17/02/2009


February 17
Sue arrived at 8.30 in steady rain. We still set off, hoping it would ease as we travelled west. Still raining at Thursford so, we turned towards Matlaske hoping the Egret would show. A short muddy track into a small roadside wood gave views of the impressive Barningham Hall and the even older church. A small herd of cows, a brown bull and the feeding Cattle Egret showed in the near field. A lifer for Sue. It had actually stopped raining too.
Choseley brought views of 10 Corn Buntings at last with a scattering of Yellowhammers amongst the Chaffinches.
Just one car at Gypsy Lane, east of Titchwell, the returning occupants had not seen much at all and the pager didn't have any news either. The longish path through woods to the marsh was thick with glutinous mud, which made walking unpleasant. Reaching the open with its views of extensive reed beds and marsh to the sea, we walked north, scanning the apparently empty dyke to the east. We didn't have much of an idea where the bird could be as it is at least 40 years since we walked this path.
From nowhere, a lovely Black-necked Grebe popped up beside us and, at Pam's behest, I quickly took some photographs. On the return journey we met A and B on the same quest.
Gore Point gave views of three georgeous summer plumaged, male, Long-tailed Ducks and a host of waders but not the Lapland Buntings we would have liked for the Norfolk list.
After a late lunch at Brancaster Staithe, next stop in the poor, late afternoon light, was a roadside field south of Morston to scan several hundred Pinkfeet for 2 Tundra Bean Geese and 3 Barnacles. A and B were already there, Bridget had one Tundra in her scope which she kindly invited me to look at,I then set up my own scope and scanned. The 3 handsome Barnacles were easy to find, the Bean more problematic in failing light. An enjoyable day despite the weather.

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