Norfolk Road Trip

 I've just returned from a long weekend of wildlife watching in North Norfolk in the company of Alan Shorrock. I'd hoped for a grab bag of goodies blown in on easterly winds, that sadly did not happen but we did see a few half decent things and most importantly of all appear to have avoided the duff weather that has blighted the county over the last couple of days! Such a shame that I missed out on the Eyebrook Sabine's but that's the way the cookie crumbles and I'm not bitter...well not too much!

Black Darter, Sundew and Stonechat

We began on Friday at Dersingham Bog where some early cloud broke up allowing the sun to shine through. My main targets were the Black Darters that apparently make this site their home, I'd tried to see them on several previous visits but met with no success. Today was a different matter however and the darters did the decent thing with at least four basking on the planks of the boardwalk. Having only ever seen one before it was good to catch up with this distinctive species again. Other wildlife in the area included several Stonechats and  a small selection of raptors.

Little Stint, Ruff and Snipe

Our next stop was at Titchwell where we were treated to a variety of waders with a Little Stint being the best. Bearded Tits were heard but not seen while a distant Marsh Harrier was our first of the weekend. Willow Emerald was the pick of a small bunch of insects on offer though it was good to see decent numbers of Red Admirals nectaring on Ivy. On the way to our accommodation in Hunstanton a Hen Harrier crossed the road bringing our day to an agreeable end.

Knots and Spoonbill

On Saturday morning we decided to pop along to Snettisham to see the high tide wader roost. Little did I realise that several hundred other people had the same idea and a procession of folk were making the trek down to the reserve. The spectacle was worth the slog, we were too late to see the birds arriving but the sight of so many waders packed on to the islands was amazing. With such a potential buffet on offer it was no surprise that a Peregrine paid a call sending the hordes of Knot hurtling skywards, it was sometime before they settled down again.  As well as the Knot there were plenty of other waders around and the numbers of Curlews in particular were impressive. A flock of Spoonbill were present on the reserve while on the Wash we saw eight Eider and a Scaup before taking the hike back to the car. A Wall Brown helped to break the monotony though it didn't pose for pics.

Escaped Black-winged Stilt, Willow Emerald and Muntjac

We had hoped to visit Holme next but the reserve was apparently full and that meant turning to Plan B. This involved a return visit to Titchwell where we dipped on Yellow-browed Warbler and also a Wryneck which was seen briefly at the paddocks. A look at the sea did not produce much and the reserve seemed quiet, a group of Spoonbills were present and we also saw the escaped Black-wing Stilt. Good insects included a camera shy Wall Brown and an equally uncooperative Small Copper. While walking back towards the car park our day was improved immeasurably when a Honey Buzzard drifted in from the SW and headed along the coast towards Brancaster. On that eventful note we brought our day to a close and headed back to Hunstanton.

Spotted Flycatcher, GWE and Dunlin

Sunday morning saw us visit Holme where we managed to get in and park. We began with a spell of sea watching and were rewarded with a small selection of birds. Plenty of Common Scoters were on the move with about a hundred passing, a drake Eider was also seen and also my first Brents of the winter. Five or six Gannets and an Arctic Skua were my first of the year and Alan also saw a Kittiwake, there were about five Red-throated Divers too.   Leaving the sea behind we took a stroll around the NOA reserve before heading to the neighbouring NNT one. I had a couple of brief views of a Yellow-browed Warbler near the car park which sadly Shozzer didn't get on to. He had more luck with some Spotted and a Pied Flycatcher in the dunes which we watched for some time. Our next achievement was to miss not one but two reported Wrynecks though in our defence I don't think many people saw them. Rain was now beginning to fall and we decided to bring the day and our weekend to a close, not the best birding weekend I've ever had but good enough.

Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and more Knots