Norfolk Day Two of Three Day Tour – 2nd November

Today was a very early start with a visit Snettisham, we just caught the high tide at 7.00am and there was a spectacular mass of 100,000 Knot, Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin and Oystercatchers. Today the birds were mainly out on The Wash, they were being disturbed by a hunting Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier. We were kept constantly entertained as the formations and clouds of birds changed in size and shape, speeding up and then slow motion. It’s always an amazing sight! To add the excitement 2 Merlins also swept into view, chasing and interacting with each other.

As the tide dropped, Pink-footed Geese also headed out, calling as they passed by, smaller numbers than we had seen the previous evening. Also masses of Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck and a few Pintail, including 2 smart drakes.

As the tide continued to drop we headed over to the hides and checked out the birds on the gravel pits. There was a few hundred Oystercatcher, plus plenty of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and a few Gadwall. A big group of Cormorants. Closer by there was a Little Grebe and 2 Rock Pipits feeding close to the hide. I checked the usual Short-eared Owl roost sites

We then headed back out to The Wash where the tide had dropped. There was now a nice number of waders spread out feeding, Ringed Plovers, Golden and Grey Plover closer now. There was a a good number of Dunlin, maybe 100, and after a bit of scanning I managed to pick out a single adult Little Stint.

After an early start it was now time for a coffee and cake!

We next headed tom Thornham harbour, it was very windy and tricky looking fore the Twite, which didn’t seem to be around. There was fantastic flock of c200 Linnet, plus a Stonechat, several Rock Pipit & Reed Bunting. around the harbour. A walk along the seawall gave us lots of Lapwing, and a flock of Golden Plover, and a few hundred Pink-footed Geese.

We had lunch at Titchwell then headed out on to the reserve. Marsh harriers were dancing over the reedbed enjoying the strong wind. There was a surprising number of 16 Avocet out on the grazing marsh. We headed for the beach as decided to head for the shoreline, we were unlucky and couldn’t find any Snow Bunting, but the shoreline and sea added Sanderling, Common Scoter, Gannet and Great Crested Grebe. The tidal pool had a nice mixture of waders, and there were several close Black-tailed Godwit.

We all headed out in the evening and enjoyed a lovely meal out at a local bar.