February 12th Norfolk – A day on the patch

Non-guiding day at Sheringham 

A relatively quiet day up on my local patch, but 2 Avocets moving west were the first of the year, and a Peregrine was also the first I had seen. Out on the sea there was 100+ Red-throated Diver and plenty of Guillemots, a single adult Kittiwake and adult Gannet moved West and East respectively. A Marsh Harrier also passed through heading inland.

Another highlight was watching a superb young male Merlin, persistently climbing above and then stopping on a Skylark. Despite 5-6 high speed attempts they were both eventually lost 2-3 miles away, the duel having started above my head!

On the way back home, I was chuffed to reverse back and capture this beautiful and rather posing Barn Owl.