The immature drake KING EIDER that was first seen by Brett Richards flying past Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, and later relocated with moulting Common Eiders off Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire (see Dave Mansell's superb images above), has now relocated much farther south in North Norfolk.
After initially being seen off Sheringham sewatching shelter mid morning, it has now drifted further east to West Runton, from where it can be currently seen swimming and diving offshore of the pay and display cliff car park
The King Eider is a very rare bird in Norfolk with the following previous records -:
1) An immature drake which was obtained off Hunstanton on 7 January 1888 and is on display at the Castle Museum in Norwich;
2) An immature female was shot off Hunstanton on 3 November 1890, with apparently a second bird - an adult female - also obtained there just a week later on 10 November 1890;
4) An eclipse drake remained with up to 200 moulting Common Eiders between Scolt Head Island and Holkham Bay from 5-15 September 1986;
5) A first-year drake remained off Holkham Bay and Wells Harbour mouth from 19 January until 4 April 2002;
6) A first-winter drake remained off Titchwell Beach from 11 December 2004 until 1 January 2005.
After initially being seen off Sheringham sewatching shelter mid morning, it has now drifted further east to West Runton, from where it can be currently seen swimming and diving offshore of the pay and display cliff car park
The King Eider is a very rare bird in Norfolk with the following previous records -:
1) An immature drake which was obtained off Hunstanton on 7 January 1888 and is on display at the Castle Museum in Norwich;
2) An immature female was shot off Hunstanton on 3 November 1890, with apparently a second bird - an adult female - also obtained there just a week later on 10 November 1890;
4) An eclipse drake remained with up to 200 moulting Common Eiders between Scolt Head Island and Holkham Bay from 5-15 September 1986;
5) A first-year drake remained off Holkham Bay and Wells Harbour mouth from 19 January until 4 April 2002;
6) A first-winter drake remained off Titchwell Beach from 11 December 2004 until 1 January 2005.
