It is always a pleasure to be with these guys as there knowledge is immense and Dave and I learn something new every time we go birding with them.
An early start at 4am at the Prince of Wales followed by picking Graeme up in Stortford. This all went swimmingly especially for Graeme who forgot binoculars on our last outing but managed to remember everything this time!
Two hours later we were at Sheringham. The sea watching here promised much but delivered little and the biting wind made for a quick coffee stop before driving on to Weybourne. This area was new to me and Dave and was beautiful - windswept coastline and shingle beach. A stroll along gave us our first Wheatear of the day. A really good view of an Arctic Skua flying past was another highlight.
Onwards to Salthouse where the sun was getting warmer and the wind marginally less biting. This was lovely too and a very obliging Redshank gave some great photo opportunities.
This is always a dangerous place to visit especially if you have cash or a credit card. I avoided with great effort to buy any books although Graeme succumbed to temptation and bought a new Mulepack for his scope! Jono - built like a rake - had numerous biscuits (this was followed by various food stops in the day to munch on chorizo and double Gloucester sandwiches, 2 large vegetable samosas and an Old Spot pork pie!)
Although we have all had more productive days at Cley it never fails to deliver and a lone Spoonbill viewable from the centre and first hide was a highlight. Annoyingly it was less photogenic than our earlier Redshank as it had its head tucked in tight due to the prevailing wind. Nevertheless a great bird. Further hides provided Dave and my best ever views of Ruff and distant but identifiable Curlew Sandpipers.
The lagoon viewable from the path provided a variety of duck and waders. At the very rear, furthest from the path we spotted a pair of Green Sandpipers with a lone and similarly sized other wader. This had a distinct peachy coloured breast and with the strong winds the immediate thought was a migrant Buff Breasted Sandpiper - a major find.
The problem was that at such a distance and with so much foliage in front of us it was hard to view. When it quickly took off we tried relocating the bird by scanning through the various waders which included similar looking Ruff.
I am fairly convinced that the bird we saw was too small to be a Ruff but we never found it again - we think!
However, lack of a photo and nagging doubts left us too unsure to claim this one - shame!
Still our list was progressing nicely and on our way to Titchwell, Jono took us on a detour to a local farm inland.
A superb flock of Golden Plover sat in a field accompanied by yet another wader (probably another Ruff!). Corn Buntings showed making this a very worthwhile excursion.
Finally Titchwell.
Getting there late afternoon allowed us to miss the bulk of the mobbing crowd who will have turned up to see the Little Bittern which has been there the last couple of days. If it was still there we did not see it but chose not to sit around waiting.
More Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints amongst other waders, gulls and ducks made for a very pleasant interlude and a walk to the last pool before the beach gave some great views of Yellow Wagtail. Graeme got some super photos but mine were not so good due to the sun shining on my viewfinder.
Last action of the day came from some sea watching.
By now it was getting very chilly and the wind was so strong it made viewing through the scopes a nightmare.
However, Jono pointed out Manx Shearwaters - a first for Dave and I and although they were too distant and it was too windy for photos, it was still a great finale.
All in all 94 species for the day which is a record for our birding trips together. Considering we missed out on common birds such as Great Tit and Greenfinch amongst others, this was excellent!
As usual, the banter and company was second to none.
A particular thank you goes to Jono for ferrying us around.
Roll on December!!
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