Male Desert Wheatear, Lowestoft, 8th November 2014

Two days ago a male Desert Wheatear turned up in Lowestoft – just over the border, in Suffolk. Then yesterday a female was present on the sea front in Gorleston, NORFOLK. A leisurely breakfast this morning and ‘bingo’, the pager rings out that the bird is still present – we pack up and head off. Half way there another message comes through that the bird has flown north across the river and has been lost to view, in a huge fenced-off area of the docks. By the time we arrive, the scent has gone well and truly cold – oh well. We decide to go and look at the bird in the neighbouring county anyway, which is said to be ‘showing well’ – this proved to be something of an understatement! Enticed, no doubt, by the regular supply of meal worms this handsome winter male sat, unperturbed on the sea wall, surrounded by an army of admirers. We’d just about had our fill when the news percolated through that the Norfolk bird had relocated back to the beach at Gorleston. Off we go again and this time, success – a nice female, nestling in the shelter of the sea wall! Two Desert Wheatear in one morning – one of which was a Norfolk Year Tick, not a bad little outing.

First a few more photos of the Suffolk male

‘What are you guys all looking at?’

Now for the equally lovely NORFOLK female

Finally, a grab shot showing the all dark tail in flight