I'm still here!

Rumours of my retirement from birding are unfounded, although it's true I've been away from the field and therefore the birding blogosphere for the past month or so. I've recently returned from a short birding break in one of my favourite parts of the world, the North West Norfolk coast.

Highlights are as follows:

Cley Marshes on Saturday turned up a few goodies. A juv Curlew Sandpiper on Arnold's marsh was a year tick, a Red-throated Diver moulting from summer plumage preened close offshore and best of all, the recently discovered Spotted Crake pottered in full view yards from the Bishop Hide at dusk. My second ever sighting of this intriguing species. Knot and manky Gypo Geese provided further year ticks. Passerine activity included Bearded Tits, two Stonechats, Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler. Four Marsh Harriers were noted and a Barn Owl was seen that evening.

A seawatch from Holkham Gap on Sunday provided excitement when upon spotting a grebe not far out, it soon became apparent I had located a Red Necked Grebe! This has to go down as one of the best, if not my best self-found bird. Chuffed to bits, the birding gods were still smiling on me on my walk back through the pines when a Firecrest showed with the tit/crest flock. Chiffchaff also noted here. Its not Holkham without Pinkies of course, the numbers are building up nicely now for the winter.

A visit to Titchwell that afternoon and although as you can see there is much upheaval afoot as the sea defences are moved back and the main marsh is drying up a good selection of waders were still present; many Ruff, a couple of Avocets, Grey and Golden Plover, Black and Bar Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, with Sanderling and Ringed Plover on the beach. The usual Gannets, Eider, Scoter etc offshore.

On the beach ruins this single Snow Bunting was very confiding...

And this Gannet was even more confiding...

Poor thing. At least it had a good send-off with this shell based memorial (and no that wasn't me that did that!).

A further visit to Cley on Monday and now 4 Spotted Redshanks present along with 3 Greenshank and the Curlew Sandpiper still. A ringtail Hen Harrier flushed everything on Arnold's Marsh and a Water Rail was heard squealing.

Finally Tuesday was spent around Burnham Overy and Titchwell and although it was an enjoyable day there wasn't anything new to report. My only complaint about the trip was that the winds didn't turn easterly during my trip, causing some disappointment on the rare migrant passerine front.