Thursday 29th January 2026: Norfolk coastal tour

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 Today was cold and grey, but largely dry, save for a few spits which did not interfere with our birding. We started early, with a trip to Titchwell at 6.30am in search of Woodcock dropping in to roost. Although there was some movement in the semi darkness, we were not able to clearly identify any shapes as a Woodcock. An early morning Blackbird and Robin serenaded us from close range, and a Song Thrush perched high on a tree branch, beak agape as it poured forth its magnificent song to greet the morning.

After breakfast, we set off for a long drive to Sheringham, in search of an Eastern Black Redstart, a subspecies, with notably differing plumage. A kind non-birder saw us looking and pointed out the bird sat on a nearby roof, where Sue and Tim both took some photos. Then it flew over to the ornamental gardens, where it paused on a bench, before foraging in and around the bushes nearby, giving excellent and sustained views.



Eastern Black Redstart

Feeling uplifted by this beautiful bird, we headed next to Seahouses, where there had been recent reports of flocks of Snow Bunting and Twite. We couldn’t find either, but a short sea watch turned up a Slavonian Grebe, a solitary Guillemot and a good number of Red-throated Divers, both bobbing on the water, and flying rapidly eastwards. 

We ate lunch at Cley visitor centre, adding Avocet to our list, with a flock sat out on the reserve below us. Our next stop was Stiffkey, where we quickly found three Glossy Ibis out on a flooded field, surrounded by Wigeon, Teal, Black-tailed Godwit and sneaky Snipe.

Glossy Ibis

Next we returned to Burnham Overy where we again walked the sea wall in search of Red-necked Grebe. This time we were successful, finding the bird on a reed lined pool, alongside Ashley Saunders and a group from Oriole Birding. He advised that there were actually two birds here, one on the open water, not now present, and this one on the pool. As we were about to depart, a flock of Golden Plover flew in, landing in an adjacent field alongside a flock of Lapwing. 

Finally, we parked up at Thornham Marshes, hoping for a harrier or Spotted Redshank, but were out of luck. 

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