Blown Away at The Wash

Monday, 31st December 2012

We headed out to The Wash in North Norfolk yesterday. The photo depicts a tranquil, gorgeous day. The reality, a non-stop bitter cold wind blasting against us. But, it was really lovely despite the wind. 

The photo was taken at the RSPB reserve in Snettersham and looks across The Wash, the northern part of East Anglia where several rivers enter the sea.

Looking out across the flats, we could see thousands of Eurasian Golden Plovers (Lifer!!) all glowing in the mid-morning sun.

In the distance, a mix of Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshanks, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, Herring Gulls and a lot of 'unknowns'.

The weather these past couple of weeks has been grey and cold, but we chose the best day to head out for a day's birding.

Down by the waters edge we had a couple of Eurasian Oystercatchers;

and a winter plumage Herring Gull

Also in a field nearby were a load of Eurasian Curlew all digging for earth worms, and in the case of this one below, quite successfully;

and finally, for Snettersham, this pair of Greylag Geese;

After Snettersham, we headed off around the coast a little further to another RSPB reserve at Titchwell. More sheltered here, we were not so cold, the birds were closer and there were hides for us to take cover.

It was here that we had another couple of lifers, the cute little Brambling

and an unphotographed Pintail Duck.

As the daylight hours are so short here, Sunrise 08:05, Sunset 15:50 we were done by about 15:00 and headed home as the clouds and rain returned.

We had to stop off for an Indian (Chicken Vindaloo) to warm us up after that.

And guess what, it worked!! 

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