26th to 29th April
My spring visit to the Norfolk coast coincided with cold winds from the North-West and hence very little spring migration going on! If you ever want to book a visit to Norfolk always go the week before or after the one I have booked!
First stop was Welney for an hour or so. 35 species recorded including a very nice Great White Egret in breeding plumage.
Then headed to Roydon Common (11 species). This was a first visit and I enjoyed exploring the wooded area, finding Common Lizard warming themselves in the sun. Coming out of the woods headed towards the common when the skies opened and sleet set in.
Next stop Snettisham Country Park (31 species) and two very nice female Redstart amongst the usual suspects!
27th April
Up and out early for a walk around Brancaster (26 species). A few migrants around but not the numbers of last year, the cold northerly wind still acting as a blocker. After an excellent breakfast at The Ship Inn set off to Burnham to see if a change of location could bring something new. 54 species but nothing new. However a nice group of 60 plus Sanderling gathered on the lee-ward side of a bank was of interest.
Stopped by Thornham Sports Field to see if any Ring Ouzel were around . None about but a very nice flock of 25 Whimbrel feeding on the field produced some good close views.
Thornham Marshes produced 19 species in the short time I was there including Grey Plover and so on to Titchwell via Choseley Barns but sadly no Dotterel (they appeared the day after I returned home..... see what I mean about booking for a week after me!). Amongst the 69 species were a nice pair of Mediterranean Gull.
28th April
Another good breakfast at The Ship set me up for a visit to Stiffkey (33 species) and a walk towards the whirligig. Lots a Lesser Whitethroat around and calling well and good numbers of Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.
Kelling Water Meadows produced the Ring Ouzel if a somewhat distant view!
The views of Yellow Wagtail and Stonechat were closer and better!
As were the Common Lizard
Cley and Salthouse finished the day off but produced little in the way of anything new! And so ended my Spring tour of Norfolk. Sadly nothing new but still that's what birdwatching is all about!
