Work In Progress

Arrived in Norfolk yesterday for seven days. If I had my way I would be out birding all day every day but apparently there’s a little thing called Christmas going on and some of our party don’t quite share our love of birding. We’ll be out as much as we can though; sloping off for some early morning sessions and also dragging the non-birders on ‘scenic walks’, which will hopefully turn up a good bird or two! I’ve been hoping for a few lifers whilst I'm here…..Snow and Lapland Bunting, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Red Throated Diver, Purple Sandpiper and maybe even a Waxwing (if I’m very, very lucky which I doubt!).

After arriving in Cley yesterday afternoon we popped out to Salthouse for an hour, after the Snow and Lapland Buntings that have been reported there. The light was fading which made things difficult but after about 15 minutes we saw a flock of about 40 buntings. There were definitely Snow Buntings (Lifer!) but it was hard to see them in the poor light and we couldn’t make out if any Laplands were present. There was also a nice female Stonechat present. Other notable sightings included Sparrowhawk, Turnstone, Redshank, Common & Black Headed Gull. We had a Marsh Harrier over Cley on the way past.

Back at Salthouse this morning, we had much better views of a smaller flock of Snow Buntings (about 20), we spent some time familiarising ourselves with them, lovely little things J We haven’t managed to pick out any Laplands yet though. Other birds at Salthouse included Herring, Common & BH Gull, Little Egret, around 200 Brent Geese grazing a field, Teal, Wigeon, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, and Kestrel.

Back to the cottage for a bacon sarnie, then out for a walk at Holkham Pines with our non-birding companions. We had about four more Marsh Harriers there, Jays, Long Tailed Tits, two Stonechat, Goldcrest (heard), Curlew, Lapwing, usual winter wildfowl again, also Shelduck and skeins of Pink Footed Geese coming in. We managed to interest the other members of our party in a few birds. I think they quite enjoyed seeing the Goldeneye and Little Grebes that we showed them on the pool. Not a lot out on the sea (but poor visibility), a few GC Grebes and Cormorant close in. The beach was quiet too, just a few Oystercatchers on the shoreline. In total 42 species seen today. We also saw a Muntjac Deer on our walk back to the car park.

Me and my other half Max ready for birdy action at Holkham.