North Coast run

August 1
Metcheck promised us a day of rain - the Hunstanton forecast - thank goodness it was totally wrong. How could they? Setting off at 5.40, our first stop was Harpley Cottages for Tree Sparrow followed by Abbey Farm for breakfast with a Little Owl perched in its fallen tree. At least 3 Kingfishers, one a juvenile which crash landed onto the nearside verge of the pool. Could have been its first flight. A Common Buzzard flopped into a treetop in a distant tree.
Redwell Marsh had 8 Snipe feeding in the open but little else. Sun and a balmy breeze made the walk to, and birding from, Gore Point very pleasurable. The tide at it's nadir had exposed rocks and limpets where a good selection of waders fed avidly. Turnstones really have returned together with good numbers of Knot, Dunlin and Sanderling. Half a dozen Whimbrel flew in off the sea and a Cinnabar caterpillar crawled up my face (!). Coffee at the NOA car park hide looking at a largely empty pool, even the Black-headed Gulls have gone, but, there were two Green Sandpipers. We were at a total of 84 birds by mid-day, amazing.
Titchwell on a Saturday is not ideal, especially as we discovered it was the official opening day for the new Island Mere Hide. As we approached Marsh Pool, we could see the pile of rubble that was Parrender Hide, demolished to make way for the new seawall etc planned for the reserve. That's a loss to birders until Dec 2010, when it's due to be replaced.
The new hide has some good features, others bad. Large windows in the corner of the L but the hatches when open leave no room for elbows at all. Most uncomfortable. My nerves were shredded by the unspeakable noise made by the families of the people who had contributed money for the hide in memory of loved ones. The many children ran about shouting - the parents were noisier - shaking the wooden floor and everyone's equipment. Eventually they left, allowing the few of us remaining to view the many waders on display. Rather distantly as the water level was low, but a good variety.Two Curlew Sandpipers were year birds for us. Two Common Sandpipers, Greenshanks, Spotted Redshanks and a single Golden Plover moulting out of its summer plumage amongst a few Dunlin, Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits.
We were both having a weary day, no hwyl at all. A surprise Yellow Wagtail was the highlight at Choseley Barns, none of the 'usuals' present in a short visit.
A short lunch stop at Brancaster with an even shorter drive to Holkham Park, adding Barnacle Geese, their young now almost indiscernible from the parents.
Yes, there was room for us to park in the gateway to Pat's so we made the last walk of the day. Six Yellow-legged Gulls and a single Wood Sandpiper to finish of the list of 94 species. If we'd made any sort of effort, the ton was very possible - but we had a lovely leisurely day. Home soon after 3 to watch the third Test against Australia.