Late Summer in Norfolk

My first trip to Norfolk for 2013! What, I hear you say – Yes, the first time I've made a visit to the North Norfolk coast this year, shame on me.. The end of July is a good time to see numbers of returning waders and at Titchwell to-day (Sunday 28th July) there were plenty to look at. Highlights were a large flock of roosting Knot, Bar-tailed & Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Lapwing and Ruff. At least 15 Spotted Redshank (some still in summer plumage), 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Snipe, small numbers of Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Redshank,Dunlin and Ringed Plover and singles of Little-ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Whimbrel and Curlew. Five Marsh Harrier, at least 12, possibly 15 roosting Spoonbill, numerous Little Egret, Beared Tit and a single Little Gull of note.

At sea we had an adult pale phase Arctic Skua fly west, originally thought to be a Pomarine. plenty of Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and a few of my favourite – Little Tern, a single Great Crested Grebe. small numbers of Eider and a Common Scoter showing an abnormally bright yellow coloured bill. 

The warm sunshine produced a few butterflies – Comma, Painted Lady, Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Gate Keeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, Small Copper and three species of White. Also an Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar and moths were Brown-tail & Engrailed perched on the vistitors center wall.

All in all a great day out, good company and saw my year list creep up to 212.

Arctic Skua – pale phase at sea – Titchwell  – Tony Davison© 

Little Tern – My favourite British Tern, sadly becoming rather scarce – Titchwell – Tony Davison©

Sandwich Tern – Titchwell – Tony Davison©

Common Tern – above two images – Titchwell – Tony Davison©

Avocet – Titchwell, Norfolk – Tony Davison©

Ruff – Adult male in moult – Titchwell, Norfolk – Tony Davison©

Above two images – Spotted Redshank – winter plumage – Tony Davison©

Spoonbill – Part of the large roosting flock at Titchwell – Tony Davison©

Little Egret – Titchwell – Tony Davison©

Black-headed Gull – juvenile – Titchweel – Tony Davison©

Moorhen – Titchwell – Tony Davison©

Above two images – Wood Pigeon – Titchwell Marsh – Tony Davison©

Reed Bunting on Sueda – male – Titchwell, Norfolk – Tony Davison©