Norfolk - 20.8.22

Bee-eaters

Due to covid I’d not seen my dad since Christmas 2019 so with time off work I decided to go up to Norfolk and see him along with my family. But of course we didn’t go straight there as there were birds to see! We headed to Trimingham just south of Cromer where in a small sand quarry Bee-eaters had decided to nest. Two nest holes were created and the predicted date for any young to fledge was slap bang around when we were to due to visit.

On the drive up I spotted a Raven flying over the A1 near Stevenage. 

 

On arrival I expected to get straight onto them but as it was it took just over two hours for them to return. While I was waiting I noted 3 Swift a couple of Red Kite and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull which was a nice year tick. I was actually in the car with the engine running when I suddenly heard them calling so I rushed back to the viewpoint and was treated to views of 5 adults and 2 of the already fledged juveniles. These were the first I’d seen in the UK since the breeding pair in Co.Durham 20 years ago!

Once we’d have our fill we headed towards Caister. We had a spot of lunch and I picked up a dead Pied Flycatcher from Guy Oxborough who’d found it dead in his garden the day before and had kindly kept it in his freezer for me to collect for my growing collection!

As the kids played on the beach I noted 3 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls over the sea. We arrived a bit later than planned at my dads but had a great catch-up and a lovely Chinese for dinner.