TRANSFER TO HOME WITH A STOP AT STUBB'S MILL NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST RESERVE
WEATHER: thick fog to start with drizzling rain. Clear later with some sunshine.
We decided for our last morning in Norfolk that we would treat ourselves to a 'twitch' for a UK 'lifer' for both of us. The Black-winged Kite has been at Stubb's Mill for nearly two weeks having first appeared in September for a brief visit.
We were packed up and on the road by 8:15, Stubbs Mill is 56 miles away, we were travelling in thick mist and foggy patches with varying amounts of rain, we were not hopeful of a sighting. However, after struggling through the roadworks traffic on the Norwich by-pass we had a clear run for ther last 15 miles. The fog lifted, the rain stopped and blue patches of sky encouraged us to go faster and lifted our spirits immensely.
After parking up and a quick cuppa we took to the trails leading to the Mill, the warden said it was 600 meters, which was correct, but to see the bird you had to walk another 400 meters. We saw ducks and swans, a few geese, egrets and herons and Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Buzzard and Kestrel as we walked. To be honest, unless a Bearded Tit, Bittern or a Barn Owl flew in front of us we weren't going to stop. Guru Guy heard some Beardies at one point and we did stop for a few minutes.
I digi-scoped these peeps, the Kite is sitting in the tree behind them
From the designated spot we joined half-a-dozen other birders and enjoyed some very distant views of the BLACK-WINGED KITE. It was a semi-joyous moment because it wasn't a world lifer and it was quite distant. The bird did perform well it flew up several times, we saw it hovering, diving down and catching some prey, perched whilst eating, but all about 800-1000 meters away.
record shot of the Black-winged Kite hovering
We met up with Richard again, as planned, and we all walked back to the car together. We said our goodbyes as we set off home.
another poor distant shot, thois bird was really far off!!
The Guru drove all the home non-stop, 5 hours at the wheel, well done Guy. He nearly killed us three times and the wind picked up in ther latter part of the journey, but that was inside the car!!
sunset on the M11 with few other cars
After our Norfolk expedition my year list has gone up to 144, this is six species short of my target, Norfolk did not produce the goods this year. No Shore Larks, no Twite we missed Lapland Bunting, Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Grey Partrdige, Velvet Scoter, Bean Goose, Bearded Tit, Bittern and a few other species.