It’s been a real mixed-weather week on the Point from
bright, calm sunny days to afternoons where over 100ml of rain fell. We’ve had fairly
strong consistent Westerly winds (average 14mph) which have really whipped the
sea up with ‘white horses’ far into the horizon.
The impact of this strong sea on the Point has been felt as
we experienced sand being eroded away from Far Point leaving our fence line
high and dry and hide undercut. Rangers this week repaired the fence line and
removed the hide to prevent further damage over winter.
Mostly westerly winds have slowed passerine migration down
but throughout the week we have consistently had Lesser Whitethroat, Willow
Warbler, Song Thrush and Black Redstart. An exciting addition this week has
been the return of Lapland Bunting, an irregular autumn migrant, often heard
but rarely seen on the ground. The highest count of Bunting so far this week
has been 18 on the 2nd October in Great Sandy Low.
Today (Sunday 2nd October) we had our first spell
of strong Northerly winds and boy did it produce. In just 1 hour our rangers
recorded 445 Gannet and 234 Guillemot along with Razorbill, Puffin, Manx and
Sooty Shearwater, Great and Arctic Skua, Red Throated Diver, Great Northern
Diver and Velvet Scoter. Other notables seen near the Cley end of the reserve
include Grey Phalarope and Long Tailed Skua. Wildfowl are now more notable in
the harbour too as we shift from summer to autumn, including high numbers of
Pink Footed Geese, Teal, Wigeon and Pintail.
Pink Footed Geese fly past Blakeney Church – 29th September
(Daniel Wynn)
We’ve also seen our first flurry of autumnal thrushes and
finches arriving with the northerlies as we recorded Redwing, Blackbird,
Chaffinch and Brambling in the bushes.
The cold weather and strong winds have really impacted moth numbers
but we tried moth trapping anyway on a slightly calmer night. On the 30th
September we only had 4 species in the trap but 2 of which were new for the year,
including Lunar Underwing and Feathered Ranunculus.
Feathered
Ranunculus – 30th September (Wynona Legg)
Butterfly numbers across the reserve remain low but we still
regularly see Red Admiral, Brown Argus and Small Tortoiseshell. Small Coppers appear
to be having a 3rd brood this year, which seems to be more successful
than the previous 2 attempts. You can now regularly see them in the dunes near
the gap.
Our latest seal count on 30th September recorded 541
Common and 128 Grey Seals. The Grey Seal numbers may seem low but in reality
they reflect a natural cycle whereby prior to breeding season, the seals
disappear out to sea and then return a few weeks later. In the coming few weeks
as we move closer toward breeding season for Grey Seals, their numbers will
start increasing dramatically.
As usual if you have any great experiences or any unusual wildlife
sightings on the Point or anywhere on the North Norfolk Coast on National Trust
land, please do tell us. We would love to hear from you.
Until next time!
Blakeney Point Ranger Team
