Cley, Blakeney, Titchwell, Thornham, Brancaster, Wells and Holkham. The Red-rumped Swallow that chose the North Norfolk Coast for its winter break was certainly getting around quite a bit. No doubt brought to the UK by the strong southerly winds and mild temperatures that have sent a plume of warmth into the Arctic circle of late. The temperature in Greenland should now be -30⁰C over Christmas it hit 1⁰C. Crazy weather; crazy Swallow.
Among the Brents on the Norfolk north coast again this year is a dark moody mantled bird with pale flanks and a dark belly extending well back between the legs. Coupled with the wide full neck ring it means we have a Black Brant. Because this bird is with Dark bellied Brents which come from Siberia the Brant probably came from the eastern Siberia breeding population rather than the Canadian population.
Merry Christmas to all ‘Letter from Norfolk’ readers.
As we walked the coast the other week we came across this little chap. Well actually there were six Little Grebes on a small pool. A little removed from six swans a swimming … but you get the picture.
Is it just me or do Little Grebes look like they are in a really happy place wearing that ‘dolphin smile’?
As I was driving home at the weekend a flash of something above and to my right caught my attention. I pulled up to see a bird fly into some distant trees.
I didn’t see it clearly but the contrast of black and white was instantly familiar. It could only have been a Grey Shrike. It took a little while but it eventually reappeared. It was a Great Grey Shrike.
Finding a perch free of the wind it fed on wasps and flies hovering around flowering ivy; one of many Great Grey Shrikes to make landfall on the east coast recently.
Postscript: While I was having my breakfast yesterday a Great Grey Shrike dropped into the Garden here at Falcon Cottage. With an entourage of mobbing Bramblings it didn’t stay long… but just long enough to get itself onto my garden list!
Letter From Norfolk 