Guiding Day, North Norfolk 28.03.22

Black tailed godwit, Cley

Paul and Fiona made a most generous donation to Isabel Hospice and MindGarden, Sri Lanka at the Mayor's Charity Evening last October. The auction was for a day's birding in North Norfolk with me guiding and driving and covering costs. Paul kindly paid for lunch at The Kings Head, Blakeney which was not on the agenda.

We left Stortford at 5.30am, coffee in Wells Next The Sea and then headed to North Point Pools, just East of the town. Few early day listers here, very few photos as was too misty, so off to Kelling Heath. Here, Chiffchaff and Stonechat but no Dartford warblers or early Willow warblers so on to Kelling Quags and Water Meadows. A distant Black Redstart, more Stonechat and Reed bunting along with Egyptian goose and Little egrets. Plenty of Linnets.

We then headed to Cley for a much required coffee as the mist cleared and the temperature rose. On to the reserve and a Garganey from Daukes Hide as well as a close up Black tailed godwit along with a selection of wildfowl and regular waders before a wander down East Bank to the Richie Richardson Hide. Marsh Harrier, large flock of Golden plover, many redshank all recorded with a brief flight of Bearded reedling and a very quick glimpse of a Cetti's warbler. A quick check on the sea realised Common gull and Red throated diver.

We continued westwards, stopping for lunch in Blakeney where we recorded a Greenfinch on a TV aerial. A quick check at Brancaster Staithe where Turnstone got on to the day list before popping up to Choseley drying barns, but nothing noteworthy so off to Titchwell RSPB Reserve.

A Brambling by the Visitors' Centre before a wander all the way to the beach. Sanderling here whilst back on the Freshmarsh, Mediterranean Gulls, Avocets, godwits, Little ringed plover, Grey plover, Dunlin and Ringed plover were recorded. A flyby Hobby was a good sight as well.

In all, 82 species for the day, so none too tardy. 5 year listers for me and several lifers for Paul and Fiona.

Great day out, good company, wonderful scenery, pleasing weather and a plethora of birds. Perfect.

Species:

1. Red throated diver
2. Little grebe
3. Cormorant
4. Little egret
5. Grey heron
6. Spoonbill (year lister)
7. Mute swan
8. Greylag goose
9. Canada goose
10. Brent goose
11. Shelduck
12. Egyptian goose
13. Mallard
14. Gadwall
15. Shoveler
16. Wigeon
17. Teal
18. Garganey (year lister)
19. Pochard
20. Tufted duck
21. Red kite
22. Marsh harrier
23. Common buzzard
24. Kestrel
25. Hobby (Year lister)
26. Red legged partridge
27. Grey partridge
28. Pheasant
29. Moorhen
30. Coot
31. Oystercatcher
32. Avocet
33. Little ringed plover (year lister)
34. Ringed plover
35. Grey plover
36. Golden plover
37. Lapwing
38. Knot
39. Sanderling
40. Turnstone
41. Dunlin
42. Redshank
43. Black tailed godwit
44. Curlew
45. Snipe
46. Ruff
47. Black headed gull
48. Common gull
49. Mediterranean gull
50. Herring gull
51. Lesser black backed gull
52. Wood pigeon
53. Stock dove
54. Skylark
55. Meadow pipit
56. Pied wagtail
57. Wren
58. Dunnock
59. Robin
60. Stonechat
61. Song thrush
62. Blackbird
63. Cetti's warbler
64. Chiffchaff
65. Goldcrest
66. Great tit
67. Blue tit
68. Coal tit (heard)
69. Bearded reedling
70. Magpie
71. Jackdaw
72. Carrion crow
73. Rook
74. Starling
75. House sparrow
76. Chaffinch
77. Brambling (year lister)
78. Linnet
79. Goldfinch
80. Greenfinch
81. Reed bunting
82. Yellowhammer.

Hare in the mist, Kelling Water Meadows

Early morning Wren

Meadow pipit, Kelling Quags

Little egret, Kelling Water Meadows

Wren, Kelling Water Meadows

Avocet, Cley

Dozing drake Garganey, Cley

Distant Black tailed godwit coming into breeding plumage, Cley

Drake wigeon, Cley

Ruff, Arnold's Marsh, Cley

Garganey, Daukes Hide, Cley Reserve

Ruff, The Serpentine, Cley Reserve

Golden Plover, Arnold's Marsh, Cley

Brambling, Titchwell

Drake Teal, Titchwell Freshmarsh

Mediterranean Gulls, Titchwell Freshmarsh

Pochard drake with Gadwall, Titchwell

Curlew, Tidal Marsh, Titchwell

Oystercatcher, Tidal Marsh, Titchwell

Ministry of Meadow Pipit Silly Walks, Titchwell

Meadow pipit not wanting a photo opportunity, Titchwell

Redshank, Titchwell

Pied wagtail on the roof of the Parrinder Hide, Titchwell

Distant Golden plover, Titchwell Freshmarsh

Mediterranean gulls

Dunlin form the Parrinder Hide