A funny ole day

So North Norfolk it was, our British Airways pilot Mark flew us directly onto Salthouse airfield.

A distant Stonechat became our quarry, an eastern race of which no-one could pronounce the name and a bit of a rarity.

Eventually reasonable views were had, but numerous common Stonechats confused the issue.

The wrong bird

The right bird 

Worryingly a female Sparrowhawk patrolled the area.

Stonechat hawk

My favourite time of day, Nosh-time, a cup of coffee, (gone off tea a bit) with a chocolate chip
muffin ! supposed to be watching my cholesterol !!

Overhearing a pager message BROWN SHRIKE, WEYBOURNE, 5 minutes down the road.

Now if a bird is going to be easy to see, Stonechat and Shrike are prominent .......Yeah.

Wendy, Bob, Mark and myself had already spent ages on one showy bird ? but the Shrike would
surely show well.

Joining the throng of gathered twitchers, we watched and waited.

Pink feet

Some people will do anything for a Brown Shrike.

And waited, eventually views were gained but I can honestly say they were not satisfying, especially
as this was a new bird for Bob, Wend and myself.

Tichwell, our next destination. Sadly I don't think I've ever seen this great reserve so poorly endowed
with birds.

Reported from Holme were several Shorelarks, off we trundled, but again we were thwarted .

Half a dozen Little Egrets were nice.

Little Egret

Little Egret.

Two major rarities and some warm weather with good company made for a nice day out.
The Shrike disappeared later that afternoon.

Thank-you Mark for the use and piloting of the 747.

As I say, it's bin a funny ole day !