Norfolk Coast

Sunday 25th August 2013.
A trip to the Norfolk coast with Paul. Our provisional plan was to head for Titchwell but see what the news services were reporting on route. We set off in light rain at 06:00 and the rain steadily got worse. We made a stop at about 08:00 and checked for Norfolk news. A Wryneck plus some other decent birds had us heading for Salthouse. Luckily for us the rain had now eased off and by the time we arrived at Salthouse it had stopped completely, which is a reverse of our normal fortunes. The first decent birds at Salthouse were up to six Whinchat, then Pied and Spotted Flycatchers. Then after giving us a bit of a run around we connected with our target bird the Wryneck. A Hobby flying above the shingle ridge was also nice to see. We also bumped into Tony D here.
Our next stop was at the nearby Cley Marshes. An Icterine Warbler had been reported from here. On arrival at the last known location for the Icterine Warbler we were informed by other birders that it had not been seen for some time. We loitered with not much intent for about thirty minutes before deciding to try for the Greenish Warbler at Stiffkey. We joined a few other birders assembled in the wood near the campsite. While we waited news of another Greenish Warbler at Burnham Overy reached us. This one was reportedly showing well! So off we and a few other birders went and made our way to Burnham Overy Staithe. We made our way to the boardwalk area where the Greenish Warbler was playing hard to get. By way of compensation we had more Spotted and Pied Flycatchers and also a Lesser Whitethroat. It was interesting to see a Pied Flycatcher catch and devour a Small Tortoiseshell. Then the Greenish Warbler gave itself up and showed well for quite some time. We even left this bird to look for a reported Bluethroat. Only partial success here as we only managed a brief glimpse of this bird as it stayed low down in the Suaeda. On our walk back to the car along the coastal path we saw; Spoonbill, Little Egret, Wheatear and another Lesser Whitethroat.
Titchwell was going to be our next destination but we ended up at Thornham Harbour. An Ictreine Warbler had been reported at Thornham Point. Neither of us had been to Thornham Point before so we thought it would be near to Thornham Harbour. On arrival at Thornham Harbour we couldn't see an obvious "point". We asked some people including a guy repairing a boat but nobody had heard of it. On our brief stop here we did manage more Spoonbill and a Marsh Harrier. Our last stop of the day was Titchwell which at the beginning of the day had been our intended first stop. As usual a good selection of waders were to be found here, including our target birds 4 Little Stint. Also Spotted Redshank, Spoonbill, Ruff, Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Avocet. Then on the beach; Sanderling, Turnstone, Oystercater and a stunning summer plumaged Grey Plover also Common and Sanwich Tern. By now time was getting on for 18:00 so we decided to head for home. A female Whinchat and a Wheatear were our last birds of the day. On leaving Titchwell a few birders were arriving. Now and with the beauty of hindsight it must have been to go to Thornham Point which after a bit of research today (b/h mon) is accessed along the beach from Titchwell. At least I think it is!