Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for December 2007

 by Robin Chittenden

The first winter male Desert Wheatear remained at Horsey until 10th. Despite the succession of photographers leaving titbits for this bird to consume, it was not enough to tempt it to over-winter, unlike the one still present in Yorkshire. To view photographs enter ‘Desert Wheatear 2007′ into the quick search box at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk Perhaps it was taken by a bird of prey. Nearby a drake Green-winged Teal was at Hickling Broad NWT until 7^th and a Rough-legged Buzzard flew over there 8^th.

The Richard’s Pipit was seen again at Terrington Marshes 28^th-31^st at least. The wintering Great Grey Shrike was still at Roydon Common all month, one was at Croxton Heath 24^th and one at Santon Downham 30^th.

Three Shorelarks were at Holme on Hunstanton Golf Course 1^st and one was at Landguard NR 27^th. The Lapland Buntings were still at Salthouse. These and flocks of Snow Buntings were attracted to the area by seeds left by visiting bird photographers. To view photographs enter ‘Bunting Salthouse 2007′ into the quick search box at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk

The largest flocks of Snow Buntings however were 220 at Burnham Overy Dunes and 160 east of Holkham Gap.

One of the Lesser Snow Geese was seen at Choseley 4^th-6^th, then just west of Holkham 11^th and south of Brancaster Staithe and near Docking 31^st at least. The other Lesser Snow Geese was seen at Hickling Broad NWT 14^th, then just south-west of Rollesby 17^th and then west of Great Yarmouth and Berney Marshes RSPB 25^th & 28^th at least. One of the Ross’s Geese was also at Choseley 4^th, then just west of Holkham 11^th, Holkham Freshmarsh 21^st, Docking 18^th and two were together at Holme NWT 30^th.

The Taiga Bean Geese were still at Buckenham Marshes RSPB and Cantley Marshes RSPB. An influx of Tundra Bean Geese occurred after a period of easterly winds. In Norfolk three Tundra Bean Geese were at Welney WWT 16^th, two were just south of Brancaster Staithe 26^th and one was nearby south-east of Southery 18^th.

Black Brants were seen at Wells & Holkham Freshmarsh (up to two), Stiffkey and Titchwell RSPB.

Late summer migrants included a small late influx of Swallows with two Blakeney Point and West Runton 1^st and one at Waxham 2^nd-6^th and at Hickling Broad NWT 15^th. A Garganey was at Buckenham Marshes RSPB 22^nd.

A Petrel seen to pass Sheringham was though possibly to be a Wilson’s 10^th. An adult pale morph Pomarine Skua was at Snettisham RSPB 5^th-8^th. A Grey Phalarope flew past Holme 24^th.

The Iceland Gull stayed at Edgefield until 16^th and one was in Blakeney Harbour 21^st. The only Glaucous Gull was at Saddlebow 24^th.

A Long-tailed Duck was still at Berney Marshes RSPB until 7^th. The maximum count of Long-tailed Ducks off Holme was forty-five 22^nd.

A Rough-legged Buzzard flew north-west over Holme 9^th, one was at Blakeney Freshmarsh 16^th and one south Bradwell 19^th

The Common Crane was seen again at Welney WWT 8^th & 18^th and four flew west over South Peckenham 16^th. The maximum count of Common Crane in the Broads was twenty-eight.

Ths article is compiled and written by Robin Chittenden from Birdline East Anglia. Anyone can listen to the latest bird sightings by phoning 09068 700 245

Robin is available for private bird, wildlife or photography tours. For more information please look at the news page at www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk and view his photographs at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk

Contact t 01603 633326 m 07941333970 e robin@harlequinpictures.co.uk
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