Shorelark

The name Shorelark is derived from the fact that in northern Europe they winter almost exclusively at coastal sites especially at the edges of beaches or salt marshes. However, they are also known as Horned Larks as this refers to their characteristic face pattern, black and yellow with two wispy black lines sticking up above the head like horns.

Shorelarks breed on rocky mountain tops or on Arctic tundra and winter on shingle, stubble and salt marshes. In the UK they have bred occasionally in Scotland but they are more familiar as an uncommon winter visitor mainly to shores and salt marshes on the east coast. Titchwell, Holkham and Salthouse on the north Norfolk Coast seem to have been particularly favoured in recent years.

Date: 12/11/06

Location: Snettisham, Norfolk