A much milder day at the Observatory, with a persistent southerly wind. A Marsh Harrier was causing chaos on the Broadwater flushing the hundreds of Teal which have gathered there. Yesterday, one of our members sent us some pictures of a Marsh Harrier hunting and successfully catching one of the Teal so no wonder they were a bit skittish today!

Marsh Harrier hunting a Teal – photo by Seamus Griffin

The sea was pretty quiet today when I looked with only 3 Red-breasted Merganser past for most of the time I was scanning, however, I did surprisingly have 2 Pochard west!

The Blackbirds have been busy hoovering up the remaining Sea Buckthorn berries in the dell, and this one was being very protective over a particularly good patch of berries.

Blackbird and Sea Buckthorn Berries

Shannon Clifford – Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE Hickling Broad NWT still 10.45am at Stubb Mill from East Field pumping station c52.7412,1.6120 Viewed from c52.7413,1.6094 Park at c52.7422,1.5948

Norfolk Red-necked Grebe Blakeney Harbour still +Slav Grebe still c52.9680,0.9719 Viewed from c52.9591,0.9626 Park at c52.9574,0.9858

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Weybourne still at Spalla Gap in ploughed strip on north edge of beet field c52.9481,1.1492. View from coast path

Norfolk FERRUGINOUS DUCK ad.drk Filby Broad again on south side from boardwalk c52.6625,1.6373. Park at 52.6647,1.6381. Viewed from 52.6637,1.6395

Norfolk 3.Glossy Ibises just east of Stiffkey on flood south of A149 c52.9537,0.9439. Park at 52.9546,0.9512 in A149 layby +walk west

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck ad.fem Filby Broad still from boardwalk (+Scaup still). c52.6625,1.6373 Viewed from c52.6637,1.6395 Park at c52.6647,1.6381

Norfolk 8.Bewick’s Swans Ludham airfield still c52.7192,1.5509

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE Hickling Broad NWT still from Stubb Mill viewpoint at 9.12am tho distant c52.7412,1.6120 Viewed from c52.7413,1.6094 Park at c52.7422,1.5948

Norfolk 2.Velvet Scoters (both fem/1w.drk) Kelling still on sea off Kelling Hard 52.9543,1.1209. Viewed from 52.9519,1.1202