Titchwell RSPB, Holme and Cley

Titchwell RSPB - Apparently a single birder saw the Buff breasted Sandpiper at 5.15am and it's not been seen since. I arrived at 6.40am. Massive flock of Knot on the scrapes, little ringed plover, greenshank, several ruff, spotted redshanks, several linnets. No sign of the Camberwell Beauty! Now sitting having a cup of tea in the shade by centre.

Just come up on the pager: green sandpiper and a spoonbill on front of island mere hide - 10.35am.

Sat in the picnic area along with a few others in hope that the Camberwell Beauty appeared, but alas it didn't! Took some pictures of a Speckled Wood and an interesting fly.

Holme Marsh Reserve - only went as far as first hide, couldn't see anything, overgrown. Best thing was a Broad-bodied chaser sitting on a plant in the watery ditch to left of path just before the second kissing-gate. Whilst here the pager bleeped up with news of a Red-footed Falcon seen at 11.20-11.24 between North Creake and Burnham Thorpe.

Holme Reserves - had a NEW Ronaldo ice-cream recommended to me by Pat at NWT Holme 'Stem Ginger'..... this is now my favourite ice-cream, even more than the Gooseberry one!!!!! Incredibly hot today, too hot to do anything really. Dark green fritilaries had been seen in the dunes this afternoon along with a grasshopper warbler (heard). Walked up to Holme Bird Observatory to catch up with Sophie and Jed who I have not seen for AGES and they weren't there!!!! It was being manned by Rob and Anne Gordon who I sat and had a chat with (Rob was leader of the local West Norfolk RSPB group). Walked back to the Firs and bought 3 ice-creams for parents and me - another (yes another!) Stem ginger one! and wrapped in newspaper, flew along the road to my parents who were very pleased with the ice-creams!

Left Holme and cruised along the A149 in the Red footed Falcon direction! Passed a Jazz/Festival on the field by the cafe at Thornham! Bought a cheese scone at Deepdale Cafe and carried on, going through Burnham Market and then turned off to North Creake and then on to Burnham Thorpe. I decided to go on a little tour and drove down all sorts of narrow back roads I have never driven along before and ended up in Wighton - just after the Carpenters Arms (pub) there is a bridge going over an incredible clear stream/river which was quite fast flowing and to my delight saw 2 Banded Demoiselles!!! Not able to photograph them though. No sign of any RFF but a nice little jaunt along Norfolk's back roads. Ended up at Stiffkey and then on to Cley where I drove straight to the Beach Carpark and had a wonderful doze on the shingle on my blanket with pillow!!! After a cup of tea and cheese scone I parked at Old Woman's Lane and walked to Daukes Hide - on the way I got a cracking picture of a juv. Sedge Warbler sitting momentarily on the boardwalk! Reed buntings serenading me and bearded tits flitted about amongst the reeds. Tons of waders on the pools including a Wood Sandpiper at the very back of Pat's Pool, Ruff, avocets, redshanks, spotted redshanks, shelducks, etc etc. Bumped into Pete Snook who had been watching a Spoonbill from North Hide. Beautiful sunset and a much nicer temperature now!