Now I’m not usually the sort for twitching but when an opportunity arises to bash out a few species together then I can be tempted. The Western Sand at Cley, along with the generally good birding in the area and a bogey bird in Great Grey Shrike, is one such situation. Trip to Norfolk duly, if hastily, planned.
A 0615 start to pick a mate of mine up before tearing down to Fakenham, picking up Mistle Thrush; Little Egret; Feral Pigeon and he a Grey Partridge en route. After finding Morrisons just outside Fakenham, a short walk produced a Steppe Grey Shrike (lifer number 1 for the day) along with Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Up the coast then to Cley. Thousands of Brent Geese flying over and landing in the fields. But for more important things. A Western Sandpiper (lifer number 2 for the day) and a Water Pipit (lifer number 3) along with the usual crowd of waders, Marsh Harrier, Wigeon and Pintail.
Back to the car for some lunch before weighing up where else on the coast to attack. Wells where Shore Lark, Lapland Bunting and Black Brant had been reported. Pulling into the car park and speaking to the birders highlighted where the Black Brant was and then a clamber up the sea bank enabled us to view this bird. Some of the features were consistent with Black Brant: very prominent neck collar, dark appearance, scaly pale patch on the side. It just didn’t seem dark enough to me. That coupled with there being about half a dozen very similar birds in the flock made me a little suspicious but I reserved judgement until I had checked the field guide. A scan over the saltmarshes did yield Rough-legged Buzzard (lifer number 4).
A walk across the dunes for a bit of seawatching yielded very little bar a Red-throated Diver and a Great Black-backed Gull.
Continuing our westwards dash along the coast to Titchwell. Located the Redpoll flock by the visitors’ centre and somebody very kindly pointed out the Coue’s Arctic Redpoll (lifer number 5). Stright through the reserve to the coast to add to the wader tally. Sanderling, Turnstone, Knot and Grey Plover. I picked up a large pale bird which I lost immediately before somebody shouted Gannet (that’s not a tickable bird, the one that got away). Goldeneye, Common Scoter and Whooper Swan were the pick of the birds on the water.
A wander back gave Scaup, Spotted Redshank and 5 Marsh Harriers in one scope view. A Water Rail and a Wren called from the reedbeds and then back to the car for the trip home.
Day list: 81 species.
