waxham-Horsey-Winterton throughout plus one at
Titchwell on 1/1. Elsewhere, up to four noted from Minsmere, one at
Rackham Woods on 18/3, two at Ambersham Common on 6/5, and in Somerset
noted at Dunkery Beacon on 22/5 (1), coast west of Minehead on 24/5
(3) and on the Quantocks near Dead Women's Dyke on 25/5 (10).
Oenanthe oenanthe (Wheatear)
The only spring records were six (two males and four females) on 8/4
at Winterton, plus at least three near Malham Tarn on 19/4 back on
breeding grounds. In the summer, two females / juveniles on the Billing
Hill in Rawdon on 27/7 could have been bred relatively locally or
may have been early migrants? On 28/7, however, at least ten still
around Malham. Autumn migrants were noted at Buckenham on 18/8 (2)
and 17/9 (2), Girdleness on 3/9 (3) and Great Yarmouth on 24/9 (3).
Turdus torquatus (Ring Ouzel)
A female was found on the hillside by the Glen Shee ski area on 1/9.
Turdus merula (Blackbird)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Turdus pilaris (Fieldfare)
At the beginning of the year, the largest flock by far was ca 300
at Cockley Cley on 12/1. The latest record of the spring was seven
at Stoke Holy Cross on 24/4. A very late arrival with one at Barnhamcross
Common on 6/11 the first! On 8/11, a flock of 35 flew west over the
garden with 20 over The Nunnery the same day. Flocks of ca 100 were
noted at Rockland and Framingham Pigot on 30/12.
Turdus philomelos (Song Thrush)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Turdus iliacus (Redwing)
No large flocks of note at the beginning of the year. Overhead migration
noted at home on 7/4 and the last of the year were at Lindley on 17/4.
The first of the autumn was heard over the garden on 13/10, with the
first flock being 15 over on 18/10. The largest flock of the autumn
was 200 over Whitlingham on 22/10.
Turdus viscivorus (Mistle Thrush)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Family Sylviidae
Cettia cetti (Cetti's Warbler)
As usual, the majority of records were from the Yare Valley, where
poorly recorded but peak site counts as follows: Whitlingham (four:
three over river from Great Broad and one at Marsh), Surlingham Church
Marsh (no count), Rockland (six), Buckenham (one) and Cantley (one).
Elsewhere in the Broads, noted from Acle Bridge Pub (one) and Chedgrave
Common (two). Otherwise, one at Walberswick on 5/2 and singles at
both Arundel and Thorney Island on 6/5.
Locustella naevia (Grasshopper Warbler)
The first was one singing at Horsey on 23/4. On 6/5 for the BUBO bird
race, 1-2 heard from a young conifer plantation at West Dean Woods
and one at Amberley Wild Brooks. Other records were from Whitlingham,
with one by the Great Broad on 14/5 and one heard at the Marsh on
29/6 and 31/7.
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (Sedge Warbler)
None recorded until two at Rockland on 20/4, followed by birds at
UEA, Acle Bridge Pub and Surlingham Church Marsh by the end of the
month. The only other record of note was one near the mill at Stoke
Holy Cross on 25/6.
Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Reed Warbler)
Poorly recorded, the only ones noted being the first three at the
Nunnery Lakes on 27/4, plus at Surlingham Church Marsh on 29/4 and
at Pagham Harbour on 6/5.
Sylvia undata (Dartford Warbler)
At least one was seen at Ambersham Common on 6/5 for the BUBO bird
race. Additionally, a possible was seen diving into gorse at Winterton
on 8/4 and never came out.
Sylvia curruca (Lesser Whitethroat)
The first of the year were singing males at Barnhamcross Common on
25/4 (and again at least on 5/6) and at the Nunnery Lakes on 27/4
(and again at least on 3/5), with one heard from the garden on 1/5,
Caistor Fort on 2/5, Pagham Harbour on 6/5 (two) and near Stoke Holy
Cross on 25/6.
Sylvia communis (Whitethroat)
The first of the year was one at Rockland on 20/4, with further April
records then from UEA, Surlingham Church Marsh and Stoke Holy Cross,
including the first from the garden on 30/4. Few other records of
note.
Sylvia borin (Garden Warbler)
Relatively few records and probably not many, if any, went unrecorded.
First at the Nunnery Lakes on 27/4, followed by Surlingham Church
Marsh on 29/4, Whitlingham on 1/5 and five singing males at West Dean
Woods on 6/5. Finally, a late record of one at Minsmere sluice on
24/10.
Sylvia atricapilla (Blackcap)
The first of the year was a singing male by Littlehampton Travel Lodge
on 19/3, but whether this was an arrival or a wintering bird is unclear.
No others until one at the Nunnery Lakes on 6/4 after which time common
and widespread. No records from the autumn period but certainly none
in the second winter period.
Phylloscopus proregulus (Pallas's Warbler)
Brief views only were had of one at Minsmere sluice on 24/10.
Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Wood Warbler)
Only noted in the south-west, with one by roadsides near Porlock and
one in the woods at Porlock on 22/5, and one at Washbattle Bridge
on 25/5.
Phylloscopus collybita (Chiffchaff)
None until the first presumed migrant singing at Rockland on 10/3
with birds widespread after this. On 18/3 at Waltham Brooks, four
birds included an apparent tristis bird. No records of note later
through the summer but a late record of one (nominate) at Horsey Gap
car park on 25/11.
Phylloscopus trochilus (Willow Warbler)
The first of the year was singing at the Nunnery Lakes on 3/4 and
the first from the garden on 22/4. Few records of note later and no
record kept of last dates.
Regulus regulus (Goldcrest)
Common and widespread with few records of note apart from four together
in the front garden on 28/10.
Regulus ignicapillus (Firecrest)
The only record was of one singing male at West Dean Woods on 6/5.
Family Muscicapidae
Muscicapa striata (Spotted Flycatcher)
None until 22/5 when one at Handley Farm, Devon, followed by three
at Washbattle Bridge on 25/6. Pretty scarce otherwise, however, with
probably all records being singles at Stoke Holy Cross on 25/6, Green
Lane in Thetford on 10/7, Barnhamcross Common on 22/8 and Haweswater
on 3/9. None at The Nunnery.
Family Timaliidae
Panurus biarmicus (Bearded Tit)
Records from the usual localities: Titchwell on 1/1 (6) and 10/9 (1+),
Walberswick on 1/4 (2+), Cley on 5/5 (1), Thorney Island on 6/5 (2),
Hickling on 29/5 (1) and 1/10 (2), Buckenham on 8/9 (2), Horsey on
30/9 (three south over car park) and Minsmere on 24/10.
Family Aegithalidae
Aegithalos caudatus (Long-tailed Tit)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Family Paridae
Parus palustris (Marsh Tit)
Recorded from Wolferton Triangle, Whitlingham Woods, The Nunnery,
Thetford Warren, Dunston Common, Walberswick and West Dean Woods,
and possibly other localities went unrecorded.
Parus montanus (Willow Tit)
All records were noted. The first of the year was one at the back
of Surlingham Church Marsh on 12/2. All others were from the same
general area of the Nunnery Lakes, Barnhamcross Common (edge of reserve)
and along the Little Ouse by The Nunnery, from which general area
noted on 21/2, 3/7, 3/8, 19/9, 19/10, 14/11, 29/11, 7/12 (two), 13/12
and 15/12, all singles unless noted.
Parus ater (Coal Tit)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Parus caeruleus (Blue Tit)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Parus major (Great Tit)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Family Sittidae
Sitta europaea (Nuthatch)
Recorded from Holkham Park, Nunnery Lakes, Dunston Common, Stoke Holy
Cross (not garden), Rackham Woods and West Dean Woods, plus probably
other localities, especially in Breckland.
Family Certhiidae
Certhia familiaris (Treecreeper)
Highly under-recorded but generally common and widespread.
Family Laniidae
Lanius collurio (Red-backed Shrike)
A female was self-found at Hickling Broad on 22/6, by the Weaver's
Way footpath stile.
Family Corvidae
Garrulus glandarius (Jay)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Pica pica (Magpie)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Corvus monedula (Jackdaw)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Corvus frugilegus (Rook)
The only record of note was of 34 nests south of Stoke Holy Cross
on 24/4.
Corvus corone (Crow)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
{Corvus corone cornix (Hooded Crow)}
In East Anglia, one over Benacre on 19/2 and two over Winterton on
8/4. In Scotland, three at Glen Muick on 2/9.
Corvus corax (Raven)
In the south-west, one near Minehead on 24/5, two at Washbattle Bridge
on 25/5 and one over the Quantocks on 25/5. The only other record
was of at least eight at Haweswater on 3/9.
Family Sturnidae
Sturnus vulgaris (Starling)
Common and widespread. The first juvenile was noted at the Nunnery
on 17/5.
Family Passeridae
Passer domesticus (House Sparrow)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Passer montanus (Tree Sparrow)
The only records were singles at Martin Mere on 24/3 and at my BBS
square near Kenninghall on 12/5.
Family Fringillidae
Fringilla coelebs (Chaffinch)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Fringilla montifringilla (Brambling)
The only record was of three by the roadside near Thetford Tesco's
on 12/1.
Carduelis chloris (Greenfinch)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Carduelis carduelis (Goldfinch)
Common and widespread. The only flock count was of 20 at Whitlingham
on 26/11.
Carduelis spinus (Siskin)
During the first winter period, the peak count was ca 100 at the Nunnery
Lakes on 25/1 but no double-figure counts recorded after early February.
Possible breeding records were singles heard at West Dean Woods on
6/5 and Thetford Warren on 9/5 and 20/5, although birds at Linn of
Dee on 2/9 were presumably local birds. First Norfolk record of the
autumn was one at Barnhamcross on 28/9. Relatively scarce in the second
winter period, the only double figure count being 20 at the Nunnery
Lakes on 21/12.
Carduelis cannabina (Linnet)
No records of note, but scarce in winter periods.
Carduelis flavirostris (Twite)
On 1/1, a flock of 18 flew over at Titchwell but excellent views were
had of 120 on the beach at Holkham Gap. In the summer, a flock of
15 were watched well by the path down from Malham Tarn towards the
Cove.
Carduelis cabaret (Lesser Redpoll)
Redpolls were noted until May and again from October but with no mid-summer
records. At the beginning of the year, noted at the Nunnery Lakes
on 25/1 (1) and 4/2 (5) with one over Whitlingham on 12/3. More likely
breeding records (although possibly late migrants) were singles at
Malham Tarn on 19/4, Nunnery Lakes on 3/5, Thetford Warren on 9/5
and Dunkery Beacon on 22/5. The first of the autumn was one at the
Nunnery on 12/10 with further records over the next few days from
Brettenham Heath, Horsey, Whitlingham and Minsmere (about 20 over
on 24/10). Later on, 10 were at Whitlingham on 26/11 with one on 28/12
and again recorded from Minsmere on 3/12.
[I had no records which I could assign to Mealy Redpoll which is split
by the BOU from 2001, although some of the fly-over birds on the coast
in the autumn could well have been. A review of my past records produced
only the following four:
Otley Chevin c50 on 24/12/95 and c5 on 27/12/95 (with probable Arctic
Redpoll on each occasion)
Chew Valley Lake 1 on 13/4/96
Rockland Broad 2 on 4/1/98]
Loxia curvirostra (Crossbill)
A few still around at the beginning of the year, with two at Walberswick
on 5/2, two at Thetford Warren on both 15/2 and 1/3, two at Brandon
Forest on 23/2 and one on 20/3 and the last at Lynford Stag on 28/3.
No further records all year.
Loxia scotica (Scottish Crossbill)
A flock of ten flew over at Linn of Dee on 2/9 and landed in the top
of a pine tree, allowing my first proper look at this "species".
Pyrrhula pyrrhula (Bullfinch)
Fairly common and widespread but under-recorded.
Coccothraustes coccothraustes (Hawfinch)
Two birds were present at Euston Park on 25/2. None at Barnhamcross
at the beginning of the year, but two there on 1/12 and three on 22/12.
Family Emberizidae
Plectrophenax nivalis (Snow Bunting)
A flock of 70 were present at Holkham Gap on 1/1, 19 were at Breydon
Water on 22/1 and 20 were at Benacre Broad on 19/2.
Emberiza citrinella (Yellowhammer)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Emberiza rustica (Rustic Bunting)
My first record of this species was of one seen very well by both
Tom and I at Stiffkey on 7/10.
Emberiza schoeniclus (Reed Bunting)
Common and widespread with no records of note.
Miliaria calandra (Corn Bunting)
The only record was of one at Crows Hall Farm, north of Chichester,
on 6/5 for the BUBO bird race.
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