Friday 8 October 2010

Norfolk day 2 – ticking along slowly!

All was quiet on the rarity front but at least four year ticks (some ‘standard Norfolk birds were missing) were to make the day worthwhile. The East bank at Cley provided Egyptian Goose and Bearded Tit. A good number and variety of waders on Arnolds Marsh: Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper (1), Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Ringed Plover. Cross onshore winds mean a few seabirds were within range but nothing special, Eider, Red-throated and Black-throated Diver picked up on the water. Yet another Shore Lark blank return but pretty amazing migration action with hundreds of Redwing arriving!

Salthouse was fairly quiet again and more shingle trudges failed to produce Lapland Bunting or Shore lark! This Chiffchaff was one of several smaller birds arriving.....






An amazing encounter (too close!) in the car park followed as I was leaving - with a Great Skua trying to mug the Gulls overhead! Had I managed to focus on the bird as I was putting the gear away, I might have managed a head shot only?

A finale at Walsey Hills saw me eaten alive by mozzies! Quite a few Brambling here...







I suppose four year ticks for the day was a worthwhile return but it would have been nice to get some more images.....