Wednesday 2 January 2019

A final days birding of 2018

A Black-bellied Dipper had been frequenting a stream formerly used to provide water to an old water mill at North Walsham in Norfolk. The only other time I had seen this North European nominate race was also in Norfolk, on that occasion it was a very confiding individual at Thetford. We arrived at first light to find three birders already present. As I looked downstream from the bridge the Dipper was seen immediately. At first, it remained partially hidden by the streamside vegetation but soon it became more active and began searching for food within the middle of the stream. Caddisfly Larvae seemed to be the more numerous food source.




On the return journey home, we took a short detour into Norwich and after a brief drive around a housing estate soon located the four Waxwings at Walpole Gardens off Walpole Street. Waxwings are among my favourite birds and I never pass up an opportunity to see them. The day had been grey and overcast throughout but watching Waxwings brightens up any day.





No comments:

Post a Comment