Trip down to Norfolk 24th May 2019

Simon had been successful in gaining a place on the BTO Birdcamp 2019 - set up in the memory of Cameron Bespolka, a young naturalist who tragically lost his life in 2013.

www.cameronbespolka.com

The car was packed mid morning and a few planned stop offs to break the journey.  First of all was Wintersett Reservoir, near Wakefield, for the very noisy Great Reed Warbler.  With a bit of patience the bird showed in the reeds although always a bit distant for nothing better than a record shot.

Cetti's, Sedge and Reed Warbler also calling, with Common Terns over the water.

Next was Welbeck Raptor Viewpoint, near Clumber Park.  As soon as the scopes were set up, just after midday on a warm and still afternoon, a Red Kite drifted overhead.  At least 4 different Common Buzzards kept appearing above the trees at varying distances.  Hobby and Sparrowhawk were next, before the Red Kite re-appeared.  Then Simon picked up a very large raptor close in front of us, heading over the lakes.  A cracking female Goshawk powered along the tops of the closest trees giving excellent views.  More Common Buzzards kept appearing, with a pair of birds tagging close to a third bird that was getting my interest on 'flat' wings.  Views were brief at first until after disappearing for five minutes it suddenly re-appeared much closer.  For almost five minutes the bird drifted west, low over the trees, with only the uppers viewed.  The whole time the bird help wings flat or slightly down at the tips, never once raising the wings like all the Common Buzzards.  Primary tips were dark and the upperwing was overall pale brown and uniform in colour.  The tail was very long and appeared slightly paler than the upperwings.  We would have liked to see the underparts better but based on the flight pattern and what was observed, Honey Buzzard was the favoured option.

At tea-time we arrived at the BTO headquarters in Thetford.  I helped Simon set up his stuff in his tent and then once he had made some new friends I headed off to Santon Downham for an evening stroll in Breckland.  Firecrests were singing but hard to see near the church (a well known spot for them), and Kingfisher, Mandarin and Gadwall kept me company along the river.  Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen but not its smaller cousin.  An early night followed with an early get-up planned to head over to Minsmere (a place I'd not been too for 20 years but helped form many of my earliest birding memories).