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Monday 28 October 2013

Norfolk 25th to 27th October

The annual trip to Norfolk started at Lynford Arboretum looking for the 2 barred Crossbill, despite a couple of hours waiting we were unlucky but managed to see several woodland species that we don't normally get when in Norfolk - some even got a view of a Firecrest.
 
Common Crossbill
From here we went to Titchwell for the remainder of the day getting to see the usual Ducks and Waders
Golden Plovers in the hundreds

One of a couple of close by Ruff
From the beach on the sea Long-tailed ducks, Eider, Slav Grebes, Red-necked Grebe, eventually a Shore Lark, all new for the year. Also 3 Seals.

Two of three Seals cut off by the tide
Also plenty of Pink-footed Geese
Pink-footed Geese
Only a few winter Thrushes this year, unlike last when there were thousands.
Redwing
At Snettisham thousands of waders out on the mud, but the high tide wasn't big enough to push them onto the pools but still a spectacle.

Alan waiting for high tide
On the final day with a storm forecast for the South, I set off to Salthouse to look Snow Buntings while the others were having breakfast I found one in very poor light and a heavy shower.
Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting
Meeting up with the others at Cley Paul soon found a Richards Pipit, although brief flying views it was a new bird for me.

A good weekend as usual with a few pints of Woodford Wherry and an excellent pint of Nelsons Revenge at the the Red Lion in Stiffkey - shame about the photos. But one new bird for me, six more onto my year list. 106 species seen by me over the weekend. Roll on next October!