September 28th – Norfolk High Tide Group Day Tour

A wonderful high tide tour with fantastic light, gave us a round 40-50,000 Red Knot, 3-4000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2000 Oystercatcher both seen in their masses, then flying overhead! Plus a plethora of commoner waders, including Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Turnstone & Black-tailed Godwit.

A Juv Peregrine added to the drama when it chased a Bar-tailed Godwit into the shallows, it dived underwater several times & avoided immediate capture. It was then waterlogged & couldn’t take it off, but incredibly despite actually being picked up, carried & dropped by the Peregrine it survived, stayed floating in the deeper water & the Peregrine eventually gave up what was going to be a very easy meal!!
Lots of ooohs & aghhhs from my crowd!

The freshwater pits also hosted 2 Spotted Redshank, 19 Spoonbills and great to watch 7 Whooper Swans pass overhead!

At Titchwell in the afternoon, we had more great wader action with c70 Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, c60 Ruff, a Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint all present.