Hi Arctic

Wednesday 20 September
In the last couple of days some rather rare birds from the north and east have arrived on the Norfolk coast. Although working during this period I have managed a quick dash to look for an Arctic Warbler and a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler.

The Arctic was successful and I managed some good views of this long travelling migrant, which breeds high up in Fenno-Scandia and winters down in south-east Asia. True to it's habit of spending much of it's time high up in tree crowns, this individual was no exception and the first five minutes were spent looking directly up at it and seeing only it's under tail coverts ! By standing back a way I was eventually able to get some good views of the bird and see it's characteristic supercilium and faint wing bar. Photography was a real challenge, it was dark and windy,  I only got one picture of it that was in focus and not totally hidden by leaves.

The next quest wasn't so easy. Two trips before and after work saw me at Burnham Overy Staithe sea bank in search of a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler which had shown brilliantly the evening before to a handful of people, but now had decided to revert to type and skulk like a mouse. I didn't see it. However on the walk back to the car a Barn Owl put in an appearance to save the day.