Lovely day on the Norfolk Coast

It was a 4.30 am start when Jono picked me up and after a coffee stop we arrived at Titchwell at around 6.30.

Jono has been invited to open the moth trap and having scrambled over the fence to the light box there did not seem to be much there.

Knowing this is once of the quietest times bird wise we did not hold out much hope for a rarity but were both hopeful of adding to our year lists.

We got some excellent views of a Sedge Warbler and numerous Avocets but probably the several Spotted Redshank in summer plumage were the highlights.

On our way back we were treated to distant views of a Barn Owl both perching and quartering the adjacent fields.

Too early at Titchwell  for the cafe, we had a quick stop off at Burnham Deepdale before a pleasant walk to Stiffkey Fen. However, this was not particularly productive so we made way to Cley.

The Visitor Centre is specifically designed to lull you into spending money and we have both succumbed on various occasions. Jono had been complaining about the mistiness of his binoculars and this was obviously known to the man from Cley Spy who has set up a makeshift binocular stall just by the entrance!

It only took him a few minutes before he relieved Jono of his money and we parted with a new pair of Nikon Prostaff binos!

I smugly walked out with my wallet intact and we then looked around the reserve. Highlights were some super summer plumage Ruff and several Spoonbills.

By way of a change Jono suggested we continue around the coast to Horsey Mere. I had heard of this but never visited and knew its main claim to fame was that Swallowtail butterflies bred here.

Though June is the best month to see them, the damp and cloudy weather was against us. Having taken some advice from the cafe owner we passed the area she had recommended without success. However great but brief views of a Marsh Tit plus Coal and Long Tailed Tit, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat made the walk worthwhile.

The option for a circular walk was tempting but it was long and the weather was always looking iffy so we walked back to the Swallowtail area. Just as we arrived the sun came out and we finally saw this iconic butterfly. It landed briefly and just enough for Jono to get some excellent record shots - see one below.

After another coffee I checked my phone to see that a female Red Backed shrike was showing at Winterton Dunes which was only a couple of miles away. We made our way there and found it covered a large area. The rather unhelpful note was that it was in the North Dunes. Although it certainly had potential, the lack of pinpoint info meant we had no luck. I subsequently found out it was around the highest dune which we could see but never walked far enough!

An excellent day out with seven birds added to my year list and my first ever UK Swallowtail - brilliant!