Norfolk winter birding

 Twite

 Twite

 Thornham Harbour

 Squire on patrol

 Thornham Harbour

 Little Egret

 Grey Plover

 Long-tailed Ducks

 Curlew

 Turnstone

 Marsh Harriers

 Dunlin

Water Rail

Snow Bunting

On Saturday I spent a fantastic day in Norfolk after being invited to make up the numbers for a December outing organised by the Alcester Squire. The four of us departed from Warwickshire at 6am and made good progress to land at Thornham Harbour by 8.45am. 

The winter light made the harbour look stunning, Redhanks & Curlews called as we all wrapped up warm from the dropping temperatures. The Squire's friends from Alcester had not been to Norfolk before so we were keen to find them as many species as possible. It didn't take long to find our first target as we picked up 25 Twite calling high from the tallest tree in the marsh, they then flew down to the salt marsh where we got some great views of the birds feeding. 

Titchwell was a must for our Norfolk virgins and we were delighted to find it fairly quiet for a Saturday. The Squire picked up a Brambling above us just before the visitor centre before heading down to the beach. 

The water levels were very high but this didn't stop us all enjoying the great selection of birds on show including Snipe, Teal, Wigeon, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, Brent Geese and Avocets. Two Stonechats were also showing well at the start of the boardwalk to the beach.

As we set our scopes up Turnstones were busy very close in front of us. Scanning the calm sea, calmest I'd ever seen it, were a large flock of Common Scoter and with them 12 Velvet Scoters really standing out. As we continued to scan there was no less than 36 Long-tailed Ducks (my 249th species of year) offering amazing views. The male were just breath taking to watch in such a fabulous place. Other species recorded on the sea watch included two Scaup, eight Eider, six Goldeneye, Red-throated Divers, Great-crested Grebes, a very busy Slavonian Grebe whilst the shoreline Sanderling are always great entertainment. The last addition to the day list at Titchwell was a Water Rail in the channel by the visitor centre.

We asked the chaps what they fancied seeing next and both fancied the Snow Buntings and we duly found a flock of around twenty at Salthouse. Views were not as close as we hoped as the local hunt were shooting causing mayhem to every thing including a huge flock of Pink-footed Geese that were feeding locally.

Our final stop was Holme where I always have some good sightings of Owls. Once again Holme delivered with us having some great views of a Short-eared Owl & a Barn Owl. The Shortie actually gave the Barn Owl a good chase at one stage, generally I've always found they ignore them.

A safe journey home, sadly listening to the Saints losing 3-0 at Crystal Palace, was made the better when a Tawny Owl flew straight through my headlights as I past the edge of Salford Priors landing safely on a kill. A top days winter birding, good company and plenty of laughs.