Norfolk 2 with Marcus

Monday 10th May 2021

Norfolk

Marcus Nash

Another day in Norfolk with Marcus.  I followed the same pattern as before, leaving home at 05.00 to be there for a 08.30 start.  This time our group consisted of Marcus, 4 ladies and myself to comply with the "rule of 6" Covid regulation. This time we were centred on the Cley/Salthouse area for most of the day before relocating to to the North Point Pools (just east of Wells-next-the-Sea) to finish the day.  The weather forecast changed at the eleventh hour with showers now a real threat to our day.  Thankfully we dodged most of them and managed to get in a full birding experience, finishing around 17.00 and I arrived home just before 20.30.

• There was much more evidence of migration in action this time round.  Hirundines were clearly moving west following the coastline as were Redpolls and other migrants.  I saw my first Swifts of the year - scores of them dashing around.  
• As we walked east from the centre following the footpath by the road there was a smashing Lesser Whitethroat, uncharacteristically showing well at the top of the bushes close by.  There were, of course, several Common Whitethroats, characteristically singing away and showing well. 
  
  courtesy of Marcus Nash

• Low and behold, a minute or two later, we heard then saw a superb Garden Warbler in the same area.  It had obviously just arrived as it made no attempt to hide from us.

                                                                                 courtesy of Marcus Nash

• On the freshwater marsh we saw the first of many Wheatears - what a contrast to a few weeks ago when we couldn't find any for love or money.
• There were plenty of Yellow Wagtails around with all three head hues evident - Blue-headed and Grey-headed completing the set.

courtesy of Marcus Nash

• On the saltwater marsh there were a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits.
• I also saw my first Common Sandpipers and Barnacle Geese of 2021

As we were heading back to the Visitor Centre for lunch, Marcus caught a glimpse of a Golden Oriole as it flew west into the wooded area on the south side of the A149.  Unfortunately none of us could get on to it and despite our best efforts we didn't get sight of this very rare visitor.  It had been tracked by the local birders as it hugged the coast on its way west.  We even took an extended lunch at Cley, on the flight path, hoping to see it as it left the cover of the trees and continued on its journey.  Never mind!

We finished the day at the North Point Reserve on the east side of Wells-next-the-Sea, a real gem of a place, often missed by birders.  

• It's a real hotspot for breeding Lapwings and Avocets and we enjoyed splendid views of this scenario.
• Most of the wetland bird species were present but the undoubted highlight was the sight of the Wood Sandpiper.  In fact we saw 3 in total and we were told later that there had been 4 there earlier.  The views were excellent in the afternoon sunshine.

courtesy of Marcus Nash

• 3 Common Sandpipers also showed well and added to the excitement.
• Best of all though was the very showy Jack Snipe on the edge of the island moving slowly between the vegetation.

courtesy of Marcus Nash

Another very fulfilling visit with lots of interesting birds to see.  As before, there were not many rarities around but there was a wealth of very interesting, regular visiting species.