The day began as a rare visit up to North Norfolk to see the Eastern Black Redstart at Sheringham but turned out to be an even more special day!
I arrived on site by the Esplanade arch in Sheringham at about 08.30 and the Eastern Black Redstart found on Christmas Eve was seen within seconds of leaving the car! It was pretty mobile though so a little bit of ‘following it about’ ensued. It favoured both the clifftop and cliff bottom and was watched in the gardens, on the prom/steps and also on the beach itself. The views were stunning and allowed me to get some photographs that I am rather pleased with.
While having a mardle and a catch up with Jacquie and Dave Bridges a message came though that a Great Shearwater had been seen flying east past Cley. For the next 30 minutes or so it was eyes to the sea as we searched more in hope than expectation that it would pass. We’d just about given up when it ‘sheared’ into view from the west - I could scarcely believe my luck! It was also not too far out and took some while to pass through allowing some nice views before it melted away to the east. It was subsequently seen off numerous places all the way as far as Winterton after which it wasn’t seen again. Considering sea watching isn’t really my thing I feel extremely fortunate to have been in the right place, especially for a rare county tick. While we scanning we also picked up 18 Red-throated Divers moving east in small groups and 2 Eider close in. A Grey Wagtail was also kicking about.
Wondering what to do next I opted to drive to Bayfield Lake for lunch and what turned out to be a longer than expected visit. The north end of the lake held 2 Goosander (drakes), Kingfisher and several fleeting views of Otter. On one occasion one surfaced momentarily right in front of us!
No comments:
Post a Comment