Titchwell

Well up nice and early and off to Norfolk to meet Dave. Seeing Kestel and Hobby on the way.

I arrived at Titchwell at 7:30 to find a happy Dave after finding a Willow Tit on the feeders.

Nice to see Ruddy Duck still about but the highlight was loads and loads of Bearded Tits that were very showy.

Other highlights of the walk to the beach were numerous Little Gulls, Little Tern and Little Egrets and a distant Spoonbill.

Not much off of the coast but it was much nicer than last time we were there! Any way there were Sarnie Terns, Common Scoter and one lone Eider. Oh and Sanderling scuttling along the beach. All to the accompanyment of a Skylark.

So back we head inland. There was a Greenshank amongst the Black Tailed Godwits. From Parrinder hide there are some Ruff's with some have a fair amount of the Ruff remaining! Nine Spotted Redshank and lots of avocets. Also Knot and Black Tailed Godwit. A Little Ringed Plover and a Ringed Plover had a spat!

Yet more Beardies and a burst of Cetti Warbler. Oh and a family of Ruddy Duck.

Saw the "Willow" Tit on the feeder. Um bigger bib but not very bull necked although Dave said it had looked more so from the path.

As I had had no breakfast I endulged in a bacon bap. Very nice. A bit of shopping, I picked up two of those Field Study Centre thingies British Land Mammals and British Butterflies.

Joined Dave who was "field testing" bins. Anyway after admiring the new RSPB range (looked good value) we headed off for the secret M*nt*g*'s Harrier site. This is is so secret that I can't tell you where it is. Its so secret it has a sign saying car park! Or as someone described it the worst kept secret in birding.

On my way I realised that I had left my FSC stuff at Titchwell. Bugger!

Anyway we saw a Marsh Harrier on the way before arriving at the site. Yes a sign saying car park. The female did display and then perched up. Thank you. Oh a Common Buzzard.

On to the Honey Buzzard watchpoint at Great Ryburgh. I think I'm allowed to tell you that!! As we walked to the watchpoint we noticed everyone raise their bins ahead of us so turned around to see a raptor. Um Buzzard? soaring on flat wings? looks like our boy. A few minutes later two buzzards were up and in the scope at the same time and the different flight profiles of Honey and Common could be seen.

We went to the Boar Inn at Great Ryburgh for lunch.

We looked at the board to be told it's only Roast Beef today.
Have you booked?
uh no - he heads off to check if they have enough portions.
s'ok! so we head to the garden.

Apparently this place must be popular since 4 people got turned away as they had 3 spares and we had 2 of them. Then again we saw few other people turn up. Anyway very nice it was.

We decided to head back to Titch so I could pick my leaflets up!! Went for a walk around the meadow trail. Looked at some more bins at Titch and at the in-focus store. Some very good stuff available for £300.

So home to catch the end of the footy.

Oh and we never saw a Dunlin!!