High pressure, light southerly wind and no cloud = raptor migration. A promising day for birds of prey moving proved to be the case.
A lunchtime trip to 'the hump' produced a steady movement of marsh harriers west. In an hour, at least 10 birds passed over, most of which were seen off by the local birds. Both 'resident' males were spending most of their time up high skydancing to move them on. Several small groups of sand martins and swallows though.
Just after 3 came the (almost expected) radio message of an osprey flying west. A quick dash out to the front of the visitor centre and a bit more radio chat produced the bird (134) circling overhead. The bird was low enough for the 30 or so visitors to see before it circled higher and drifted off west.
About Me
- Paul
- A Somerset birder in exile in North Norfolk since 2002. Now an active ringer, moth trapper and seawatching geek. Given up twitching (almost) and concentrate on my local patch around Syderstone village. Best self found stuff includes Horny redpoll, Iberian chiffchaff citrine wag and 2 icterine warblers (not on the patch!!)
Mentioned your Titchwell raptor sightings to Strumpshaw people this Friday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteA territorial silver-winged full adult male marsh harrier saw off a common buzzard which had wandered over the middle of Strumpshaw Fen.
Buzzard not that common in the Yare Valley. Ospreys regular on migration. Wintering peregrines more likely in my experience (at Buckenham).
Not bad in a twenty minute watch from Fen Hide with Chinese water deer and my first green sandpiper of the year.