Rush of the Thrush on the Cliffs

Good passage of Redwing on the Cliffs this morning, still going on when i got home 8.45. Plus nice passage of Mipits, alba Wags and first Sand Martin of the year. Also 1000+ Common Scoter close inshore early on.

Hunstanton Cliffs (Norfolk, England) Thursday 20 March 2014

Counting period: 6:10-8:40 Weather: wind South4, cloud-cover 8/8, temperature 7 ℃ Observers: Chris Mills & Andy Brown

S N S N S N Marsh Harrier 1 - Fieldfare 46 - Greenfinch 10 - Golden Plover 2 - Redwing 493 - Goldfinch 88 - Woodpigeon 292 - Chiffchaff 1 - Siskin 25 - Collared Dove 2 - Jackdaw 19 - Linnet 173 - Skylark 3 - Rook 15 - redpoll sp. 1 - Sand Martin 4 - Carrion Crow 13 - Crossbill 5 - Meadow Pipit 830 - Starling 19 - Snow Bunting 1 - Rock Pipit 1 - Tree Sparrow 28 - Reed Bunting 4 - alba wagtail sp. 108 - Chaffinch 9 - Totals: 2193 individuals, 26 species, 2:30 hours Bold = Remarkable observation (scarce or rare species or large number)

Comments: The first Sand Martins (and trans-Saharan migrants) of the year with good numbers of Linnets and Meadow Pipits. About 1000 Common Scoters were close inshore. The Redwing passage continued for much of the morning with parties up to 100 strong passing over the town at intervals of perhaps every 5-10 minutes.