Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society

Where do I start?  7.30 transport arrives, wet and gloomy; 9.00 bright and sunny but a cold wind at Sandringham;  10.30 Dersingham Bog;  12.00 a very cold north wind at Snettisham (never has a hide been more welcome!); 3.30 Roydon Common.  Another action packed day with WVBS.  What treats had Ray in store for us?  He might even have surprised himself! 

A Great Grey Shrike at Dersingham Bog!  He must have known that so many of us had not seen his species before.  How well he showed us his black eye-mask, his long tail, the black and white on his wings.  I could have stayed all day watching him.  Not to be, we had seen him, as well as a pair of Green Woodpeckers showing very well, and a pair of Stonechats.  Did I mention the wonderful views of Mistle Thrush and a Redwing earlier at Sandringham?

Not much time for a leisurely lunch on this trip.  A hasty few minutes at the layby on the A149 to down our sandwich and a drink, and then on to Snettisham.  I have been there when it has been windier, but never when the wind has been so cold.

Our day’s birding list has been compiled elsewhere, but Pintail Ducks, Golden Eye, a flock of Golden Plover, many Little Grebe and my own favourite Grey Plover were amongst those species seen.      But that northerly wind was cold and we were hastening back to the cars when, joy of joy, the Scaup which Alwyn had seen earlier on our way down was spotted again on one of the lagoons alongside the bungalows.  A much better specimen than that I had previously seen.  And I have forgotten to mention the Barn Owl seen on entering the reserve.

Last port of call – Roydon Common.  The day was drawing to a close and much less wind than at Snettisham.  A great spot of a Buzzard sitting in a tree goodness knows how many hundreds of yards away.  And then the highlight of the end of the day – one male and two female Hen Harriers flying back and forth before our eyes.  How handsome the male is and thank goodness the females have a white ring on their tails so that we could spot them in the gathering gloom.

All birds wonderful to see but a Great Grey Shrike (a lifer for me), a Scaup and both Hen Harriers, what more could we have wanted from the day?

Liz  Bridge

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