Little Hadham Birding: Norfolk Day

A not too early start and then a queue due to a serious accident near Mildenhall meant I arrived at Holkham Bay at 10.15. Leaving the car in Lady Anne's Drive and immediately registering wigeon and pink footed geese, I set off, firstly through the woods for firecrests but only goldcrests heard and seen. I headed to where a large flock of shore lark had been reported. They were still present, but distant so not really worth taking photos. In total I estimated around 80, the largest flock I have seen since the 1990's, so a great start to the day. The light was fantastic as I headed to the dunes for a sea watch.

Lady Anne's Drive wigeon

Brent geese at Holkham Bay

Distant shore lark

As close as I wanted to get!

The sea was full of common scoter, with a solitary red breasted merganser whilst several red throated divers were seen further out. As usual, sanderling ran around in the surf and oystercatechers roosted on a rapidly disappearing sand bar. Meadow pipits and skylark overhead. A flyby gaggle of brents.

easterly herring gull

few of the 100's of common scoters

Sanderling flock

Sanderling

And another sanderling

After several hours enjoying the beach I headed back to the car and off to Cley. After a pastie I checked the 3 main hides in the middle of the reserve but very little of interest, so continued to Sheringham with a view to finish the day with a sea watch as the tide would be high about half an hour before dusk. Turnstones, as usual on the promenade lent themselves to a few photos but no sign of purple sandpiper in its usual winter haunt outside the Funky Mackerel cafe. Very little of note out to sea, so a change of plan. I headed back to Cley beach where I could sea watch and check the area to the west for short eared and barn owls. Nothing really happened so eventually packed up and headed home.