A chance for my first Norfolk trip of the year. I had nothing else on and the forecast looked favourable, so setting off fairly early meant I was in Wells for a coffee before 10 and then on to Lady Anne's Drive at Holkham. Here the usual fare on the Freshmarsh, wigeon, redshank, brent geese, few pink footed and plenty of greylag. A search through all of this didn't give up any white fronted. Overhead, 2 geese were noted flying towards Holkham Hall, I looked up and was surprised to note they were barnacles, not an everyday goose in Norfolk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX9JzQzMJu2WQLLR2hEpQP2dRKBl4cHp6ZvE9C82OQX5qeR4JxrMTA7TOscDq1gahRpnTGFjEF2Xm_Y4PNbvsb6bcBRWu4-cKN45vmzyT3bVCbV8tQGSF8Ga9H34SYiTGJO8kExIr7JHb/s400/barnacle+goose+%25282%2529.JPG) |
Barnacle geese |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzniRKCOeHshPOPlIdXC7VrA7JgeTkN8O77imypjmwJgT0smY41-GNDkerLkaMyiBZsLGc-NwgPbbfEsqpnuTJG3vH7HfPW_iiFNSZrwoALmxAcijeXYaG3TwG1abhWUewDU2noG6rz6N/s400/Holkham+Freshmarsh.JPG) |
Looking west over Holkham Freshmarsh |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbhnSILV6TCWWmVNQa7EEZjJjoUipy_5p0YlUISqO8UEa2ArcNLwQfbyG78dhSwiRmbYwWmV66c0gj4xdaLnQaZerltEuXDKXmgrVOSoPMEmT7onZ8q_xo93D2KVJl93GH0keCMvRw3PF/s400/redshank.JPG) |
Noisy redshank |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5oieSCWxPtEEbd67oTMLNuUtohm7jaCmO8WkYUiMUrjoVyJ2bYOPnzdwbW71snEFp7va4d68J4M0zSLJcGbcBW2awDXna9KzycKBuhc6NbZs6TCEa4hOkc8fMmvw4tDTSWwn6KeLKncW/s400/wigeon.JPG) |
drake wigeon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna60PQkDFejz1UazwklAsMn0A5RzIejx12ay2Wc9vdBNM9wX_rVB9miAHkRHE76l9Jo_LsYWzS9A3Xg1MeMyX6HK1k078v3kWxY1o8giV3Z0hx4EUD9y7hbuMY-zctabQVz0dJTd0HfgT/s400/wigeon+at+Holkham.JPG) |
wigeon from Lady Anne's Drive |
I then wandered on to the beach, noting a flock of goldfinch in the dunes as I headed east towards Holkham Gap. Here, a party of 9 shore larks were fairly confiding. In the same area where a group of 30+ had been a couple of years ago. I then set off for a sea watch, but rather disappointing with just a few red throated divers flying towards The Wash along with numerous gulls and cormorants.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-u6IY_GD-M8UZlLGq5KuY4jAOLqKQ6XTrXeXsRBTv2VWo0_rbGIhhYKbGev0mSv3leKRAqbJZ8NTIzvbH4Gj64yTQFikuQEJEbPqOkVrhULnwOzRt-S_17utQVvP5rAH6qLPV5uq84AT/s400/shore+lark+%25281%2529.JPG) |
7 of the 9 shorelark |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK46uOQV4WZFIjRjCTw13Xc77_LF9UXVI8opnnmJlLN1He1IvAVvwu2nJVRJoO5PbuyYGUYTLBc9q_V9Jqh4Uy3Tj0IUbhaYZ5DPh92p_NP8eVHJPX8RjTIgz3T_-doUWcuuQHmiV3AFds/s400/shorelark.JPG) |
I remained still and they slowly headed towards me. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKu6aCu7aftcZOD2OOJkvOrWdmJmAk4YpnEyiSzqXKVZnG549vHLv6wGCK81djJic7-5wvTpsCM5eaSgjsSNSM0rnxlszwTjoKRBeVONHz3h4xA6GiWu5tdBSf1MxDidteyibGh0HhGIP/s400/shorelark+%25282%2529.JPG) |
Pleased with this one. |
I then headed back to the car. Skylarks and meadow pipits called. A brief check in the pines failed to give up anything unusual so back to the drive where a snipe was evident, if distant and a stonechat popped up near the building site that will soon be a new cafe, apparently.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3OxoTnnUZ_dp2I8q9woRrUyCeFfGMFvsWvKn-ckB-V0NNWRuEChy11TyZ7OgCvjnqazrE-tw9g2gciziOvjjyNIc0ZiszpxI48jJlghNDbBQ_oZzJAN3Ju8jBE1-FjxB6vs0DY53LKHr/s400/stonechat.JPG) |
very camera shy stonechat |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgR5AuAziU2i7xwS4tvic52PuszcgFVCQoGub1PLl8qxufo3aI6YTY3MQaGzQNsjpdxlXjh2Fr6rQVcG-D4wCCrIca6lXax9mZsrddQUVXfcIAGifftQTnu5E-BFPGx88By_BP3E3ErzM/s400/snipe.JPG) |
snipe |
I then drove to Cley and Salthouse. not too much on show at Cley due to high water levels everywhere, so a check on Gramborough Hill from Beach Road, Salthouse. The usual turnstones were feeding on the shingle whilst around the back of Gramborough Hill, 80+ snow buntings. A good sight, indeed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp92xvz0-6v3D-qR-sw3rla97L3JDKXb26Q-rsvn62MpXPuWhjdNtg35FEG4fY9yVUEf82BHioZ55I6xNNjTZOqRmXIVzSwpMB_HSpei7N-qOs4Sc0tZ9aG5OJrXJp31zLEsfdI-_43UD/s400/turnstone.JPG) |
white fringes to wing coverts indicate 1st year turnstone |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-u1030E3tFr7LY_7ncZnLSABk8j-OR6dd6h9V-ywAYTaO1hLNTweZz60sAuOewI2bOfkXnks3_fOMvpPKms14I4JvOquc7-EztEKRrf_8royC5mHmjNu3e15yW4CdX_NXgHdzUIHEhqh/s400/snow+buntin+%25281%2529.JPG) |
How many snow buntings here? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tT3XdFwzLDAIXZJrtvprtTKYeBceEnXKswPHYAQ-Q466Y6bRHvC9bCsZMbYfC-Cn3dizz96qs3aOcyQC0xqkWEPVjKN-nuf1HV09e1loLk-AcOFgbJ-ppQg5kvN4Y3wdbsEDTaGC6KNr/s400/snow+buntin+%25282%2529.JPG) |
Good flight detail of a 1st winter snow bunting |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCWQJieLXeFYft9m2R6Dks3cF-fSQ67pzQL08XirUOnB_yVSCpa_72DDWY8PZOFs4IYTCwEQiZ7QF-gtaEMLe_sMs08VwOTTc39SXUbIxAY0pnWP36Ic2tnaLVYex6xIc2ag7Wuri9drR/s400/snow+buntin+%25285%2529.JPG) |
feeding flock of snow buntings |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJlB9azHOQw3Pdo0LBg0ZONCtK6_UJFGGlrnSJ3dhhBPVhjLeWncEcngSas3K952BQzOkkZ2sKo0-7zjJ3Ai-TP88hhXkeMYne7jEhCRz3ad4V42ITOc03lA_NhX-bD2TyW4OUkBMywnP/s400/black+headed+gull.JPG) |
Black headed gull, Salthouse beach |
Time was still on my side, so off to Sheringham for a quick sea watch. Not too much from the Promenade but a confiding black redstart was great to see, dropping down on to some waste ground by the flats on the left as you wander towards the prom. It seemed to favour a small clump of vegetation in the corner of this area.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6G-i8YdenTbVKPYiTtkQYnOKfgeCLLKRSb45b_5MY-opoiAKP7sOT_HV1ET6YZwiAtsQ9WZdPJnaL1X5_QMLInoPYkzOxhe72MqBxSY1ndih_H1DigFRyLFYXZw4iqswyIIEnFn9aW-e/s400/black+redstart+%25283%2529.JPG) |
Black redstart's favoured perch |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcw3Djbj61uVHhffzDofgIYRfH5s92SgOdt2Ience4s9YdffGBsUX4VvpV-0_mrtm2dv01XRnedRpGn72R7tdb_3f4Z6ZwrGwvEIIpPrvuyZ2PvK5Zv9y8crG3r678XxQCOiAPLSry37c/s400/black+redstart+%25281%2529.JPG) |
coming down to feed |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn72z1Ntr9tihVw_eOkdY0okIdQyg6CqoeJMgnj9F_m76LCf02RbaaF5WjNFi8QFwlGLoetpSVmXGyH-y_T9jjCQ2nTgc-YAnS6-_dUT-bbHpLyK2SzqLEkPqLsdIn1QDd1phs4NIW787d/s400/black+redstart+%25282%2529.JPG) |
a very showy bird |
I then headed back west, stopping off for a quick check from Cley beach and a rapid scan over the Eye Field, but just more of the same so on to Titchwell. En route, I popped onto the mud at Burnham Overy Staithe, near the sailing club and was pleased to note all the teal and oystercatchers go up as one just as a female merlin sped over. Another good bird for the day. I like to be at Titchwell mid afternoon as the light is best, but today, having enjoyed cloudless skies all morning, it was becoming increasingly grey. After a brief stop for sustenance I headed off on to the reserve. Again, water levels were as high as I have seen them, so just wildfowl on the Freshmarsh. Therefore, it was possible the waders would be on the saltmarsh and, indeed they were: redshank, black tailed godwits, dunlin, grey plover, avocet along with shelduck and a solitary ruff. Little grebe, teal, mallards and a few wigeon were also on the water.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzaS7YjkZQfscKJOYmoCn_Src45HJuoYDWlYamBq0sdsQ9QF7dkY_Pzpr3It666Rwd9WvMBLVExwo1obs2Z4LrUHVFhpGYSICVj5O9YbbFzlZGoGkZEZ5Hzkd0jac4epTZDsgrieWTfkA/s400/avocet.JPG) |
avocet in fading light |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1MZecNM-2fkPMZ6bbd_vhknd8PJ0OIeNfW16b-oYHefoLBsMKZ6wYcIeCf8nT4A8N54FwXsIkBI439dxLBFaIJAcT_IOXt7nHfp_dWQwG-Me1ThbN8sHJ3yd590Mm_tv2wqvNYDDlJoA/s400/black+tailed+godwit.JPG) |
Black tailed godwit |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV9dgjorAwz10hD_RQITyZ5DyB_L4YA0bEEJspd9rAluXZYKMBrP_fFMhg-ZYgKj99ifUg9v6ad5rL4d5aJIOH5x1IMX1xO-thIojiGnkDWA9zTBG5W185UAy0aOnLTu1eq2Cr4Vn8JbU/s400/curlew.JPG) |
curlew |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwIiNDa5pYrAb6t8pJY8X13LvEyjS7RemX42vYF14v2vO_XexvESToGQQheAQVOmreOqYBv4t9lWYeguOJJcztOhnPrSbdp8AyIsMVqZ1zfEgVX7YXjh71XbjLxKJeTXLUR2O2QyMgU2e/s400/dunlin.JPG) |
Dunlin |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDUGhoRMgVEYyLTBa5rFtN7F788NotpXU0SRukaaguqQvGfEnJYbTwvxTjZ1vh5WPE03JrDjzOLho_y7xO5jeyrTGXEaWAD5iCntp-4a0UVixIMXb7S5Nzr7-_CGOeBvAsEJ9SSQJv1Sp/s400/grey+plover.JPG) |
Grey plover |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTaBjT39g-Wo4j4l7NXgb9VIQDNndelYTKGjoYGNfDt55YhCUi3LmvokeaK9xMIHJHEvDuYip0Lvt5axpuX0hAZ3QnYDjgb1MoH8it4excE5Gc_4H3xpIT_AsecGaYDzKjOFkm9KsUJx1/s400/fading+light+over+Thornham.JPG) |
Looking towards Thornham in the west |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreqKMzsMioaIcbYvvHsPo1EkVeQY_TLAZ_8Dkjwv4a-2xaUNfz1zoT0MnAIio7LI5LlpCrt3-qdT_JEemyDuhA94eU0XIwNAB5ZQNBmidUQ05Y4llm4gxqby1dXfRjCOX-QxgYoStFH6p/s400/knot+%25282%2529.JPG) |
Last photo of the day, much enhanced lighting on a group of Knot |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWxAZIispoRTH0YkNEY7b9Y927r0mQuRfH7skfZvMDr8e2LFxXiRlr2wKjwQzHz__gLl4kkk4OMgajQbJYnfSyvvfuY0R-4TWBG8xzqg8DStAV4rF3dbYbEa0o93spErLo_xDAP3gICLc/s400/little+grebe.JPG) |
Little grebe |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M-eMUe9UcVwOeloygYKITKxYtV2hpDjkR4WxL8cw3iuwINZrUaeMQJtRLQ3QGhxp_0iMDTv8CeeW1NbspMHillvNaXAo_ebebb-kERAzAwrc_I8Y1UDn8nY0tqQ6-U5h4D9VLG3bttDf/s400/teal.JPG) |
Drake Teal |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsM5gD1azHBj8fKj8p8SgtWLckITbNshXo5L-BlYyJaYmbLSMjjAOPvP8WMIL80kAUIhSAt1LDhRLHuXRxk18ZI8eB6jG47tkZpgbxXF_WH95PHbPdBJUpQZ8GTvRN6HwEyaego095Ov3/s400/Titchwell+Salt+marsh.JPG) |
Looking east over the Salt Marsh |
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Sunset over Thornham |
I then spent some time on the beach, scoping the sea. Good birds, all too far out for any photos but a raft of common scoter moved west on the incoming tide and in with these, 2 goldeneye. A little further west, 3 great crested grebes and 2 red breasted mergansers. On the tide line: grey plover, sanderling, oystercatchers, bar tailed and black tailed godwit. A great day out, managing to be back home before 7.30pm. A good way to get my 2018 bird list up and running.
Species from the day:
- red throated diver
- little grebe
- great crested grebe
- cormorant
- little egret
- grey heron
- mute swan
- pink footed goose
- greylag goose
- barnacle goose
- brent goose
- shelduck
- egyptian goose
- mallard
- gadwall
- shoveller
- wigeon
- teal
- pochard
- tufted duck
- common scoter
- goldeneye
- red breasted merganser
- marsh harrier
- kestrel
- merlin
- common buzzard
- red legged partridge
- pheasant
- moorhen
- coot
- oyster catcher
- avocet
- ringed plover
- grey plover
- golden plover
- lapwing
- knot
- sanderling
- turnstone
- redshank
- dunlin
- black tailed godwit
- bar tailed godwit
- curlew
- snipe
- ruff
- black headed gull
- common gull
- herring gull
- great black backed gull
- lesser black backed gull
- stock dove
- wood pigeon
- collared dove
- skylark
- shorelark
- meadow pipit
- pied wagtail
- wren
- dunnock
- robin
- black redstart
- stonechat
- blackbird
- great tit
- blue tit
- magpie
- jackdaw
- rook
- carrion crow
- starling
- chaffinch
- goldfinch
- linnet
- bullfinch
- snow bunting
- yellowhammer
A pleasing first list of the year: not everyday in Norfolk you'll get barnacle goose, shore lark, snow bunting, black redstart and merlin on the day list!