short-toed lark – Snettisham

A greater short-toed lark had been kicking about at Snettisham beach for a few days and seemed like it was showing quite well. Having only seen one previous, that was distant and not great views, I decided it was worth a go.

I parked up in the beach car park and headed along the ridge path between the beach and the costal park. A number of small birds were feeding in the line of seaweed on the beach, a nice mixed flock of linnet and greenfinch. A little further along the path I found a couple of birders who clearly has the lark in view. It was feeding on the path and showing and close range. Having failed to get any photos of my previous one I was glad to get shots within minutes of arriving.

After watching the bird feed for a few minutes it flew away down the path and was lost to view. Almost half an hour of searching with no luck left me worried that the first view was going to be the only one I had. I eventually found the bird on the beach. It was far harder to spot here as it blended in with the dead seaweed.

Over the next few hours it moved between the beach and the path paying little attention to those watching it but taking flight when a walker or a dog went past. It seemed to favour one area of path and was covering much more ground when on the beach so I decided to set myself up at the favoured area and hope for the best. I didn’t have to wait long…

It dropped onto the path a little way along from me allowing occasional views through the foliage on the paths edge. I watched and waited as it fed along the path heading my way. When almost level with where I was sitting it came off the path into the open in front of me. It proceed it feed for the next five minutes at very close range.

I ended up getting much better images than I had hoped for and could go home very satisfied. However you always think there could be more so instead I stayed on site for the next three hours trying to get more photos. Although the bird did not show as close again, I was able to get better photos of it on the beach.

The six hours spent with the bird seemed very worth while. This week has been very busy with life and work so I’m unlikely to get out with my camera. The number of autumn warblers on the coast is making me jittery!