Mrs PB and myself have said about visiting Titchwell for a few years, and so when she said she wanted a few days away after a rough couple of months, I immediately searched Norfolk, and ta-daaaaah... here we are!
From the car park, Mr Blackbird
And Mrs Chaffinch (still a dearth of these down home, so I snap them when I see them!)
After a lovely warm greeting in the Welcome Hut, along the first path, looking at distant geese in the field.... I looked closer... uncropped
And then in the next field, but unfortunately behind the grasses... Mr Munty
High in a willow, a big old bumble bee
And in some reeds, opposite, Chiffchaff
Swimming a bit distant down one of the channels, Little Grebe
And much closer, Bloody Nosed Beetle (I think), trundling along
There were several Marsh Harriers through the day, but all remained fairly distant
And lots of Greylag geese
Note the variable cloud cover, depending on which way you were looking!
A Pochard I think, light not great on it
Willow Warbler?
Don't think I've seen Avocets swimming and feeding before, only ever wading to feed
There were a good few Shelduck about, but I don't think I've seen them so irridescent before
Several more irridescers, Mallard, Shoveler and Teal
Along the path to the big hide, a pair of Pied Wagtails were bobbing about
Unfortunately shooting into the sun, but one of two Black Tailed Godwit (I think)
Next up, a surprise...properly close views of a Snipe. I wondered at first if it was a Jack Snipe, as it seemed much smaller than I thought they were, but head stripe says not.... And then my Sniping was interrupted....
And whilst the Little Egret was making a meal of the fish, the Snipe caught my attention again!
A pair of Grey Plover moved through the pools
And some Redshank probed the soft mud
A small flock of Black Brant geese came to visit
And there was either some Shelduck luvvin, or fightin...not sure which
Another distant Marsh Harrier
In the hide, a Small Tortoiseshell
And outside, Black Brant on the march
Another Redshank in the pools
And one of several Curlew
I saw a small bird flying, the other side of the path, and managed to follow it to it's landing, Reed Bunting
And it then conveniently fluttered to a higher branch
We then headed out over the beach... me slightly reticently after Mondays mishap! So all the beach pics are a bit distant lol
Oystercatcher
Plus Sanderling (I think)
I think there are Turnstone here, plus some others, unidentified
Grey Plover (?) on the wing
Turnstone, between plumages perhaps
An oddity on the beach... any ideas? A bit smaller than a tennis ball
It was time for a cuppa, so we headed back to the welcome centre, passing Black Headed Gull
Curlew
Avocets doing what Avocets should...wade and feed!
When shall we three meet again.... Witchy Avocets doing that swimming malarky again
Chiffbler
The next few are around the feeders, whilst we had a nice cuppa
Chaffinch
High Stepping Moorhen
Probably called a Scarlet Wax Cup, or Babyus Bellius orsomething.... but once you'd spotted one, there were loads!!
Around by the pond dipping bit, Common Toad
And one of 2 Peacock butterflies on the same bit of boardwalk
Another Marsh Harrier being annoyingly far away!
Willow... Pollen? Seeds?
One of the thrushes
And finally, way up high, some Siskins
So, as the title suggested, a fabulous visit.
Thanks to those of you that persevered to the end, and I hope you saw some stuff you like!
As always, ID help and corrections always welcome, and thanks again for reading
Stay Safe All
Hi PB,
I've been to Tichwell quite a few times over the years, and it's always very rewarding as your photos confirm, a great set well captured.
With Minsmere only 45 minutes away from me we could meet up if you fancied it when you finally make your way over here.
Best wishes,
Trevor
p.s. I think your Willow Warbler may be a Chiffchaff, legs possibly too dark for a WW.