Monday 22nd January 2024: Norfolk Day1: Welney and Snettisham

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 We had a horrendous journey up to Norfolk, but all was quickly forgotten as we approached Welney WWT reserve and found several flocks of Whooper Swans loafing in the fields. We met Sue at the car park and were soon watching good numbers of Tree Sparrows on the feeders. Two new ticks in a matter of minutes was an excellent start to our trip. As we had delayed journeys, we decided not to go into the reserve itself, and headed instead towards Snettisham. We drove off in convoy spotting a juvenile Cattle Egret on the river bank as we departed. Along Ten Mile Bank amongst a flock of Lapwing, I managed to detect a lovely flock of Golden Plover, well camouflaged against the mud. Continuing on, another field was full of Fieldfare and small gulls, then we spied a Great Spotted Woodpecker hanging onto a telegraph pole. 

Tree Sparrows

At Snettisham it was cold and blowy, but the sunshine made it warm enough. At the first pool we quickly encountered a Black-throated Diver, initially at the far end of the pool, but later coming very close to the path, giving good views. There were several Goldeneye as we continued our walk and on a further pool we were thrilled to find a stunning drake Long-tailed Duck. Scanning the beach here a pair of Shelduck, a Curlew and a single Turnstone were readily identifiable.

Long-tailed Duck

Black-throated Diver

We continued the short distance to the hide and spent some time scanning the beach, where there were  many birds, but often at some distance. Teal and Wigeon roosted on the flats, and Sanderling were busy feeding, together with Grey Plover dispersed across the beach. A tight flock of Oystercatchers huddled close to the waters edge at some distance and we managed to make out some  more Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit. An Avocet and Ringed Plover added to the wader bonanza. Vast numbers of waders murmurated spectacularly over the sea, likely to be Knot, swirling into fantastic writhing shapes as they swooped low then high through the air. A wondrous experience. A flock of Black-tailed Godwit also flew over, their white wing bars clearly visible in flight.

Our final stop of the day was at Thornham Harbour as the light was beginnings to fade. The tide was very high but a Red-breasted Merganser bobbed along not too far away and in the last vestiges of saltmarsh a flock of Brent Geese were busy feeding. From the direction of Holme, swathes of Pink-footed Geese ribboned noisily across the sky, with the orange sun setting behind them. A brilliant end to a fantastic birding day.

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