Monday 1 January 2018

A new birding year starts in Norfok

The previous evening's debate was whether we began the new birding year in Norfolk or Kent? With the weather forecasters predicting much more favourable weather conditions for Norfolk, that is where we headed this morning. 
As we approached Fakenham in semi-darkness we were greeted by the sight of two Barn Owls hunting in the same field. This good start to the day would continue throughout the entire day's birding. First stop was at Holkham, where we found five of the reported eight Shorelarks after a brief search.



A flock of eleven Twite was added soon after arriving at Thornham and Snow Buntings numbering fifty plus in total were seen at Salthouse soon after leaving the car.







There had been no reports of the Cattle Egrets all morning but we found them in a flooded field on route to Stiffkey.

Titchwell sea-watch produced several good birds including Great Northern and Red-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and a single Little Gull.

A brief stop at Brancaster Staithe added several species including Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and Water rail.

Grey Plover

The day continued to produce good birds and as we passed through Holkham a male Merlin was spotted perched on a cattle feeder close to the roadside. 
With the light fading fast we ended the day at Stiffkey and was rewarded with views of a stunning male Hen Harrier as it drifted across the marsh heading towards its roost site.

No comments:

Post a Comment