13th – 17th Norfolk Birding Winter Tour- Day Five of Five. North Norfolk

We decided on the final day to start with another Shorelark attempt, after the concerted effort and failure on Day 2!

Before we set off for the beach area, we scanned the pools, there was several Common Snipe showing up close against the vegetation and at least a dozen Ruff in the pools. A plethora of Wigeon, Teal plus Shoveler, Pink-feet and Brent Geese.

Out on the saltmarsh we headed for the cordoned area. The flock of 45 Snow Bunting were immediate obvious and with a sense of joy and relief, so were the Shorelark. Eventually the full wintering group of five Shorelark were in view, everybody thoroughly enjoyed there deserved prize!

We then headed back to the car park and after hot drinks, we headed to Holkham Park. We started at the north end of the lake, there was a nice flotilla of Pochard, Tufted Duck but we couldn’t locate the Black-necked Grebe in this area. So we started heading South, we eventually found the Black-necked Grebe at the South end of the lake and had good scope views.

As we started walking back our 2nd pair of Ravens on this tour went overhead! They are clearly starting to become established.

We headed to Titchwell and had lunch. We were disappointed to hear that the Woodcock (recently so reliable) was nowhere to be seen in it’s favoured haunt. We took a quick look but no sign. The main lagoon was holding a very high water level and there was lots of wildfowl and Brents but little else. We made it to the sea pool where there was Bar & Black-tailed Godiwt, Curlew, Knot, Redshank and a Spotted Redshank. We now had just enough time to walk back and head for the raptor roost.

The weather started to deteriorate, but held up just long enough to finish the tour off with a fine male and ringtail Hen Harrier

So an excellent 5 days with 125 species recorded.