Norfolk was a strange experience in mid-October with biting north winds at the start of the week giving way to days of Indian summer with 20 deg C and clear blue skies by the end ...
This illusion was dispelled by winter visitors arriving with Whooper Swans on Arnold's Marsh ...
A male Kingfisher entertained the occupants of the hide at Cley Marshes giving some close views ...
... and Bearded Tits showed incredibly well as they perched high in the reedbeds in the light winds ...
... and a lone Avocet was regular on Pat's Pool ...
... Titchwell delivered a predictably wide range of species as a Spoonbill flew by ...
... some dark-bellied Brent Geese loafed along the beach ...
... and Snow Buntings fed cryptically among the material along the tideline ...
... a flock of Pink-footed Geese near Holkham included a leucistic individual, the first I've seen in this species ...
... and Red Kites appeared in unlikely beach habitats ...
... with a male Marsh Harrier putting in regular appearances ...
... in an autumn where scarce waders seemed to be in short supply a returning Long-billed Dowitcher was a welcome visitor to Pat's Pool ...
... and interesting to watch it in the company of Black-taled Godwits rather than the Redshank that the long-staying Cumbria bird associated with ...
... two dusk visits to pat's Pool resulted in an absence of gulls although a nice Mediterranean Gull was there earlier in the day ...
... and good numbrrs of Ruff gathered at dusk ...
... one surprise was a fly by of two Ravens at Wells, I was told later that they breed at Holkham ...
