30.12.11

Another early start before light to be on the beach and then searching for the elusive western sandpiper on Arnold's Marsh or Pat's Pool. Firstly; 25+ red throated divers and 2 black throated divers heading east before the sun rise over Walsey Hills. Also gannets and regular gulls. Then off to Arnold's Marsh and then to Pat's Pool if no sign.  Roosting dunlin, curlew, black tailed godwit, redshank and golden plover needed to be checked. As the light improved I latched on to a small calidrid wader. Within 5 minutes the white face and dark scapulars were apparent: the rare western sandpiper. A slight rufus from the mantle appeared to be present but this might have been increased by the sunrise as shown in attached photos. Time was short as I wanted the smoked haddock and poached egg breakfast at The George. I tried for some photos of the bird but it was too far away: see shot including dunlin and godwit silhouettes. My first lifer since 2009.
Other photos: waves at Cley beach, overhead brent geese and sun rise.