Curate's Egg

The end of the official holiday, Titchwell at last.
Cricket is keeping me up late and awake checking the score at all hours so we didn't leave until soon after 9. The sun was breaking through, the cloud cover high, looked good for the day - but I forgot to watch the partial eclipse at 8. Still looked good until Docking when we met leaden skies and from nowhere, a snow storm. It dumped a good centimetre, covering roads and fields.
There and back to Thornham and a few Black-tailed Godwits before deciding that the cafe at Titch for elevenses seemed the best plan. It's possible to watch birds in comfort there, there's always a local DVD playing and, to-day, it covered Nov and Dec in Norfolk, including Buckenham and Welney.
The snow stopped and Pam returned to the car for scopes and more clothing - and I saw a Treecreeper in the feeders area. It didn't stay for her return.......
Walking directly out to the sea was distinctly chilly on a slippery snow and mud path. We added a Spotted Redshank and a Hen Harrier before we met Dave Holman who hadn't enjoyed sea watching.
The new Parrinder Hide looks splendid, the brightish colour gradually fading towards the promised grey. We'd visit on the way back.

Always a reflection on the near window



Parrinder from the footpath

Using Pam's hanky to wipe the bench, we were able to sit and scan the distant sea. The expected waders on the beach, including Sanderling, a scattering of Goldenye and a distant flock of 2,000 Common Scoter. Velvet Scoter amongst them I'm sure but impossible to ID surely at that distance. The new Parrinder hides were a haven from the biting wind into our faces on the return journey.
Most impressive interiors, they seem to have got this one right after the dreadful Island Hide.
Individual stools, large shelf and good windows, excellent. Soon after arriving in the seaward  facing hide, a flock of 9 Shore Larks landed nearby, stayed half a minute and flew on. An unexpected delight. As was the lone Avocet hugging the bank.
Down a few steps to the brackish marsh facing hide, which has two sections, from which we saw a Water Pipit.
We were very pleased to reach the haven of the car, turn the heater up and drive to Burnham Marshes. My legs were red and had a raised, itchy  rash around the knee area, the cold I suppose. Many geese there but no sign of Buzzards nor the Ross's.
Dave H and Bas were scoping from the side entrance to Holkham. We assumed that they were looking for the reported Ross's in front of Washington. We pulled into a lay by further on where I grumped at the poor visibility - much too low to see over the hedges. I still scanned though - and found the juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard perched in a tree.

Scanning the many Brent between Cley Beach and East Bank was fruitless with regard to Black Brant or Pale-bellied.
We overshot the only place to pull off and scan the Wigeon flock 200 yards east of east Bank, went, and turned back. As we were about to park, the whole flock sprang into the air. A Marsh Harrier fly past. They landed much too far away to scan for the reported American Wigeon.
To my surprise, we turned down Beach Road at Salthouse in the offchance of a kingfisher near the bridge. No luck there but, a flock of Snow Buntings landed on the shingle bank in the middle of the car park. I was about to click the shutter when a Kestrel prompted a rushed exodus.
Home to get warm - eventually - after a mixed but most enjoyable day's birding. Far fewer people around to-day, all birders and largely snow-topped.