An Isabelline Wheatear had been present in Norfolk since Sunday and with very limited opportunities for birding throughout the remainder of the week, we headed for Cley this morning. The weather forecast looked to be in our favour as regards to the bird staying put overnight and we were quietly optimistic as we traveled the 120 miles North East. We arrived around 7.30 and walked along the East bank towards Arnold's Marsh. As we searched for the Wheatear a small flock of Snow Bunting were seen busily feeding among the shingle. We decided to split up to cover more of the area and eventually, Brian managed to locate the Wheatear perched on a fence post within the fenced-off area of Arnold's Marsh. It spent some time feeding within this area before it flew to the shingle banks.
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| Isabelline Wheatear |
On the walk back to the car, we stopped to scan the pools West of East bank and found the Long-tailed Duck still present. It was constantly diving and as soon as it re-surfaced it would dive again.
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| Arnold's Marsh |
We needed to be back home by1pm, but we had just enough time to stop at Wells hoping to locate the Rough-legged Buzzard reported yesterday. We scanned the fields either side of the track, only managing a flock of Golden Plover. Continuing over the ridge we scanned the next two fields and managed to pick out a Peregrine sitting among the grass. We were about to leave when the Rough-legged suddenly appeared. It quartered the field and then drifted over the ridge and slowly began searching the far edge of the field. We eventually lost sight of it after ten minutes but had enjoyed some stunning scope views by that time.
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| Rough-legged Buzzard |
A short trip, but a very rewarding one nonetheless.
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