Marlingford confirmed as destination of choice for Norfolk scarce

With only an hour or so to play with this morning, Marlingford Mill proved too tempting to ignore. I met Ricky at 9am who was already onto the drake American Wigeon along with a few other birders. Only my second ever record of this species in the UK (the first being at Needingwoth, Cambridgeshire) and therefore my first in Norfolk. With such a small flock of 'our' Wigeon for company, the bird was easy to find and a pleasure to watch graze. I do like that green eye mask! Whilst here, we also had decent views of the local Grey Wagtail. A Kingfisher was heard only, and a few Stock Doves busied themselves over the meadow. There was no sign of the reported Great White Egret, so we drove back through Bawburgh, stopping on route for a scan. A Little Egret was seen perched atop a small bush, and I picked out a Little Owl resting on a dead tree. No big Egret then, but a super hour of birding so close to Norwich.

A note from last night- at least 2 Whooper Swan flew over my house in Norwich, just before Match of the Day came on. Massive Norwich record!