Monday 14th January - Exclusive Days Guiding for 2 in North Norfolk

Today needed a little adjustment as the first serious snow showers fell, so we moved the tour from East to the North Norfolk coastline!

Heading up there we stopped off first for a couple of perched Buzzards, then again for a small group of 5 Grey Partridge, a group of 4 Roe Deer & several Brown Hare.

We then headed out on to the saltmarsh at Holme where a nice flock of 200 Knot greeted us, we were soon looking at good number of shorebirds with 100 Curlew, 100 Oystercatcher roosting up from the high tide. We didn't have to wait very long before a few Snow Buntings popped into view, eventually we noted a nice flock of c60 Snow Bunting & they eventually allowed very close approach providing excellent views. Also evident were c25 Skylark, c10 Reed Bunting, plus nice groups of Goldfinch, Linnet, Fieldfare & a single Redwing. Further out on the shore we had nice views of Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Redshank, plus notable was a single Greenshank.
A small flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew along the shore & we then headed back. All the waders went up & the culprit soon flew into view - a male Sparrowhawk carrying prey.

We ventured up the entrance track & had lovely views of a nice flock of Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler from the hide, these were accompanied by smaller numbers of Tufted Duck, Pochard & Little Grebe. Plus 2 Marsh Harrier

After a nice casual lunch in the warmth of the Observatory, we headed to Titchwell. The entrance track held some nice birds with a small group of Siskin & Lesser Redpoll, plus at least 4 Brambling at the feeders.

Out on the reserve there was great views of many Pintail, Snipe, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, small group of Black-tailed Godwit  many more of the commoner wildfowl plus 10+ Goldeneye offshore. The best birds were undoubtedly 5 Bewicks Swan flying SW. 
Several Marsh harrier roosted but sadly the visibility closed in & the snow thickened before we could really do the roost justice. We finished with very brief views of a Water Rail in the usual spot!