Monday 31 May 2010

MEGA - NORFOLK - TRUMPETER FINCH at Cley NWT

There is a very bright male TRUMPETER FINCH at Cley NWT Reserve, Norfolk, this evening, showing very well on the seaward side of the shingle bank, 100 yards to the east of the far end of the East Bank to the north of Arnold's Marsh. It was initially discovered on Blakeney Point early morning, close to the Lifeboat Station, but disappeared soon after and was later relocated early afternoon where it is now.

The bird is showing very well and there is no necessity to flush it, nor any requirement to photograph it at point blank range. I understand that there was an initial period of flushing and disturbance when news of its rediscovery was first released, apparently under the ruse of photography........

This represents the second record of this North African nomadic vagrant in Norfolk and falls hard on the heels of the first-summer male on Blakeney Point from 31 May to 4 June 2008 (British Birds 102: 592, plate 390).