And so it was that the morning of June 23rd dawned and I was awoken at 01:30am by my alarm clock going off. The decision to watch the Brazil game the previous night was now seriously taking it's toll!! But none the less, I had picked up my fellow TSB members, Mike, Damon & Andy, and was heading off down the M54 by 02:30am.

We arrived at Lakenheath by 05:15am and instantly were getting the usual suspectes of Reed & Sedge Warbler, Cuckoo (6 together at one point!), a Hobby perched in a tree, loads of Whitethroat, Common Tern and a distant Turtle Dove, but so far no sight or sound of a Golden Oriole. As we moved to the rear of the 1st plantation we were rewarded with 2 Marsh Harrier's and 2 Kingfishers. With still no sight or sound of our quarry we moved all the way around to the other side of the plantation, where another birder informed us of a female he'd seen in the second plantation!! So, off we went. We eventually located the 'spot' and began in earnest scanning.....nothing!! All we got was a Green Woodpecker....maybe what the other guy saw? I dont know, but after being at Lakenheath for 3 hours and not a sight or sound of Orioles, we decided to leave!! Not the best start.

Next stop was Weeting Heath, where as soon as we got out of the car we were rewarded with a Woodlark flying above the car park singing away merrily. We all paid our £2.50 entry fee and made our way to the West Hide. As soon as the first flap was raised we were all instantly on a Stone Curlew!! After a scan we picked up the second bird and then her chick!! Another Woodlark was seen feeding in the field but little else of note. But an excellent bird and stunning views - bird of the trip for me! A Spotted Flycatcher was picked up in the car park and the Woodlark was still merrily singing away. Anyway, time to go....

Much closer views of Turtle Dove were gained en route to....

Great Ryborough watchpoint was excellent as we instantly got Marsh Harrier, Hobby & Common Buzzard, and after about 10 minutes wait we were to get on a Honey Buzzard which gave great views on & off for over 30 minutes!! Our day was improving brilliantly!!

Walsey Hill was our next quick stop off where we got 2 Adders basking in the sun. A Cetti's Warbler song burst out in a nearby bush, but little else and the heat haze made scoping very difficult.

So Cley reserve was next where the 3 Spoonbills were still present, which was a great addition as was the Ruddy Shelduck which had arrived just 2 days earlier. Greenshank, Redshank, absoloutely loads of Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Wigeon and other Cley regulars were also added to the day list.

With time moving along we headed off to the Ironbank next for a quick seawatch. We instantly scored with Little Tern and there were higher numbers of Sandwich, Common & Arctic Tern. A solitary Little Gull flew past and also a lone Guillemot was ssen, but otherwise it was pretty quiet.

Titchwell and our final port of call. There was a Lesser Whitethroat calling by the information center, but it remained typically elusive. On the first pool 2 Little Egret were easily picked up and there was a huge flock of Bar-tailed Godwit & Knot. 3 summer plumaged Spotted Redshanks and a summer plumaged Ruff were excellent. Again, large numbers of Avocet & Redshank and 11 Little Gulls relaxing in the sun was a much better view. A seawatch here added Common Scoter, Gannet, Fulmar & Eider. Plus a small group of Sanderling on the shore line. On our return to the car 2 distant & 3 much closer Bearded Tit were also added.

A day tally of 108 species was excellent!! A total round trip of 460 miles was tiring, but well worth it as I added 10 ticks to my year list and also bagged 2 lifers!! Norfolk....what a place!!!