Norfolk CASPO gives itself up

A CASPIAN TERN, most likely that which has been wandering East Anglia in recent weeks, appeared at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB Reserve, east of Norwich (Norfolk) yesterday evening.


Dave Holman was up nice and early this morning and watched the bird constantly searching for food over pools by the Tower Hide for just under an hour from 0500 hours. It flew off south prior to 0600 hours but reappeared briefly an hour and a half later, before doing the same once again.

It was then relocated at Buckenham Marsh RSPB, less than a mile to the east, where it visited the pool 150 yards east of the derelict windmill. This was obviously to its liking and as the day wore on, this proved to be its favourite site. It seemed to spend almost an hour here on numerous occasions (0930-0950; 1130-1145, 1339-1545 & from 1610-1655), just once returning to Strumpshaw (very briefly at 1335). Later in the day, it visited Breydon Water to rest (1914-1937 and again at 2100 hours).

I picked it up flying in from Cantley Marshes at 1318 hours and watched it fly along the River Bure the entirety of Buckenham Marshes. It was clearly searching for food. On this occasion, it made it all the way to Strumpshaw but then quickly returned, flying back east over my head and on to the pool. It made several attempts at regurgitating pellets so was clearly successfully finding food.

Although essentially in adult plumage, the fact that it had a few dark feathers in the tail and had some dark grey outer primary coverts suggested some immaturity.
A great bird and some great views

LGRE