Norfolkian Odyssey 10.09.12

A whole days birding in North Norfolk, followed by presenting a talk on the Natural History of the Camargue to 100+ members of Norwich local RSPB group.
An early start (4.15am) saw me at Titchwell reserve soon after 1st light. From the island hide great views of standard waders + several silhoutted curlew sandpipers. On to the beach for some year listers: manx shearwater, arctic skua, eider and common scoter. Beach made for good birding with oystercatcher, godwits, grey plovers, sanderlings, curlews and sandwich terns all on the sand. A walk through the reserve gave a view of flyover spoonbill, joining 7 others near the new monstrosity of the Parrinder Hide. I have landed at smaller airports, and more pleasing to the eye!! Also, on a lagoon on the shooting side of the path, a spotted redshank. A board walk wander took me to the recently opened section, with little grebe, coot, garden warbler and chiffchaff being added. With the 7 birds seen en route, including barn owl near Fakenham, my day list was 66. Next, as I was driving through Brancaster, the highlight of the day: an Osprey heading towards the reserve. Superb car views.
At Stiffkey a short walk around Warham greens added jackdaw and whitethroat! On to Cley where a pectoral sandpiper, green sandpiper, curlew sandpipers, barnacle goose, pintail, little ringed plover were added before a wander to Arnolds. From the east bank the land to the east, hopefully soon to be acquired by the reserve gave views of a whimbrel, 100+ curlew and 250+ black tailed godwits. A turnstone and kestrel were also added to the list, now at 81sp.
Next stop, a quick check for dartford warblers at Kelling Heath, but all that were added were jay and grey heron before a drive to Sheringham cliffs. Juvenile fulmars were hoped for but not seen. However, an arctic tern became the 10th year lister along with views of house sparrow. 85 sp as I set off for Mundelsey beach. Here, sand martins, house martins and dunnock took the list to 89 for the day and by now it was time to head off to Norwich to set up for the talk. This went well and I was home by 12.15am, some 18 hours after leaving. Superb day.
Photos; a few black tailed godwits in poor early morning light at Titchwell, a meadow pipit, a ringed plover with 3 dunlin, juvenile shelduck and green sandpiper.
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