A rare lark
On the RSPB website it states that only 74 individuals of this bird species are wintering in the UK. That is quite a specific number. Not sure how they can be that precise? Nevertheless, it is indicative of this bird’s rarity in this part of the world. This winter visitor from Scandinavia only appears on our shores in very small numbers, depending on the severity of those Nordic winters. From low hundreds to maybe only a handful each year.
Shot at 800mm @ f/6.3, 1/2000s, ISO 1100
So, spotting this infrequent migrant measuring a mere 6 inches long is not that easy. It is worth trying to find it, as it is a rather beautiful lark. Its name is the Shore Lark, also called the Horned Lark, due to two black feather tufts on its head in breeding plumage. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, it will be on a sandy or shingle beach on the east side of England. They move around in small groups.
In Europe there are an estimated 6,000-18,000 pairs and many of them are found in Norway, where it is called Fjellerke (Mountain Lark) as it resides in the mountainous regions mostly in the north. If the winter gets too severe a few will make the trip over to English shores for the season.
Shot at 1120mm (800mm + 1.4 TC) @ f/10, 1/2500s, ISO 1400
Occasionally, these rather beautiful larks with their yellow and black head colourings pop up on the north Norfolk coast. This is where we found them a few weeks back. A small group of six flitting along the shingle beach looking for food. They blend in rather well and are tricky to spot. It is hard to get close for a good photo opportunity. Too close, and they’re off to another section of beach, possibly to the other side of the tidal channel …
Shot at 1120mm (800mm + 1.4 TC) @ f/10, 1/2500s, ISO 2000
Finding these cute birds was a bonus surprise on my Norfolk trip, and it was nice to add another species to my list of birds photographed. See more from my Norfolk trip here.