Typically, the weather did not play ball so picking me up at 8.30, Jono and I headed to Kelling Water meadows in glorious summer sun with no wind.
As we were walking down I said to Jono that we would not see a Pied Flycatcher - a bird in the UK that has constantly alluded me. None here!
Still, plenty of common birds about but nothing particular on the pools. Nearby though we got views of Winchat, Stonechat and Meadow Pipits with a fly past Caspian Gull.
A fellow birder had tipped us off about Redstarts which were one of the target birds of the day.
Though we found the area where he saw them it seemed bird less so we moved on to the East Bank at Cley.
By now, it was almost tropical and Arnolds gave us very little other than the expected waders.
However, we got good views of Bearded Tit and I even managed a reasonable photo!
We did see a more distant male on the return to the car and my photo at distance looks like it could have been painted by Monet!
After a quick coffee break at the Cley Visitor Centre we made our way down to the hides. More waders with Greenshank and Green Sandpiper being the highlights and a nice close up of a Snipe.
Burnham Overy was next port of call but this was particularly quiet and looking through our binos gave us so little we gave it up as a bad job and made our way to Titchwell.
Another target bird of the day was Turtle Dove and following a tip off at the VC we walked the Meadow Trail to the newly finished Autumn Trail. Although Jono thought he heard one, we saw nothing so made our way to the main path.
The Freshmarsh gave loads of waders with Little Stints being close enough for photos.
As it was more practical we had already agreed to finish off at Holme so that Jono could leave me to get home with Jen and he would not have to double back to go home.
As we pulled in to the reserve, Fiona, who was on the gate told us to park up as a Turtle Dove was on the roof opposite. We quickly grabbed our cameras and although awkward for decent views got a record shot.
As we drove up to the parking area we spotted Gary, the Warden. He said that Pied Flys had been there most of the week but had not been reported today (surprise, surprise!) However, a female or juvenile Redstart was just in the bushes where he was working.
We parked up and managed to get fleeting views though nothing in terms of photos.
Jen made us a coffee and a cheese scone as a nice finish to the day.
Excellent day considering the weather though Pied Fly still needs to be found!
