3 June 2019 - Titchwell, Hunstanton, Cley

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Spoonbill, Purple Heron (poss), Marsh Harriers, Mediterranean Gulls, Red Kite, Red-crested Pochard, Turtle Doves, Sedge Warbler, Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler (H), Hobby

Got up early and headed to Titchwell, hoping to catch the Purple Heron that had been in the area. Unfortunately the area where it had been seen was on the east side of the marsh, and viewing was directly into the sun. At around 7:30, a heron flew up and circled briefly before dropping down into the reedbed. A chap who was with me said it was the Purple Heron but I couldn't be 100% sure; it was just a silhouette. A Cuckoo sang and then flew past, and one or two Cetti's warblers would burst into song just as you walked past their particular bush.

From the east hide, a drake Red-crested Pochard was visible, and Med gulls were flying over, providing photo opportunities for flight shots. The occasional Marsh Harrier came just close enough for a distant photo, and a Spoonbill flew past. As I walked back to the car, a confiding Muntjac was by the path.

A quick stop at Brancaster beach revealed a Spoonbill asleep on the saltmarsh.

In the afternoon we drove along the coast to Cley, stopping at every obvious patch of water looking for Cattle Egret but no luck. A Spoonbill was visible distantly at Holkham, and Little Egret at Stiffkey. At Cley, lots of Black-tailed Godwits were on the marsh, and a Hobby flew back and forth, though rather distantly. A Skylark perched on the roof of the Cley NWT Visitor centre givng good views. After a coffee, we both went back to the east trail at Titchwell, where a pair of Turtle Doves flew past, but no Purple Heron. Another Red Kite sailed overhead and other birds included Reed Warbler and Whitethroat.

Back at the digs, I went for a stroll along the Cliff Promenade at Hunstanton, trying to photograph the Fulmars that were occasionally popping up above the bushes along the cliff edge. In the field by the lighthouse were loads of Woodpigeon, a pair of Linnet, and two Brown Hares feeding on the short grass.

Spoonbill

Marsh Harrier

Mediterranean Gull

Muntjac

Red Kite

Fulmar

Brown Hare