November Swift

Sunday November 12

Most of the morning was taken up by a lengthy phone call from Sara in Australia. We've missed each other for the last three weeks, usually owing to me being out when she calls. Sunday morning is often one of the few free times available to me for birding. It was early afternoon before we set off for Happisburgh.

Between Lessingham and Ingham Corner, Pam spotted a large white bird, very distant at the far end of a wet meadow. A Great Egret.

We arrived in Winterton, parking near the church,  at 2.10 - I looked at my watch to see how long we would have to wait. Not long. Five minutes later, soon after the first other birders had arrived, one of them lifted his camera lens skywards. Yes, the Pallid Swift was racing towards the car, too high for my bare eyes but soon captured in my bins. I had good views through the large sunroof and then lengthier ones over the housing estate nearby. It occasionally flew towards the sea out of view, but was still entertaining its small group of admirers when we left at 2.30. 

Success. Not with the camera, I just couldn't get it in focus.

Our last Norfolk Pallid Swift was one taken into care by Martin in Weybourne- it flew into his mist net. The bird was then released in front of a large audience in Weybourne beach car park. It flew off east very strongly. It was good to see a free flying individual today.

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