There I am bemoaning my lack of time and opportunity just two days ago after the first twitchable Black-winged Kite was reported on Monday evening and then low and behold I find some time and see the magnificent bird at Horsey but as is the usual diary format of my blog let me tell the story.
Monday I took my father in law to a hospital appointment to have his pacemaker checked, he then returned home and had dinner with us and didn't leave until quite late in the day so off I went to bed without checking my phone to see that a Black-winged Kite had been reported at Horsey in Norfolk. "seen well between 19.30 and 20.45pm" but the news hadn't landed until 21.56pm. I woke to find the news and rang the Jims to let them know but again had a hospital appointment with my father in law at 11am and a doctors appointment with him at 2.30pm so getting away on Tuesday was going to be difficult or impossible. I then watched as news came out that the bird had been re-found roosting at Horsey and many birders were enjoying early morning views. I guess these guys had a little more information about it roosting to be as determined to be on site for first light and even in the right place to view it as the news service hadn't released this information.
The news then went very quiet with the last sighting at 10.41am as the bird flew high north over Trimingham some twenty miles away with everybody assuming that's the bird moving north and away, but bring on Wednesday morning at 9.59am and extraordinary news that the bird had returned to Horsey. I called the Jims and arranged to pick them up but I had the small matter of a doctors appointment for myself at 10.40am. With the appointment done I picked up the Jims and news was now coming in saying no further sign. The weather forecast was poor with heavy persistant rain expected but we still pushed on arriving at around 2pm. The bird hadn't been and the road down to Horsey windmill was full of parked cars and people were plotted up on every spare pull in scouting the area for the bird. We parked up at Horsey Windmill as requested on the news services and set up scopes on the mound by the cafe enjoying a cheesy scone and coffee as we waited. The weather forecast was correct as we took cover from the rain and the chance of seeing the bird seemed to have disappeared. Cold, wet, tired and disappointed we left for home around 7pm only to hear news as neared home that the bird had returned to the roost it had chosen on Monday evening.
Straight away I told the Jims I would be returning Thursday morning first light and whilst Dad dropped out Jim was up for it and we set off at 3am this morning. We arrived at Horsey Windmill shortly after 5am and walked down the track to the roost location which took a good twenty minutes or so. On arrival we found around forty or so birders had beaten us to the spot and it was difficult to find a place to stand but we eventually settled in and waited for the mist to lift which it did to reveal the bird sat on top of a distant bush. Chaos ensued as people panicked to get a view which was still difficult as light was poor and the bird was sat with its grey back set against a grey sky but slowly everybody settled down with most very happy to help others get a view and indeed helping those new arrivals to get on it.
After an hour or so with much wing stretching and preening the bird took off and flew high away to the north before turning and heading back towards the windmill where it sat on a telegraph pole to enjoy a snack before flying west and then being lost to view and not seen again until being spotted in Felixstowe Suffolk this evening as I type this diary blog post. Next stop Essex?
A great day catching up with a few familiar faces and with the added notable birds of Great-White Egret, 9 Cranes, and 3 Hobbies. I'd like to think this is the start of me finding more time for myself again but I fear that may be a little hopeful.
Year list now 206
Life list now 439
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