Last day of my mini-break typified the greatest of Norfolk birding in late Autumn - my favourite time of the year. Back to Burnham Overy for the third time in four days, got off to a good start when scoping a distant flock of Golden Plovers that had taken to the wing, I noticed the culprit was a Red Kite, a bird I believe Winters in this area but goes relatively unnoticed. While chatting with a couple of locals saw that one of the Rough-legs was hunting over Scolt Head and after scooting along Gun Hill was getting great views as it hovered in the strong breeze getting pestered by a Hen and Marsh Harrier. I'm sure most people have seen these by now but they really are terrific birds, the cream, rufous and burnt umbers of their plumage perfectly merging with the subtle tones of their current habitat. Mornings are best and the birds hunting over Scolt Head are quite often not visible from the sea wall. Eventually i got a great flyby, the subtle streaking on the face becoming more apparent as it passed me and headed out onto the marsh.
Walking toward Holkham i was to get another view as the bird hovered over the pines before heading out towards the Gap.
As I got to the pines the back-end of a substantial Tit flock was disappearing into the woods and i figured although the the common method is to sit and wait for their return, the wind was making viewing difficult and the solution might be to chase them through the wood until they reached a more sheltered area. I started caning after them, they were mostly moving high in the pine tops and although i havent done much training in the last few days the speed of the flock combined with the undulating terrain was giving me a good work out for the Norwich Half Marathon! I began to work out that the Long-tail Tits were out front as the ringleaders and the crests and Treecreepers were at the back. Eventually a few of the birds came down to head height in a Holm Oak and i as able to get the worst view of a Pallas's Warbler I'd ever had! Despite this the adrenalin rush of the chase meant it will go down as quite memorable.
Thing is its all very well relocating birds on my own but really should be finding things like this. This years been a bit of a mess and my birding has felt a bit disjointed, the patch hasn't really produced, but i'll keep plugging away. Think organisation is the key, clear decision making, a willingness to go places where decent birds are being seen and a few less rubbish hangovers! Even though Novermbers my favourite month already looking forward to next year.