Patching and a bit of Norwich Twitching!

So last weeks 2 patch visits were rather quiet . A few highlights being 2x very Vocal Water Rails, 4x Gadwall  ,3x Common Snipe ,4x Stock Dove ,3x Cettis and a Green woodpecker which decided to drop down onto the path in front of me,ok not rare but my closest encounter of this bird at the patch.




Green Woodpecker on Station Marsh Path

3x Common Snipe

 So that leaves me with just to mention a smart bird that I saw on Friday 21st. I got a phone call from Jake to say a Great Grey Shrike had been reported at UEA.Not being prescribed to any bird report alerts, this was very much appreciated and I happened to have just finished work off Bluebell road so was there in 10 minute's. I soon saw a few local birders all walking around the Lusty Hill area as I walked past the rugby pitches. I bumped into the finder who worked at the Uni and pointed me into the direction the bird had flown in. I soon was standing in a small gated off area with the handful of birders. I got my scope out and was pointed to where it perched, being harassed by the Blackbirds.You simply cant deney this is an absolute cracker of a bird and enjoyed watching it with a few familiar faces in Gary White as well as James Emerson who arrived as I was about to leave.  Drew,Micheal,Alex  and Jake turned up all getting good views of the Shrike as it flew out into the trees nearby.



Great Grey Shrike

  All in all a great bird and to see it so close to the city centre and to have given so many birders a nice local twitch.

http://youtu.be/s7-9R5kNUIk

 Happy birding
 Shaky