A Rough-legged Buzzard in The Brecks

1st April 2019

The Rough-legged Buzzard had been at Weeting Heath for nearly a month now so this was our first port of call. It had been favouring the conifers opposite the Weeting Heath reserve, but despite several scans there was no sign of the buzzard which was probably off feeding. Therefore the plan was to call in at some other places and have another look on the way back.

The next stop was Santon Downham to see if the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers or Otters were on show. Sadly, the peckers had hardly been seen since early morning and the Otters had swum down river and gone into the reed bed for a sleep. Luckily a Grey Wagtail was feeding on the detritus that had collected around a fallen tree which allowed a few shots, albeit into the sun.

Now on to Lynford Arboretum to see if the Crossbills were still coming down to the bridge stream for a drink. As we walked through the arboretum to the bridge, four patches of Snakes Head Fritillary brightened up the day.

Down by the bridge we positioned a moss-covered log on one of the parapets for the birds to land on as they came down to the seed which some other kind-hearted soul had provided. It wasn't too long before a Great Tit and Marsh Tit came to investigate.

In a nearby Sallow a female Reed Bunting put on a show of her own without any seed inducement.

Back at the feeding station at the rear of the new holiday cottages up to 20 Bramblings were feeding on the seed, but unfortunately they mainly stayed in the shadows.

However the bonus today was up to six Yellowhammers, a bird which I have never seen before at the feeding station. Unlike the Bramblings they seemed to be quite happy to feed in the sun which made  photography so much easier.

So now home time, but a quick stop-off at Weeting to see if the Rough-legged Buzzard was on show. No sign at first but then it then suddenly appeared from nowhere and flew past us allowing a few shots to be taken , but all a bit distant.

It was then re-found some time later perched in a distant conifer tree some 600 yards away as measured on Google Earth, far too distant for any shots. It then proceeded to fly from one perch to another, only spending about 10 minutes at each location. Eventually it perched in the nearest tree which was only a mere 350 yards way, so only allowing some record shots.

Well what a fantastic day. We missed most of our target species but managed some great shots  of other species, and the weather was brilliant. The Brecks always turns up trumps!!