Tuesday 28th October 2025.
Pink-footed Geese flying over Weybourne Beach this morning.
The weather was much more pleasant today as the early morning rain had departed and the wind had dropped a lot, though still a bit breezy at times. The immature Glaucous Gull gave me the run around yet again as I tried my luck in seeing the bird at Weybourne Beach and then Becky, myself and the dogs took the long drive to Holkham Pines for a pleasant walk through the woodland. Most birders go directly to the beach, but the place was packed with dog-walkers and families out for a pleasant walk and thankfully, most headed to the beach area. The early morning walk with the dogs down Grove Lane was rather uneventful, but when Becky was cooking up a nice breakfast, I heard the distinctive call of Geese and sure enough, overhead were several skeins of Pink-footed Geese flying high overhead. It would have been a nice photo of the birds flying over, but it was over before I could get to my camera.
Weybourne Beach, North Norfolk:
The Pink-footed Geese flying over my head at Weybourne Beach.
A look on Birdguides this morning revealed that the immature Glaucous Gull was resting on the beach at Weybourne, just west of the Car Park, but on arrival, I grabbed my birding gear and walked the couple of hundred yards to view a group of large Gulls resting on the beach. There was no sign of the bird. They were all Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls! There was another couple checking the Gulls out and they were just as disappointed, though offshore, there was a raft of around 40+ Common Scoter on the calm sea. A few loafing Gulls and Cormorants are all that I could find, however, later in the afternoon, a Little Auk was just offshore here and a nearby field near the Cottages held a Shorelark! Talking about ‘rubbing salt in the wound!’ As I was nearing the Car Park, a large skein of Pink-footed Geese flew over my head having came in from over the sea and was a marvellous spectacle. Even Becky saw them from the car!
Holkham Pines, North Norfolk:
Two of the three Cattle Egrets by the entrance of Lady Ann's Drive.
The trip from Weybourne to Holkham took a lot longer than anticipated as there was some severe congestion through the village of Stiffkey. On arrival at Holkam, the parking area on Lady Ann’s Drive was packed, but we were lucky in finding a parking spot. Despite all that, I have to say that the place held countless numbers of Red Kites. Unless it was the same birds going round and round, I would estimate that at least 20 birds were seen during the couple of hours we were there. However, where were all the Marsh Harriers? We never saw one all the time we were there, but there was a Kestrel hovering in the field near the Viewing Platform and several Common Buzzards were seen over the fields or perched on some of the brambles.
Above, the three Cattle Egrets altogether and below, a group of Grey Lag Geese were joined by a pair of Egyptian Geese in the field by the Car Park.
The skies were alive with the sound of Pink-footed Geese flying over, which Becky found amazing as we made our way along the wooded footpath westbound. Earlier, when we pulled into Lady Ann’s Drive, I saw a group of three Cattle Egrets by the Cattle in one of the roadside fields and another was seen earlier when we were driving through the village of Salthouse.
Above, a Common Buzzard being mobbed by a couple of Crows south of the Cafe area and below, more Pink-footed Geese arriving onto the reserve.
The big Pond held a lot of ducks that included Mallard, Wigeon and Gadwall and a single Little Grebe was among them. The woods held the usual birds with several flocks seen that held a few Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits and Treecreeper; but I was still having problems with my camera and so I have made the decision to order a new one as soon as possible. A flock of Crossbills flew high over the footpath and headed off into the woodland and a Jay showed a couple of times to round off the bird sightings here today.
Above, the large Pond had a number of ducks upon it along with a couple of Mute Swans and a Little Grebe. Below, a tranquil area for Becky to relax next to while I walked the dogs some more.
There were a few notable insects around this afternoon too that included at least two Common Darters and a Migrant Hawker dragonfly and also a Red Admiral was on the wing too as it fluttered around the Brambles bushes. We finished off our trip here with a quick bite to eat and a Hot Chocolate, but I will warn you guys, the food here was very expensive, so take a packed lunch!
Above and below, Red Kites were literally everywhere.
Above, Turkey-tail fungi growing on a tree stump that Becky sat on. Below, a Common Darter dragonfly resting on brambles.
Above, a Red Admiral butterfly resting by the footpath and below, I pointed out a couple of Chinese Water Deer out in the fields opposite where I parked along Lady Ann's Drive.
Apparently, the Glaucous Gull vacated the beach at Weybourne and was seen at Cley Marshes again around 10.30am! Bugger! North Norfolk held a variety of nice birds today including several Little Auk sightings and the Grey Phalarope spent all day on Cley Marshes. A Yellow-browed Warbler was again seen from the Meadow Trail at Titchwell. It was probably there yesterday, but if they don't call, they can be so difficult to find. OK, no new 'year-ticks' today, but it was a lovely day and a pleasure to be out with my family.
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