27th February
We were up for a couple of days with limited birding time due to other commitments. On the first day, an unseasonably warm day, we dropped in at Titchwell for the afternoon.
Titchwell Marsh, high water levels, high temperature and not a cloud in the sky.
View along the beach towards Brancaster
We arrived when the tide was close to its peak and sightings on the sea included two Great Northern, two Black-throated and three Red-throated Divers, Red-necked Grebe, three Slavonian Grebe, two Guillemot and Red-breasted Merganser.
Reed Bunting male
A Hen Harrier was seen skirting the edge of the brackish marsh. There was a flock of Linnet, with some Twite mixed in with them, as the flock went up one was heard and picked up in flight. There were 31 Mediterranean Gulls on the fresh marsh and despite the high water level there were waders, Knot, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Avocet, Turnstone, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin crowded onto the limited dry areas. Brent Geese and a variety of ducks were present.
Redshank
Drake Teal
Visiting the screened pool, Marsh Harriers could be seen flying over and returning consistently to the same patch of reeds.
Canada and Greylag Geese
Snipe
28th February
The following morning we started with a quick look at Thornham Harbour, hoping for Twite that seemed to have moved on.
Curlew
Thornham coal barn
Moving on next to Holme, the chilly wind made a marked contrast to the previous day. It was misty. The warden felt that many birds had ' cleared out' with the good weather.
Holme beach
Poor visibility - not a wind turbine in sight
Maximum of 200 Wigeon on the sea
Some Sea Buckthorn berries still remain
Afterwards we dropped into Sculthorpe Moor NR, but has left it a bit late, getting there are 2.30, and with the reserve closing at 4, did not give us time to do it justice. On the various feeders we had a Common Redpoll, two Brambling, Marsh Tit, and also a Chiffchaff in the woods.