S.Z<U Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 1992 I BRITISH MUSEUM’ (NATURAL HlilORY) jQ| J JAUG1993 EXCHANGED GENERAL i.l3RARY 1 Norfolk Bird Report - 1992 Editor/Recorder: MICHAEL J. SEAGO County Recorders/Editorial Assistants: P R. ALLARD, P R. CLARKE, D A. DORLING, G.E. DUNMORE, M.A. GOLLEY, A. HALE, P.J. HEATH, J.B. KEMP, A.J. PRATER & J.R. WILLIAMSON Editorial 425 Yarmouth’s Little Terns 430 Brancaster Harbour Turnstones 43 Nesting Mediterranean Gulls - New to Norfolk 433 The Wash Oystercatchers 434 Ruppell’s Warbler - New to Norfolk 436 Red-necked Stint - A first for Norfolk 437 Diets of Hen Harriers & Merlins 439 Waterfowl Counts 444 Birds of Estuaries Enquiry 445 Ringing Report 448 Classified Notes 454 Check-list of the Birds of Norfolk 498 Contributors 526 Norfolk Mammal Report - 1992 Editor: REX HANCY assisted by EDDIE BOOSEY Editorial 528 The aptly named Harvest Mouse? 530 Norfolk Badgers 1982-1992 533 Classified Notes 539 Contributors 544 Published by the NORFOLK & NORWICH NATURALISTS SOCIETY, Castle Museum, Norwich NR1 3JU ( Transactions Volume 29 Part 6 August 1993) in conjunc- tion with NORFOLK ORNITHOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION, Aslack Way, Holme-next- Sea, Hunstanton, PE36 6LP. ISSN 0375 7226 Keepsake back numbers are available from Mrs M. Dorling, 6 New Road. Hethersett NR9 3HH. Front cover painting: Bearded Tits by J.C. Harrison (reproduced by courtesy J.C. Harrison Trust). Back cover painting: Harvest Mice by J.M. Last Price £4.50 NORFOLK BIRD REPORT 1992 Editorial The Council of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists Society, in conjunction with Norfolk Ornithologists Association, is pleased to present the annual report on the birds of Norfolk. Our Editor — A Unique Record Ten years ago I wrote that the 1982 issue of the Norfolk Bird Report represented an important milestone in the publication’s history. It was the first issue produced under the partnership of the Society and the Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association and was the thir- tieth number to be edited by Michael Seago. The first report covering the County as a whole, was published in 1954 and dealt with the events of 1953. This fortieth issue records the main ornithological happenings in Norfolk for 1992 and thus passes another major milestone for the publication and. more particularly, for its Editor. A total of forty county reports under the editorship of one person is, we believe, a unique record for the Country as a whole. Michael’s meticulous attention for detail has maintained the highest of standards throughout, resulting in the Norfolk Report’s wide popularity and well deserved reputation for accuracy. During this long period many important innovations have been introduced to make each issue attractive as well as an accurate record of events; for example line drawings to break up the text were an early feature, soon to be followed by photographs, initially in black and white, but since 1986 in full colour. New this year is a full check-list of the (.County’s birds which briefly gives the status of each recorded species against which cur- rent and future sightings can be measured. Michael began his interest in bird watching in the mid 1940s. In addition to his edit- ing, he has written regularly in the local press and produced two editions of his book Birds of Norfolk, the first appearing in 1967. He has also taken an active part in local natural history organisations, serving at various times as Honorary Secretary to the Great 'Yarmouth Naturalists Society, Council member and Vice-President of the Norfolk 'Naturalists Trust and Council member, Vice-President and, currently. President of this 'Society. He has also devoted much time and effort on conservation matters including giving advice on reserve management and encouraging the protection of rare breeding birds. In recognition of this long and dedicated service. Michael was presented with the 'Sydney Long Memorial Medal at the Annual General Meeting of the Norfolk Naturalists Trust in May this year. Everyone involved in the production of the Norfolk Bird Report offer their congratu- lations to Michael on his many achievements and repeat the hope expressed ten years ago, that he will continue his sterling work for many more years to come. D.A.D. 425 ) Review of the Year: January was drier and milder than usual, becoming foggy and colder towards the close. Good birds remaining from 1991 included Ring-billed, Laughing and at least 6 Mediterranean Gulls, inland Great Northern and Black-throated Divers and Black- necked Grebe. A remarkable offshore movement of Red-throated Divers was reported with 711 off Walcott and 487 off Paston on 4th and 820 east at Sheringham on 29th. A Rough-legged Buzzard wandered widely round Wighton, a Peregrine took up winter res- idence at Holkham and the traditional Broadland roost contained 6 Hen and 5 Marsh Harriers together with 5 Merlins. Welney’s winter haven attracted a record 4641 Bewick’s and 739 Whooper Swans; over 400 Bean Geese featured in the Yare valley. A Black Brant at Lynn Point on 19th stayed well into March. Sea duck numbers were impressive: 100 Long-tailed Ducks off Hunstanton and 2000 Common Scoters in Holkham Bay - among them 160 Velvet Scoters. Only 2 Smew appeared. Mild, dry weather continued into February, notably during the last ten days. Sawbills remained scarce. Over 2250 Bramblings assembled on uncut linseed at Wereham with a Ring-billed Gull at King’s Lynn docks and an Iceland Gull at Sheringham on 6th. A Puffin provided a surprise inland at Welney where 300 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits paraded on 1 1th. Five Black-throated Divers at Holme/Hunstanton suggests a small wintering population. Raptors included Peregrine and Rough-legged Buzzard; also 4 Buzzards at West Acre. Mild weather continued to the last week of March. It then became cold and unsettled with much needed rain. A Red Kite wandered in Broadland on 20th/21st. Iceland Gulls were noted at Cley, Weyboume, Sheringham and Mundesley. A Spoonbill at Berney on 22nd was the forerunner of many sightings of up to 4 birds at the usual localities. Migration remained slow in the first half of April which was unsettled. With their breeding season beginning in early June, Waxwings were in no hurry to leave and lin- gered at Eaton until 23rd. The final week, however, provided a taste of things to come Another Red Kite and a total of 6 Black-necked Grebes were welcome visitors; also Kentish Plover at Pentney on 22nd. The 24th saw a second Kentish Plover - at Cley, Alpine Swift (M. Elliott 431 Whimbrel massed at Breydon and Alpine Swift at Kelling, Cley and Holkham with another (or the same) at Cromer next day when a Hoopoe reached Beeston Common. A Purple Heron was a welcome arrival on 26th when a Red-footed Falcon appeared at Winterton followed by 3 Tawny Pipits. Settled anticyclonic conditions, a warm south-easterly airflow and almost 300 hours 426 ot sunshine resulted in non-stop excitement for rarity seekers during May. The month opened with yet another Ring-billed Gull, Serin and Little Egret at Cley and Short-toed Lark on Blakeney Point. A splendid Glossy Ibis dropped all too briefly into Cley and Kelling water meadows on 6th when a Siberian Stonechat was at Burnham Norton. The first ol 25 spring Temminck’s Stints arrived on 8th. Next day 5 Cattle Egrets showed well in the Welney/Denver/Downham Market area with 2 staying until 20th. Roseate Tern, Red Kite and Ortolan Bunting all followed before 14th which heralded a remark- able period. A vast anticyclone established over Scandinavia produced classic conditions for south European birds to overshoot. Twelve Red-footed Falcons arrived on 14th (part of a total spring of over 40 in the county). A Sardinian Warbler, 1 1 Red-throated Pipits, the first of 13 springtime Icterine Warblers and the forerunners of a massive influx of Grey- headed Wagtails became travelling companions as the falcon influx continued. A Woodchat Shrike on 15th was followed by 2 Black-winged Stilts and Purple Heron next day. A Black Tern movement peaked around 18th when 75 passed through Cley followed on 20th by Marsh Sandpiper at Gunton lake and 8 Mediterranean Gulls at Breydon (part of an unprecedented spring movement). A Bluethroat on 26th preceded Pacific Golden Plover at Breydon and Lesser Yellowlegs at Cley, both on 28th. The last two days ot the month saw an interesting sequence of visitors including Little Bittern at Holkham. Bee-eater at Blakeney and 2 Greenish Warblers: also featured at this time were 6 Savi’s Warblers, 3 Scarlet Rosefinches and Pectoral Sandpiper. Anticyclonic conditions remained during the first half of June with late drift migrants still appearing. The month was hot and dry with only a single day of rain. The 2nd produced Kentish Plover and Hoopoe. Seawatchers were given early encouragement with 4 Mediterranean Shearwaters. Little Egret, Broad-billed Sandpiper. Marsh Sandpiper and 2 additional Siberian stonechats all followed. A will-o’-the-wisp Bee- eater tantalised watchers at East Harling on 17th. Roseate Tern, Red Kites, 3 Red- necked Phalaropes, 4 Marsh Warblers, 6 Scarlet Rosefinches (the latter two species having record spring passages), 3 Icterine Warblers and 2 Golden Orioles completed the set. Last of 19 spring Red-backed Shrikes appeared on 26th. A total of over 20 Quail were heard calling while Marsh and Montagu's Harriers, Honey Buzzard. Goshawk, Hobby, Stone Curlew, Avocet. Woodlark. Nightjar and Little Tern all enjoyed breeding success. Foxes, high tides and summer storms played havoc in the tern colonies. Once again only 8 booming Bitterns were recorded - the decline may have paused, but for how long will the mysterious boomer remain on the county breed- ing list? In contrast to the first half of the year.