A Trip to Norfolk.

Last Monday the weatherman told me it would be fine weather in Norfolk all week so on Wednesday morning I left early for a couple of days birding.The weatherman got it wrong of course it was gloomy and damp so not good for getting decent shots.Mind you it was not cold and not windy well it wasn't till Friday morning.

Went to Cley first on Wednesday.The usual suspects could be seen from the hides but nothing special seen.A walk down the East bank and along the shingle banks produced very little except for a couple of Stonechats.

After lunch I couldn't resist the sightings coming through on the bird text alert so I shot over to West Runton to try and see a Short-toed Lark,a Barred Warbler and a Richards Pipit.Eventually found the right spot but the birds were so far away/mobile that I had poor views even through another birders scope.So poor in fact I'm not claiming any ticks.

Thursday morning I went to Wells Woods a place I'd not been to before.It was an impressive place but the car park fee was so expensive I thought the price might include lunch at the beach cafe.Soon found the place where the Yellow Browed Warbler had been seen the day before in some willows but in the next couple of hours I only had very brief views as it hopped around often calling out but usually well hidden.So no shots!!!!Other birds seen in the Dell area included a Firecrest,several common Warblers and some Redwings.

After lunch in the beach cafe (which was not free!!!!!) and which was as good as my view of the Yellow Browed Warbler : crap I had a quick look on the beach where Curlews,Turnstones,Bar-tailed Godwits,Grey Plovers and hundreds of Brent Geese were showing.

I then went to the shingle banks at Cley to try for the Snow Buntings that had been seen earlier but after a long search I had seen no sign of them but I did see a Greenland Wheatear and a Black Redstart.

Friday morning started very wet and very windy but I decided to have a look at Titchwell to break up the journey home.Turned out to be a wise move despite the weather because there was a Grey Phalarope showing from the Island hide,a Little Stint and a distant Jack Snipe.The wind was so strong on the beach that the sand was being blown up so whilst I still had some skin left I very quickly retreated back down the path.On the way back a couple showed me a pair of Shore Larks on the brackish marsh but they were a long was off.