We went to Norfolk for the weekend for the third time in 2016, staying again with the lovely
Viv and Barley. Our wonderful (not just because she puts up with us making her go birding!) friend Naomi came with us and we set off from London early Saturday morning. First stop was just over the Norfolk border at Weeting Heath, where the
Stone-curlew were showing remarkably well (not that you'd think that from my photos). Also at Weeting were some
Yellowhammer and a lovely little
Treecreeper nest. The next stop was a brief one at Lynford in the hope of Hawfinch, but to no avail although we had good views of
Siskin, which is always welcomed.
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| Stone-curlew |
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| Yellowhammer |
After a lunch from Cookies Crab Shop, we wandered around Cley for the rest of the afternoon. There were plenty of hirundines swooping around and my first
Yellow Wagtail of the year were spotted. Also a first for the year were
Little Ringed Plover,
Ruff and just as we were leaving, two
Wheatear.
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| Avocet |
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| Little Egret |
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| Brent Goose |
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| Cley Beach |
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| Wheatear |
Before breakfast on Sunday morning we popped out to Kelling Heath where we got a bit carried away (and mildly lost) and nearly missed breakfast! The highlight was 3
Dartford Warbler, singing away at the tops of their voices.
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| Kelling Heath is beautiful |
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| Dartford Warbler |
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| Yellowhammer |
After a brief stop off at Choseley, where there were three
Ring Ouzel, the rest of the afternoon was spent at glorious Titchwell. A
Water Rail was a first for a very long time and both the
Cetti's Warbler and
Bearded Tit population were showing remarkably well. A couple of
White Wagtail were seen but unfortunately yet again we missed the Water Pipit. Out on the beach I was happy to have a flock of
Sanderling descend (one of my favourite birds!) and there was a
Great Crested Grebe bobbing away out on the sea. The walk back to the car got us our second lot of
Siskin for the weekend and then it was time for the long drive home.
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| Water Rail |
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| Brent Goose |
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| Sanderling <3 |
It should also be noted that this trip (the Ring Ouzel specifically) took me over my 2015 total for the whole year! I did not have a good birding year last year...
Year list: 172
Lifers this year: 10
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