Odds and ends at Rockland Broad

Linda and I took a drive to Rockland St. Mary and walked out to the Yare past the Broad in search of the reported White Stork (A visitor from Kent!) Despite a good search of the dykes and meadows there was no sign: perhaps it was pining for the hop fields! A strangely-coloured finch caught our attention: like a Chaffinch, but with a pale head and shoulders. Eventually we realised it was a juvenile Goldfinch!

Enough other odds and ends to keep us interested: Buzzards, Marsh Harriers and Kestrels were everywhere, as were Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters. I hadn't seen a Swift for a week or so, so five over Rockland Broad (accompanied by all three hirundines) were noteworthy. A Great Crested Grebe looked to have bitten off more than he could chew (metaphorically) but he managed it eventually! Last interest came in the form of a large - very large - grasshopper. It was over around 50mm in length - locust sized... It seems to be just a very large Field Grasshopper.