Local Birding

1 1/2 hours around lunch time produced:
3 Marsh Harrier (1 male), 9 Common Buzzard, Harris Hawk (possibly a 2nd bird!), 3 Sparrowhawk. Also 2 Swallow, Blackcap and Chiffchaff and a pair of Mandarin over. All in the constant company of a Barn Owl.

Swanton Morley was quiet, with another Barn Owl and two Little Egret together the only highlight. Sparham was a little more lively, with a mixed flock of c 20 Sand martin and Swallow. 4 Redpoll were seen, including a bird that seemed to exhibited features of Mealy. It was distinctly larger, whiter caste (not frosty), obvious white wing bars, clean underparts and pinky-white rump. However, in the pic the flanks looked more streaked than observed - in the range of Mealy?

Elsewhere, Red Kite was seen again.

I decided it was about time I saw Stone Curlew in Norfolk this year, so headed South.
At least 4 birds were seen, although better views might have been had if I hadn't been distracted by a flock of 2-300 Golden Plover in the same field, many in sumer plumage!

Nearby, plenty of Ring-necked Pheasant were seen of varying colour and size, including the females. A single female Reeve's Pheasant was also noted, but no males.

Norfolk Bird Info to:
E-mail: ruralchill@live.co.uk
Mobile: 07749779149

Norfolk 376 UK400, 364 BOU, Year 173, Route 124, Sp 92, SM 92, SF 46