I started my three-day birding break in Norfolk with a quick stop off at Willow Tree Fen reserve in Lincolnshire, where a first-winter male Bluethroat has been showing well since the beginning of February. I didn't have to wait long before the bird appeared by the path.
Bluethroat
The Bluethroat showed really well, as you can see from the images above.
Moving on from here, I dropped my bags off at the B and B and headed for Holkham. As I was driving past Holkham marsh, I got great views of a Marsh Harrier perched up by the side of the road and a distant Great white egret.
Marsh Harrier
Great White Egret
There were also 5 Spoonbills on the marsh and well over 500 White fronted geese.
White Fronted Goose
Arriving at Holkham Gap, I started to walk west along the beach, and after about a mile, I connected with the 34 Shorelarks that have been around this area since late November last year.
Shorelark
After stunning views of these great birds, I left them in peace and headed back to the car as it had started to rain. The final bird of the evening was a Barn owl near Stiffkey, which I watched from the car hunting over some fields.
Barn Owl
A great end to the first day of my holiday, which was followed by a nice Indian meal and a few beers.
