Non Birding walk

A weekend in Norfolk, arriving last night. This morning a quick check on Cley beach where a long tailed duck was still on the River Glaven. Arnold's Marsh gave views of a year lister, a greenshank whilst a high hen harrier was watched drifting west. A coffee at NWT HQ and then a drive to Burnham Overy Staithe where we set off for a wander along the coastal footpath to Wells via the Holkham tearooms.

bar tailed godwit at Wells harbour

Burnham Overy Staithe beach view.

Wells harbour, brent geese

curlew, Wells harbour

 Brent geese, godwits, curlew and redshank were noted in the salt marsh whilst common gulls populated the beach towards Holkham Gap and Paradise beach. A wander up to the Victoria for a pint was worthless as the hotel is closed until May, so a coffee had to suffice. Back on the track a goldcrest, year lister #132 was photographed before we arrived at Wells harbour.

highly mobile goldcrest. Over 20 photos, all but these 2 missed the bird!

goldcrest

little egret

redshank in its element

skylark on path from Burnham Overy Staithe

 Loads of ringed plover, ruff, 4 bar tailed godwits, grey plovers etc were noted before #133 was seen: a black redstart near the Harbour Master's office. Several pints of Nelson's Revenge at The Edinburgh before a bus back to the car and a drive back to The Old Bakery, Salthouse. Our superb hideaway for the weekend. Tonight, a meal at Crofters in Sheringham, an Austrian based restaurant.
A quick count up gives 71 species for the day. Not too bad for a non birding day.
Finally, for comparison. Firstly a high silhouette of the hen harrier seen high over Cley, and secondly, a photo, also taken at Cley of a marsh harrier. Note the "fingers" or primary feathers at the wing tip. Hen harrier frequently shows 4 whilst the marsh shows 5. Good id guide for silhouetted harriers.

hen harrier

hen harrier

 

marsh harrier