Monday April 19

Sue arrived before 8 so we were able to make an earlier start than usual on her day's birding. News came through of a Gropper at Cley, which seemed too good to miss. We stood on West Bank near the sluice gazing at a Blackthorn bush in the reeds. Despite the chill, the Grasshopper Warbler reeled for a short time and eventually showed in the top of the bush. A dozen Whimbrel passed through, one short whinny alerting us to their presence.
A light shower as we approached Snettisham Coastal Park which persidted as Pam and I ate a delicious bacon bap for breakfast, bought from a van in the car park. We meandered through the scrub, listening to Chiffs and Willow Warblers and watching a scattering of Swallows but little else. A couple of birders we met on the return journey had seen a Swift but we didn't....Several flocks of Pinkfeet around still, landing on the marsh to feed.
Holme Paddocks was very chilly, one Common Whitethroat sang without much enthusiasm, it pleased Sue as did the Sedge Warblers now well in.