Lots of Dips....

Tuesday September 1
The mornings are not getting light until about 6, so. a leisurely start for the first of the month outing. A disappointing start, nothing at Sculthorpe, no Tree Sparrows at our usual places, Little Owl out of view at Abbey. A juvenile Kingfisher there was good, not even any Greylags to pad the list. Hunstanton Cliffs for Fulmar and Rock Dove,before the drive to Holme. A Yellow Wagtail flew overhead as we entered the boardwalk, two Wheatears in the favoured dune area before the 'forestry' on the way to our loved Gore Point at the very nadir of low tide. Plenty of the usual waders on the beach, two of the Red Knot still very red. We met again the delightful Dolly, the pup Jack Russell, plus garrulous owner.
A single Green Sandpiper flew away from the Broadwater, uttering its three syllable call but little else apart from as distant Marsh Harrier.
By late morning, the wind had become unpleasantly strong,we were pleased to sit in Island Hide. The crane at work on the sea defences between the Fresh and Brackish Pools didn't seem to have moved at all in the last week, it is a year's job. Over 50 Dunlin had arrived,several Curlew Sandpipers, a flock of Lapwings and two Avocets amongst the brown ducks and Black-headed Gulls. A flock of Great Ringed Plovers and at least one young Little Ringed Plover on the near mud. A close Snipe and two young Bearded Tits hopped on the mud and reed bases on the reedbed edge. Plenty to keep us happy anyway.
Not a single bird at Choseley, too many paddling people at Brancaster Staithe and just a single Barnacle at Holkham.
Stirring ourselves for an unwanted walk out to Daukes, we were both weary to-day, agin very little to see. The highlight was a single Whimbrel which flew in calling.
Heads full of all the birds we hadn't seen, I was amazed to discover when I checked my list at home that we'd seen a total of 78 - despite not even seeing a Great Tit!!