Bar-tailed Godwit at Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Sanderling at Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Curlew Sandpipers at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

A few weeks ago there were over 250 of these lovely waders at nearby Frampton Marsh. There are normally a few of these birds that turn up at various sites around the east every year, including Frampton, but I can't remember ever hearing of 250+. A real jewel in the RSPB, this site seems to be only watched by the locals and doesn't attract the numbers that Titchwell and Minsmere do, for whatever reason.

Josh Jones has written a very good article on Frampton Marsh, which can be found here.

Razorbill at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Great Knot at Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Not a great photo, but the Great Knot can be made out if you look at the bird in the centre of the frame at the front of the main flock (and if you click on the image). This represents only the fifth record of this species in the U.K., a bird that breeds in North East Siberia and overwinters in Australia, so goodness knows what it is doing in Norfolk!

This bird has been present at Titchwell in North Norfolk for almost a week now and tonight was the third visit that I have paid to the site, with the previous two drawing blanks in the way of sightings. Tonight was different with the bird present on the fresh marsh with a large flock of Knot. Always distant and most of the time with its' bill firmly tucked under its' wing, but on the rare occasion it moved the assembled masses were treated to okay views of this rare wader from the East.

Adult Gannets, Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Gannets in flight, Bempton Cliffs RSPB

This is the first of a few posts showing the largest breeding seabird of the U.K., the (Northern) Gannet. The above photos show 3rd calendar year birds, different from the adult and 4th year birds by way of predominant black on the wings, the adult is mostly white with black tips and the 4th year have the odd black secondary feathers. A huge bird with a 1.7-1.9 metre wingspan, a huge bill and a piercing blue eye ring and when seen well cannot be mistaken for any other species, oh, and my Dads' favourite!

Puffin at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Everyone loves a Puffin!

Fulmar at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Singing Sedge Warbler

Bearded Tit, or should that be Bearded Reedling?

Wryneck at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

A bird that I have chased for a number of years and never getting to see is the Wryneck. A true 'bogey' of mine, a species that I have missed so many times that I really thought that I would never see it. Last year, for example I chased three different birds, missing one by a matter of minutes when a confiding bird at Frampton was scared off by a dog and never seen again. Finally, this week, with the help of my friend Chris Orders, I have 'picked' that 'bogey' and boy did it feel good!