What a year this has been. As I write this blog, we are facing another major lockdown across the country but we all have to do what we can to keep ourselves and everyone else as safe as possible until the vaccine gets rolled out properly.
Back in October, when some of us were able to still move around the country, a mega in the shape of a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin was found at Stiffkey campsite in Norfolk. On October 18th, three friends and I decided to travel to Norfolk, as this bird was a British first for all of us. On arrival, we were told that the bird had been seen in a stubble field, but had returned to the salt marsh, and all of he birders had their scopes trained on it's favouirite suaeda patch. We didn't have long to wait before it was picked up - the trouble was, now we had to wait for the tide to go out in order to get out onto the salt marsh for a closer look - but we did then get some really good views of the bird!
I know that there had been some negative feedback the previous day regarding social distancing, resulting in the police being called, but I have to say that while we were there, all of the birders behaved sensibly, respecting each others space.
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
We then decided to head west to Holkham Pines where a possible Stejneger's Stonechat had been reported. It was a fair hike through the wood, as we had to get to the very west end of the pines. The bird is yet to be confirmed:it was a pale individual which reminded me of a really small Wheatear, so I'll leave that one for the experts.
We traveled further west to Holme where a Red-flanked Bluetail had been frequenting some bramble bushes at the east end of the golf course; it was just a short walk from the car park and once again,we didn't have to wait very long before we had our first sighting of the stunning Eastern species.
While we were there, my mate David Gray was lucky enough to meet his famous namesake, David Gray the singer, who lives locally and is also a keen birder.
This was a very enjoyable day, with 3 good mates John Hague, David Gray and Neil Howes, when for a short time, we were able to do something 'normal' in what has been a very strange and different year.
As always, thanks for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed looking at these images. Going forward, please keep safe and have the best Christmas you can. Here's to a much better 2021!
