Norfolk Saturday!

Pre-breakfast Stroll

With Dee in need of a little R and R we drove across to Norfolk Friday evening for a few days on the Coast. Living in a land locked midlands county its always nice to get away to any coastal area but from a birding perspective Norfolk is the gem.

Mind you the drive across wasn't without it's moments with several roads impassable due to flooding but after several diversions and a five hour drive we finally arrived at our cottage near Mundesley, a little knackered but thankfully in one piece.

Pipit In The Gloom!

Saturday morning began with a pre-breakfast stroll along the coastal path in the fog and despite the poor visibility a few Meadow Pipits and Turnstones were seen. However, the highlight of the short walk was the distinct trill of Waxwing overhead, sadly not picked up but encouraging non the less.

It looked pretty grim at one time from a birding perspective but by the time we reached Salthouse for coffee around mid morning things had brightened up considerably. The usual flock of around 30 or so Turnstone were on the shingle and shortly after commencing our walk north towards Cley we connected with a Sacred Ibis, probably the same bird of unknown origin recently seen at Brandon Marsh.

Turnstone

The occasional pause for a short sea-watch produced both ♂♀Goldeneye, Red-throated Diver, Great-Northern Diver and at one time 5 Gannet flew south, one a juvenile. The marsh produced Ruff, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Little Egret, Shelduck, Marsh Harrier (2) and wildfowl included Teal, Shoveler and good numbers of Wigeon, plus the usual selection of Brent and Pink-footed Geese constantly airborne.

A coffee and a chat with a few locals back at the car park had us briefly searching for a reported Shore Lark on Gramborough Hill. Sadly to no avail but as we returned to the car a flock of around 30 Snow Buntings dropped in briefly before moving off. The surprise of the day was a Red Admiral Butterfly which flew into nearby gorse, the pain of the day was the flat tyre we encountered in the car park which I just managed to change before the rain set in!!

Sunday and Monday posts to follow.........................