25th of September: The past few days on the Point

Over the past few days the weather has been blustery and wet with winds from the north, east and south west. This brought in some rare birds and a classic fall of autumn migrants. On the Saturday a Barred Warbler, a Red-breasted Flycatcher and an Ortolan Bunting were present. The following day a Yellow-browed Warbler joined the Barred Warbler. Yesterday saw a big fall of Redstarts (90+), Robins (50+) and Song Thrushes (300+). Autumn has begun.

Ortolan Bunting

This bat was observed coming in off the sea on the Sunday. 

Yellow-browed Warbler

Male Red-breasted Flycatcher

(All above photos by Richard Porter)

In June 2012, several broods of Stonechat chicks were ringed at the NT's Gramborough Hill, Salthouse and Arnold's Marsh, Cley. Some of these colour-ringed young birds have been seen on Blakeney Point. As you can see from the photos they pass through a post juvenile moult fairly quickly which means that he was finding a good supply of food. Common Whitethroats often followed the Stonechats around whilst feeding. 

Juvenile Stonechat in July

The same bird in September

If you spot a stonehcat which has been adorned with colour rings, please do make a note of the combination and e-mail it to

noelelms1@mypostoffice.co.uk

By collating sightings we can learn more about the distribution, dispersal and survival of these striking birds.

- Eddie

Top Left	Bottom Left	Top Right	Bottom Right	Ring Number	Age	Site	Date ringed
Brown	Dark Pink	Dark Green	Metal	L217140	2 c-y male	Arnold's Marsh	12/07/2012
Violet	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217128	2 c-y male	Gramboro' Hill	18/06/2012
Yellow	Brown	Dark Green	Metal	L217133	Nestling 5/5	Arnold's Marsh	26/06/2012
Black	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217132	Nestling 4/5	Arnold's Marsh	26/06/2012
Brown	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217131	Nestling 3/5	Arnold's Marsh	26/06/2012
Dark Blue	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217130	Nestling 2/5	Arnold's Marsh	26/06/2012
Dark Pink	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217127	Nestling 5/5	Gramboro' Hill	01/06/2012
Dark Green	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217126	Nestling 4/5	Gramboro' Hill	01/06/2012
Grey	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217129	Nestling 1/5	Arnold's Marsh	26/06/2012
Lime	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217125	Nestling 3/5	Gramboro' Hill	01/06/2012
Orange	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217124	Nestling 2/5	Gramboro' Hill	01/06/2012
Pale Blue	Dark Blue	Dark Green	Metal	L217123	Nestling 1/5	Gramboro' Hill	01/06/2012
Dark Blue	Dark Pink	Dark Green	Metal	L217141	Nestling 1/2	Gramboro' Hill	22/07/2012
Dark Green	Dark Pink	Dark Green	Metal	L217142	Nestling 2/2	Gramboro' Hill	22/07/2012