I set off from Cheshire in the early hours of this morning and arrived at first light at Wolverton triangle, hoping to see the Golden Pheasant, which has been showing well the last couple of months. After a good hour of waiting, I drove around the triangle, but there was no sign of this elusive species. A Woodcock by the side of the road was a good addition to the day list.
Record shot from the car
I then moved on to Titchwell, the weather was shocking, and it never stopped raining all the time I was there, but I added some good birds to my year list.
Sanderlings were on the beach, and Slavonian Grebe and Long-Tailed duck were on the sea
Up to 30 Avocets were on site
Black Tailed Godwits were in good numbers
Ringed Plover
Grey Plover
Curlew
There was plenty of action around the feeders with Siskin, Goldfinch and a Water Rail.
Greenfinch
Siskin
After a hot coffee and drying out, I made my way towards Blakeney. I wasn't dry for long as the weather was getting even worse when I arrived, but I soon connected with the 5 Lapland buntings that have been present for a while.
Very wet Lapland Buntings
Other birds of note were Brent geese, Skylark, Little grebe and a flyover Hen harrier
Brent Geese
Little Egret
Reed Bunting
Little Grebe
Moving on from Blakeney, I headed to the east bank at Cley behind Arnold's marsh, where I soon found the small flock of Snow bunting, and thankfully, it had stopped raining and the sun came out!
The beach at East Bank
Looking from the East bank over Cley reserve.
After a bit of lunch, I went back to Holkham, where I saw Egyptian and Pink-footed geese.
Egyptian Goose
Pink-Footed Goose
Late afternoon was spent at Choseley barns, where a flock of 24 Yellowhammers were feeding on seed and good numbers of Red-Legged Partridge were around.
Red Legged Partridge
Nice to see a good number of Yellowhammers that are in decline in the UK
Pheasant
A Hare and Red-Legged Partridge
A view from Choseley overlooking Titchwell R.S.P.B
After Choseley, I spent the rest of the afternoon back at Titchwell. where I got good views of Hen and Marsh Harrier.
Marsh Harrier
After a good day's birding, I headed to Hunstanton to my B&B, shattered but managed to fit in a few beers around town before a good night's sleep.
