Waxham pipe dump- glamour birding.

After Saturday's Bluethroat 'experience', a trip to the east coast would help ground me more firmly in reality, but of course with the chance of something a bit special.

The strong northerly winds may have made for some good sea watching, but without shelter this I decided would be futile. Bush bashing it was to be.

Happisburgh coast watch was absolutely dead, apart from the carpet bowls competition. Easy.......

Sea Palling was a little quiet, the winds clearly having an effect on the smaller birds which had probably taken to hunkering down in the scrub.

Waxham proved more fruitful. At the Shangri La cottage, a Sparrowhawk upset a Willow Warbler and the resident Chaffinches. A walk to the pipe dump produced little on route except for a singing Cettis, but the chicken field held 13 Whimbrel and a single Bar-Tailed Godwit. Couldn't help but notice that had been missed as per RBA........ Nice. 2 Stonechat were present and the local Skylark were now attempting to sing over the blowing gale. 4 Greenfinch flew south and 2 Linnet were startled in the dunes.

Girlfriend went ON HER OWN to Strumpshaw. I'm so proud. She saw the Little Gull from the Fen Hide, and some Terns are back. Good birding!

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Grey Phalarope- a new patch bird

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A weekend to live long in the memory

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Notes from the valley

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