Another great day in Norfolk

Jono picked me up at 5.30 but we had to make a stop at the garage in Ely.

Jono was being interviewed on 3 Counties Radio and had a prearranged call at 6.30.

After giving them the lowdown on interesting facts about Little Hadham and a coffee we were back on our way.

Titchwell was first port of call and although the predicted fog was absent, light values were generally poor. This was a feature of the day making photos poor.

Sea watching gave Red Throated Divers but I noticed another diver with a thicker neck. Jono gave me first lifer of the day in Great Northern Diver! On the beach there were the usual waders including decent numbers of Grey Plover and fly past Knot.

On our way back from the beach we had a flyover Whooper Swan and a super male Pintail before settling down at the Parinder Hide.

Generally large numbers of waders and ducks though nothing particularly outstanding so it was back to the VC for a coffee.

On our way back we met another birder who mentioned that a flock of Twite were at Thornham.

After coffee we decided to give it a go. No sooner had we parked the car when Jono noticed a number flying. However, a decent group of 10 sat in a distant tree. Not great views but another lifer for me nevertheless!

Onwards towards Holkham Gap but we stopped at Burnham Overy when we saw some parked cars and group of birders. A Rough Legged Buzzard was in a very distant tree but the third lifer of the day for me. Jono also found a Great White Egret in the reeds though equally distant. My record shot could be anything and photographically, this summed up the day!

As the Surf Scoter was last seen miles away at Holkham meaning a 6 mile round trip walk we opted to go to Sheringham where a birder had seen a Black Redstart in a garden at a block of flats on the seafront.

After scanning this unlikely area I saw our young Black Redstart flitting across the roof tops.

No decent photos again but a welcome year lister.

Although it was a shame about the weather for photos it was a super day and three lifers in such a short space of time is exceptional at this time of year.

A quick detour to Hay Street on the way back and we got distant views of a much more obvious RLB though too far away for photos. The Short Eared Owl which had also been seen did not show so it was back home!

Hong Kong and Thailand next!