Day on the coast

On saturday when out with dan to the norfolk coast original plan was to go to Cley first but as Red-back Shrike was showing down the road headed to nearby Kelling Water Meadows not a site visited before but looks promising with the rows of hedge with a Bullfinch heard on the walk to the main water body. At the main body of water had views of a few waders mainly Dunlin and Ruff feeding on the shore edge and Skylark, Linnets and singing Yellowhammer in the farmers field behind. afte racross the water views of the Red-backed Shrike moved down to the hedgeline where it was showing pretty well feeding and also good views of a feeding Ruff and Wood Sandpiper and a few Finches and Reeding Buntings. Then walked up the path where a female Whinchat was on the wooden post.

Young Red-backed Shrike

Wading Ruff

Moulting Male Reed Bunting

Then headed to Cley first stop was the walk up to the beach stopping at the pools with Little Egret, Redshank, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwits, Little Ringed Plover and just a couple of Avocets. Had lunch on the beach with a Seal going past and hunting Sandwich and Common Terns along with a summer plumage Common Gull. Then headed along to the hide where Black-tailed Godwits and ruffs where feeding in front of the hides with the Lapwings with a distance Greenshank and a possible White Wagtail which Dan found. After a little while a few Bird of prey flew through with hunting Hobby, Marsh Harrier and Kestrel.

Black-tailed Godwit in flight

Landing

Flock in flight

Feeding Ruffs

Flyby Marsh harrier

Last stop of the day was a Titchwell where we when to the wader scrape with distance views of 11 Spoonbill (later 13) where the waders where showing really well with Dunlin and at least 8 Little Stint in front of the hide. Further out a mixed flock of Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, Redshanks, a pair of Curlew Sandpiper and after a good look a Spotted Redshank. Then walked down to the beach where on route had a nice flock of summer plumage Grey Plovers. on the beach biggers numbers of Common Terns and Sandwich Terns and a big roost group of Oystercatchers along with about 5 Sanderling feeding on the shoreline.

Feeding Little stint

Little stint next to a Dunlin showing the size difference

10 of the 11 Spoonbill where were together