Bird ringing at Holme 13/10/2016

To reinvigorate my birdwatching, I took a trip over to north west Norfolk, specifically Holme Dunes and Snettisham. In this section I'll deal with Holme Dunes Reserve.
This is the first time I've been here in 13 years, when I last visited back in 2003 after hiking the North Norfolk path.
Holme is a great reserve on the corner  of North Norfolk, that is a windswept mix of large dune complex and the grazing marshes nestled behind them. It is positioned such on the map, to attract loads of migrants from all over the country and western Europe.
October is great for birds. The sheer dynamic of a coastal site at this time of year, as thousands of birds fly in from the sea on their migration routes.
The reserve was buzzing with large flocks of hundreds of REDWINGS and STARLINGS around. There was also a RING OUZEL in a field grazed by ponies.

 

There was also a few STONECHATS about. On the long sandy beach were a few waders with GANNETS flying not far off the coast.

There is a second reserve at Holme the Holme Bird Observatory. It is a small area of pine trees swallowed by the bigger NWT reserve. Here they ring birds that come in as migrants.  I saw them ring a DUNNOCK,

 

ROBIN

and BLACKBIRD.

Also around the reserve 2 GOLDCRESTS and a ROBIN were caught in drift nets and unable to escape. Free flying birds in this reserve were 2 REDPOLLS and a BRAMBLING.