Enjoyed a few days in North Norfolk whilst the allotment dried out enough to work on. It was certainly wet in the fields over there but the coastal path was dry enough to walk along. Got out early to look for the Golden Pheasant and it only showed itself after I gave up the watch and drove round to the north side and I had a minute of gaudy joy before a car sent it scurrying into the bushes. The first effort with the eagle failed but I did see the male Rough-legged Buzzard fly over the field in front of me and into the woods. The next day and the eagle failed to show again so we went off to Roydon Common and watched 3 ring tailed Hen Harriers sparring with each other (and some crows) and a rapid fly past by a Merlin.
Day 3 and a walk along the coastal path and beach. The sea has dumped masses of Razor shells and so there were enormous numbers of gulls including one Med Gull in almost full adult plumage. In the dunes there was a delightful group of Snow Buntings but Holkham Marshes held no Pink Feet!! just a few Whitefronts and several groups of Brents again. Titchwell was undergoing 'conservation work' the pool on the left of the track had been drained and the Freshmarsh was awash. The islands were so small there was only a handful of Lapwings and Golden Plovers. They must be employing the 'Brandon' winter trick. Another attempt at the eagle's preferred roosting site proved fruitless.
After a walk around Holkham Park, where there is a pair of Red Kites setting up territory, it was home until the message system directed us to Flitcham where the immature White-tailes Sea Eagle was sat in a field. This time got there in time and was directed to a large lump on the crest of the ridge, even had time to set up the telescope. After 2 minutes it got up and flew along the ridge; what a bird, each wing was the size of a Buzzard!! All in all a great break, hopefully the ground is dry enough to start the clearing up after the floods.
Day 3 and a walk along the coastal path and beach. The sea has dumped masses of Razor shells and so there were enormous numbers of gulls including one Med Gull in almost full adult plumage. In the dunes there was a delightful group of Snow Buntings but Holkham Marshes held no Pink Feet!! just a few Whitefronts and several groups of Brents again. Titchwell was undergoing 'conservation work' the pool on the left of the track had been drained and the Freshmarsh was awash. The islands were so small there was only a handful of Lapwings and Golden Plovers. They must be employing the 'Brandon' winter trick. Another attempt at the eagle's preferred roosting site proved fruitless.
After a walk around Holkham Park, where there is a pair of Red Kites setting up territory, it was home until the message system directed us to Flitcham where the immature White-tailes Sea Eagle was sat in a field. This time got there in time and was directed to a large lump on the crest of the ridge, even had time to set up the telescope. After 2 minutes it got up and flew along the ridge; what a bird, each wing was the size of a Buzzard!! All in all a great break, hopefully the ground is dry enough to start the clearing up after the floods.
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