Continuing the trend from January were more Great White Egrets and Great Grey Shrikes and a couple of Penduline Tits.

A male Penduline Tit was discovered at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB from 4th-22nd at least. Although a first for the reserve it is one of several wandering around southern England this winter. With such a vast area of suitable habitat it was not that surprising that it was only seen occasionally. Two were seen there 16th.

A Cattle Egret was at Cockley Cley for two days 3rd-4th. What was probably the same bird moved to the Barningham Park area from 12th-22nd and then near Strumpshaw from 24th. The bird liked following ploughing tractors.

A Black-bellied Dipper was seen again on the River Glaven anywhere between Glandford and Hunworth, but most regularly at Letheringsett. There were three Rough-legged Buzzards. One was at Haddiscoe Island 26th and up to two were in the area of Sandringham and North Wootton Marshes from 14th. Nearby a Raven was seen at Roydon Common NWT 14th. This species is expanding eastwards from their marginal upland retreat. More records of this corvid are to be expected, if they remain unmolested.

Two Great Grey Shrikes were finally confirmed in west Norfolk with birds seen at the same time at Dersingham Bog NNR and Roydon Common NWT. Three were in the Brecks at Santon Downham, at Lakenheath Fen RSPB and Olley’s Farm near Thetford 27th. The Lakenheath bird often ranged across the river into Norfolk. A Dark-breasted Barn Owl was again at Welney WWT.

A Ferruginous Duck and Ring-necked Duck were seen again Hoveton Little Broad, although the former was seen once or twice at Wroxham Broad itself. A drake Green-winged Teal was at Buckenham Marshes RSPB and was even seen briefly at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB 8th. The maximum count of Long-tailed Ducks offshore from Holme was fifteen and up to eleven Velvet Scoter were off Hunstanton.

The Ross’s Goose was among the Pink-feet on and off in north and then west and east Norfolk later in February. Up to nineteen Tundra Bean Geese were at Welney WWT, up to six were between Hillington & Flitcham, up to three at Langham, two at Choseley and singles were at Cantley Marshes RSPB, Burnham Overy Staithe and Horsey. Black Brants seen were up to two at Wells & Holkham and Morston and singles at Titchwell RSPB and Cley.

Single Iceland Gulls were seen at Aldeby Tip, Sheringham, Blackborough End Tip, Hockwold Washes and Wroxham Broad. The juvenile Glaucous Gull remained in the Salthouse and Cley NWT. It favoured means of getting about was by foot and seemed to have no trouble flying despite its left wing becoming progressively more droopy. It was taken into care 27th.

Scarce nowadays was a Hooded Crow at Beeston Regis 21st. Black-necked Grebe was east of Titchwell for much of the month. An early Sandwich Tern flew past Sheringham 22nd. A White Stork was reported near Kimberley 21st and a Spoonbill was at Buckenham marshes RSPB 22nd.

Information kindly supplied by

Robin ChittendenBirdline East Anglia

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