Snettisham and Welney

A couple of years ago I happened to be in Norfolk when the tides were perfect to see the whirling wader spectacular at Snettisham. That was on a gloriously warm August day.

I noticed that the tides had conspired to make the event happen again on Saturday 11th February and was delighted when Jono decided he would come too.

There was a marginal difference though when Jono picked me up at 5.15 the temperature was -17 degrees!

A foggy but straighforward jouney got us to Snettisham where is had warmed up to -11!

That said it was a gloriously clear sunny day and looked spectacular as the sun rose and hit the ice on the surface of the frozen sea. On the lakes before the coast there were a handful of ducks including female Goldeneye

As we neared the wader watch point we were treated to a small flock of Snow Buntings and a lone Dunlin gracing the shingle shoreline (note the ice on it's back!)

Out at the ever diminishing tide line there were thousands of Oysterctachers and Knot with a further huge line of Godwits behind. No photos can really do this spectacular justification but here are a few below.

Eventually, fog started to come down so after a tasty breakfast and coffee we set off to Welney.

As we headed back down the A10, the teperature gradually started to rise yet taking the road to Welney, it dropped back to -13!

It was still very foggy so a few Skylarks in the snow was a welcome sight.

Once at Welney, we remortgaged the Pub to fund the entrance fee, crossed a swanky walkway across the drain and made our way to the hide overlooking the main lagoon.

Although terribly misty we did get some spectacular views of Bewick and Whooper Swans along with a variety of Ducks and Geese. Not much else out of the water except the odd Reed Bunting and usual Finches and Tits on the feeders.

It was a super few hours and Jono counted 56 species which was very creditable given the weather!