Birds Photographed in the UK in 1997

Jonathan Wasse

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica
Norwich, Norfolk, January 1997.

An excellent opportunity to photograph this species,
as the bird frequented the river Wensum close to the
city centre.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus and
Snow Goose A. caerulescens
Titchwell, Norfolk, January 1997.

An amazing sight with in excess of 20,000 birds present
on farmland south of the RSPB reserve. Can you spot
the white morph "Greater" Snow Goose? This bird
was presumably of wild origin, arriving with the
"Pink-feet" the previous autumn on the west coast of
the UK.

Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Foots Cray, Kent, February 1997.

Not down town Delhi, but parkland on the east side
of London. Up to 45 birds showed shortly after dawn.

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
South Norwood Lake, London, February 1997.

A nice bird that spent much of its time hiding under
the overhanging branches on an island.

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Aldeburgh, Suffolk, February 1997.

This 1st winter bird shows the fierce angular head
as well as the soft coffee colour to the plumage. It
possibly reappeared at the same site the following
year (see 1998 photographs)

The broad wings of this species are especially
noticeable where the arm joins the hand.

Characteristic large tertial "step"can be seen
in this shot. Note the washed out plumage which
is common to birds in the spring.

Common Eider Somateria mollissima
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Spring 1997.

A drake photographed at the rivermouth.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Spring 1997.

How many then? You should be able to spot 2
adults in summer plumage and 2 1st winter/
summer type birds.

Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Winterton, Norfolk, Spring 1997.

This migrant spent most of the afternoon dozing
away in the warm Spring sunshine. That was
until a male Blackbird Turdus merula spotted it!

Camberwell Beauty Nymphalis antiopa
Holkham, Norfolk, Spring 1997.

OK, so it's not a bird! This cracking and scarce
(in the UK) butterfly was appreciated by many
birders.

Shorelark Eremophila alpestris
Titchwell, Norfolk, Spring 1997.

It was nice to catch up with the overwintering flock
of at least 30 birds. Numbers are "back to normal"
following the dip in the early nineties.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
Winterton, Norfolk, Spring 1997.

As I remember this immature male or female was
a relatively early migrant. It quickly moved on.

Red Kite Milvus milvus
Hoveton, Norfolk, December 1997.

A wing-tagged immature spent most of the early
winter frequenting farmland on the edge of the
Norfolk Broads.