Tuesday, 29 December 2009

NWT Roydon Common, Norfolk, 28/12/2009

3:20 to 4:30pm. Weather: cold, bright, fading sunshine to dusk.

I ventured out into the plummeting temperatures for something I should probably have done ages ago - observe the raptor roost. Always an enhanting place to visit, no less in the gathering gloom of a freezing winter's night.

Magpie, Crow.
Rook & Jackdaw - making up a sizeable & noisy roost.
Mallard - 4 circled around but did not settle.
Pheasant (heard), Curlew (heard).

Hen Harrier
- out of nowhere a male appeared far off, quartering the heath. An amazing bird even at distance it was joined by another male & they both settled quite quickly on the ground where they looked ready to roost. Unfortunately for them a couple of Roe Deer moved right through their chosen spot which unsettled them briefly, though they quickly found another spot & I lost them in the gloom.

Red-Legged Partridge - after I sighted the first harrier, something spooked a couple of partridge which flew off loudly.

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