Norfolk Day 28.03.14

A 5a.m. start for a day's birding in North Norfolk. A very foggy morning meant a slower than usual drive up the M11. However, I was at Thornham Point before 7.30 and plenty of regular birds around. Pied wagtails, oystercatchers, curlew, redshank and brent geese were in good numbers.

oystercatcher

brent geese

pied wagtail

curlew

I then headed to nearby Titchwell and a walk to the beach. A hawthorn shield bug and shoulder stripe moth were noted as I scanned the pools but the mist was still about so not great viewing. Likewise, distant sea watching was not possible but this didn't stop me noting in excess of 4000 common scoter half way to the horizon. On the tideline were 4 grey plovers, black tailed godwits and turnstones along with herring, common and black headed gulls.

grey plover and herring gull

black tailed godwit

Off to check the Freshmarsh from the Parrinder hide. 50+ golden plovers flew past whilst more waders and wildfowl were noted, but on the whole very quiet. 4 marsh harriers were up but not too much else. I searched for the red crested pochards reported from earlier in the week, but no sign so after a quick wander around the fen trail, which was partially closed, off to Holkham. Before I did, 3 chiffchaff were heard from the car park.

black tailed godwit

looking east toward Brancaster from Titchwell beach

wren in good voice

solitary knot roosting with black tailed godwits

A quick detour up to Choseley proved worthwhile as I came across both species of partridge, linnets, yellowhammers, finches and a single male wheatear. Latter being my first of the year.

distant male wheatear

linnet

red legged partridge

yellowhammer

very distant golden plover flock

grey partridge

Nothing at Holkham from Lady Anne's Drive, so I popped down to Stiffkey Saltmarsh, but just more finches, little egrets, shelduck, curlew and gulls so on to Cley for a lunch and coffee. Here, I rejoined Norfolk Wildlife Trust before a rapid check of Arnold's Marsh, Salthouse beach, Kelling Heath and finally Cley beach.
At Arnold's there were good numbers of redshank and avocet. One avocet had colour coded rings on both legs. I have sent off the relevant information to the organisers of this scheme, based in France. At Salthouse the group of confiding turnstones were still about but no Richard's pipit or snow bunting.  Several gannet, great black backed gull and cormorant made the day list from Cley beach, before I left to finish the day at Lynford Arboretum near Mundford.

brent geese over Stiffkey Saltmarsh

turnstones, Salthouse beach

avocet: Arnold's Marsh, Cley

I arrived Lynford in fading light, but several crests were calling as soon as I got out of the car. A few birders were still about and it became apparent that 7 hawfinches had being showing well by the feeders but had no gone to roost. After a while I got onto at least 2 firecrests in the carpark trees as plenty of common crossbills flew over. A nuthatch made the list, but it was too dark for any firecrest photos. All I got were poor silhouettes.
A 74 species day was pleasing and I plan to return over the Easter weekend where I hope there will be plenty of summer migrants about.
Finally, my birding partner, Gary, has just returned from a whistle stop trip to The Gambia. His report, containing huge number of great photos can be viewed at hereWell worth a gander.