23rd February Day Three of three – Norfolk Winter Birding tour

Today we headed to Holkham and after a damp start the weather improved. With the rain still coming down early on we headed to Joe Jordan hide from here there was plenty of wildfowl. Already back and a sign of Spring not too faraway were 10 Spoonbills, in stark contrast with true winter visitors, an excellent count of 300+ Russian White-fronted Geese, small numbers of Pink-footed Geese also still present. Possibly wild, but very difficult to know the definite origin of a small group of Barnacle Geese.

Out on the beach afterwards the flock of c60 Snow Bunting were showing very well, but the now unpredictable Shorelarks were absent. Out on the sea there was Red-breasted Merganser and a raft of Common Scoter, but the strong wind made looking them very difficult.

We headed for a break at The Lookout where there were several showy Grey Partridge, plus a colour ringed Mediterranean Gull.

The day was rounded off at Titchwell highlights were a Red-crested Pochard on Patsy’s, a showy Water Rail in ditch. Lots of Avocets and gulls including several more Med Gulls. The day ended with great views of a hunting Barn Owl back at Hindolveston.