North Norfolk Day.

Off to North Norfolk again, this time due to predicted weather forecast, ie south easterlies/easterlies Saturday night with some rain. Perfect. Left home after sorting out the moth trap and picked up Gary at his home in Egmere at 8.30 and off to Kelling water meadows. Jumper, trousers, with water proofs in the car boot. Brilliant, 20C, not a cloud in the sky and not a breath of air!
The water meadows, still full of water gave views of a curlew, 2 whinchat, plenty of linnets and goldfinches with a pair of bullfinches over. As we walked towards the pill box on the shingle a caspian gull, 1st year, flew past us, going east as 2 egyptian geese took flight.
Stonechats and reed buntings abounded as we returned to the car, having not connected with the redstart we were told upon arrival was showing near the pine tree.

stonechat at Kelling

mute swan: East Bank, Cley

From here, Gramborough Hill, but the lack of migrants at Kelling and the weather (getting hotter so off with my jumper and Gary's fleece) made us a little wise. Upon parking the car, we scanned the hill, noting several birders, plus a couple returning to the Beach Road. We asked what was about and nothing worthwhile was the reply, so off to Cley East Bank. Here, bearded tit showed well but not too much else. A solitary sandwich tern from the beach and regular waders on Arnold's. Time for a coffee. From the window of the VC  a hobby flew over, putting everything up. We headed for the hides where green sandpiper and snipe were noted whilst from Daukes Hide; spotted redshank, common sandpiper and green shank could be viewed, albeit at a distance towards Bishop's Hide. A wander back to the carpark and off to Burnham Overy track, via Blakeney shop for sustenance.
At BOS we wandered, in colder conditions, some way to the coastal footpath before turning back. Great tit and robin was about all we got although the amount of fruit for warblers and finches was incredible: elderberry, hawthorn, rose hip, honeysuckle berries etc. There is bound to be an excellent day along this track in the next 3 weeks, but Sunday was not it. Back to the car and off to Choseley.
A report of an osprey had come out at 9.30 am so there was a small chance it was still present. We arrived at the drying barns to find 3 car loads of birders sitting in cars with bins. Gary and I got out to scan around and in the far distance, looking east beyond Chalkpit Lane was a bird of prey in a dead tree. It appeared to have light shading on neck and head and looked thin in the neck. Back to the car for the scope. Indeed, an osprey, 1st year lister of the day. We then, in convoy, drove round to Chalkpit Lane for better views, but one of the followers managed to slam the car door and off the bird flew before Gary and I got a chance of even a record shot. Great bird to see and my first osprey for a few years. Very pleased with that.

bearded tit, Cley East Bank

Green sandpiper: Simmonds Scrape: Cley

Snipe; avocet hide: Cley

Gadwall; avocet hide, Cley

same snipe

So, Titchwell which was packed but offered up a chance of a few good birds. We needed to be at Holme before 5 as I had to head home and Gary's wife works there, so I could drop him off and he'd get a lift home.
A bittern, twice, low over the reeds was my 2nd year lister whilst 2 little stints in amongst dunlin were pleasing to see. We had time to check the Freshmarsh having wandered around the autumn trail in search of pied flycatchers and turtle dove, to no avail. Back to the car and Holme.
Upon arrival at the gate we were directed, immediately, to a turtle dove upon the roof of the nearest house. A good find and potential photo opportunities. We were also informed of the whereabouts of 2 redstarts and upon arriving at the konik pony field we found warden Gary. Here, the bird was flushed by a pony before Gary got on to it again, too quick for a photo but good flight views including a flash of red. 3rd year lister and an end to a cracking 88 species day. Traffic home was horrendous, taking over 3 hours to cover the 100 miles, but nevertheless, worth it. Work dictates that it maybe a while before I have another Norfolk day, a chance at the weekend if the weather is right. However, not going to pay too much attention to forecasts, just ring Gary early in the morning!!

common darter: meadow trail, Titchwell

2 dunlin and little stint: Freshmarsh, Titchwell

turtle dove: Holme

same bird

Species list;
little grebe (heard), cormorant, bittern, little egret, grey heron. mute swan, greylag goose, shelduck, egyptian goose, mallard, gadwall, pintail, shoveler, wigeon, teal, red crested pochard, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier, common buzzard, kestrel, hobby, osprey, red legged partridge, pheasant, water rail (h) moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, ringed plover, golden plover, lapwing, dunlin, little stint, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, redshank, greenshank, spotted redshank, black tailed godwit, curlew, snipe, ruff, black headed gull, herring gull, common gull, caspian gull, lesser black backed gull, sandwich tern, stock dove, wood pigeon, collared dove, turtle dove, swallow, house martin, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, redstart, wheatear, whinchat, stonechat, blackbird, blackcap, whitethroat, cetti's warbler (h) chiffchaff (h) goldcrest (h), great tit, coal tit, blue tit, bearded tit, magpie, jay, jackdaw, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, goldfinch, bullfinch, linnet, reed bunting, yellowhammer