A two Owl day, but Shrike frustration...

Linda and I took a drive down to the Brecks, starting with a five mile walk around the various rides north of Santon Downham. Despite trudging up and down all the locations where the reported Great Grey Shrike had been seen we neither saw it, nor met anyone else who had done (Although it was on RBA all day!)

A move northwards provided pretty much more of the same: a local naturalist has established bird feeders along a couple of rides in a large area of forestry which have been frequented by several Willow Tits. Despite walking the length of one of these, we never found the feeders. Not only that, but both the rides had recently been brashed by the Forestry Commission and both had signs warning the public not to enter. Hmmmm… We did come across two possibles, one of which seemed to have all the right fieldmarks. Both were giving unmistakable Willow Tit calls, but I'm told that Marsh Tits in the area have learned to emulate this! A Barn Owl was good to see.

Last stop (after a late lunch in Swaffham) was a site I'd visited with Norman and Brian last week: today Linda and I were luckier (and had also been given updated information!) and immediately found the delightful Tawny Owl roosting high in a tree.